3 Studs (and 2 Duds) From Cowboys' Week 9 Loss to Eagles
• Mike McCarthy continues to struggle with time management
• Dak Prescott deserved a W
By Randy Gurzi
Dud: Michael Gallup, Wide Receiver
One of the worst decisions Dallas has made recently was to trade Amari Cooper and then use the saved salary to extend Michael Gallup. Sure, there was a time when he was a 1,000-yard receiver and a go-to target, but Gallup hasn't been the same since tearing his ACL in January 2022.
Gallup struggled upon his return in the 2022 campaign, catching just 39 of 74 passes for 424 yards. Throughout the offseason, however, we heard how much better he looked and how prepared he was to show out in 2023.
So far, that hasn't happened.
Gallup came into the weekend with just 224 yards on 20 receptions without a touchdown. Then when he was targeted for the first time against Philly, he had a huge blunder.
Facing a third-and-three with just 1:20 to go in the half, Prescott found Gallup wide open for a pass that should have resulted in a first down. That didn't happen, though, as Gallup dropped the pass, which resulted in the offense settling for a field goal.
The defense was able to force a punt, but that could have led to more points for the Eagles. Not only that, but if the Cowboys could have scored a touchdown instead of taking the 3 points, they might have been able to find a way to pull off this close contest.