PHILADELPHIA — So close. That has to be the thought mulling about within the collective mind of the Dallas Cowboys after a 24-20 loss against the Philadelphia Eagles in hostile territory during primetime, having several chances to pluck the feathers right off of the defending champions.
It was a mixed bag for the Cowboys, a dominant first half by Dak Prescott and the Cowboys offense led CeeDee Lamb, overshadowed by uncharacteristic drops in the second half that helped secure the narrow loss.
And then there were the defensive struggles in the first half that gave way to a powerhouse performance in the second half against Jalen Hurts and especially all-world running back Saquon Barkley.
"Just stick to the plan, and not try to do too much or change things because, eventually, you stick to it, it's gonna work," said defensive end Sam Williams after the game. "You've just gotta trust each other, and keep trusting each other, and just play.".
Williams acquitted himself well in his first NFL game in 20 months, now fully recovered from a torn ACL suffered in July 2024, leading the Cowboys with four quarterback pressures and five combined tackles, the latter statistic being good enough to tie for third-most on the team.
He also committed zero penalties, despite the Eagles trying to bait him offsides on a critical fourth-and-4 situation. A more mature and "patient" Williams was simply more refined after being out of action for so long, evolving his outlook and approach to the game.
"I felt grateful, of course," said Williams. "I was levelheaded, played my game, and played what we practiced, and just gotta keep that energy and that effort, you know? I'm big on effort."
That effort was noticed, and matched, by none other than Osa Odighizuwa — as well as others like Solomon Thomas and newly-acquired three-time Pro Bowl defensive tackle Kenny Clark — in holding Barkley to just 60 yards on 18 carries (3.3 yards per carry) and the Eagles to roughly 30 rushing yards and zero points in the second half.
The chemistry, before the game was all said-and-done, was fully cemented across the defensive line, and in the secondary as well — a unit that mostly shut down the passing attack in Philly.
"The team played with high energy the whole game," Odighizuwa said. "The effort was there and we competed our asses off, so that's all things you can get some good off of. … In terms of me and Solly, we've been working since the spring, so we've been able to come pretty close during this time. And I feel like, in general, our D-line group has gotten pretty close, and in a short time since the spring.
"And we're welcoming Kenny with open arms, so it's good to have him on the field with us."
Clark was a force in his Cowboys' debut.
He fought through a team-high nine double teams, four more than the next highest tally (Osa - 4), to hold the Eagles' rushing attack to only 2.9 yards per carry when he was on the field, a number that ballooned to 6.6 yards per carry when he was pulled for rest.
Thomas was disruptive on more than one occasion with a sensational get-off that helped him become a key performer in both the pass rush and in goal-to-go defense.
"Just keep the energy, man," Williams said of the positives the Cowboys' defense can build upon as the New York Giants head to Dallas in Week 2. "Keep going and we're gonna get it. Of course, we've got some things to fix. That's what practice is for. We'll come back reunited, and take over — starting next week."
Just don't ask Williams or Cowboys' defenders about trying to replace Micah Parsons going forward, because that likely won't end well.
Seeing as the entire locker room has been inundated with questions regarding Parsons since the blockbuster trade occurred six days ahead of the opener, it stands to reason players like Williams — working hard to prove themselves and some in contract seasons — are simply and completely focused on how to get better each week for the brotherhood inside the locker room, the coaching staff and for themselves.
"I feel like everybody's really tired of that question," Williams said matter-of-factly. "Micah's gone. So I feel like we should stop bringing up his name. You know, he's in Green Bay. You should ask about the Cowboys and worry about what we got in the locker room.
"You know, Micah is always going to be part of the family, especially in D line rooms. But other than that, that's just business. You gotta go ask David [Mulugheta]. That's his agent. I don't have no say — Jerry Jones, you gotta ask him.
"But me, I'm worried about me, you know? I can give you his number, you can call Micah and ask him any questions you need, OK?. But me, please don't ask me no question about it, man. He is him and I am me."
And Sam Williams is locked in on trying to become him, but the other kind, though.
