The Athletic has live coverage of the NFL Week 9 games between the Eagles and Cowboys.
Through the first eight weeks of the season, it’s clear that the NFC East race will come down to two teams – the Philadelphia Eagles and the Dallas Cowboys. The Eagles (7-1) lead the Cowboys (5-2) entering their Sunday game in Philadelphia (4:25 p.m. ET).
Last season, the teams split their series (and the Eagles won the division).
After a lopsided loss to the San Francisco 49ers in Week 5, the Cowboys have won two straight games. The Eagles have also won two straight after losing their only game of the season at the New York Jets in Week 6.
We asked The Athletic’s Jon Machota and Saad Yousuf for their thoughts on the game between the divisional rivals.
1. Where do the Cowboys appear to have the biggest advantage over the Eagles?
Machota: It’s probably because of their ability on defense to take the ball away. The Cowboys led the NFL in takeaways the last two seasons and are among the league leaders again this year. The Eagles should give them chances on Sunday. They turned the ball over 13 times in eight games, including 11 times via quarterback Jalen Hurts, who threw eight interceptions and lost three fumbles. To win this game, Dallas must win the turnover battle. The Cowboys have a plus-6 turnover differential this season, making them the fourth-best team in the NFL. They lost the turnover battle 5-1 in their two losses. They went 12-2 in their five wins.
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The Cowboys put the 49ers loss behind them and are ready for a better performance against the Eagles
Yousuf: It’s hard to see a definitive advantage for the Cowboys in this matchup, but one area where they could have an advantage this week is in their pass rush against Hurts. The Eagles have a good offensive line and that’s the first shift the Dallas pass rush has to deal with, but Hurts is clearly dealing with a knee injury. The Eagles quarterback is at his best when he can use his mobility to extend plays and create offense. If Micah Parsons and Co. can keep him in check, his physical limitations could prove to be an advantage for the Cowboys.
2. Where do the Eagles appear to have the biggest advantage?
Machota: Their rush defense against the Cowboys running game. Dallas has been unable to gain traction on the ground this year, averaging just 3.9 yards per carry. It’s hard to believe they’ll get on track against the NFL’s best. Philadelphia is holding opponents to just 65.6 yards per game on the ground and allowing just three rushing touchdowns in eight games. Dak Prescott threw 35 times in the Cowboys’ win over the Eagles in their last meeting, Week 16 at AT&T Stadium. He’ll likely need a similar effort for Dallas to win on Sunday.
Yousuf: I’ll turn the match around and say: The Cowboys’ rush defense versus the Eagles’ running game. Understanding that Hurts has limited functionality due to his knee injury takes some of the flavor out of the Eagles’ rushing attack, but D’Andre Swift is still a capable runner and the conceptual threat of Hurts’ legs still exists. The Cowboys’ rush defense has been mediocre for some time, and the weapons Philadelphia has in the passing game limit how much help Dallas can provide in the box. The best way to combat this is for the Cowboys to get off to a good start and play from the front.
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The Cowboys need to “win up front” and disrupt Jalen Hurts to be successful against the Eagles
3. Last season, the Eagles won when Dak Prescott didn’t play and the Cowboys won when Jalen Hurts didn’t play. How much of this game will depend on the QB’s performance?
Machota: It will be a big factor. But for Dallas, it will probably be a little more important. I can see the Eagles winning even if Hurts doesn’t play great. I can’t see the Cowboys winning if Prescott doesn’t play great. Prescott had one of the worst games of his career in the Week 5 loss at San Francisco when a similar buildup occurred early in the game. He has bounced back in the last two games and is very familiar with the Eagles. He doesn’t have to win alone, but the Cowboys need Prescott to play well through the air and with his legs.
Yousuf: In a showdown like this, the quarterback’s performance will be the focus, and with the Cowboys we’ve seen the team thrive on both sides of the equation all season long. When Prescott shows up, the Cowboys can control the tempo and flow of the game. If the Cowboys defense was able to disrupt the opposing team’s quarterback, they could turn the entire game in Dallas’ favor. Prescott also has an easier time playing the way the team needs him to when his defense can upset the opposing quarterback, so it all depends on the team’s success.
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4. Other top NFC teams were active at the trade deadline, including the Eagles. Do you think the Cowboys made the right decision by not making a deal?
Machota: I don’t. I was surprised that they didn’t make any moves to improve their roster before the trade deadline. I understand they like their young strength, but adding a notable veteran at the offensive line, defensive line, linebacker, cornerback, running back or even wide receiver could have made the difference in January. It remains to be seen whether it will come back to haunt them, but it was disappointing to see the other top NFC teams make moves while the Cowboys didn’t.
Yousuf: To be clear, I think adding to the roster at the trade deadline would have been the smart move for the Cowboys, regardless of what other NFC contenders did around them. The Cowboys have weaknesses on their roster and concerns about depth at other positions. However, I don’t think it’s wise for a team that drafts as well as the Cowboys to make a move just for the sake of it. If they feel there isn’t value for money on the market then they’ll have to live with that, but it’s possible they’ll look at the free agent options (like Ndamukong Suh) and feel like that they have to worry about losing draft picks without a comparable boost.
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Forecast?
Machota: Eagles 27, Cowboys 24. I think this one lives up to the hype. I expect the Eagles to take the lead early, but the Cowboys will take it back and have a chance late. But I will be playing with the home team for both Cowboys vs. Eagles games this season. Dallas will have a chance to get a stop late in the fourth quarter, but they won’t be able to create a tush-push play that allows Philadelphia to run out the clock. The Eagles will run this play three times on Sunday and convert all three times.
Yousuf: Eagles 28, Cowboys 24. This should come to the point as Prescott and the Cowboys offense get the ball late in the game, need a touchdown to win, and their drive stalls in the red zone. Of course the Cowboys want to win this game, but it’s important that they put in a quality performance unlike their game against the 49ers. If they lay an egg in this game, the next three weeks will be an afterthought due to a cupcake schedule before the series of tough games to end the season.
(Photo of Dak Prescott and Jalen Hurts: Michael Leff / Getty Images and George Walker / Icon Sportswire / Getty Images)
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