Dallas (7-8) will face off against Philadelphia (12-3) on Sunday at 1 p.m. EST, broadcasted on Fox. The odds from BetMGM indicate the Eagles are favored by 7.5 points. This season so far, Dallas has a record of 6-9 against the spread, while Philadelphia stands at 9-6. In their historical matchups, the Cowboys hold a series lead with 74 victories to the Eagles’ 58. Their most recent encounter was on November 10, when the Eagles dominated the Cowboys with a score of 34-6, thanks to Jalen Hurts’ impressive performance, which included two touchdown passes and two rushing touchdowns.
In their prior games last week, the Cowboys achieved a close victory over the Buccaneers, finishing 26-24, whereas the Eagles faced defeat, losing 36-33 to Washington. Examining the teams’ offensive capabilities, Dallas ranks 16th overall, with their rushing offense at 28th and passing offense at 10th, scoring 20 points per game. On the other hand, Philadelphia boasts a stronger offense, ranking 6th overall, with the best rushing attack in the league while sitting at 31st in passing, managing 8th overall in scoring.
Defensively, however, the teams show a clearer distinction. Dallas ranks 27th overall in defense, 27th against the run, and 21st versus passing, allowing for 30 points each game. Conversely, Philadelphia leads the league defensively, ranking 1st overall, 9th against the run, and 2nd against the pass, conceding 5 points per game on average. The turnover differential is another area of concern for the Cowboys, who sit at minus-3, while the Eagles enjoy a more favorable plus-6 record.
A player to keep an eye on for the Eagles is running back Saquon Barkley, who is just 162 rushing yards away from being the ninth player in NFL history to reach 2,000 yards in a single season. He is also 268 yards shy of breaking Eric Dickerson’s long-standing record of 2,105 yards established in 1984.
On the Cowboys side, attention will be on quarterback Cooper Rush, who has emerged as a key performer since taking over for Dak Prescott in November. In his last five games, Rush has thrown nine touchdown passes and just one interception, showcasing growing confidence. His record as a starter not facing the Eagles is 9-2.
The critical matchup will revolve around Dallas’s rush defense against Barkley, who leads the NFL with 1,838 rushing yards and a total of 2,114 scrimmage yards. The Cowboys will have their work cut out for them, as they sit 28th in the league in rush defense, allowing an average of 135.9 yards per game. In contrast, the Eagles’ rushing attack dominates with an average of 187.9 yards per game.
In terms of injuries, the Cowboys will be without wide receiver CeeDee Lamb, who is sidelined for the last two games due to a sprained shoulder. Furthermore, linebacker Eric Kendricks was unable to play due to a calf injury. For Philadelphia, quarterback Hurts is ruled out as he remains in concussion protocol, with Kenny Pickett stepping in as the starter. Additionally, the Eagles lost defensive end Josh Sweat and player Jordan Davis early in the game last week due to injuries. Quarterback Ian Book has recently been added to the practice squad.
In the recent years, the Cowboys have participated in the playoffs each of the last three seasons but faced elimination last week when the Commanders pulled off a comeback win against Philadelphia. With a record of 5-2 on the road, the Cowboys aim to redeem themselves. On the flip side, a victory for the Eagles would secure the NFC East title and one of the top two seeds in the conference. Historically significant, on January 11, 1981, the Eagles defeated the Cowboys 20-7, marking their first Super Bowl appearance.
Notable statistics include linebacker Micah Parsons looking to achieve his fourth consecutive season with double-digit sacks, a feat only four players have accomplished in NFL history. Kicker Brandon Aubrey is having a remarkable season, leading the league with 14 field goals of over 50 yards. In place of Hurts last week, Pickett completed 14 of 24 passes for 143 yards and a touchdown. However, the Eagles’ defensive back C.J. Gardner-Johnson was ejected in the previous game for unsportsmanlike conduct. The Eagles have set a team record with 2,818 rushing yards this season and are closing in on their single-season mark of 32 rushing touchdowns.
For fantasy players, consider that Philadelphia’s defense is tied for 9th in the NFL with a plus-6 turnover margin. With Hurts absent and after surrendering 36 points last week, the Eagles’ defense may be significantly motivated to perform well against a Dallas offense that struggles, ranking 21st in the league in points.
