This is a beauty, the 7-1 Eagles playing the 5-2 Dallas Cowboys with both teams vying for the top of the NFC and both teams playing good football. It is a game of matchups and matchups within matchups and a rivalry that is second to none in the NFL renewed on a beautiful fall afternoon and evening at Lincoln Financial Field.
Here are some storylines to follow in a game that could go a long way toward determining how things play out in the conference postseason picture ...
1. How to get Dak Prescott off his game
In the Cowboys' five wins, quarterback Dak Prescott has 8 touchdown passes and only one interception. In their two losses, Prescott has thrown four interceptions and just two touchdowns. He is excellent when able to get outside the pocket and throw on the run and Prescott understands what he's seeing from defenses.
So, what do the Eagles do to take him out of his rhythm? Philadelphia doesn't blitz a whole lot, but it has been effective when called. The risk is giving up big plays down the field, so it's a calculated call that Defensive Coordinator Sean Desai will have to make. This much is clear, though: The Eagles cannot allow Prescott to have a comfortable pocket. They have to hurry him into mistakes and take the Dallas offense out of its game.
2. Micah Parsons, DeMarcus Lawrence, and Co. are here to make life miserable for Jalen Hurts
Micah Parsons against the Eagles: 3 games, 0.5 quarterback sacks, 8 tackles, 2 tackles for loss
DeMarcus Lawrence against the Eagles: 16 games, 3 quarterback sacks, 10 quarterback hits, 10 tackles for loss
The Eagles have done a pretty good job against both of these outstanding defensive players, so whatever they have done in the past, they need to do again on Sunday. Dallas has an aggressive, take-the-ball away defense and the Eagles can't let Parsons and Lawrence play all game in the backfield.
It's Cowboys-Eagles in South Philadelphia on Sunday afternoon. Before this nationally televised showdown between the bitter NFC East rivals, the Eagles made sure to put the work in with the goal of going 1-0 this week. Take a look at some of the best shots from the NovaCare Complex.
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Smitty!
The O-line at work
Fletch!
Julio Jones
Nolan Smith working on the details.
The offense is ready to pave the Lane.
The head coach
New Eagles S Kevin Byard makes his home debut in his native Philadelphia on Sunday.
Dean of the linebackers
3. Special teams are a huge part of this game
It has been discussed this week just how good Dallas is on special teams and it is very much going to be a focus on Sunday night. Pay attention to the hidden yardage, the swing in field position, the wins and losses in the kicking game. The weather forecast is for a nice night and so that shouldn't be a huge factor.
This comes down to two good special teams battling it out and it could very well determine the game.
4. What is the plan for WR CeeDee Lamb?
As hot as A.J. Brown is for the Eagles, and there is nobody on more of a tear, Cowboys receiver CeeDee Lamb is really productive. Two games ago he had 7 receptions for 112 yards in a win over the Chargers and then on Sunday he destroyed the Rams with 12 catches, 158 yards, and a pair of scores.
The Eagles know all about Lamb, who caught 10 passes for 120 yards and two touchdowns on 11 targets last December in the Dallas win. He moves around the formation, but is absolutely lethal from the slot. Lamb has the whole package and the Eagles need to find a way to slow him down.
5. The chess match of adjustments
Starting fast is always important and the Eagles have done it well this year except in the two games against Washington. Dallas has struggled in the two losses when it has fallen behind and the Eagles want to make that the situation on Sunday. But it's going to be a back-and-forth affair and the team that adjusts the best and that can stop the bleeding or attack a weakness is going to have a major advantage.
Just getting a stop or two at key moments in this game could make the difference. The minutes before and after the half are so critical. The final quarter of the game, of course, means everything.
Not a whole lot of people consider the coaching decisions and adjustments that win games. Nick Sirianni and his staff are excellent and that is one of the reasons the Eagles have had so much success. This is a big test on Sunday.
The bitter rivals have played each other 128 times, starting the series in 1960. Relive the greatest games and moments from one of the most historic battles in the NFL before the two square off on Sunday afternoon.
Kenneth Gainwell flies into the end zone!
Touchdown Eagles!
What an atmosphere at Lincoln Financial Field.
Sweaty-J takes down Prescott in the biggest moment of the game.
Ball loose, game over!
DeVonta Smith celebrates a big fourth quarter touchdown in a 2022 win against the Cowboys.
C.J. Gardner-Johnson recorded two interceptions in last year's home win over Dallas.
A.J. Brown had 67 receiving yards and a touchdown in his first game against the Cowboys as an Eagle.
Jalen Hurts led the Eagles to a 6-0 start!
The Eagles celebrate Kenjon Barner's rushing touchdown against the Cowboys in 2017.
Linebacker Kamu Grugier-Hill served as the emergency place kicker against the Cowboys after Jake Elliott left injured.
Rodney McLeod makes a leaping interception in Dallas.
Jay Ajayi exploded for 91 rushing yards against in a blowout win at Dallas.
Carson Wentz led his team to a huge division win during the Super Bowl season.
Ronald Darby climbed the ladder to intercept Dak Prescott.
Jordan Hicks returned an interception for a 67-yard touchdown in a 2015 matchup at Dallas.
DeMarco Murray sneaks into the end zone against his former team.
Caleb Sturgis made two clutch kicks in the fourth quarter of an overtime win.
Jordan Matthews sprinting toward the end zone for the game-winning touchdown against the Cowboys.
Jordan Matthews crosses the goal line in overtime as the Eagles beat the Cowboys 33-27.
The Eagles celebrated a huge rivalry win in front of the Dallas faithful.
Jordan Matthews loved scoring against the Cowboys.
Cody Parkey made four field goals as the Eagles routed the Cowboys.
A family affair on Thanksgiving in Dallas.
LeSean McCoy rushed for 159 yards and a score in a 33-10 win over the Cowboys.
Thanksgiving in 2014 was celebrated in the perfect way!
Nick Foles threw for 263 yards and two touchdowns during a 2023 victory in Dallas.
Brent Celek's second quarter touchdown put Philadelphia up for good.
Bryce Brown scored a huge fourth quarter touchdown to help the Eagles clinch the 2013 NFC East crown in Dallas.
Brandon Boykin's interception just after the two-minute warning sealed the division for Philadelphia.
Shady scored another big-time touchdown against the Cowboys.
The Eagles celebrated winning the NFC East in the visiting locker room at AT&T Stadium in Dallas.
Chris Clemmons returned a fumble for a 73-yard touchdown in a 2008 showdown with Dallas.
Joselio Hanson took a fumble back to the house for a 96-yard touchdown, stopping the Cowboys from winning the 2008 NFC East.
Donovan McNabb threw for 345 yards and four touchdowns as the Eagles improved to 8-1 with a win in Dallas.
Terrell Owens caught three touchdowns in a 49-21 win over the rival Cowboys.
Lito Sheppard's 101-yard pick six sealed the win for Philadelphia.
6. Statistics that mean something
As if you need to be reminded ... turnovers and red zone play are so darn critical. The Eagles are an uncharacteristic -3 in the giveaway/takeaway department and Dallas is a +6. Huge. The Eagles overcame a fumble in the red zone against Miami and two inside the 5-yard line against Washington to win both games.
There is always an emphasis on ball security and against a team like Dallas that is so proficient in taking the football away, it is even more critical.
Both teams are statistically equal matches in the red zone and both have been in these big moments. This is the kind of game where the slimmest of margins will make a difference.
