Philadelphia Eagles

NFL Week Eight Preview: Philadelphia Eagles vs. Dallas Cowboys

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

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Previewing a big matchup of NFC East rivals, and a rookie quarterback duel pitting the Philadelphia Eagles and Dallas Cowboys…

Dating back to April of this year, very few fathomed that a rookie match-up in week eight between second overall pick quarterback Carson Wentz and his Philadelphia Eagles against fourth-round quarterback Dak Prescott and the Dallas Cowboys would have first place implications. Low and behold, that daydream has now arrived. At 4-2, the Eagles head into Dallas with a chance at placing themselves in first place in the NFC East. Something that most outside of the city of Philadelphia (and maybe some within city limits) couldn’t even imagine occurring several months back.

The storylines within this divisional showdown are worthy of primetime football. Can Prescott and the 5-1 Cowboys maintain their solid play this season with another divisional win? Or will the Eagles shake things up in the NFC East and the NFC playoff standings with an upset victory on Sunday Night Football. Here is the preview and prediction for the rivalry contest.

Sep 11, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver Jordan Matthews (81) reacts after his touchdown against the Cleveland Browns during the first quarter at Lincoln Financial Field. The Philadelphia Eagles won 29-10. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

Philadelphia Eagles Summary

The 2016 season changed dramatically for the Eagles with a trade of former starting quarterback Sam Bradford roughly a week before the season. The trade handed the job to the rookie Carson Wentz out of North Dakota State. Taken second overall this past April, Wentz has been impressive this season, playing mistake-free football during his time. Wentz has tossed for 1,324 yards and eight touchdowns with 63.8% of his passes completed. Under his direction, the Eagles are ninth in the league in scoring at 26 points per game.

Leading receiver Jordan Matthews has been the go-to target for the young QB. Matthews leads the team in catches (25), yards (354), and touchdowns (2) as well as targets with 41 but he is also 13th in the league in drops with three. Those misfortunes aside, Matthews has been the safety valve while the team has gotten production from receivers Nelson Agholor and Dorial Green-Beckham, who have combined for 31 catches on the season.

The run game has produced five games of over 100 yards with Ryan Mathews leading the team in rushing yards with 262 along with three scores.

Sep 11, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Eagles defensive end Fletcher Cox (91) celebrates with Philadelphia Eagles defensive end Brandon Graham (55) against the Cleveland Browns at Lincoln Financial Field. The Eagles defeated the Browns, 29-10. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports

The defense is arguably the bigger story on the team this season as the unit is fifth overall in the league in total defense and third in scoring defense as they only allow an average of 14.7 points per game. Free safety Rodney McLeod is tied for second in the league in interceptions with three and leads the team in tackles with 39. Defensive end Brandon Graham and defensive tackle Fletcher Cox are tied of the team lead in sacks with four apiece and their quality play has led the Eagles to placing fourth in the league in total sacks with 20.

Oct 9, 2016; Arlington, TX, USA; Dallas Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott (21) runs with the ball for a third quarter touchdown against Cincinnati Bengals safety Shawn Williams (36) at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports

Dallas Cowboys Summary

To have a talented backup quarterback in place in Prescott is one thing but to have him perform veteran-esque this season while also having a Rookie of the Year candidate in running back Ezekiel Elliott is enough to make owner Jerry Jones quite giddy nowadays. Elliott is second in the league in rushing with 703 yards plus six touchdowns while also averaging 4.7 yards per carry.

Even with Elliott’s success so far, all eyes have been on Prescott and his impressive ability to handle so much as a fourth-round selectee. A seven to one touchdown/interception ratio is one notch on the belt as is a 68.7% completion rate. He’s only had the services of star receiver Dez Bryant for only three games this season but he gets his stud wide out back for this game after Bryant missed three games due to a hairline fracture in his right knee. Slot receiver Cole Beasley (33 catches, 3 TDs) and Terrance Williams (20 catches, 1 TD) have stepped up when called upon for an offense that is seventh in scoring at 26.5 points per game.

With the amount of injuries and a few suspensions the defense has endured this season, Dallas has found ways to make plays on defense and produce quality results. The unit is tenth in rushing defense and allows only 92.2 rushing yards per game and four of their past five outings have produced under 100 total rushing yards.

As usual, linebacker Sean Lee leads the team in tackles with 36 while cornerback Morris Claiborne is currently in the midst of his best season in his five-year career.

The team can use their primary pass rusher in Randy Gregory (suspension) but defensive linemen Tyrone Crawford, Jack Crawford, and Benson Mayowa have held down the fort in the pass rushing department and has created enough of pressure to have offenses uneasy at times.

Sep 25, 2016; Arlington, TX, USA; Dallas Cowboys receiver Dez Bryant (88) talks with cornerback Morris Claiborne (24) prior to the game against the Chicago Bears at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports

Expectations for both teams may not have parlayed with “first place in the division” prior to the season but here they are. A rivalry that has been very entertaining over the years with the added achievement of being the best in the division at this point.

Everyone knows that the bread-and-butter for the Cowboys on offense is simple: Feed Elliott behind arguably the best offensive line in the game until the opposing defense begs for mercy. The game plan for many teams is to limit the run game of Dallas but it’s a task that is definitely easier said than done.

Both defenses are reliable against the run and the Eagles must make plays on defense to limit the Cowboys from controlling the clock and having their way on offense. It will also serve them well to force Prescott into making a mistake or two, which has been rarely seen this season.

The return of Bryant will be considerable although he may not have a true Dez-like impact. His presence adds a playmaker on the field and takes attention away from Elliott and the run game.

Wentz and the Eagles offense must make their own share of plays and it would be beneficial for them to control the clock as well. Even a top ten rushing defense in Dallas.

Ultimately, Prescott and the Cowboys have the necessary pieces to pull off the win and their chances increase as long as Prescott takes real good care of the football. This is easily the best offensive line that the Eagles have played and probably will play this entire season. An added element of an eager Bryant along with the run game is enough to edge Dallas over an Eagles team that has struggled a little the past two games on offense.

Prediction: Dallas, 26-20