Cowboys: T.Y. Hilton makes immediate impact
The Dallas Cowboys trailed by as much as 10 to the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday and were down by seven with 10 minutes left in the fourth quarter. To add to it, the Cowboys faced a 3rd and 20 after allowing back-to-back sacks and desperately needed a spark. Dallas would get just that but in […]
The Dallas Cowboys trailed by as much as 10 to the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday and were down by seven with 10 minutes left in the fourth quarter. To add to it, the Cowboys faced a 3rd and 20 after allowing back-to-back sacks and desperately needed a spark.
Dallas would get just that but in an unlikely form. Veteran wide receiver T.Y. Hilton, who made his Cowboys debut in Week 16, hit the burners and got behind Eagles cornerback Darius Slay for an unbelievable 52-yard catch, setting the Cowboys up in the red zone.
Dak Prescott would cap off the drive with a touchdown pass to CeeDee Lamb, his second grab for a score. The Cowboys would add two field goals and pull out the 40-34 win.
The Cowboys likely don't beat the Eagles without Hilton's amazing play, and he was chomping at the bit to show he still has some tread left on the tires when the opportunity presented itself.
"Just give me a chance, man. I mean, we've been doing this all practice," said Hilton. "I just wanted a chance and once Dak threw it I knew I was going to come down with it."
The most important thing for a quarterback is to have trust in his receivers to make plays in big moments. That usually takes time, but when Prescott hit the podium to answer questions after the Cowboys' big win, he spoke on his belief in Hilton.
I knew he’d go make a play," Prescott said. "Third-and-30, go find T.Y.”
Hilton has battled injuries over the last few years. However, he recently put NFL defenses on notice that he still has enough speed to get behind them, which is exactly what happened against the Eagles in crunch time.
“It was all-go. (Darius) Slay kind of had his eyes in the backfield," said Hilton. "I got even with him, so I just hit the gas and ran past him.”
Hilton is in his 11th season. That experience, plus his production during his days with the Indianapolis Colts when he made four Pro Bowls, is exactly why the Cowboys brought him on board. A veteran with savvy who can bring another element to the Cowboys' offense which is already extremely formidable.
Despite his setbacks on the injury front, Hilton still exudes confidence in his game.
“I can still play. If you don’t think I can play, then that’s on you. I can still get open. I don’t have to be fast. I can be slow. I can still get open. But I’m still fast. Double CeeDee Lamb and leave me, whatever you choose, you’re in trouble.”
The excitement for what Hilton will do for the rest of the regular season and the playoffs are running wild like Hulkamania in the 1980s. Get your popcorn ready.
Feature image via Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
