Dallas Cowboys play calling questioned as Philadelphia Eagles take control of NFC East

By Stefan Stevenson

Updated December 22, 2019 8:09 PM

The Dallas Cowboys trailed by 11 points to start the fourth quarter and the social media reaction wasn’t kind to a listless first three quarters Sunday against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field.

Two play calls on 3rd and 1 drew particular derision from media and fans.

The first came in the second quarter when Troy Pollard fumbled on a read-option play with Ezekiel Elliott on the sideline. Elliott had actually taken himself off the field and the turnover did not lead to any points.

The second 3rd and 1 came in the second half and was an incomplete pass.

The Eagles won 17-9 to move into first place in the NFC East. If Philadelphia wins next week against the Giants, they’ll win the division. The Cowboys have to beat the Redskins and hope the Eagles lose to the Giants to win the division and earn the lone playoff berth from the East. Both games have been flexed to 3:25 p.m. from noon.

The only time the BEST option with your season on the line and facing 4th and 8 is a fade throw is if you have an absolute beast on the outside that turns the LOW % play into a high % play

Ummm...wow...@dallascowboys...no words
— Joel Klatt (@joelklatt) December 23, 2019

Why didn’t the #Cowboys run the ball more? Coach Gary Brown tells me they thought they could take advantage in the passing game. They knew the Eagles were going to stack the box against Zeke. But things happen & they tried to adjust, just didn't work out the way they thought.
— Jane Slater (@SlaterNFL) December 23, 2019

On 4th and 8 with the game on the line, the Cowboys throw a fade. The lowest % pass in the playbook. Think about that...
They didn’t have a pick or rub play on the menu but an alley-Ooop pass to your WR2..
— Bucky Brooks (@BuckyBrooks) December 23, 2019

#Cowboys head coach Jason Garrett on why Amari Cooper wasn’t in towards the end of the game, “He was rotating with Tavon Austin so Tavon was in.” @BlueStarBlog @NBCDFWSports pic.twitter.com/OUGICngehG
— Newy Scruggs (@newyscruggs) December 23, 2019

Jason Garrett: “We’ll get ‘em next year!”

Cowboys: pic.twitter.com/KBPtFTdEI3
— Josiah Johnson (@KingJosiah54) December 23, 2019

“I guess Jason Garrett has to take an Uber home!”

BG with some words for the Cowboys and the media who picked the Cowboys to win pic.twitter.com/vPiRrhjXOM
— NBC Sports Philadelphia (@NBCSPhilly) December 23, 2019

Kyle is a Cowboys fan (via ig:chez32) pic.twitter.com/BVQj1UR7Zz
— Barstool Sports (@barstoolsports) December 23, 2019

That was the perfect end to a gut-wrenching Cowboys season of supreme underachievement. So consistently painful to watch. Merry Christmas, Jerry. You got taken by so many players who gave you so little bang for the many bucks you paid them.
— Skip Bayless (@RealSkipBayless) December 23, 2019

The only touchdown the Cowboys had in Philadelphia pic.twitter.com/0hgl56vJae
— NFL Memes (@NFL_Memes) December 23, 2019

Being a Dallas Cowboy fan is hard.... pic.twitter.com/KkJEKJGNz7
— Casey Donahew (@caseydband) December 23, 2019

There's a billion subplots with the Cowboys now, but one has to be this: Do not pay Amari Cooper what he's asking for. Do not do it, Dallas.
— Frank Schwab (@YahooSchwab) December 23, 2019

RT to ruin a Dallas Cowboys fan's Christmas. pic.twitter.com/A9q4FiwfCK
— NBC Sports Philadelphia (@NBCSPhilly) December 23, 2019

Philadelphia @Eagles fans to Cowboys fans after taking control of the NFC East: pic.twitter.com/xaqWHqbTOc
— FOX Sports: NFL (@NFLonFOX) December 23, 2019

3 & 1, season on the line. Zeke on the bench, Pollard fumble.

4th & 9, game on the line, Amari Cooper on the bench. #Cowboys
— Emmanuel Acho (@thEMANacho) December 23, 2019

Cowboys fans to Jason Garrett pic.twitter.com/YET6Cqc0rP
— Complex Sports (@ComplexSports) December 23, 2019

Welp, that's what happens in life, Cowboys fans pic.twitter.com/hCnU5a7Jib
— ESPN (@espn) December 23, 2019

Season on the line, quarterback hasn’t thrown all week, and Zeke Elliott gets 13 carries. The coaches should have to walk back to Dallas. #Cowboys #Eagles
— Mike Greenberg (@Espngreeny) December 23, 2019

No way to spin this. With a chance to lock up the division, the Cowboys came to Philly and laid an absolute egg against an injury-ravaged Eagles team.

No touchdowns scored, in a do-or-die game. 7-8 on the season. Another low point in a season that’s been full of them.
— David Helman (@HelmanDC) December 23, 2019

Me watching this game (and really this season)... pic.twitter.com/yosaLRDYpV
— Brady (@BIZBL1212) December 22, 2019

Whyyy?? Why why why?!!! Why throw it on 3rd & 1!!!! Gahhhhh
— Ambar Garcia (@AmbarGarciaTV) December 22, 2019

Awful play call on 3rd and 1. Limit your options. Run the ball
— Clarence Hill Jr (@clarencehilljr) December 22, 2019

I guess we are going forget zeke play football on 3rd down
— Dez Bryant (@DezBryant) December 22, 2019

This story was originally published December 22, 2019 at 6:18 PM.

Stefan Stevenson

Fort Worth Star-Telegram

Stefan Stevenson was a sports writer for the Fort Worth Star-Telegram from 1997 to 2022. He covered TCU athletics, the Texas Rangers and the Dallas Cowboys.

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