The hidden character in nearly every Cowboys' big play that deserves much more credit for signature win over Eagles
Dallas Cowboys running back Javonte Williams needs a statue built for him after the pass protection display he put on against the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday's 24-21 win. Following the comeback win, Williams told reporters postgame George Pickens' 43-yard catch was the play that made the team believe they could win it.
He added Pickens keeps surprising him with his crazy grabs, and while the Cowboys wide receiver is the motor of the offense right now, Williams deserves a large share of the spotlight for the team's comeback. He's also a player that keeps surprising us with his contributions on offense Simply put, the Cowboys don't win it if Williams isn't on the field. Period.
And while his 87 rushing yards are part of the reason why I say that, they're only a small part of it. In reality, I'm thinking about the way he kept Dak Prescott safe during the biggest plays of the game with big time blocks. Let's dive in.
Javonte Williams showed up in the biggest games of the Cowboys' win
Do you know those movies where there's a big reveal at the end about a key character always being in the background of pivotal moments and you just never noticed him? That was Williams on Sunday's win. Let's start with Pickens' monster catch that breathed life into the Cowboys.
It's a seven-man pass protection scheme off of play action—five offensive linemen plus the TE and RB staying in to block before releasing on check downs. In the play, which you can see below, Williams works across the pocket to help backup LT Nate Thomas and stone walls Eagles EDGE Jalyx Hunt. If it isn't for him, Hunt either rushes Prescott's pass or he sacks him. The result? Just enough time for Prescott and Pickens to make the biggest play of the game.
GEORGE PICKENS. WOW.
— NFL (@NFL) November 24, 2025
PHIvsDAL on FOX/FOX Onehttps://t.co/HkKw7uXVnt pic.twitter.com/ZcmA7vSMIH
And what about Pickens' final catch to set up the easy field goal for Brandon Aubrey? With only 43 seconds on the clock, the Eagles send six defenders after Prescott and in the blink of an eye, LB Nakobe Dean passes through the B-gap (between the guard and tackle) unblocked. What looks like a dead play is saved by Williams stepping up to Dean. Prescott is still hit, but Williams block allows him to get the ball out to Pickens. Earlier in the game, Dean did a fantastic job bull rushing Williams. But in a game-winning play, Williams got his payback.
Pickens comes through once again ‼️
— NFL (@NFL) November 24, 2025
PHIvsDAL on FOX/FOX Onehttps://t.co/HkKw7uXVnt pic.twitter.com/DVPb2j2Nyh
So that's one touchdown and the play to secure the game-winning field goal. But in an earlier score, Williams was also there. In a bootleg play action concept, Williams is tasked with blocking the end man on the line of scrimmage. He not only blocks his man, he rattles him with a big block. Prescott extends the play to find TE Brevyn Spann-Ford for the second touchdown of the day.
Pickens comes through once again ‼️
— NFL (@NFL) November 24, 2025
PHIvsDAL on FOX/FOX Onehttps://t.co/HkKw7uXVnt pic.twitter.com/DVPb2j2Nyh
They like to say running backs don't matter in the NFL. But when they're getting yards
Packers Player Calls Out McCarthy: ‘He’s Not There Yet’ Amid Vikings Hype
As the Minnesota Vikings’ young quarterback, J.J. McCarthy, continues to make waves in the NFL, one prominent voice has called for a reality check. A Packers player, speaking on the condition of anonymity, had some harsh words for McCarthy, questioning whether the hype surrounding him is premature.
The comments come as McCarthy, who made the leap from college football to the NFL with high expectations, has struggled to meet the lofty standards set by both fans and analysts alike. While the Vikings continue to back their young quarterback, the frustrations are beginning to surface, and questions about whether McCarthy is truly ready to lead the team in such a competitive league are growing louder.
McCarthy’s performance this season has been a mixed bag. Though he has flashed potential with occasional highlight-worthy plays, his overall numbers have been underwhelming. The quarterback's completion percentage has hovered around 54.1%, and he’s thrown more interceptions than touchdowns. While these stats might be expected from a rookie in the NFL, the pressure is building for McCarthy to show more consistency, especially given the hype surrounding his arrival.
The Vikings' high expectations for McCarthy have only added to the scrutiny. Minnesota invested heavily in the quarterback, placing much of their future success on his shoulders. With a roster full of talent and a solid coaching staff under Kevin O'Connell, there’s a sense that the Vikings are in a "win-now" window — but can McCarthy deliver?
The Packers player’s comments reflect an understanding of how difficult it is to transition into the NFL. The league is notorious for humbling even the most talented quarterbacks, and rookies often face steep learning curves. However, the reality is that the Vikings’ playoff hopes may not align with McCarthy’s development timeline. If the Vikings continue to fall short in critical games, the front office and fans may begin to question whether they were too hasty in giving McCarthy the starting role.
Still, McCarthy has the tools to succeed — his strong arm, mobility, and leadership skills are undeniable. If the Vikings are patient with his growth and give him time to adjust to the demands of the NFL, McCarthy could eventually prove that the hype surrounding him was not misplaced.
For now, however, the Packers player’s critique serves as a reminder that the journey from college star to NFL superstar is rarely a straight line. While McCarthy may have a bright future, he still has a long way to go before he can live up to the sky-high expectations placed upon him.
