'Ticky-Tack!' Cowboys' Smith Reacts to 'Heartbreaking' Loss vs. Eagles

Originally posted on Dallas Cowboys on SI
By Daniel Flick | Last updated 11/7/23

For a moment, the Dallas Cowboys appeared to be on the verge of snatching the Philadelphia Eagles' soul and scoring a go-ahead touchdown in the closing seconds of Sunday's game at Lincoln Financial Field.

But suddenly, it all came crashing down.

Disaster started when left tackle Tyler Smith was called for a false start on Philadelphia's six-yard line. Quarterback Dak Prescott was sacked for an 11-yard loss the next play. Prescott's ensuing pass fell incomplete. His last was caught by receiver CeeDee Lamb, who was ultimately stopped just a few yards shy of the goal line.

The result? A 28-23 loss that damaged the Cowboys' NFC East title hopes and led to a sorrowful flight back home.

"It's heartbreaking," Smith said. "I can't even lie to you. Obviously not the result we wanted. I feel like we were right on the cusp of pulling away with what we needed to (win). But it's the little things, the details that are really important when it gets to crunch time. But we'll be back."

As for his false start, Smith wasn't fond of the officials' decision to call it but accepted accountability and vows to fix it moving forward.

"I felt like it was ticky-tack, but I'm not going to make excuses or anything," Smith said. "It is what it is. That's just something I've got to be better at and improve upon."

Nonetheless, the Cowboys departed Philadelphia optimistic that brighter days are coming. Smith noted he's extremely confident Dallas will respond the right way and seize the moment in those late-game situations the next time one arises.

After being blown out four weeks prior by the San Francisco 49ers in their last highly anticipated matchup, the Cowboys had something to prove against the Eagles - and while they ultimately came up short, Smith believes a greater message was sent.

"We showed today that we can contend with anybody," Smith said. "We are part of that upper echelon. It's just a matter of tightening up the small things, seizing the moments that we've got to seize. We'll be back and we'll be better. It's a game of inches and they got the inch.

"We'll see them again. I feel like things will be different."

The Cowboys and Eagles will, in fact, meet again soon, with the next matchup coming in Dallas on Dec. 10, some five weeks away.

But for now, Smith and the Cowboys are focused on carrying momentum forward and getting back in the win column Sunday, when they host the New York Giants for a 3:25 p.m. CST kickoff inside AT&T Stadium.

This article first appeared on Dallas Cowboys on SI and was syndicated with permission.

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