When Dak Prescott took the snap with 1:52 left in the fourth quarter, down 21-17 and facing a third-and-10 at his own 38-yard line, the Dallas Cowboys weren’t just trying to win—they were trying to rewrite history. And with a 24-yard strike to Brandin Pickens, they did. Two plays later, Brandon Aubrey drilled a 42-yard field goal as the clock hit zero, sealing a 24-21 victory over the Philadelphia Eagles at AT&T Stadium on Sunday, November 23, 2025. It wasn’t just a win. It was the largest comeback in the storied rivalry’s 85-year history—and Prescott’s 25th career fourth-quarter or overtime win, surpassing Tony Romo’s legendary mark.
A Half of Heartbreak, Then a Miracle
The first 30 minutes felt like a replay of the Eagles’ dominance in recent years. Jalen Hurts carved up the Cowboys’ defense like a surgeon, connecting on deep throws to DeVonta Smith and Quez Watkins, while Saquon Barkley turned every carry into highlight reel material. The Eagles led 21-0 at halftime, with two touchdowns from Hurts and one from Barkley. Dallas? Zero points. A fumble. An interception in the red zone. A missed field goal. Fans were already heading for the exits. But here’s the thing: Dak Prescott doesn’t believe in endings. Not when there’s still time on the clock. Not when the crowd’s still roaring, even if it’s half-empty. The Cowboys’ offense, dormant all half, woke up with a jolt in the third quarter. Pickens, a 28-year-old rookie with more grit than hype, caught a 1-yard touchdown pass to make it 21-7. Then CeeDee Lamb, the team’s star receiver, turned a slant into a 48-yard bomb that set up Brevyn Spann-Ford’s first NFL touchdown—a 4-yard catch that cut the deficit to 21-17.The Turnover That Changed Everything
With 1:35 left, the Eagles had the ball at the Dallas 27-yard line, poised to ice the game. Hurts handed off to Barkley on a short screen—and the ball popped loose. It bounced once, twice, then rolled toward the sideline. At the 35-yard line, it was touched by a Cowboys defender. By the time it settled, K. Murray was on it at the 33. The crowd erupted. The Eagles’ sideline went silent. Then came the sack. Osa Odighizuwa, 28, blew past Lane Johnson’s replacement and crushed Hurts on third down. The Eagles were forced to punt. The Cowboys got the ball back with 1:52 left. No timeouts. 62 yards to go. No margin for error. Prescott, 32, calmly surveyed the defense. He read the coverage. He saw Pickens breaking toward the sideline. He fired. The ball hung just long enough for the rookie to outleap the cornerback. First down at the Eagles’ 38. Two plays later, Aubrey stepped up. The kick was true. The stadium exploded.
Why This Matters More Than the Record
Breaking Romo’s record is symbolic. But this win? It’s structural. The Cowboys were 5-5-1 entering the game. They were on the outside looking in at the NFC playoff picture. Now? They’re alive. Prescott’s home winning streak against NFC East rivals? Now 19 games. No quarterback in NFL history has done that against one division. And it wasn’t just Prescott. Pickens finished with 9 catches for 146 yards and a touchdown. Lamb, despite only one reception, made it count. The defense, which looked lost in the first half, held the Eagles to just 3 points in the second half. Meanwhile, the Eagles—8-3, once the NFC’s top seed—now have questions. Hurts threw for 354 yards and two touchdowns. Barkley averaged 12 yards per carry. But they couldn’t close. Two fumbles, both lost. A 21-point lead vanished. "We’ve got to find a way to finish the game," Hurts said afterward, his voice flat. "We didn’t play a complete game."The Human Cost and the Hidden Story
This game carried extra weight. It was the Cowboys’ first home game since the death of 24-year-old defensive end Marshawn Kneeland, who passed away in a car accident just days before. His jersey number, 95, was painted on the sideline. Players touched it as they ran onto the field. Prescott dedicated the win to him. And then there’s the Eagles’ offensive line. Left tackle Lane Johnson sat out with injury. Center Landon Dickerson, who’s missed four games this season, was back—but clearly not at full strength. The line gave up five pressures in the second half. That’s not just bad luck. It’s a systemic flaw.
What’s Next?
The Cowboys (5-5-1) head to New York to face the Giants on December 1. Win that, and they’re back in the playoff conversation. The Eagles (8-3) host the Washington Commanders on the same day. A loss there, and their path to home-field advantage in the playoffs gets steep. For Prescott? This wasn’t just a record. It was a statement. In a league that chews up and spits out quarterbacks, he’s still standing. Still leading. Still finding a way.Frequently Asked Questions
How did Dak Prescott break Tony Romo’s record?
Prescott recorded his 25th career fourth-quarter or overtime comeback win on November 23, 2025, surpassing Romo’s previous record of 24. This win against the Eagles marked his 19th consecutive home victory against NFC East opponents, a feat unmatched in NFL history. His 23-of-36 passing for 348 yards and two touchdowns, including the game-winning drive, sealed the milestone.
What made the Eagles’ collapse so surprising?
The Eagles led 21-0 at halftime and had outgained Dallas 248-78 in total yards. Jalen Hurts and Saquon Barkley were dominant. But Philadelphia’s offensive line deteriorated in the second half, and they committed two critical fumbles—including one by Barkley with the game on the line. Their inability to run out the clock or protect a lead exposed a troubling lack of composure under pressure.
How did Brandin Pickens emerge as a key player?
The 28-year-old rookie, drafted in the sixth round, caught nine passes for 146 yards and a touchdown, including the pivotal 24-yard reception on the final drive. He became the first Cowboys rookie with 140+ receiving yards in a comeback win since 2005. His chemistry with Prescott, built over weeks of late-practice reps, proved decisive when the team needed it most.
Why was Brandon Aubrey’s kick so significant?
Aubrey’s 42-yard field goal was his 11th game-winning kick of the 2025 season—the most in the NFL. He’d missed a 51-yard attempt earlier in the game, but his poise under pressure didn’t waver. At 29, he’s become the most reliable kicker in the league, and his consistency was the final piece in one of the most dramatic finishes in Cowboys history.
What does this mean for the Cowboys’ playoff chances?
Before the win, Dallas had a 22% chance to make the playoffs, per Football Outsiders. Now, they’re at 51%. With wins over the Giants and Commanders looming, they could be in the NFC wild-card race by December 15. Prescott’s leadership and the team’s resilience have turned a 5-5-1 season into something far more meaningful.
How did Marshawn Kneeland’s death impact the team?
Kneeland, a 24-year-old defensive end who passed away in a car accident days before the game, was a beloved locker room presence. The Cowboys wore his jersey number on their helmets and held a moment of silence before kickoff. Prescott said after the game, "He believed in us even when we didn’t believe in ourselves." The emotional weight of the win was as real as the scoreboard.
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