Coach Nick Sirianni's Philadelphia Eagles squared off with the Dallas Cowboys during a Monday Night Football home game that became a shootout after Dallas began torching the Eagles secondary. The Eagles lost a key depth piece at receiver which gave rookie Makai Lemon a chance to pick up his QB Tanner McKee, which he did willingly.
The former USC star got loose on a pick play near the goal line that resulted in six points for the Eagles and gave them new life midway through the third quarter.
Eagles offensive coordinator Sean Mannion planned changes before the game, and they appeared to work better than in previous weeks as Sirianni's team went over the 20-point mark for the first time since October 4.
The Vic Fangio-led defense was another story as the Eagles struggled to cover Cowboys stars CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens at the receiver position. Lamb had 74 yards and two touchdowns early in the fourth quarter while Ryan Flournoy had 70 yards and George Pickens had 57 yards and a touchdown. Eagles DB Cooper DeJean was beaten badly on one of the touchdowns which led to Peyton Manning pointing out the obvious.
Lemon's touchdown gave Philadelphia fans hope that the former USC star could spark their passing game during a time when top targets DeVonta Smith and Dallas Goedert had struggled with injuries. McKee's stirring pregame speech gave the Eagles a tough mindset heading into the game, and they would be tested over and over again as the game wore on.
Lemon has a long way to go until he can match his college production, but he showed signs of life on a tense day in Philly.