Cowboys pull even with Eagles in NFC East with 33-13 victory

ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Mike McCarthy was nervous for an NFC East showdown with Philadelphia after the Dallas coach missed two days during the week after an emergency appendectomy.

Not to worry, thanks to his quarterback, kicker and opportunistic defense.

Dak Prescott threw for two touchdowns, Brandon Aubrey made four field goals to start his career a record 30 for 30, and the Cowboys pulled even in the division with their 15th consecutive home victory, 33-13 over the Eagles on Sunday night.

The Cowboys (10-3) weren’t deterred by Jalen Carter’s 42-yard fumble return for a touchdown, winning their fifth consecutive game since a loss at Philadelphia that gave the Eagles a two-game division lead.

Dallas owner Jerry Jones said it was the biggest win in McCarthy’s four seasons as coach.

“And it has to do with the fact that he came up off the operating table and did not even wince and stand there and fight it all night and coach it,” Jones said.

The Eagles (10-3) lost three fumbles and didn’t score an offensive touchdown as quarterback Jalen Hurts, who had the first fumble, lost consecutive games for the first time since October 2021.

While the Cowboys currently hold the tiebreaker with an extra NFC East victory, the defending NFC champion Eagles would take the division title on subsequent tiebreakers if they win their remaining four games.

“The role’s the same as it’s always been,” coach Nick Sirianni said. “And now we’re going through some adversity. And so adversity can do a couple of things to you. It can break you or it can make it way better.”

Aubrey became the first kicker with two field goals of at least 59 yards in the same game, connecting from 60 yards late in the first quarter. His 59-yarder in the third allowed Aubrey to surpass Greg Zuerlein and Harrison Butker, who each had a pair from at least 58 yards.

The 28-year-old rookie added two in the fourth quarter, from 45 and 50 yards, to extend his NFL record for perfection to start a career. The previous record was 18.

“Just going out there, doing it one at a time,” said Aubrey, who grew up in the Dallas area and once was a Major League Soccer prospect. “I know I can make any of the kicks they’ve asked