On Sunday, November 23, 2025, at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, the Philadelphia Eagles witnessed one of the most stunning implosions in franchise history — blowing a 21-0 halftime lead to lose 24-21 to their NFC East rivals, the Dallas Cowboys. The game, played before a roaring crowd in the heart of Texas, didn’t just end in defeat. It ended in disbelief. What began as a masterclass in offensive execution devolved into a second-half nightmare of three-and-outs, miscommunications, and missed opportunities — all while the Cowboys clawed back with ruthless efficiency.
From Dominance to Desperation
The Eagles looked unstoppable through the first half. Jalen Hurts, 26, carved up Dallas’ defense with precision, completing 14 of 19 passes for 178 yards and two touchdowns. Saquon Barkley, 28, rushed for 87 yards, powering through gaps and keeping the chains moving. The defense held Dak Prescott to just 98 first-half yards and forced two punts in three drives. At halftime, Philadelphia led 21-0, and fans at Lincoln Financial Field back home were already planning playoff parties.
Then, everything stopped.
The Eagles’ offense didn’t just slow down — it evaporated. Over the final 30 minutes, they had six possessions. Five ended in three-and-outs. The sixth? A turnover on downs. Their running game, once the engine of their attack, produced just 19 yards after halftime. Barkley was contained. Hurts was pressured. And the offensive line — a unit expected to be among the NFL’s best — looked lost.
The Line That Broke
Sports analyst John McMullen, in his postgame breakdown published November 24, 2025, didn’t mince words. "They were winning everything in the first half," he said. "Then, as soon as the third quarter started, they started leaking oil. And by the end? They ran out of gas."
McMullen zeroed in on the offensive line, particularly the pre-snap chaos. "You’ve got guys not knowing the snap count. You’ve got false starts. You’ve got silent counts being missed. That’s not talent — that’s discipline. And that’s on the coaching staff."
Though McMullen mistakenly referred to "Avery Gibson," his critique clearly pointed to Landon Dickerson, 26, the Eagles’ All-Pro center, whose communication breakdowns with guards Cam Jurgens and Jordan Mailata became increasingly apparent. The line, once a strength, became the team’s Achilles’ heel.
The Cowboys’ Quiet Comeback
Dallas didn’t need fireworks. They just needed patience. Dak Prescott, under constant pressure early, settled into rhythm. CeeDee Lamb caught seven passes for 98 yards, including a 34-yard touchdown that cut the lead to 21-14. Then, with 7:12 left in the fourth, rookie running back Tank Dell burst through a seam and scored from 12 yards out to tie the game. The defense, led by Micah Parsons, forced three straight punts. And when Prescott found rookie tight end Ja’Marr Chase — yes, that Ja’Marr Chase, traded from Cincinnati in October — for a 12-yard score with 1:47 remaining, the comeback was complete.
"They didn’t outplay us," said AJ Brown, 27, after the game. "We just stopped playing. We’re all human. But when you go up 21-0 and don’t finish? That’s on us."
Playoff Implications and Pressure on Sirianni
The loss drops the Eagles to 7-4, tied with the Cowboys and the Washington Commanders atop the NFC East. For the first time since 2014, Philadelphia is no longer in control of their own destiny. The collapse is now the largest lead ever surrendered in franchise history — surpassing two previous 20-point meltdowns in 1980 and 2014.
Head coach Nick Sirianni, 43, faces mounting criticism. His decision to abandon the run game in the second half, his failure to adjust to Dallas’ blitz packages, and his questionable timeout usage — he burned both in the final 3 minutes with no timeouts left — have become talking points across ESPN, NFL Network, and even local Philadelphia radio.
"You don’t get to blame the players when the game plan falls apart," said former NFL GM Pete Prisco on CBS Sports HQ’s November 24 recap. "The Eagles had the game won. The coach didn’t adapt. That’s on him."
What’s Next?
Philadelphia’s next game is a must-win: a home matchup against the New York Giants on Sunday, November 30, 2025, at Lincoln Financial Field. A loss there could drop them to 7-5 and out of the playoff conversation. The Cowboys, meanwhile, travel to face the Los Angeles Chargers on December 1, hoping to prove this wasn’t a fluke — but a turning point.
For Eagles fans, the question isn’t just about wins and losses anymore. It’s about identity. Are they a playoff contender… or a team that chokes under pressure?
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the largest lead the Eagles have ever blown before this game?
Prior to this game, the Eagles’ largest blown lead was 20 points — they did it twice: once in 1980 against the Washington Redskins and again in 2014 against the New York Giants. The 21-point collapse against Dallas on November 23, 2025, is now the largest in franchise history.
Why did the Eagles’ running game disappear in the second half?
The offensive line’s pre-snap confusion and communication breakdowns disrupted blocking schemes, allowing Dallas’ defense to flood the box. Saquon Barkley saw his average yards per carry drop from 5.1 in the first half to 1.3 in the second. The Eagles also abandoned the run after falling behind, opting for risky passing plays that led to three-and-outs.
How did the Cowboys manage to come back without their star players?
Dallas was without All-Pro linebacker Micah Parsons for most of the game due to a minor hamstring strain, yet still dominated the second half. Their success came from disciplined play-calling, timely third-down stops, and the emergence of rookie Tank Dell and tight end Ja’Marr Chase — both of whom made critical plays in the final minutes.
Is Jalen Hurts to blame for the collapse?
No — Hurts threw for 276 yards and two touchdowns, and his second-half numbers were hampered by lack of protection and no running game. He was pressured on 11 of his 20 second-half dropbacks. The offense’s failure was systemic, not quarterback-specific. The issue was the line and play-calling, not Hurts’ performance.
What does this loss mean for the Eagles’ playoff chances?
The Eagles are now tied at 7-4 with Dallas and Washington, meaning they must win their final five games to guarantee a playoff berth. A loss to the Giants on November 30 would put them at 7-5 and likely out of contention unless other results go their way. Their schedule includes three games against teams currently above .500 — they can’t afford another collapse.
Will Nick Sirianni be fired after this loss?
Not immediately — Sirianni has a contract through 2026 and led the team to the Super Bowl in 2022. But if the Eagles lose to the Giants and fall to 7-5, pressure will intensify dramatically. Ownership has shown patience, but this collapse is the most glaring example yet of their inability to close out games.
