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Dallas Cowboys: 5 Things to build on from crucial win vs. Eagles

By Randy Gurzi

ARLINGTON, TEXAS - OCTOBER 20: Xavier Woods #25 of the Dallas Cowboys returns an interception against Alshon Jeffery #17 of the Philadelphia Eagles and Miles Sanders #26 of the Philadelphia Eagles in the second half at AT&T Stadium on October 20, 2019 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)
ARLINGTON, TEXAS - OCTOBER 20: Xavier Woods #25 of the Dallas Cowboys returns an interception against Alshon Jeffery #17 of the Philadelphia Eagles and Miles Sanders #26 of the Philadelphia Eagles in the second half at AT&T Stadium on October 20, 2019 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images) /
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NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – SEPTEMBER 29: Josh Hill #89 of the New Orleans Saintsis tackled by Sean Lee #50 of the Dallas Cowboysduring the first half of a NFL game at the Mercedes Benz Superdome on September 29, 2019 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – SEPTEMBER 29: Josh Hill #89 of the New Orleans Saintsis tackled by Sean Lee #50 of the Dallas Cowboysduring the first half of a NFL game at the Mercedes Benz Superdome on September 29, 2019 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images) /

3. Veteran leadership on defense

The Cowboys have a lot of talent on defense, highlighted by players such as Robert Quinn and DeMarcus Lawrence. They also have two of the best young linebackers in the NFL with Jaylon Smith and Leighton Vander Esch.

Each of those players can fly around the field and make plays, with Smith showing off that skill as he recorded seven tackles, one pass defense, and forced a fumble in this big win. Unfortunately, his running mate, Vander Esch, wasn’t able to help as much as he normally does as he was knocked out of the game with a neck injury.

With him out of the game, the veteran Sean Lee took over. Lee had one fourth-quarter drive that especially stood out as he diagnosed and destroyed just about every play on the drive for the Eagles.

It was Philadelphia’s second to last drive and they were desperately trying to make something happen, but Lee had other plans. He tackled running back Miles Sanders three times on that drive and was in coverage when a pass fell incomplete deep to Zach Ertz.

He then read the following play, a fourth-and-four pass, and jumped the route. Lee had both hands on the ball, with what looked to be a sure interception. He let it slip through his hands and it fell on the turf but ended the drive anyway.

Seeing vintage Lee was fantastic. The Cowboys know Smith and LVE are the future but getting such great play out of Lee could be the thing that pushes them over the top.

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