Cowboys had that run-first look in beating the Eagles, and owner Jerry Jones liked what he saw

FRISCO, Texas (AP) — Jerry Jones might have overreacted a bit by suggesting his Dallas Cowboys should have a run-first offense.

Maybe the owner and general manager was still a little giddy less than 12 hours after a 38-21 victory over Philadelphia and forgot that the top three players on his salary cap list — all the big names on the passing side — were responsible for three of the four touchdowns.

Jones' point was clear, though. Javonte Williams had the first game of at least 150 yards rushing since Dallas was a run-first team with Ezekiel Elliott in 2018. The Cowboys had more than 200 yards on the ground for just the second time since Brian Schottenheimer took over as head coach and play-caller last year.

Dallas (3-4), which plays Arizona at home Sunday, was coming off the lowest-scoring total in back-to-back games for quarterback Dak Prescott since 2019, and the sputtering running game was a big reason why.

Schottenheimer was being questioned about his commitment to the run as the Cowboys appeared to have no answers for the blitzing defenses in losses to Tampa Bay, which was winless at the time, and Green Bay.

Williams had a 15-yard run early, a 34-yarder late and averaged 6.2 yards per carry while finishing with a career-high 155 yards. Fittingly, he scored the final touchdown when the game was out of reach. Dallas had 204 yards rushing.

“That lets us have the opportunity to get Dak under center a lot more,” Jones said on his radio show Tuesday morning. “That presents a different defensive challenge for the opponent if he can get under center a lot.”

As for those salary cap leaders — and the 27% of the cap they're consuming this year — Prescott had an efficient game with three touchdowns among just 15 completions. CeeDee Lamb had two, and George Pickens had the prettiest one when he secured the ball while deftly planting his second foot just inside the boundary in the end zone.

Pickens' opportunities are still more limited than those for Lamb, who had twice as many targets with 12 against the Eagles. The only 100-yard game for Pickens this season came when Lamb left early with an injury in the loss to the Buccaneers.

“They’re going to put two guys (on) his side, and they understand and respect his big-play ability and the way that he ignites our offense,” Prescott said. “I’m sure he wants more out there, but made a great touchdown play. I just tried to give him a chance, and he went and made one of the best catches and toe-taps I’ve seen in a long time.”

Schottenheimer's offense generated a season-high 416 yards, and he was unusually terse in his postgame meeting with reporters after a week that included plenty of criticism and some of the first rumblings about his job security. His short answers were noticeable enough for someone to ask Prescott about them.

“It’s not like he’s naive,” Prescott said. “It’s not like he hadn’t heard some noise about him and whether it’s the call in the games or whatever doubt that’s been out there, but we’ve got his back. He’s a guy that takes a lot of pride in his job, a lot of pride in his team. Everybody handles everything different, so I don’t blame him to an extent.”

Dallas is still last in the NFL by allowing opponents a 52.9% conversion rate on third down. The most glaring example of the season might have come on the first drive of the third quarter. Philadelphia's offense is in shambles because of injuries, and yet the Eagles went 84 yards on 17 plays and used more than nine minutes on a touchdown drive for a 21-20 lead. They were 4 of 5 on third down and converted a fourth-and-1.

In the first half, five of the seven penalties by the Cowboys were on the defense, and four of those gave Philadelphia first downs.

If LB DeMarvion Overshown can stay healthy, the beleaguered defense has a chance to get better. His energy was already making a difference before a diving interception that essentially put the game away in the fourth quarter.

Rookie LB Jaishawn Barham played a season-low 21 snaps. The return of Overshown played a role in that, but so did the decision to start Shemar James and give him a substantial role in communicating calls to the defense. James tied for the team high with 58 defensive snaps.

Overshown and CB Cobie Durant appeared to make it through the game without issues in their returns from hamstring injuries. Overshown was out for five games, while Durant had missed four.

2 — The number of two-touchdown games for Lamb this season. He didn't have any last year. The 2023 All-Pro is tied with Green Bay's Christian Watson for second in the league with six TDs receiving, two behind Seattle's Jaxon Smith-Njigba.

Schottenheimer's longest winning streak in his first season was three games. The Cardinals and Indianapolis Colts, the next two opponents, are both 2-5.

See AP’s full NFL coverage here

Dallas Cowboys free safety Malik Hooker (24) trie to stop Philadelphia Eagles running back Dameon Pierce (39) during the first half of an NFL football game in Philadelphia, Monday, Oct. 26, 2026. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)

Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Tanner McKee (16) is tackled by Dallas Cowboys outside linebacker Von Miller (40) during the second half of an NFL football game in Philadelphia, Monday, Oct. 26, 2026. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)

Dallas Cowboys running back Javonte Williams (33) runs for a touchdown during the second half of an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles in Philadelphia, Monday, Oct. 26, 2026. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)

Dallas Cowboys running back Javonte Williams (33) celebrates scoring touchdown during the second half of an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles in Philadelphia, Monday, Oct. 26, 2026. (AP Photo/Chris Szagola)

Dallas Cowboys running back Javonte Williams (33) runs for a first down during the second half of an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles in Philadelphia, Monday, Oct. 26, 2026. (AP Photo/Chris Szagola)

PORTLAND, Ore.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct 28, 2026--

Columbia Sportswear (Nasdaq: COLM) is preparing for the worst with the launch of the “Don’t Panic Room,” a new social campaign and contest that challenges outdoor enthusiasts to prove they have the skills, ingenuity and resilience to survive. Interested participants can submit videos showcasing their survival skills for the chance to win a modified 40-foot x 8-foot off-grid bunker, stocked with loads of Columbia gear, footwear, tools and plenty of stuff needed for whatever comes next.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20261028725608/en/

The campaign kicks off today with a film at columbia.com/bunker featuring Columbia CEO Tim Boyle, who calls on viewers to prove they have what it takes to win the “Don’t Panic Room.” As the world watches wealthy tech bros building bunkers for the worst-case scenarios, the brand feels that it’s important for the rest of society to have a shot at surviving whatever Mother Nature throws at us as well.

“We’ve been making gear for bad weather and other unfortunate moments for almost 90 years,” said Tim Boyle, CEO of Columbia Sportswear. “We’ve seen it all and we figured we’d offer our fans a chance to overcome the absolute worst that can happen in the outdoors. Hopefully the winner never needs the ‘Don’t Panic Room,’ but we made sure they’ll be warm and dry if the world does go to sh*t.”

The “Don’t Panic Room” is designed to keep occupants equipped and warm during a worst-cast weather scenario. The space features a bunk bed, a small kitchen and dining area, bathroom, a robotic dog named Rocky for companionship, and shelves stocked with survival gear, footwear, tools and supplies. And to arm occupants for adventures outside the bunker, a full Columbia section includes rows of canned jackets and gear to be opened in case of emergency.

Sealed in cans to withstand the test of time, jackets like Columbia’s Terwilliger Trail Heat Seal Hooded Jacket are ready to be opened when the weather takes a turn for the worst. When the need arises, occupants can simply pop open the cans to take advantage of Omni-Heat™ Infinity, Columbia’s patented reflective thermal technology that was inspired by emergency blankets, to stay warm. The bunker is also stocked with several pairs of Columbia footwear, including the Tellurix Titanium OutDry Mid, a technical waterproof shoe designed to tackle the most unexpected conditions.

The modified shipping container will be delivered directly to the winner, and entries will be accepted through November 24, 2026 via Instagram or by visiting columbia.com/bunker.

“The ‘Don’t Panic Room’ marks the next chapter in our Engineered for Whatever platform and is another unique way to show how our gear performs when conditions get especially tough. In this case, REALLY tough,” said Matt Sutton, Head of Marketing at Columbia Sportswear. “As we all watch tech people building bunkers to hide from their own tech, we want to reward the real survivalists and outdoors people who appreciate what Mother Nature has to offer.”

Media can access stills and video assets HERE.

Don’t Panic Room Contest Abbreviated Rules:

NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. Open only to legal residents of the 48 contiguous US/DC, 18 years of age (19 in AL/NE) and older. Void in AK, HI & where prohibited by law. Contest Entry Period starts at 12:00 p.m. ET on 10/28/26 and ends at 11:59 p.m. ET on 11/24/26. Prize is a 40’x8’ modified shipping container, which winner will need to receive and maintain, and $35,000. Subject to Official Rules, including important descriptions of the prize and requirements to receive it, how to enter, judging criteria, and restrictions, see http://www.DontPanicRoom.com/rules. Sponsor: Columbia Sportswear Company, 14375 NW Science Park Drive, Portland, OR 97229.

About Columbia Sportswear:

Columbia, the flagship brand of Portland, Oregon-based Columbia Sportswear Company, has been creating innovative apparel, footwear, accessories, and equipment for outdoor enthusiasts since 1938. Columbia has become a leading global brand by channeling the company’s innovative spirit and passion for the outdoors into technologies and performance products that keep people warm, dry, cool and protected year-round. To learn more, please visit the company's website at: www.columbia.com.

An interior view of the Don't Panic Room, a real bunker that will be delivered to the contest winner's home.

Columbia's jackets are sealed in cans in the Don't Panic Room to be opened in case of emergency.

The Don’t Panic Room is a marketing campaign and contest that challenges outdoor enthusiasts to show they have the skills, ingenuity, and resilience to survive a worst-case scenario. One winner will receive a 40-foot off-grid modified shipping container delivered directly to their door and stocked with Columbia gear, tools, and survival essentials.