Cowboys' Stephon Gilmore reveals motivation for excellent performance against Eagles
Don't tell Dallas Cowboys cornerback Stephon Gilmore he's over the hill.
Following Sunday's 33-13 victory over the Eagles, the 33-year-old claimed Philadelphia wide receiver A.J. Brown motivated him when he mentioned his age at the start of the game.
"I just didn't like how he called me old at the beginning of the game," he said, per the team website. "So it lit a fire in me a little bit. I was mad. The only thing I could do was show him I was still here, and I think I did that today."
The 2019 NFL Defensive Player of the Year arguably had his best performance as a Cowboy. He led the team in tackles (nine) and forced a fumble. Brown still finished with nine receptions for 94 yards but had no receiving TDs.
"I've been doing this my whole career. Covering the best guy and following him," Gilmore said. It's exciting because you know the ball is coming your way. I get up for those types of moments."
In March, Dallas dealt a fifth-rounder to the Indianapolis Colts to acquire Gilmore. It was a smart move, as the Super Bowl champion is still playing at a high level. Per Pro Football Reference, he's allowed two passing TDs and a below-average 64.7 passer rating in coverage in 13 games.
After the win against Philadelphia (10-3), Dallas (10-3) moved into first in the NFC East. However, retaining the top spot will be a challenge. Per Tankathon, the Cowboys have the league's 10th-most difficult remaining schedule.
In Week 15, they'll face the Miami Dolphins (9-3) and star WR Tyreek Hill, who leads the league in receiving yards (1,481 in 12 games). To stop him, Gilmore must rise to the occasion again. His performance against Philadelphia should inspire confidence.
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