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3 Gutsy Individual Efforts That Helped Eagles Upset Cowboys

By Steven Kubitza

The Eagles took down the Cowboys thanks to some great individual efforts.
The Eagles took down the Cowboys thanks to some great individual efforts. / Patrick Smith/Getty Images

The Philadelphia Eagles fielded a very depleted roster on Sunday when they hosted the Dallas Cowboys. Well, that didn't seem to matter as the Eagles gutted out a 17-9 victory. In what was a hard-fought win, a few individuals stood out above the rest, having gone above and beyond in order to secure the W. Here are the three players who had the biggest impact on the game.

3. Zach Ertz Fights Through Pain

Ertz played through a rib injury.
Ertz played through a rib injury. / Patrick Smith/Getty Images

Ertz had to leave the field with a rib injury in the first quarter, only to return, get his ribs wrapped, and finish the game with four catches for 28 yards. While his numbers weren't anything to write home about, the Eagles were depleted at receiver and Ertz fought through pain in order to be there for his team. That's the kind of effort fans love to see from their star players.

2. Fletcher Cox Returns and Forces Fumble

Cox returned after what looked like a bad injury.
Cox returned after what looked like a bad injury. / Patrick Smith/Getty Images

Fletcher Cox seemed to do serious damage to his arm after trying to make a one-armed tackle. He came off the field and then returned a few plays later to force a Tony Pollard fumble that was recovered by Malcolm Jenkins. The fumble ended what had been a successful drive for the Cowboys into Eagles territory. Not to mention, Cox made the play with one good arm.

1. Carson Wentz Spreads the Ball Around

Wentz elevated those around him.
Wentz elevated those around him. / Patrick Smith/Getty Images

Wentz is missing all his most experienced targets but still found a way to win with the likes of Dallas Goedert, Miles Sanders, and Greg Ward as his top receivers. He went 31-for-40 with one touchdown and didn't throw an interception. His play elevated the inexperienced talent around him and made the Eagles receiving corps look superior to the star-studded Dallas group. Wentz played this one safely, and it paid off.