The Dallas Cowboys finally delivered the kind of performance they desperately needed in Week 7, but former quarterback Troy Aikman isn’t ready to change his opinion of the team. Following Dallas’ 38-21 victory over the Philadelphia Eagles on Monday Night Football, Aikman pumped the brakes when asked by Scott Van Pelt whether the win changed his view of the Cowboys.
Aikman isn’t ready to get carried away
Van Pelt asked Aikman directly whether Monday night’s performance changed the way he viewed Dallas. Aikman’s response was blunt.
“Eh, not really. Not really. And I don’t mean that as a negative,” Aikman said. “This is a beat-up Philadelphia team. To come in here and win tonight, I mean, let’s not get carried away.”
Aikman did acknowledge that the Cowboys did what they were expected to do against an Eagles team dealing with significant injuries. However, he believes there is still plenty for Dallas to prove before it can be viewed as a legitimate contender.
The Cowboys improved to 3-4 with the victory, snapping a two-game losing streak. Dallas’ offense produced 416 total yards, including 204 rushing yards, while Dak Prescott threw three touchdown passes and Javonte Williams rushed for a career-high 155 yards and a touchdown.
That production represented a significant turnaround after Dallas managed just 29 combined points during its previous two games.
The Cowboys’ defense remains Aikman’s biggest concern
While Aikman gave Dallas credit for the victory, he believes the defense will ultimately determine how far this team can go.
“They’ve still got a ways to go,” Aikman said. “But that’s going to be the key to this team is how far along can this defense come between now and when the playoffs roll around, if they get in.”
That concern remains understandable despite Monday’s improvement. Dallas did make several important plays defensively, including an interception from DeMarvion Overshown, who returned to the lineup after missing five games with a hamstring injury. The Cowboys also got cornerback Cobie Durant back into action.
Still, Philadelphia was playing without Jalen Hurts, who is out for the season, while Saquon Barkley was dealing with a hamstring injury. Backup quarterback Tanner McKee threw for 211 yards and a touchdown but also committed a costly interception as Philadelphia dropped its fifth consecutive game and fell to 2-5.
For Dallas, the victory was undoubtedly important. But Aikman’s message was clear: beating a depleted Eagles team is one thing. Proving the Cowboys can consistently play at that level is another.
The next several weeks will determine whether Monday’s performance was the beginning of a turnaround or simply one strong night against a struggling division rival.