Dallas and Eagles Game Score: The 21-Point Upset Nobody Expected

Dallas and Eagles Game Score: The 21-Point Upset Nobody Expected

Honestly, if you turned off the TV at halftime during the Week 12 matchup between Dallas and Philadelphia this past November, nobody would’ve blamed you. It looked like a total funeral for the Cowboys at AT&T Stadium. The scoreboard was a massive eyesore for the home crowd: Eagles 21, Cowboys 7. Actually, it was worse than that. It was 21-0 before Dallas even woke up.

The final Dallas and Eagles game score of 24-21 is one of those results that doesn't just look weird on paper—it feels impossible if you saw the first thirty minutes. The Eagles, coming off their Super Bowl title defense, looked like they were playing a high school team early on. Jalen Hurts was just... doing whatever he wanted. He ran for two scores, found A.J. Brown for another, and Dallas looked like a team ready for the offseason.

Then Dak Prescott decided to break a record and a few hearts in the process.

How the Dallas and Eagles Game Score Flipped

The vibe shifted right before the half. It was a tiny spark, really. Prescott found George Pickens—who has been a monster since landing in Dallas—for a 1-yard score. It felt like "too little, too late" at the time. But that touchdown was the start of 24 unanswered points.

Think about that.

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The Eagles didn't score a single point in the entire second half. Not a field goal. Not a Tush Push. Nothing.

Dallas basically strangled the life out of Philadelphia's offense in the third and fourth quarters. Saquon Barkley, who is usually a lock for 100 yards, was held to just 63 on the ground. The Cowboys' defense, which has been hit-or-miss all 2025 season, suddenly turned into the '85 Bears for exactly 30 minutes.

The Turning Points

  • The Record: During the first drive of the second half, Dak Prescott surpassed Tony Romo for the most passing yards in Cowboys history. You could see the confidence grow after that nine-yard completion to Pickens.
  • The Fumble: Saquon Barkley losing the ball in the fourth quarter was the "uh oh" moment for Philly fans. Sam Williams knocked it loose, and Kenneth Murray pounced on it.
  • The "Randy Moss" Catch: Tom Brady was on the call for FOX, and he couldn't stop yelling about a 43-yard grab by George Pickens. It set up Dak's 8-yard scramble to tie the game at 21.

Breaking Down the Dallas and Eagles Game Score Stats

If you just look at the total yardage, the Dallas and Eagles game score makes more sense. Dallas outgained Philly 473 to 339. That is a massive discrepancy for a game that was decided by a field goal.

Dak finished with 354 yards and two passing touchdowns. On the other side, Jalen Hurts was efficient (27-of-39) but the vertical threat just vanished in the second half. A.J. Brown had 110 yards, but almost all of that damage was done while the sun was still up.

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By the time Brandon Aubrey stepped onto the field for the game-winner, the momentum was so heavily on the Cowboys' side that the 42-yard kick felt like a formality. Aubrey had missed a 51-yarder earlier in the game—a rare human moment for him—but he didn't blink when the clock hit zero.

Season Context

This win put Dallas at 5-5-1 at the time, keeping their flickering playoff hopes alive for a few more weeks. For the Eagles, who were 8-2 entering the building, it was a reminder that the NFC East is never actually "safe." Even though the Eagles finished the 2025-26 season at 11-6 and locked up the #3 seed, this loss remained a thorn in their side.

Dallas, unfortunately, couldn't bottle that magic. They finished 7-9-1. A losing record, sure, but they can at least say they handed the champs a historic "L" after being down by three touchdowns.

What This Means for the 2026 Season

Looking ahead, the rivalry is in a weird spot. Dallas is entering a "full overhaul" on defense, according to most analysts, but they found something special in the Pickens-Prescott connection. Pickens finished that game with 146 receiving yards. He’s the clear WR1 moving forward.

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The Eagles have to figure out why their offense disappears in high-pressure second halves. They lost a lead of 21+ points for the first time since 1999. That stays with a locker room.

If you're looking to track future matchups or betting lines for the next time these two meet in 2026, keep an eye on the turnover margins. In this game, both teams turned it over twice, but Dallas's takeaways happened in the red zone. That’s the game right there.

Actionable Next Steps for Fans:

  • Watch the Condensed Replay: Focus on the third-quarter defensive adjustments Dallas made to take away the middle of the field from Hurts.
  • Check the 2026 Cap Space: Dallas needs to prioritize re-signing Javonte Williams and George Pickens to keep this offensive core together.
  • Review the Injury Report: Monitor Saquon Barkley’s workload as the Eagles head into the playoffs; his late-game fatigue was visible in the Week 12 tape.