Dallas Cowboys quarterback Cooper Rush. (Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports)
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After weeks of spurring debate over whether he should replace Dak Prescott as the Cowboys’ starting QB, Cooper Rush’s dream turned into a nightmare.
When they lost Dak Prescott to injury in Week 1, Cowboys fans definitely thought they’d be in for a rough few weeks. Instead, Cooper Rush led Dallas to four straight wins.
For a minute, people debated if Rush should keep the starting job even when Prescott returned.
On Sunday Night Football against the Eagles, Rush settled that debate: The answer is very much no.
Rush threw two first-half interceptions as the Cowboys fell behind 20-0. The QB was 5-of-16 for 36 yards. He had a quarterback rating of 1.0.
Words can’t describe how lousy Rush looked. So we’ll let the memes and tweets do the talking.
Best memes and tweets as Cooper Rush stunk up the first
Y’all been praising Cooper Rush nonstop on these sports shows. Giving him the majority of the credit
All the while disrespecting Dak
What are y’all gonna talk about now?
How stupid y’all were?
— Andre’ Jackson ✭4️⃣-1️⃣✭ (@therealdre_jack) October 17, 2022
Cooper Rush showed me he’s a capable backup because, until tonight, he hasn’t cost the #Cowboys any games – be it skill, luck or a combination of the two (it’s both, actually).
But you’re seeing he’s just that, a backup and eventually luck runs out.
And when it does, wear it.
— Patrik [No C] Walker (@VoiceOfTheStar) October 17, 2022
Skip Bayless is burning his Cooper Rush pajamas after this game.
— yes. ✭ (@iAmTerrace) October 17, 2022
Cowboys fans better not switch up now I heard you guys the last 5 weeks hyping up Cooper Rush like he’s a top QB
— Andrew 💚 (@TroeIEmbiid) October 17, 2022
Prescott is coming back from a finger injury and it’s not clear when he’ll be ready to go. At least when he does, the Cowboys will be able to point to Rush’s performance against the Eagles to keep a QB controversy from sparking up.
Rush had been solid as a game manager for Dallas but it was really the establishment of the run game along with a strong defense that got them victories over the last four weeks. His job was to take care of the ball and not lose the game. On Sunday Night Football, he failed to do that.
As troubling as Rush’s performance was, Cowboys fans will also look at the 20 points given up by the defense in the second quarter as a concern. Jalen Hurts and the Eagles have a formidable offense but the ease with which they moved down the field at times was a problem.
