Eagles up-down drill

UP - It's hard to knock the rookie quarterback when so many of his passes were dropped and when the offense lacks downfield threats. Wentz had a few errant passes, but he was mostly on point and rebounded from his first subpar effort.

SIDEWAYS - He had some peculiar play calls, particularly when the Eagles failed to convert two second-and-1 opportunities and a first and 5. But Pederson called a solid game and his decision to go no-huddle was instrumental in the Eagles' first touchdown of the second half.

UP - The Eagles linebacker loves Texas and not just because he went to college here. Hicks came up with a game-turning interception - just as he did last year - in the end zone right before the half.

UP - He didn't take one to the house like he did last week, but Huff uncorked a 63-yard kickoff return in the third quarter.

UP - He was essentially the Eagles' offense in the early going as nearly every other skill-position player failed to make an impact. It seems like we've been saying it for three years: more Sproles, please.

DOWN - He wasn't the only Eagles receiver to drop a pass. Jordan Matthews, Dorial Green-Beckham, and Josh Huff had stone hands on Wentz passes. But Agholor's inconsistencies almost a season and a half into his career have been maddening.

UP - The kicker booted two 55-yard field goals (!) before the half to give the Eagles the lead. OK, the first didn't count because the Cowboys called a timeout before the snap, but the second was a career best for Sturgis.

DOWN - McKelvin has been a disappointing free-agent addition. He missed most of the first six games with a hamstring injury, and when he has played he's been a leaky cornerback. Dez Bryant toasted him for a 53-yard catch on the Cowboys' first touchdown drive.

UP - It's never easy coming off the bench, but Wisniewski stepped in for the injured Allen Barbre at left guard and the Eagles offensive line continued to hum. Was he perfect? Hardly. But he was more than good enough.

UP - For most of the first half, Graham looked like the only Eagles defender who came to play. The defensive end stopped Ezekiel Elliott several times at the line, and when he wasn't on the field, the Cowboys running back seemed to have more success.

UP - Smith had shown marginal improvement in the first six games of this season. Sure, the bar was already low for the former first-round draft pick, but he recorded a sack and tackle on back-to-back plays on the Cowboys' first drive.

UP - He's good, and will be good for many years to come. The Eagles should get used to it.