The Dallas Cowboys head to Lincoln Financial Field to take on the NFC East division-leading Philadelphia Eagles in a classic rivalry grudge match that is getting its proper billing in Prime Time on Sunday Night Football.
The game features one of the hottest offenses in the league and a defense that is earning a name for itself as one of the most feared units this season. The Eagles are the last remaining unbeaten team in the NFL, and the Cowboys will be looking to jump to 3-0 in the division by unseating Philly.
The Cowboys have been all about defense this season, led by a defensive line and linebacker corps that punishes offenses with clever stunts and power moves. In his second season as defensive coordinator for the Cowboys, Dan Quinn is getting everything and more from Micah Parsons, who lines up pretty much everywhere.
The attention Parsons draws frees up others on the team to play with wild abandon, getting hits on quarterbacks, sacks, tackles for loss, and generally disrupting every offensive play.
Beyond the line, teams also must contend with a secondary that is getting stronger by the day. Safety Trevon Diggs garnered attention last season after recording 11 interceptions to tie the Cowboys’ franchise record, and it is showing.
Diggs has been in coverage on receivers who were targeted for passes only 33 times this season and has allowed just 19 receptions. His eight pass breakups rank first in the league.
The Animal House of talent that is the Cowboys’ defense will be tested by former OU quarterback Jalen Hurts, who is having a breakout campaign in 2022. Hurts is completing nearly 68 percent of his passes for the Eagles, but that is only part of the story.
The Eagles’ receivers rank first overall in the NFL for yards-after-catch. This metric indicates smart ball placement by Hurts and a devious offensive scheme by coordinator Shane Steichen.
As for defense, the Eagles’ unit has been nearly as effective as the Cowboys’ this season.
The defensive line holds opponents to an average of only five yards per carry, against 4.7 allowed by the Cowboys. They have held receivers to a season total of 947 yards versus the 969 the Cowboys have allowed.
The Cowboys’ offense will once again rely on Cooper Rush at quarterback to manage the game. A middle-of-the-road quarterback since taking over for an injured Dak Prescott in Week 1, Rush has been doing just enough to get wins without making mistakes that force the defense into difficult situations.
Rush and the offense have significantly benefited from the Cowboys’ defense, which has given them short fields and held opponents to no more than one touchdown in each game this season.
As in past weeks, the Cowboys will likely try an offensive scheme that balances passing opportunities with rushing attempts. Running back Tony Pollard had a monster 57-yard run in last week’s win at Los Angeles and factors to be primed for a big day against the Eagles.
This is a match many football fans circled in red on their calendars when the schedule was released — even those outside Philly and Dallas. These teams play each other with a ferocity that only comes from long-standing rivalries spanning decades.
The Cowboys hold the series advantage at 74-52-0, including a sweep last season that the Eagles are looking to avenge on Sunday Night Football.
