ARLINGTON, Texas — Dak Prescott threw for 347 yards with three touchdowns, and Brett Maher kicked the go-ahead field goal late in the game and the Dallas Cowboys beat the Philadelphia Eagles 40-34 in a thrilling Christmas Eve NFL contest on Saturday.
Prescott, who also ran for an additional 41 yards, was 27 of 35 in pass completion, threw two touchdown passes to CeeDee Lamb, who ended with 120 yards from 10 catches, and one to Michael Gallup on the evening. Ezekiel Elliott ran for a score for Dallas (11-4) which improved to 8-1 at home this season. Read more: Christmas Eve NFL scores and schedule – Dec. 24
Gardner Minshew threw two touchdown passes to DeVonta Smith and rushed for another score filling in for the injured Jalen Hurts, but also had a pair of interceptions –with his second pick setting up Maher’s go-ahead kick.
Smith took eight catches for 113 yards, while A.J. Brown ended with 103 yards from six receptions for the Eagles (13-2), who remain the NFL team with the best record this season.
Minshew completed 24 of 40 passes for 355 yards in his first start of the season for the Eagles.
The defeat today means Philadelphia had its five-game winning streak snapped, but the team remains in the driver’s spot to collect the NFL overall seed in the playoff.
The traveling team got off to a good start when defensive end Josh Sweat picked off an ill-advised throw by Prescott and ran 42 yards for a touchdown to give his team an early 10-0 lead.
Brett Maher’s 21-yard field goal tied the game at 17-17 with 1:49 left the in the first half before Elliott gave the Cowboys the lead again with a 47-yard FG which they took into the halftime break.
Lamb’s second TD catch made it 34-34 with 5:49 left in the game. Rookie cornerback DaRon Bland took the ball away from Philadelphia receiver Quez Watkins for Minshew’s second interception, leading to Maher’s 48-yard kick for a 37-34 lead.
