Dallas Cowboys' Brandin Cooks Reveals 'Big-Game' Mindset at Philadelphia Eagles
The Dallas Cowboys are in a confident mood heading into Sunday's NFC heavyweight clash against the Philadelphia Eagles.
But there is something different about Dallas and its show of confidence this week. They aren't standing on a chair, blaring it out with a megaphone. Let's call it a "quiet confidence'' as the Cowboys seem to have learned their lesson after the San Francisco 49ers debacle, a bad loss that came after a week of talk and then a Sunday of inaction.
One reason to be confident in Week 9? Dak Prescott's record against the Eagles (8-3, which includes wins in the last three outings).
Receiver Brandin Cooks thinks that's a helper, but the veteran has also stressed to his team not to overhype things, as they may have done leading up to the Niners game.
“Absolutely,” Cooks said. “At the end of the day, every year is a new year, big division game, any division game is going to be big. I think, just as you continue to focus on the task at hand throughout the week and not make it more than it needs to be.”
For Cooks, after having a slow start to the season, he has come to life in the past two games. The veteran receiver has stated that he "trusts the process" of the offense when he wasn't getting the ball often, and now, that trust appears to be paying dividends.
Cowboys receiver Brandin Cooks has seen an upturn in form over the last two games.
Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
Cooks has a touchdown in each of his last two games against the Los Angeles Chargers and the Los Angeles Rams while also catching seven of his eight targets for 85 yards. But despite his recent upturn in form, Cooks reveals that his mentality and demeanor stay the same.
“I stay even-keeled,” Cooks said. “I just continue to go about my process, come in, work hard, and when my opportunity comes, I take advantage of it. My confidence never shifted one way or another even early on in the season. ... I’m just here to help my team win.”
Cooks will look to build on his recent form against an Eagles defense that - as powerful as the 7-1 Philly team is - gave up 388 passing yards to Washington Commanders quarterback Sam Howell.
If the 5-2 Cowboys are to make an NFC statement and roll into Lincoln Financial Field, and emerge victorious, then Cooks and the offense will have to make the most of their opportunities when they are presented. ... with more action than talk.
