TYRONE CRAWFORD

(AP Photo/Michael Ainsworth)ARLINGTON, Texas – The Dallas Cowboys won a game thanks to a watermelon kick and are now 2-0 after smashing said fruit as a motivational tactic the night before each victory. Now, the Cowboys could be two playoff wins from their first run that far in the postseason in 25 years — with a little help, of course. After giving up 14 points in less than 10 minutes to start the game, the Cowboys held Philadelphia to three the rest of the way. But it was still enough to set a franchise record in points allowed with a game to go at 450. It was the most for a Dalton-led offense since the Bengals had 559 in a 31-17 win over Cleveland in 2016.

The limp was gone as the 38-year-old engineered a fourth-quarter comeback that kept Pittsburgh as the NFL's only unbeaten team. Those are the four games Dallas has been without star Dak Prescott, out for the season with a broken ankle. Roethlisberger's first touchdown came after he injured his left knee after a throw on a hit from defensive tackle Neville Gallimore. “Someone hit me right on the side of the knee, kind of bent my knee a little bit,” Roethlisberger said. “Just had some discomfort.”Gilbert's first touchdown pass was a 20-yarder to Lamb for a 10-0 lead in the second quarter.

FRISCO, Texas Dak Prescott wants his teammates on the Dallas Cowboys to decide for themselves whether to protest during the national anthem. Owner Jerry Jones hasn't said in so many words, but it appears his hard-line stance requiring players to stand during the anthem has eased amid a national reckoning over racial justice. We all do understand where I stand relative to the national anthem and the flag. As we heard Mr. Jones talk about grace and sharing grace and having grace with players in what they want to do. Jones seems to understand that kneeling before the anthem might not be enough this time.

If youre not trying to win a Super Bowl, I dont know what youre even doing in this business, McCarthy said. The ones that dont talk about it are probably trying to underpromise, overachieve. The dynamic former Oklahoma receiver joins Amari Cooper, who signed a $100 million contract, and the promising young Michael Gallup. FANS IN STANDSJones said the Cowboys plan to play all eight home games with fans, although the club hasn't announced anything specific. The Cowboys also know they'll play their opener without fans in the first game at the new home of the Los Angeles Rams on Sept. 13.

FRISCO, Texas Dallas Cowboys defensive tackle Gerald McCoy is out for the season after tearing the quadriceps tendon in his right leg in the first padded practice of training camp Monday. Executive vice president of personnel Stephen Jones said McCoy would have surgery soon. Jones said McCoy was working against Antwaun Woods in individual drills when Woods stepped on his foot. McCoy was the first of four significant additions on the defensive line in free agency. Hill couldn't really break the rotation for the defensive line during a rough rookie season.

(AP Photo/Roger Steinman)NEW ORLEANS - NEW ORLEANS (AP) - Saints defensive tackle Sheldon Rankins is active for the first time this season, marking the completion of his rehabilitation from an Achilles tendon tear last January. Dallas linebacker Luke Gifford, who'd been questionable to play with an ankle injury, has been ruled out. While receiver Amari Cooper was limited in practice with an ankle injury and had a precautionary MRI this week, he is active. The Saints ruled out receiver Tre'Quan Smith (ankle) in their final injury report Friday. ___More AP NFL: https://apnews.com/NFL and https://twitter.com/AP_NFLCopyright 2019 The Associated Press.