For the first time since the 2017 season, the Eagles won in Dallas and in this season it was a wire-to-wire, dominant victory. Here are some observations…

1. Turning takeaways into a touchdown

This can sometimes be a very simple play: when the defense takes the football away and the offense then turns that takeaway into a touchdown, it changes the nature of a play. And that’s what happened on Dallas’ second offensive possession, when quarterback Cooper Rush fumbled out of the shotgun for a snap and defensive tackle Milton Williams ripped the ball away from Rush on the ground. Eagles football, first on the Dallas 17 yard line.

Four plays later, quarterback Jalen Hurts advanced Brotherly into the end zone for the score and a lead. Key play on the four-play, 17-yard drive: Hurts checks to running back Saquon Barkley on a third-and-6 play and Barkley spins and jukes and then makes his way 13 yards to the 1-yard line – he didn’t jump over anyone, but it was a superior run nonetheless – to convert the first and set up Hurts for the score.

What’s important to note is that the Eagles have been flying, the turnover ratio has improved from -6 when the Eagles were 2-2, to +1 now that the Eagles are 7-2.

“I think the defense did a really good job,” Head Coach Nick Sirianni said. “They played a great game today. Forced that turnover I think after our turnover was huge to keep it at 7-3. But they played, I just thought they played, they started fast. They played great all game “I like it when we tackle well, I mean, we tackled very well.”

2. Additionally, the Eagles defense is holding its own…and will continue to hold its own

Philadelphia’s offense turned the ball over twice: an interception in the end zone and a lost fumble that gave Dallas possession at the Philadelphia 6-yard line. But the point is, the defense was in control the entire time. And when Hurts lost the football late in the first half and Dallas took possession at the 6-yard line, there was cause for concern. The Eagles led 7-3, but you could feel the momentum shifting.

Not with this Eagles defense. Philadelphia limited Dallas to 1 yard on three plays and only gave up a field goal to maintain the lead. Then Hurts put together a 7-play, 84-yard touchdown drive — he was 5-of-6 passing for 60 yards and running once for 24 yards — and finished things off with a 14-yard touchdown pass to Dallas Goedert and the Eagles led 14-6 at halftime. That is complementary football and that is why the Eagles have won five games in a row.

“We’re just balling. We feel it. We’re all together, all eating as one, and it shows on film and it shows in the game,” defensive tackle Jalen Carter said.

3. This 2024 Eagles Rookie Class is going to be big every week

You’ve seen it, and most of the love went to the first and second picks – Quinyon Mitchell and Cooper DeJean – and that’s understandable. But let’s dig deeper into this. Third-round pick Jalyx Hunt got some playing time early in this game, rushing to the football and receiving a tipped pass. He’s coming.

Running back Will Shipley – keep an eye on him – averaged 32 yards on two returns. Linebacker Jeremiah Trotter Jr. continues to play well on special teams. Sixth-round pick Johnny Wilson had a good number of reps, blocked well for the running game and also caught his first touchdown pass. DeJean, in addition to his excellent play as a cornerback, returned a punt 31 yards. Truly, this group has had a bigger impact than any Eagles Rookie Class. A great start for the whole class.

“Well, it means a lot because when you get into that part of the season I think sometimes guys, especially young guys, are trying to find their place on the team, which is their role,” Hurts said. “You have to be diligent, you have to be patient.”