DALLAS — The Dallas Cowboys came away with a much needed victory over the Philadelphia Eagles Sunday night 27-20 at Lincoln Financial Field. For a club that was 3-5 coming into the game, largely due to their 0-4 road record, the Cowboys faced more adversity than just their divisional foe.
With the Cowboys producing 410 yards total offense, converting on eight of their 16 third downs, didn't commit a turnover, and losing their lead twice in the second half, there was a pathway for Dallas to find a way to lose, just as they had in Carolina, Seattle, Houston, and Washington. Instead, the Cowboys found a way to win.
"I think it's something that you can always lean back on," said center Travis Frederick Monday at an early Thanksgiving dinner for the Salvation Army. "Any time that you have success or adversity, it's a positive because you get a chance to learn from that. What helped us have success and how did we get better from the adversity? So, you look at those things and you try to get better and continue to improve throughout the season."
Though Frederick is on injured reserve and has not played a game all season due to his battling Guillain-Barre Syndrome, he goes about his business with the team as though he is a player. Therefore, he has firsthand experience of the significance of the win.
Frederick's backup, Joe Looney, a reserve interior lineman who has risen to the occasion of filling in Frederick's shoes, understands November road wins are what help propel seasons for middle tier teams such as Dallas.
"Every game in the NFL is huge, and each game counts," Looney said. "But to get a win like that on the road this time of the season, it's definitely big."
Because the win was against the Eagles, Frederick sees the victory as having double the impact.
Said Frederick: "I think it was a huge win. I think that anytime you get a chance to get a win against a division opponent, it sort of counts as two wins because it's a win for you and a loss for them. So, that's definitely going to prove big as we try to push for things here at the end."
Dallas is now 2-1 in the NFC East as are Washington and Philadelphia. The Cowboys host Washington on Thanksgiving for a chance to avenge their 20-17 loss on Oct. 21 while the series continues with a Dec. 9 home date with the Eagles.
Do you think that the Cowboys can build off this win in Philly and turn their season around or are you still unconvinced? Share your thoughts on the Cowboys with Mark on Twitter @therealmarklane.