Tanner McKee admits costly mistakes in Eagles’ loss to Cowboys

Pundits don’t always do proper analysis when they point to a throw or two, or a moment, and label it the reason a team may have lost a game. Some moments weigh heavily, and for the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 7, those moments came before halftime.

Tanner McKee had a chance to give his team a better first-half finish against the Dallas Cowboys, but two missed throws left points on the field. With Philadelphia searching for answers after four straight losses entering Monday night, those missed chances carried added weight in a game that ultimately ended in a 38-21 defeat.

McKee didn’t point to pressure, protection, or the circumstances surrounding his first start of the season as an explanation. Instead, the Eagles quarterback accepted responsibility for the incompletions and acknowledged he needed to deliver when opportunities arose. He knows the opportunities on the field, and like any good leader, he accepted full responsibility.

“No, I don’t think I have an excuse. I just got to hit it. Next time when it comes up, I will.”

The missed throws weren’t the only plays McKee wanted back. He also acknowledged the interception Cowboys linebacker DeMarvion Overshown made in his first game back from injury.

“Yeah. [I wish I could] have that one back, obviously. I wish I had the interception back. Great play by [Cowboys LB DeMarvion Overshown]. I think it was number zero that made that play. Obviously, I just got to move on in my reading and my progression. Then the two missed throws before halftime, wish I had those back. Good routes, good calls during good coverage and I’ve got to hit it.”

McKee’s assessment was direct. The routes and play calls gave the Eagles opportunities against the coverage, but he failed to complete the plays. That distinction matters for a quarterback still trying to establish himself, especially when the offense needs consistency rather than isolated stretches of production.

Tanner McKee says the Eagles must raise their standard

Philadelphia had a much better second-half start, putting together a 17-play, 84-yard touchdown drive that lasted 9:16. McKee credited the execution and play calls from offensive coordinator Sean Mannion, noting the possession included multiple third-down conversions and a fourth-down conversion.

He also connected the response to the missed opportunities before halftime, saying he told his teammates they would make the plays and come back. Still, the successful drive didn’t erase the earlier mistakes or change the final result.

The quarterback’s willingness to own his mistakes matched his broader message after the loss. McKee said the team would review the film, identify corrections, and work to improve, but he also suggested that Philadelphia’s preparation could become more demanding.

“We practice really hard, our meetings are tough and we want to make practice harder than the games. I think we need to tweak it up even more, which we will and obviously we’ll make corrections, we’ll watch the film and we’ll get better from it.”

The Eagles have now lost five straight games, leaving little margin for missed opportunities as they prepare to face the Washington Commanders. McKee’s self-criticism is a starting point, but Philadelphia needs that accountability to show up in cleaner execution when its next chances arrive.

For a team trying to stop its slide, the difference between a promising drive and a scoring opportunity wasted can be significant. McKee can’t undo those missed throws, but how quickly he learns from them could help determine whether the Eagles can turn their flashes of offensive progress into something more consistent.

This article originally appeared on Eagles Wire: Tanner McKee admits costly mistakes in Eagles’ loss to Cowboys