Dallas Cowboys

Dallas Cowboys vs. Philadelphia Eagles: By The Numbers

Updated Mar. 4, 2020 10:07 p.m. ET

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The Dallas Cowboys face the Philadelphia Eagles in a heated division contest on Sunday. We break down this NFC East matchup by the numbers.

Sep 20, 2015; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Dallas Cowboys outside linebacker Sean Lee (50) celebrates his interception in the end zone intended for Philadelphia Eagles tight end Zach Ertz (86) during the third quarter at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports

The Dallas Cowboys face their division rivals Philadelphia Eagles this Sunday which promises to be the game of the week. Certainly, it’s too soon to say that this is an important game right? No. This is Dallas and it’s the Cowboys so nothing under exaggerated is allowed.

However, this game is actually worth it being telecasted on Sunday night primetime. We will go over the numbers that will tell you why this is a classic best defense versus best offense and which team has the statistical advantage heading into Week 8.

Total Offense vs Total Defense

The Dallas Cowboys head into this game as being the third best offensive team in the NFL averaging 401.5 yards per game and 26.5 points per contest.

This is a reflection of how successful Dallas’ offensive line has been in opening lanes for rookie running back Ezekiel Elliott to explode upfield and giving rookie quarterback Dak Prescott plenty of time to make his progressions to execute plays.

They only trail the New Orleans Saints and the Atlanta Falcons (which have played seven games compared to the six that Dallas and New Orleans have played).

The Philadelphia Eagles rank 28th in yards per game with 322.2 but rank 9th in points per game averaging 26. The high rank in points could be the result of their defense and special teams providing the offense good field position to begin drives. Speaking of defense….

The Dallas Cowboys rank in the middle of the pack coming in at 17th in yards allowed per game with 358.3 and allowing 17.8 points per game – also ranked 17th. The Eagles come into this contest as the league’s 5th best defensive unit in allowing only 307 yards per game and 3rd in points allowed per game at 14.7

Oct 16, 2016; Green Bay, WI, USA; Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott (4) following the game against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field. Dallas won 30-16. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports

Passing Offense vs Passing Defense

A big part of Dak Prescott’s success is that he doesn’t have to bear the responsibility to win a football game. He shares the responsibility with the offensive line and Ezekiel Elliott. However, when he does throw, this is how it compares with the rest of the league: about average.

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The Dallas Cowboys rank 19th in passing offense averaging 240.3 yards per game and have only 7 touchdowns to show for it. Dak Prescott has been a very pleasant surprise this season because of his poise and maturity in not turning the ball over.

It certainly helps when Dallas is last in the league at passing attempts wth 182. However, they are 2nd in the league at completing a pass at a 68.7% clip. Who’s first? The New England Patriots at 70.4%, duh.

The Eagles come into this game averaging 210.7 passing yards per game. That’s good for 29th in the league and has produced 8 touchdowns. Philadelphia is also second to last in passing attempts with 185. So it’s clear that both teams don’t want their rookie quarterbacks to do much but just enough to not lose the game.

On the defensive side of the ball is where the Eagles have the advantage. Instead of explaining it to you. I’ll just show you the numbers:

Let’s compare that with the Cowboys passing defense:

Next: By The Numbers - Rushing Offense vs Rushing Defense

Oct 16, 2016; Green Bay, WI, USA; Dallas Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott (21) following the game against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field. Dallas won 30-16. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports

Rushing Offense vs Rushing Defense

There is no question here.

We know this is where the Cowboys have the advantage with Elliott and the offensive line.

Here are the numbers:

As for the rushing defense.

The Eagles might not have the obvious edge here:

The statistics tell a story that many people don’t see going into a game.

This story illustrates that the Eagles defense isn’t so dominant after all and that the Cowboys defense isn’t so horrible after all.

Of course, the actual gameplay will do the final talking and will decide if these numbers are just that.

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