NFC East

Philadelphia Eagles cornerback Darius Slay said the team's wide receiver trio of DeVonta Smith, A.J. Brown and Quez Watkins are all different versions of Batman.

Slay described Smith as "skinny" Batman, Brown as "swole" Batman and Watkins as "fast" Batman after Monday night's Week 2 win over the Minnesota Vikings.

"No Robins. We've got no sidekicks," Slay told reporters.

The trio combined for 14 catches, 218 yards and a touchdown as the Eagles cruised past the Vikings, 24-7, to open the season 2-0.

Jalen Hurts 53 yard TD pass to Quez Watkins 🔥🔥

Eagles 14-0

pic.twitter.com/qqL6pi2HDD

— John Clark (@JClarkNBCS) September 20, 2022

Having such a wide array of talented targets that also includes tight end Dallas Goedert has helped quarterback Jalen Hurts take his game to the next level, too.

Hurts completed 26 of his 31 throws (83.9 percent) for 333 yards with one touchdown and one interception. He added 57 rushing yards and two scores on the ground.

"Another outstanding performance. He threw some unbelievable balls. He made a lot of plays," Philly center Jason Kelce said. "This was a really great, well-rounded game for him."

Slay recorded two interceptions to lead an impressive performance from the team's defense, which forced three turnovers and allowed just 264 yards to Minnesota.

"I take no matchup lightly, but he is one of the best in the world. I am one of the best in the world, too. I was looking forward to the matchup," Slay said of his showdown with Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson, who tallied six catches for 48 yards.

The Eagles will look to keep their early-season success rolling when they visit FedEx Field on Sunday to take on the NFC East rival Washington Commanders.

Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Michael Gallup is "trending toward" making his 2022 NFL season debut in Week 3 against the New York Giants, per Michael Gehlken of the Dallas Morning News.

Head coach Mike McCarthy discussed Gallup's continued recovery from a torn ACL Monday.

"We’re going to try to give him a full slate this week," he told reporters.

Gallup was hurt in Dallas' penultimate game of the 2021 regular season. The timing and severity of his injury left him in a race against the clock to be ready for Week 1.

In March, executive vice president Stephen Jones acknowledged the 26-year-old would likely be out for the first two or three games. By July, Gallup said it was "not a reasonable possibility" to expect him to be on the field for the opener.

The Cowboys sorely need the 26-year-old, whenever he's finally given the green light.

Dallas did little to replace Amari Cooper, which has left a clear void in the passing game. And after two weeks, its starting quarterback and starting tight end have already suffered injuries.

Dak Prescott is recuperating from thumb surgery, which has a four-to-six-week recovery timeline. According to ESPN's Todd Archer, Dalton Schultz is also battling a "PCL issue" in his right knee.

Gallup will have to be eased back into the offense a bit, but any help he can provide will benefit the passing attack.

Dallas Cowboys tight end Dalton Schultz reportedly avoided a worst-case scenario regarding the knee injury he sustained on Sunday against the Cincinnati Bengals, but he's not out of the woods yet.

According to ESPN's Todd Archer, Schultz is dealing with an injury to his PCL and it's "unclear" at this point if it will cause him to miss time.

Archer pointed out that Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott was bothered by a PCL issue last season, though he still managed to play in all 17 games and rush for 1,002 yards with 10 touchdowns.

Schultz recorded two receptions for 18 yards before suffering the injury late in the fourth quarter. He was unable to take the field for Dallas' final offensive drive that set up a game-winning 50-yard field goal by Brett Maher that gave the team a 20-17 victory.

Schultz, who now has seven catches for 62 yards with no touchdowns through the first two games of the year, established himself as a reliable option in the Cowboys passing attack last season when he posted career highs of 78 catches, 808 yards and eight touchdowns. However, the 26-year-old was unable to reach an agreement on a long-term deal during the offseason and is playing the 2022 season on a one-year franchise tag, which is worth $10.9 million.

The Cowboys are already dealing with injuries to multiple key players in the early part of the season. Quarterback Dak Prescott is out after undergoing thumb surgery. Receivers James Washington (foot) and Michael Gallup (knee) have yet to take the field this year. Left tackle Tyron Smith is expected to miss months due to a hamstring injury.

Dallas will hope to bring the momentum of Sunday's win into next week's game against the New York Giants on Monday Night Football.

The Dallas Cowboys remain optimistic Dak Prescott can return by Week 4 or 5.

Executive vice president Stephen Jones said Monday on 105.3 The Fan's The K&C Masterpiece that Prescott is "absolutely out" for Dallas' upcoming clash with the New York Giants after having undergone thumb surgery.

However, his return could come the following week.

"I think the very best it would be would be Washington or the Rams," Jones said.

"We just won't know until we get closer to really give an educated guess. Right now, I will say this, so far everything has gone his way. From the surgery to the swelling after the surgery [that] was very minimal compared to what it can be. We're just optimistic about it."

ESPN's Todd Archer initially reported Prescott was expected to be sidelined for six to eight weeks. However, team owner Jerry Jones said the team wasn't placing the two-time Pro Bowler on injured reserve, pointing toward a potentially earlier return date.

The Cowboys saw what life is like without Prescott for an extended stretch when they finished 6-10 in 2020. He suffered a season-ending ankle injury in the fifth game of the season, forcing Dallas to lean on Andy Dalton as the primary replacement and the pair of Ben DiNucci and Garrett Gilbert as spot starters.

So far, the sky isn't falling in North Texas. Cooper Rush went 19-of-31 for 235 yards and one touchdown in Sunday's 20-17 win over the Cincinnati Bengals.

Still, the 28-year-old doesn't inspire a ton of confidence, nor does the Cowboys' performance through two weeks dispel the concerns that were raised following an uneventful offseason. Dallas lost a few key players, most notably Amari Cooper and Randy Gregory, and did little to address those losses.

If Prescott does wind up getting back in time to play the Washington Commanders on Oct. 2 or the Los Angeles Rams on Oct. 9, then the team might be able to tread water long enough. Should his recovery extend into late October or early November, his absence could derail what was already a tricky road back to the playoffs.

It may not be a great sign when fans are going above and beyond to celebrate a Week 2 victory over the Cincinnati Bengals.

Following the Dallas Cowboys' 20-17 win Sunday, one fan apparently decided it was an occasion that warranted riding his horse through a Walmart.

This Cowboys fan didn't know how to act after their first win of the season 💀 @brgridiron

(via kelvin_amaya716/IG) https://t.co/RhOFctbywP

— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) September 19, 2022

To be fair, Cowboys fans have to take what they can get considering this is already shaping up to be a lost season.

Dallas encountered a reality check with its 19-3 Week 1 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and saw starting quarterback Dak Prescott lost for potentially a month because of a thumb injury.

Prescott's replacement, Cooper Rush, played well enough Sunday. Rush finished 19-of-31 for 235 yards and one touchdown, and he got the offense in position for Brett Maher's game-winning field goal as time expired.

But Dallas is still facing a difficult road to playoff contention based on how the first two weeks have unfolded.

Dallas Cowboys tight end Dalton Schultz is reportedly set to undergo an MRI after suffering a knee injury late in Sunday's 20-17 win over the Cincinnati Bengals.

According to Michael Gehlken of the Dallas Morning News, there is "no concern" about the structure of Schultz's ACL, but the MRI will reveal more clarity.

Schultz recorded two catches for 18 yards prior to exiting the game. He was forced to sit out Dallas' final offensive drive that set up a game-winning 50-yard field goal by Brett Maher. He now has seven receptions for 62 yards with no touchdowns through the first two games of the season.

The 26-year-old is playing the 2022 season on a one-year franchise tag, which is worth $10.9 million. Schultz skipped the voluntary portion of the Cowboys' offseason program before reporting for mandatory minicamp and training camp. He had a career year in 2021, posting 78 catches for 808 yards and eight touchdowns while playing in all 17 games.

An injury to Schultz would be the latest blow to a Cowboys team that already has a depleted offense. Starting quarterback Dak Prescott underwent thumb surgery and will not be back anytime soon. Dallas lost wide receiver James Washington to a fractured foot during training camp. Wideout Michael Gallup is still working his way back from a torn ACL suffered last season. Starting left tackle Tyron Smith is out until at least December with a hamstring injury.

The Cowboys hope to have Schultz in the lineup when they return to action next week against the New York Giants on Monday Night Football.

The Dallas Cowboys are hoping quarterback Dak Prescott makes a speedy recovery from his thumb injury, but they appeared to find an adequate replacement in Cooper Rush, who led them to a 20-17 win over the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday.

Cowboys owner Jerry Jones told reporters that Prescott's return will be depend on his ability to grip a football, but he was very impressed with Rush.

"He exceeded my expectations," Jones said. "The performance out here by Rush sure takes a lot of angst out of it."

Rush played a fairly clean game Sunday, completing 19 of 31 passes for 235 yards and a touchdown. He engineered 75-yard touchdown drives on the Cowboys' first two possessions after they failed to reach the end zone in the season opener against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He then led Dallas down the field with under a minute left in the fourth quarter to set up the game-winning 50-yard field goal by Brett Maher.

The 28-year-old is now 2-0 as a starter in his five-year career. It was Rush's first start since Oct. 31 last year when he led the Cowboys to a win over the Minnesota Vikings while filling in for Prescott, who was out with a strained calf at the time.

While Jones praised Rush for his effort, he added that it won't have an effect on the timeline for Prescott's return this year. The team didn't place him on injured reserve, as Jones said last week that there's an expectation that he could be back within the next four games despite the original recovery timeline of six to eight weeks.

For now, the Cowboys appear to be in good hands while they have to rely on Rush. Dallas will take on the NFC East-rival New York Giants on Monday Night Football next week.

What a moment for Cooper Rush.

It was easy to write the Dallas Cowboys off after they lost to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and saw quarterback Dak Prescott suffer a fractured thumb in Week 1, but the backup quarterback did just enough to lead his side to a 20-17 victory over the Cincinnati Bengals in Sunday's contest.

Rush impressed at 19-of-31 passing for 235 yards, one touchdown and zero interceptions and led the team into field-goal range at the end, but Brett Maher still had to play the role of hero and make the 50-yarder as time expired.

DALLAS COWBOYS 50 YARD FIELD GOAL FOR THE WIN! @dallascowboys #CINvsDAL pic.twitter.com/NpMsccEt4s

— NFL (@NFL) September 18, 2022

He did just that, and social media had plenty of praise for Rush as he improved to 2-0 as a starter after also defeating the Minnesota Vikings last season:

Cooper Rush to Noah Brown for the @DallasCowboys TD!

📺: #CINvsDAL on CBS
📱: Stream on NFL+ https://t.co/AyfpfGIkql pic.twitter.com/oxBY71tEh6

— NFL (@NFL) September 18, 2022

The Ewing Theory Committee just flew to Dallas for the second half to monitor this developing Cooper Rush/Dak Prescott situation.

— Bill Simmons (@BillSimmons) September 18, 2022

Tony Pollard, Cooper Rush, Noah Brown today pic.twitter.com/92HGvQbUJT

— Jason Gallagher (@jga41agher) September 18, 2022

Cooper Rush > Color Rush

— Mike Golic Jr (@mikegolicjr) September 18, 2022

Cooper Rush out here trying to be Kurt Warner all over again.

— Brad Evans (@NoisyHuevos) September 18, 2022

Tony Pollard. 47 yards!

📺: #CINvsDAL on CBS
📱: Stream on NFL+ https://t.co/AyfpfGIkql pic.twitter.com/3hgoBHpER7

— NFL (@NFL) September 18, 2022

If you ever saw me post anything negative about Cooper Rush I was joking

— Cameron Magruder (@ScooterMagruder) September 18, 2022

Backup Cooper Rush executing offense at high level. Defensive line having a stat day. Cowboys lead Bengals at halftime, 17-3, just as we all expected.

— Ed Werder (@WerderEdNFL) September 18, 2022

Cooper Rush is out here SLINGING it. My word.

— RJ Ochoa (@rjochoa) September 18, 2022

I’ve always had faith in Cooper Rush and I have never doubted him ever in my life a single time

— Cameron Magruder (@ScooterMagruder) September 18, 2022

Cooper Rush's passer rating of 155.8 in the first quarter today is the 10th-highest in a first quarter by a Cowboys passer since 1991 (when data became available), and the highest since Prescott posted a perfect 158.3 rating against Cleveland (10/4/20).

— Dallas Cowboys Public Relations (@DallasCowboysPR) September 18, 2022

Rush wasted no time making an impact, leading 75-yard touchdown drives on each of the Cowboys' first two possessions. He showed an immediate chemistry with Noah Brown—who had five catches for 91 yards and a touchdown—and Tony Pollard also ran for a touchdown.

It wasn't all Rush, as the Dallas defense came through for much of the game even after the offense stalled following the hot start. The Cowboys sacked Joe Burrow six times and pressured him even more with Micah Parsons and Dorance Armstrong leading a strong effort along the defensive front.

Another two-sack game for @MicahhParsons11 🦁

📺: #CINvsDAL on CBS
📱: Stream on NFL+ https://t.co/AyfpfGIkql pic.twitter.com/5SD97dLmsw

— NFL (@NFL) September 18, 2022

Micah Parsons has Cincinnati's tackles in hell.

— Bill Barnwell (@billbarnwell) September 18, 2022

The offensive line was a major problem for the Bengals last season even as they advanced to the Super Bowl, and that appears to be the case again in 2022.

Yet the mood is far more celebratory in Dallas thanks to Rush and the defense. The backup quarterback will look to keep things rolling in Week 3 against the New York Giants.

Carson Wentz is set to face the Philadelphia Eagles next weekend for the first time since departing the franchise after the 2020 season, but he told reporters Sunday that he's going to treat the game like he would any other.

"Just another game," Wentz said after Washington's 36-27 loss to the Detroit Lions on Sunday.

The Eagles selected Wentz second overall in the 2016 NFL draft out of North Dakota State.

He spent the first five seasons of his career with the franchise, with his best year coming in 2017 when he led the Eagles to an 11-2 record in 13 games before suffering a torn ACL that ended his season.

Wentz completed 60.2 percent of his passes for 3,296 yards and 33 touchdowns against seven interceptions in 2017, and he finished third in MVP voting. He returned in 2018 and appeared in 11 games, and in 2019, he led the Eagles to an NFC East title.

However, he has become a shadow of his former self since recovering from his ACL injury.

During the 2020 campaign, Wentz started 12 games for the Eagles and went 3-8-1. He completed 57.4 percent of his passes for 2,620 yards and 16 touchdowns against an unacceptable 15 interceptions.

The Eagles went on to trade Wentz to the Indianapolis Colts ahead of the 2021 season in exchange for a 2021 third-round pick and a 2022 conditional second-round pick. The Colts hoped he could return to form under Frank Reich, who served as the Eagles offensive coordinator in 2016 and 2017.

While he put together a much better season than he did in 2020, his effort still wasn't enough for the Colts. In 17 games, he led Indy to a 9-8 record and completed 62.4 percent of his passes for 3,563 yards and 27 touchdowns against seven interceptions.

The Colts then traded him to the Commanders in March 2022.

In his Washington debut last weekend, he threw for 313 yards, four touchdowns and two interceptions in a 28-22 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars. In Sunday's loss to the Lions, he threw for 337 yards, three touchdowns and one interception.

With the Commanders sitting third in the NFC East at 1-1, Wentz and Co. will be looking to improve to 2-1 next weekend with a win over the Eagles.

New York Giants defensive tackle Leonard Williams told reporters he doesn't believe his knee injury will be "too bad" after exiting during Sunday's win over the Carolina Panthers.

Williams had two tackles before exiting with the injury and being ruled out.

The 28-year-old now has seven tackles in two games for the Giants in 2022.

The New York Jets selected the man nicknamed "Big Cat" with the No. 6 overall pick in the 2015 NFL draft. He played four-plus seasons for them before the Giants traded for him midway through the 2019 campaign.

Williams had a seven-sack, 68-tackle season in 2016 that led to his lone Pro Bowl appearance, but his best year was 2020, when he amassed a career-high 11.5 sacks and 30 quarterback hits for Big Blue. He was a disruptive force for a Giants team that sported a top-10 scoring defense.

The USC product has only missed a single game in seven-plus seasons. Williams' production and durability arguably make him the most valuable member of the New York defense.

His loss is a tough blow for a team that just recorded its eighth losing season in nine years and has entered a new era under general manager Joe Schoen and head coach Brian Daboll.

If Williams is unable to suit up in Week 3 against the Dallas Cowboys, Nick Williams should be in line to see more playing time.

Williams is in his eighth NFL campaign. He served as a starting defensive tackle for the Detroit Lions over the past two years and amassed 50 tackles, five quarterback hits and 1.5 sacks.