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PHILADELPHIA — When you expect a game to be terrible, sometimes it surprises you and ends up at least entertaining. Sunday at Lincoln Financial Field was worse. Actually, I don't know how a more unwatchable game could be played. Dan Bailey couldn't even make short kicks.
Here are my thoughts on the Cowboys' 6-0 Week 17 win over the Eagles.
1. A must-fix issue
The Dak Prescott to Dez Bryant combination continued to struggle. Prescott targeted Bryant five times in the first half. He caught one pass for five yards. They hooked up for a 50-yard play late in the second quarter, but it was called back because of a Byron Bell hold.
And let's not act like the Eagles were playing their starters. Having wrapped up home-field throughout the NFC playoffs, the Eagles were largely playing backups.
The connection didn't improve much in the second half. Blame the scheme or the players, either way it's the most important thing the Cowboys have to fix this offseason.
2. Zeke
Ezekiel Elliott played the entire game. He needed 120 yards to record his second consecutive 1,000-yard season. He finished with 103 yards on 27 carries. Elliott had a 25-yard run early in the second half. There weren't as many of those long runs from the star back when he was on the field this season. Expect that to change next year with a healthy offensive line and a motivated running back. You'd think a frustrating season like this would light a fire under the entire group.
3. The defense
The Cowboys played their first-team defense throughout. The Eagles played their first-team offense for four series. There wasn't anything to play for, but you wouldn't know it if you were watching Sean Lee on this 17-degree afternoon.
The group held up their end of the bargain, shutting down the Philadelphia offense. Just not sure how impressive that is considering who was on the field. And they allowed Nate Sudfeld to actually look pretty good playing behind Nick Foles.
4. The NFL draft
There's already been a lot of talk about what the Cowboys should do in the upcoming draft. Wide receiver and linebacker have been popular suggestions. Sunday afternoon again showed that offensive tackle needs to be high on that list.
When Tyron Smith hasn't been on the field, the entire offense has sputtered. They need to upgrade the swing tackle position. Dallas can't go through another season with this type of drop-off if Smith or La'el Collins go down.
5. Record
Get excited, folks! The Cowboys improved to 12-4 on the road over last two seasons and 5-1 against NFC opponents in 2017. If you would've predicted those numbers at the beginning of the year, a Cowboys playoff berth would've seemed like a lock.
But it wasn't about those games. When looking back on 2017 it will be about the six games Elliott was suspended and the losses to the Rams, Packers and Seahawks — games when Elliott was on the field.
