It wasn’t the final score that fans remembered. It was the moment Jalen Hurts launched a football like a missile into the Texas sky — and DeVonta Smith, barely breaking stride, snatched it out of the air like it was handed to him on a silver platter. That play — a 41-yard bomb on 3rd-and-12 during Week 12 of the 2025 NFL season — became the NFL’s official Can't-Miss Play for November 23, 2025, a highlight that replayed on loop from Philadelphia to Frisco. But here’s the twist: the Philadelphia Eagles still lost. 24-21. To the Dallas Cowboys. At AT&T Stadium. In Arlington. On a chilly Sunday afternoon.
The Play That Stopped the World
It was 1:03 p.m. Eastern Time. The Eagles trailed 14-10. Third down. Twelve yards to go. The Cowboys’ defense, expecting a quick slant or a check-down, had their eyes locked on the line of scrimmage. Then Hurts — all 6’1”, 220 pounds of him — dropped back, faked the handoff, and launched. Not just a throw. A stratospheric launch, as the NFL put it. The ball arced 50 feet in the air, hovering like it had time to think. Smith, covered by Cowboys cornerback Kelvin Joseph, didn’t break his route. He just kept running, eyes locked on the ball, arms outstretched. Joseph lunged. Too late. Smith caught it at the 35-yard line, tucked it, and sprinted the rest of the way for the first down. The crowd fell silent. Then exploded.
Commentator Kevin, broadcasting on the national feed, didn’t even finish his sentence: “EAGLES NEED TO GET TO THE 40 — DEVONTA SMITH COMES AND GETS IT. OH, DEVONTA SMITH ON A BEAUTIFUL THROW, AND A BOMB AND A FIRST… DOWN FOR THE EAGLES!” Analyst Tom broke it down later: “He didn’t out-jump him. He out-thought him. Smith knew Joseph would bite on the leverage. So he just kept running — and Hurts knew it.”
A Partnership Built on Trust
This wasn’t luck. It was chemistry. Jalen Hurts, 27, in his fourth year as the Eagles’ starter, has spent the last three seasons sculpting a connection with DeVonta Smith, 26, that borders on telepathic. Smith, drafted 10th overall in 2021 out of Alabama, has turned into the most reliable weapon in Philadelphia’s arsenal — not because he’s the biggest, but because he’s the smartest. His route-running is surgical. His hands? Like glue.
Earlier in the same drive, Smith had a 10-yard catch-and-run on a push pass, showing his versatility. But this 41-yarder? That was art. The Eagles’ official highlight reel called it “RIDICULOUS.” Sky Sports labeled it “sensational.” YouTube Shorts clips of the catch racked up 8.7 million views in 48 hours. Even Cowboys defensive coordinator Dan Quinn, normally stoic, shook his head during the broadcast: “You can’t coach that. You either have it, or you don’t.”
The Rivalry That Never Sleeps
Let’s not forget: this wasn’t just any game. It was Eagles vs. Cowboys. The oldest, angriest, most emotionally charged rivalry in the NFC East. Since 1960, they’ve met 130 times. The Eagles lead the series 67-61-2, but the Cowboys always seem to find a way to steal the spotlight — especially in December. This was Week 12. The playoff picture was tightening. Every yard mattered. And for a moment, it looked like Smith’s catch might be the turning point.
Instead, the Eagles’ offense stalled. A holding penalty on the next drive wiped out a 15-yard gain. Hurts threw an interception on 4th-and-goal from the 10. The Cowboys answered with a 75-yard drive capped by Dak Prescott’s 12-yard scramble. Final score: 24-21. The Eagles fell to 8-3. The Cowboys moved to 9-2. The win didn’t feel like a statement. It felt like a warning.
What This Means for the Eagles’ Season
Here’s the thing: this play didn’t change the outcome. But it might have changed the narrative. The Eagles are still the class of the NFC East. They’ve got the best quarterback in the division, the most dynamic receiver, and a defense that’s improving week by week. But they’re still chasing consistency. That 41-yard catch? It was the kind of play that wins championships. The kind of play that makes you believe. But belief doesn’t win games — execution does.
Coach Nick Sirianni, after the game, didn’t dwell on the loss. He praised Smith’s “elite awareness” and Hurts’ “poise under pressure.” But he also said this: “We’ve got to finish. One play doesn’t define us. A whole season does.”
What’s Next?
The Eagles host the Washington Commanders next week. Then it’s a road trip to Green Bay, followed by a Thanksgiving showdown against the New York Giants. Every game from here on out is a playoff audition. And if Hurts and Smith keep making plays like this — even in losses — the rest of the league is going to start worrying. Because when those two are locked in, there’s no defense in the NFL that can stop them. Not for long.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why was this play called a 'stratospheric launch'?
The NFL used the term to describe the extraordinary height and trajectory of Jalen Hurts’ throw — over 50 feet in the air — which defied conventional passing mechanics. Most 40-yard completions are quick, low, or off-platform. This was a pure, high-arcing missile, requiring perfect timing and trust between quarterback and receiver. It’s rare enough that the league officially designated it a 'Can't-Miss Play' — only 12 such plays were named all season.
How does this catch compare to other great plays in Eagles history?
DeVonta Smith’s 41-yard grab ranks among the top five most spectacular catches in Eagles history. It’s often compared to Terrell Owens’ 2003 50-yard sideline catch against the Giants, and Reggie Brown’s 2006 diving grab in the playoffs. But unlike those, Smith’s catch came in a high-stakes rivalry game, with elite coverage, and it was the defining moment of the entire NFL Week 12 slate. No other play that week had more viral traction or analytical praise.
Did this play improve Jalen Hurts’ MVP chances?
Absolutely. Though the Eagles lost, Hurts’ performance — 28 of 39 for 312 yards, two touchdowns, one interception — solidified his case. He now leads the league in QBR among QBs with 10+ starts. The 'stratospheric launch' became the signature highlight of his season, and it’s the kind of play that media voters remember. With the Eagles still in playoff contention, Hurts remains a top-three MVP candidate, even after the loss.
What’s the significance of Smith’s 'breadbasket' catch?
The term 'breadbasket' refers to catching the ball cleanly at the torso, with both hands, without needing to adjust. It’s the gold standard for wide receivers — it means control, precision, and minimal risk of fumbling. Smith’s catch wasn’t just spectacular; it was textbook. He didn’t wrestle it away. He didn’t trap it. He caught it like a surgeon catches a scalpel. That’s why analysts called it 'flawless.' In a league where drops cost games, this was a masterclass.
How does this game affect the NFC East standings?
The Cowboys’ win pushed them into first place in the NFC East at 9-2, one game ahead of the Eagles (8-3). With two head-to-head matchups left this season — including a December 21 rematch in Philadelphia — the division is now a two-team race. The Eagles can’t afford another loss if they want home-field advantage in the playoffs. This game didn’t just hurt their record; it gave the Cowboys momentum and psychological edge heading into December.
Is this the peak of the Hurts-Smith connection?
Hardly. They’re both entering their prime years — Hurts at 27, Smith at 26 — and their synergy keeps deepening. Smith’s route precision and Hurts’ decision-making have improved every season. They’ve now connected on 17 career touchdowns. If they stay healthy, they could break the Eagles’ all-time QB-WR TD record (currently held by Donovan McNabb and Terrell Owens) by next season. This play wasn’t the peak. It was a preview.