Eagles-Cowboys Preview: 6 Points on Football Friday

It’s been a very weird week in Philly Sports Radio. Here are some reflections as part of our preview of the Eagles-Cowboys game in Dallas!

We often think of the Dallas Cowboys as late-season chokers. That may be valid in the postseason for the past 28 years, but it hasn’t been true in the final weeks of the season for a long time. In regular-season games after December 1 since 2016, the Cowboys are an impressive 23-11. The Cowboys are 2-3 in postseason games during that same period.

All week, the Eagles “balance” on offense has been a topic of debate. Though I understand both sides of the argument, there is a very sneaky stat constantly offered in defense of the Eagles offense. If I heard it once, I heard it 50 times this week from Philly sports media.

The Eagles are fifth in rushing attempts. Though that number is true, it’s also offered without context. Yes, they are fifth. They also have 33% of their “carries” coming on design quarterback runs and scrambles. That is the highest percentage in the NFL.

Jalen Hurts is averaging just 3.55 yards per carry. Lamar Jackson is more productive averaging 5.1 yards per carry. We all know that Hurts hasn’t had that many “designed runs” this season. If you’re going to be objective, it’s about your backs getting carries, not quarterback scrambles.

The Cowboys are allowing 180 passing yards per game while the Eagles are giving up 260. The Eagles have allowed 90 yards rushing per game, and Dallas is only giving up 106. Philadelphia's opponents have been more difficult, but Dallas has played tighter defense. It’s hard to quantify, but the challenge is monumental!

The Nick Sirianni regime will return to the playoffs for the third consecutive season. After winning an NFC Title last season, a mere playoff berth might not seem that impressive. However, a three-year streak is always a good thing.

His team is 24-5 over the past two regular seasons. The loss against the 49ers was terrible, but no NFL team has been better in 2023. Breathe and reflect back on how many times this team has surprised you. I won’t bail on them or Jalen Hurts.

IF the Eagles lose on Sunday, going 4-0 in their final games will win them the NFC East on the fourth tiebreaker.

Both offenses should have a wild night. I’ve already bet the OVER on my Bet Parx app. I’ll take the overs on passing attempts for both quarterback. I also plan to load up on a DeVonta Smith anytime touchdown and over on his yardage.

Eagles-Cowboys Preview: The Eagles create two turnovers and squeak out a 34-30 win over the Cowboys.

The Philadelphia Eagles met their worst embarrassment of the 2023 NFL season in Week 13. The San Francisco 49ers dominated at Lincoln Financial Field in a 42-19 blowout.

The Birds have dealt with injuries to key players in recent weeks. Lane Johnson, Fletcher Cox, and Milton Williams returned against the 49ers. Zach Cunningham was out of the lineup, and the linebackers struggled without him and Nakobe Dean on the field. Jack Stoll started in place of the injured Dallas Goedert.

Who will return as Week 14 starters for the Eagles?

The 49ers failed to move the chains with a first down on their first two drives. The Eagles defense fell apart in the second quarter, however.

Brock Purdy moved the San Francisco offense down the field with ease and incredible efficiency for the remainder of the afternoon. Starting linebackers Nicholas Morrow and Christian Elliss struggled to contain offensive standouts Deebo Samuel, George Kittle, and Christian McCaffrey.

Jalen Hurts and the Philadelphia offense started with two effective drives, but they stopped short of the end zone both times. They failed to take control of the game while the defense struggled.

Nick Sirianni has begun his NFL head coaching career with a 33-13 record in regular-season games. However, the 23-point loss was the worst the Eagles have suffered under their third-year head coach.

Dallas Goedert and Zach Cunnigham will be the most important Eagles to keep an eye on leading up to a Week 14 matchup against the Dallas Cowboys.

Goedert has missed the past three games with a forearm injury. The Eagles initially chose not to put him on injured reserve, which designates a four-game absence. His status was in question last week, and the sixth-year tight end would theoretically return against the Cowboys.

Cunningham missed the 49ers game with a hamstring injury, and Jeff McLane suspects that he might remain on the sidelines longer. While Jalen Hurts left the Week 13 game for concussion tests, his status shouldn't be in question moving forward.

With the need for a bounce-back effort, Sirianni hopes to have his roster at full strength. 

Quarterback, #1
Oklahoma University/University of Alabama
4th NFL Season- Drafted in 2nd Round (53rd overall) in 2020

Running Back, #0
University of Georgia
4th NFL season- Acquired in a trade from Detroit Lions (April 2023)

Wide Receiver, #11
Ole Miss
5th NFL season- Acquired in a trade from Tennessee Titans (April 2022)

Wide Receiver, #6
University of Alabama
3rd NFL Season- Drafted in 1st Round (10th overall) in 2021

Wide Receiver, #16
Southern Miss
4th NFL Season- Drafted in 6th Round (200th overall) in 2020

Tight End, #88
South Dakota St.
6th NFL Season- Drafted in 2nd Round (48th overall) in 2018

Left Tackle, #68
Jeff Stoutland University
6th NFL Season- Drafted in 7th Round (233rd overall) in 2018

Left Guard, #69
University of Alabama
3rd NFL Season- Drafted in 2nd Round (37th overall) in 2021

Center, #62
University of Cincinnati
13th NFL Season- Drafted in 6th Round (191st overall) in 2011

Right Guard, #51
University of Nebraska
2nd NFL Season- Drafted in 2nd Round (51st overall) in 2022

Left Tackle, #69
Oklahoma University
11th NFL Season- Drafted in 1st Round (4th overall) in 2013

Defensive End, #94
Florida State
6th NFL Season- Drafted in 4th Round (130th overall) in 2018

Defensive Tackle, #91
Mississippi State
12th NFL Season- Drafted in 1st Round (12th overall) in 2012

Defensive Tackle, #90
University of Georgia
2nd NFL Season- Drafted in 1st Round (13th overall) in 2022

Edge Rusher/Linebacker, #7
Temple University
7th NFL Season- Signed in Free Agency (March 2022)

Linebacker, #41
Greensville University
6th NFL Season- Signed in Free Agency (March 2023)

Linebacker, #50
South Carolina St.
6th NFL Season, Signed in Free Agency (December 2023)

Cornerback, #2
Mississippi State
11th NFL Season- Acquired in trade from Detroit Lions (March 2020)

Cornerback, #24
University of Arkansas/Samford University
8th NFL Season- Signed in Free Agency (May 2022)

Cornerback, #33
Ohio State University
10th NFL Season- Signed in Free Agency (October 2023)

Safety, #31
Middle Tennessee State
8th NFL Season, Acquired in trade from Tennessee Titans (October 2023)

Safety, #32
Middle Tennessee State
2nd NFL Season- Signed as Undrafted Free Agent (May 2022)

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