The Dallas Cowboys didn’t just win a game on Sunday — they rewrote history. Trailing by 21 points to the Philadelphia Eagles with less than 15 minutes left, the Cowboys rallied to win 24-21 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, on November 23, 2025, thanks to a 42-yard field goal by kicker Brandon Aubrey as time expired. The win wasn’t just dramatic — it was unprecedented. This was the largest comeback in the 84-year rivalry between these two NFC East rivals. And for the Eagles? It was their first loss after leading by 21+ points since 1999.
A Team Grieving, Then Rising
Before kickoff, the stadium fell silent. A video tribute played on the giant screens honoring Keanu Kneeland, the Cowboys’ defensive lineman who passed away earlier this month. Players wore black armbands. As the team ran onto the field, Osa Odighizuwa, Kneeland’s close friend and fellow defensive lineman, carried a flag bearing Kneeland’s name and jersey number — 94. That moment wasn’t just emotional. It was fuel. The Cowboys played for more than points. They played for one of their own.
The Eagles’ Commanding Lead — And Why It Crumbled
The Philadelphia Eagles looked like champions early. A.J. Brown was unstoppable, hauling in eight catches for 110 yards and a touchdown. DeVonta Smith added 89 yards, and Saquon Barkley caught seven passes for 52 more. By halftime, the Eagles led 21-0. They had the NFC’s best record at 8-2. They were the defending Super Bowl champs. They were supposed to win this game — easily.
But something shifted in the third quarter. Dak Prescott, who entered the game needing just 48 yards to break Tony Romo’s franchise passing record, delivered. A 48-yard bomb to CeeDee Lamb set up tight end Brevyn Spann-Ford for his first NFL touchdown. Then, Prescott found George Pickens on a 1-yard slant. Suddenly, it was 21-14. And then, 21-21.
The Turnover That Changed Everything
With 1:52 left, the Eagles faced third-and-8 at their own 35-yard line. They needed just one first down to ice the game. Instead, Osa Odighizuwa blew past right tackle Jordan Mailata and sacked Jalen Hurts, forcing a fumble that was recovered by linebacker Zack Baun. The Eagles’ offense had been unstoppable all night. But that one play — that one sack — gave the Cowboys the ball back with 1:47 left and no timeouts.
Prescott didn’t hesitate. He hit Pickens for 24 yards. Then, after two quick passes to Lamb and Jake Ferguson, the Cowboys were at the Eagles’ 42-yard line. No time for a drive. Just one kick. Aubrey, who’d missed a 51-yarder earlier in the game, stepped up. The snap. The hold. The kick. The ball sailed through the uprights. The stadium exploded. The Eagles’ sideline froze.
What This Means for the NFC East
The Eagles drop to 8-3. Their path to the top seed in the NFC just got rocky. They’ve now lost two of their last three games, and this one — after leading by 21 — will haunt them. Head coach Nick Sirianni didn’t blame his players. He took it all. “I’m always going to put that on me as the head coach,” he said after the game. That kind of accountability is rare. But it doesn’t change the fact that the Eagles blew a lead bigger than any they’d ever lost before.
For the Cowboys? This win keeps their playoff hopes alive. At 5-5-1, they’re still in the hunt in the NFC East. But more than that — they proved they have guts. They hadn’t won a game after trailing by three touchdowns since 2014. Now, they’ve done it against the best team in the NFC.
What’s Next?
The Eagles host the New York Giants next week. They’ll need to fix their late-game execution — and their mental toughness. The Cowboys, meanwhile, travel to face the Washington Commanders in Week 13. With Prescott now holding the franchise’s all-time passing record, and Aubrey proving he can deliver under pressure, Dallas isn’t just surviving — they’re believing.
Why This Game Will Be Remembered
This wasn’t just a win. It was a statement. Prescott, at 30, is playing the best football of his career. Pickens, the rookie-turned-veteran, had nine catches for 146 yards — the kind of performance that turns heads in the locker room. And Aubrey? The undrafted kicker from Alabama who wasn’t even on an NFL roster two years ago — he just hit the most important kick in Cowboys history.
The Eagles had everything: talent, momentum, home-field advantage in the rivalry. But football — real football — is about heart. And on Sunday night in Arlington, the Cowboys had more of it.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the significance of Dak Prescott breaking Tony Romo’s record?
Dak Prescott surpassed Tony Romo’s franchise record for career passing yards during the game, becoming the all-time leader in passing yards for the Dallas Cowboys. He needed just 48 yards entering the game and finished with 342, cementing his legacy as the most prolific passer in team history — even as he led the greatest comeback in the rivalry’s history.
How rare is a 21-point comeback in NFL history?
Only 14 teams in NFL history have overcome a 21-point deficit to win since 1970. Of those, just three came in the final two minutes of regulation. The Cowboys’ win was the first time since 2018 that a team won after trailing by 21+ points with under two minutes left — and the first in a rivalry game since 1994.
Why did the Eagles lose despite dominating early?
The Eagles’ offense stalled in the second half, and their defense — which had been top-ranked — gave up three unanswered touchdowns in the final 15 minutes. Key penalties, missed tackles, and a critical sack-fumble by Osa Odighizuwa shifted momentum. Most importantly, they stopped playing with urgency, assuming the game was over.
How did Brandon Aubrey handle the pressure of the game-winning kick?
Aubrey had missed a 51-yard attempt earlier in the game, but remained composed. He’s known for his calm demeanor under pressure, and his coach said he requested the final kick even though it was his third field goal attempt of the night. His 42-yarder was his sixth successful kick of the season from 40+ yards — a perfect 6-for-6 record from that range.
What role did Keanu Kneeland’s tribute play in the game?
The emotional tribute to Kneeland, who died after a sudden illness, galvanized the Cowboys’ defense. Osa Odighizuwa, who shared a locker room with Kneeland, said afterward, “We played for him tonight.” The team’s intensity in the fourth quarter — especially on defense — mirrored the passion of the tribute, turning grief into grit.
Does this win change the Cowboys’ playoff chances?
Yes. At 5-5-1, the Cowboys are now tied for third in the NFC East and just one game behind the Eagles. With three games left, including two against division rivals, this win gives them momentum and confidence. They’re no longer a long shot — they’re a threat to win the division if they keep playing like this.