The Dallas Cowboys’ 38-21 victory over the Philadelphia Eagles may have given owner Jerry Jones another reason to pursue a major trade before the NFL’s Nov. 10 deadline.
Dallas improved to 3-4 with Monday night’s win, keeping itself within reach of the NFC East lead despite an inconsistent season and persistent defensive concerns. The New York Giants remain atop the division at 4-2-1, but the Cowboys have an opportunity to close the gap with a manageable stretch of games ahead.
Jones appeared energized by the victory, celebrating from his suite alongside former Cowboys receiver Michael Irvin. With the trade deadline approaching, Dallas could once again become an aggressive buyer as it tries to turn a promising offensive roster into a legitimate playoff contender.
Cowboys Still Have Work to Do Despite Eagles Win
The victory over Philadelphia was important, but it did not erase Dallas’ earlier struggles.
The Cowboys faced an Eagles team missing starting quarterback Jalen Hurts, who is expected to miss the remainder of the season because of blood clots in his lungs. Philadelphia also played without wide receiver DeVonta Smith, while running back Saquon Barkley was limited by a hamstring injury.
Despite those absences, the Eagles kept the game competitive for much of the night before Dallas pulled away in the second half.
Dak Prescott threw three touchdown passes, and Javonte Williams rushed for a career-high 155 yards and a touchdown. The Cowboys also generated more pressure defensively and forced a decisive fourth-quarter interception from DeMarvion Overshown.
The second-half improvement offered encouragement, but Dallas still has questions to answer before it can be considered a serious threat to the NFC’s top teams.
Jerry Jones May See an Opportunity to Buy
Jones has never been shy about making aggressive moves when he believes his team has a chance to compete. With Dallas still in the divisional race, the owner could view the approaching deadline as an opportunity to strengthen the roster.
The Cowboys sit behind the Giants in the NFC East, while the Washington Commanders have struggled and Philadelphia faces an increasingly difficult season without Hurts.
Dallas also has a potentially favorable run of upcoming games against the Arizona Cardinals, Indianapolis Colts, San Francisco 49ers, Tennessee Titans and Eagles.
That schedule could give the Cowboys a chance to build momentum and remain competitive in the division. A significant defensive addition could make the difference between staying in the race and falling behind.
However, one victory against a depleted Philadelphia team does not automatically make Dallas a championship contender. The Cowboys would need sustained improvement on both sides of the ball to justify sacrificing valuable draft capital.
Could Maxx Crosby Become a Trade Target?
One potential name to watch is Las Vegas Raiders edge rusher Maxx Crosby, whose situation could attract renewed attention if the Raiders continue to struggle.
Crosby would offer Dallas a proven pass-rushing presence, addressing an area that has remained a concern since the blockbuster trade that sent Micah Parsons to the Green Bay Packers.
Acquiring a player of Crosby’s caliber, however, would likely require a substantial investment in draft picks. That could complicate Dallas’ plans after the organization has already used some of the assets received in the Parsons deal to rebuild its defense.
The Cowboys previously acquired defensive tackle Quinnen Williams from the New York Jets, while additional moves brought in players including Kenny Clark and Rashan Gary. Dallas also traded for Jerry Porter Jr., surrendering a 2028 second-round pick, and invested in first-round rookies Caleb Downs and Malachi Lawrence.
The organization hired defensive coordinator Christian Parker in hopes of improving the unit, but the results have not consistently matched expectations.
A further trade could provide another boost, though it would also raise questions about how many more resources Dallas should commit to a defense that has yet to deliver reliable performances.
Jones Has Been Candid About Dallas’ Prime-Time Problems
Before Monday’s game, Jones appeared on ESPN’s broadcast with Pat McAfee and Jason Kelce, discussing the Cowboys’ inconsistent performances under the national spotlight.
Jones acknowledged that his team enjoys playing in prime time but has not always performed well in those situations.
He offered a particularly blunt assessment of Dallas’ previous experience against a team without its starting quarterback.
“The last time we played a team that didn’t have their starting quarterback, we got our ass kicked. Seriously, seriously,” Jones said.
The remark referred to Dallas’ Week 5 defeat against Tampa Bay, when the Cowboys lost to a Buccaneers team led by undrafted rookie Jalon Daniels, according to the supplied report.
Dallas subsequently suffered another disappointing defeat against Green Bay, which was without Parsons for that matchup. The Cowboys also endured a dramatic collapse against Baltimore, surrendering a lead in the closing seconds.
Those results explain why the Philadelphia victory, while valuable, should be viewed as a step forward rather than proof that Dallas has solved its problems.
Dallas Has Already Spent Heavily on Its Defense
The Cowboys’ defensive rebuild has been one of the defining storylines of their season.
Trading Parsons created an opportunity to acquire additional assets, but Dallas has already used several of those resources to address weaknesses across the defense. The acquisitions of Williams and other defenders were intended to improve the team's ability to stop opponents and generate pressure.
So far, the overall results have been uneven.
That makes a potential Crosby trade particularly complicated. Dallas may need another elite pass rusher, but the organization must also consider whether another expensive move would deliver enough improvement to justify its cost.
The second half against Philadelphia provided some encouragement. The Cowboys increased their pressure on backup quarterback Tanner McKee, while the offense leaned on Williams’ running game to help control the contest.
If that performance marks the beginning of a sustained turnaround, Jones could have a stronger argument for making another aggressive move.
A Familiar Deadline Strategy for the Cowboys
Dallas has pursued a similar approach before. Last season, the Cowboys acquired Williams from the Jets on Nov. 4 after falling to 3-5-1 and suffering a disappointing loss to Arizona.
The move generated attention, but it did not transform the team's season into a successful campaign.
That history offers a reminder that a major trade is not a substitute for consistent execution. Adding another star can improve a roster, but the Cowboys must still demonstrate that their existing pieces can perform together over an extended stretch.
Jones nevertheless has reasons to remain optimistic. Dallas is still within reach of the NFC East lead, its offense has demonstrated significant potential, and the schedule offers opportunities to collect important wins.
The defense remains the biggest question mark, and the upcoming deadline could provide one more chance to address it.
Will Jerry Jones Make Another Splash?
The Cowboys’ victory over Philadelphia has kept their season alive and may have strengthened Jones’ appetite for another major acquisition.
Crosby could be an intriguing target if Las Vegas becomes willing to consider a deal, although the cost and Dallas’ remaining draft resources would be major factors.
Ultimately, the Cowboys need more than another headline-grabbing transaction. They need the improved defensive pressure and offensive balance displayed against Philadelphia to become regular features of their performances.
For now, Dallas remains in the NFC East race. With the Nov. 10 trade deadline approaching, Jones has a decision to make: trust the roster already assembled or spend more assets in pursuit of a stronger postseason push.
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