The Eagles head to Arlington riding the momentum of a physical primetime win over Detroit. At 8–2, the Birds now enter another defining stretch that is kicked off with a road showdown against the Dallas Cowboys.
When: Sun, Nov. 24, at 4:25 PM EST
Where: AT&T Stadium, Arlington, TX
How: FOX
These teams know each other better than anyone, and their matchups are always emotional and physical. This will be another game in their storied history, with playoff implications for Dallas and the Eagles' first-seed standings on the line.
The Eagles continue to win without playing an explosive brand of football. It has been bland and boring for most fans, but they will look to change that this week.
Jalen Hurts has been efficient and has avoided costly errors, but it has come at the expense of pushing the ball down the field. The Eagles need to find a way to get their paymakers involved early and often.
Dallas’ secondary has battled injuries and is inconsistent, leaving them vulnerable on the outside. This should be the week the Eagles get A.J. Brown some quality targets. He was force-fed the ball last week, but they need to be more creative in how they use him.
DeVonta Smith is on pace for a career year and remains Hurts’ most reliable option. His finesse, footwork, and toughness allow him to win against any coverage look. He has been the big playmaker from the receiver room this season and will look to break another long touchdown in Arlington.
Dallas Goedert is also having a career season, but his targets and production come and go each week. The offense needs to remember to get him the ball, as he has been special with it in his hands this season and has a career-high seven touchdowns to back it up.
Saquon Barkley may again become the defining piece of the puzzle. With Lane Johnson and Cam Jurgens likely missing the game, the Eagles’ offensive line is struggling, and the front five will need to push through the injuries with new faces on the line and create space against a very improved Dallas defensive front. If the Eagles can not establish the run, this could be a long day in Dallas.
Vic Fangio’s defense has become one of the league’s most reliable units, suffocating opponents and consistently controlling tempo.
Quinyon Mitchell and Cooper DeJean are both playing beyond their years, which has transformed the secondary. Mitchell is having an All-Pro season and shutting down opposing teams' wide receivers on a weekly basis. He will have his hands full with George Pickens and Cee Dee Lamb this week.
Mitchell will likely follow Lamb when he is lined up on the outside, but Cooper DeJean will be expected to cover him when he aligns in the slot. Lamb struggled in the team's opening-season clash, but that was due to drops, which are unlikely to be an issue this time around.
The biggest key will be making Dak Prescott uncomfortable and unable to extend plays with his legs. Prescott has been outstanding this season and does not suffer from being risk-averse. He will sling it. Jalen Carter, Moro Ojomo, and the recent defensive player of the week winner, Jordan Davis, will need to bring interior pressure and make Dak uncomfortable all night like they did Jared Goff on Sunday.
Dallas week always means more, even if they have not been as relevant this century. They are still a top matchup, and Eagles–Cowboys games rarely disappoint. If Fangio’s defense does what it has of late, and the Philadelphia Eagles offense controls the clock, the line of scrimmage, and protects the football, they’ll walk out of AT&T Stadium with a win. The Eagles are 40–2 under Nick Sirianni when they win the turnover battle.
Prediction: Eagles 23, Cowboys 20
Player of the Game: AJ Brown. I foresee a touchdown and over 100 receiving yards for the player who describes himself as being “Always Open.” AAAA OOOO!
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