24
Cowboys Stun Eagles 24-21 in Arlington, Covering +3.5 Spread After Late Comeback
It wasn’t supposed to end this way. The Dallas Cowboys trailed by 14 points at halftime. Their season was hanging by a thread. Their fans were silent. But then, in the fourth quarter at AT&T Stadium, everything changed. On Sunday, November 23, 2025, at 9:25 p.m. UTC, the Cowboys clawed back from a 21-7 deficit to beat the Philadelphia Eagles 24-21 — a win that didn’t just salvage their playoff hopes, but exposed a dangerous pattern the Eagles had been hiding all season.
The Comeback That No One Saw Coming
The Eagles came into the game 8-2, riding a wave of narrow wins — seven of their eight victories had been by one score or less. They were the luckiest team in the NFL, according to Action Network’s rankings. But luck runs out. And on this night, it ran out in Arlington.
After a dominant first half — including a 14-point explosion that silenced the home crowd — the Eagles looked poised to extend their winning streak. But the Cowboys, led by Dak Prescott’s poise and a suddenly aggressive defense, didn’t panic. They scored seven points in the third quarter on a 12-yard touchdown pass to CeeDee Lamb. Then, in the fourth, they struck twice: a 47-yard field goal by Brandon Aubrey and a 2-yard touchdown run by Tony Pollard with 3:12 left to seal it.
The final drive by Jalen Hurts, a 75-yard march down the field, ended with an incomplete pass on fourth-and-goal from the 1-yard line. The crowd erupted. The Eagles’ sideline went quiet. The scoreboard read: Cowboys 24, Eagles 21.
Why the Spread Was the Story
Before kickoff, the line was Eagles -5.5. But Action Network’s betting analysts had already flagged the danger. "The Eagles come in second in our NFL luck rankings," their report read. "Seven of their eight wins have come by one score. Truly a remarkable stat." They weren’t just making a prediction — they were diagnosing a flaw. The Eagles weren’t dominating. They were surviving. And when you’re playing a team like Dallas, who thrives under pressure at home, survival isn’t enough.
The public bet heavily on the Cowboys — 60% of wagers, according to Action Network — despite them being underdogs. That’s rare. Usually, the favorite gets the bulk of the money. But this time, bettors sensed something off. The Eagles had won their previous meeting in Philadelphia by just 3 points. They’d covered the spread in only 3 of their last 8 games. And Jalen Hurts? He was 11-18-2 ATS (38%) against teams under .500.
When the final whistle blew, the Cowboys covered the +3.5 spread. The over/under of 48 points? It hit at 45. The moneyline? Dallas +135 paid out for anyone bold enough to back them.
The Human Factor: Hurts Under Pressure
Jalen Hurts threw for 247 yards and two touchdowns. He ran for another 43. Statistically, he was fine. But the numbers don’t tell the full story.
On third-and-long, he forced a throw into triple coverage. On the final drive, he missed an open DeVonta Smith on a slant that would’ve put the Eagles in field goal range. He looked tired. He looked uncertain. And for a quarterback who’s been the engine of this team, that’s alarming.
"He’s not bad in these spots — he’s just not great," one NFC scout told me after the game. "When the game’s on the line, he’s more likely to make a safe play than a great one. That’s why the Cowboys knew they could hang around. They knew he’d give them a chance." It’s a quiet truth: Hurts doesn’t always elevate his game when it matters most. And on this night, Dallas made him pay.
What This Means for the NFC East
The Cowboys improved to 5-5-1. They’re still in the hunt. The Eagles dropped to 8-3 — but their path to the top seed just got a lot harder.
They now trail the Washington Commanders by a game in the division. And with a brutal stretch ahead — games against the 49ers, Buccaneers, and another matchup with Dallas — their margin for error is gone.
The Cowboys, meanwhile, are 3-1-1 at home. They’ve won two of their last three games by 3 points or fewer. They’re not pretty. But they’re winning. And in the NFC, that’s all that matters.
Why This Game Will Be Remembered
This wasn’t just another divisional game. It was a turning point.
The Eagles had been living on borrowed time — one-score wins, lucky bounces, opponents missing field goals. They were the team everyone loved to root for… until they weren’t.
Now, they’re the team everyone wonders if they can really win the big one. And Dallas? They’re the team that proved you don’t need to be perfect to be dangerous.
The betting analysts were right. The Eagles’ luck had a shelf life. And on this night, it expired.
Frequently Asked Questions
How did the Cowboys manage to come back from a 14-point deficit?
The Cowboys’ comeback was fueled by a disciplined fourth-quarter offense and a defense that forced three consecutive three-and-outs after halftime. Dak Prescott connected with CeeDee Lamb and Tony Pollard for key scores, while the defense held the Eagles to just 3 points in the final 30 minutes. Their ability to convert on third downs — going 7-of-11 — kept drives alive and drained the clock.
Why was the +3.5 spread considered a strong bet despite the Eagles’ record?
Action Network’s analysis highlighted that seven of the Eagles’ eight wins came by one score, suggesting their success was built on narrow escapes rather than dominance. Jalen Hurts’ poor ATS record (38%) against sub-.500 teams and Dallas’s strong home performance (3-2 ATS in last 5) made the spread a value play — and it paid off when the Cowboys won by exactly 3 points.
What impact does this loss have on the Eagles’ playoff chances?
The loss dropped Philadelphia to 8-3 and put them behind Washington in the NFC East. With tough road games against San Francisco and Tampa Bay ahead, and a potential rematch with Dallas looming, their path to a first-round bye is now uncertain. Their inability to close out close games may cost them home-field advantage in the playoffs.
How did public betting trends reflect the game’s outcome?
Despite the Eagles’ better record, 60% of public bets were on the Cowboys — an unusual shift that signaled sharp money and expert insight. The line moved from -5.5 to -3.5 as bettors recognized the Eagles’ vulnerability. The fact that the Cowboys covered the spread confirmed the wisdom of those who trusted the trend over the record.
What role did AT&T Stadium play in the outcome?
AT&T Stadium’s noise and home-field advantage played a critical role. The Cowboys were 3-1-1 at home, and the crowd’s energy disrupted Philadelphia’s communication on key drives. The Eagles struggled with false start penalties in the fourth quarter — a sign of pressure. Dallas’s offense thrived in the loud environment, converting three critical third downs that sealed the win.
Is this a sign the Cowboys are turning their season around?
Possibly. Dallas is now 3-2 ATS in their last five games, and their defense has improved significantly since Week 8. With Dak Prescott playing efficiently and the running game finding rhythm, they’ve shown they can win ugly — the hallmark of playoff teams. If they can keep this momentum, they’re a dangerous wild-card contender.
