Cowboys lean hard on run game

Dallas Cowboys fans saw a different offensive identity take shape on Sunday. The team beat the Philadelphia Eagles 38-21, a result driven largely by a ground game that has been missing for much of the 2026 season. Owner and general manager Jerry Jones publicly advocated for a run-first approach after watching his running back post the best numbers of his career.

Javonte Williams rushed for 155 yards, marking his first game with at least 150 rushing yards since Dallas employed Ezekiel Elliott as its primary back in 2018. Williams averaged 6.2 yards per carry and scored the final touchdown of the game. The Cowboys totaled 204 rushing yards, which stands as only the second time they have exceeded the 200-yard mark since Brian Schottenheimer became head coach and play-caller last year.

The shift in offensive rhythm addressed a recent slump for quarterback Dak Prescott. Dallas had just finished back-to-back games with the lowest scoring totals for Prescott since 2019, a period during which the running game sputtered against blitzing defenses. Jones noted on his radio show that a strong rushing attack allows Prescott to operate from under the center more frequently, creating a different defensive challenge for opponents.

Despite the emphasis on the ground game, the top three salaries on the team still accounted for three of the four touchdowns. Prescott completed three of his five passes for touchdowns in just 15 completions. CeeDee Lamb contributed two scores, while George Pickens added a reception that Prescott described as one of the best toe-taps he has seen in a long time. Pickens had limited opportunities compared to Lamb, who drew 12 targets to Pickens' fewer attempts.

Head coach Brian Schottenheimer generated a season-high 416 total yards in the victory. He kept his postgame press conference brief, a demeanor that stood out after a week of criticism regarding his job security. Prescott defended his coach, stating that the team supports Schottenheimer and that he takes pride in his work, noting that everyone handles external noise differently.

The defense, however, continues to struggle with third-down efficiency. The Cowboys allow opponents to convert at a 52.9% rate, the worst figure in the league. On the first drive of the third quarter, Philadelphia moved 84 yards on 17 plays to take a 21-20 lead. The Eagles went 4 of 5 on third down and converted a fourth-and-1 on that drive, despite their own offensive injury issues.

Penalties also hurt Dallas in the first half. The team committed five of its seven total penalties on defense, and four of those infractions resulted in first downs for Philadelphia. Linebacker DeMarvion Overshown returned from a five-game absence due to a hamstring injury and made a diving interception in the fourth quarter. Cornerback Cobie Durant, returning from a four-game absence, also played without issue.

Rookie linebacker Jaishawn Barham saw limited action, playing a season-low 21 snaps. Veteran Shemar James started and tied for the team high with 58 defensive snaps, taking on a larger role in communicating calls. Lamb has recorded two two-touchdown games this season, a feat he did not accomplish last year. He is tied with Christian Watson for second in the league with six receiving touchdowns.

The Cowboys are 3-4 and prepare for a home game against the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday. Both the Cardinals and the Indianapolis Colts, their next two opponents, hold 2-5 records. Schottenheimer’s longest winning streak in his first season was three games.