NEW YORK: Fired-up receiver Dez Bryant scored three touchdowns to ignite Dallas’s 38-27 win over the rival Philadelphia Eagles yesterday as the Cowboys regained control of the NFC East.
Bryant got into a pre-game shouting match with Philadelphia’s Malcolm Jenkins and carried his rage onto the field where his 114 receiving yards gave the Cowboys their biggest win of the season.
“I was focused,” Bryant told reporters after his first career three-touchdown effort.
“We knew this game was going to be big. From here on out there’s big games. We have to block everyone else out.”
Dallas (10-4) moved one game in front of the Eagles (9-5) for first place in the division after they had relinquished the top spot on Thanksgiving when Philadelphia handed them a 33-10 blowout defeat.
In the rematch, the Cowboys raced out to a 21-0 lead before the Eagles responded with 24 straight points to seize the lead.
Dallas responded with a long drive and a two-yard TD run from DeMarco Murray, and Bryant caught his third score to give the visiting Cowboys a 35-24 lead.
Both teams added late field goals, and Philadelphia’s chances were hurt by a fourth-quarter Brent Celek fumble - one of their four turnovers on the night. Philadelphia trailed by eight points with about eight minutes left.REUTERS
