Cowboys vs Eagles Week 18: history, weather, key players, and projection

Cowboys vs Eagles: Gut Projection

Projection: Dallas Cowboys 20, Philadelphia Eagles 16

I will tell you something right no… normally I split this 50/50 to talk about each team’s tendencies, some key guys, where they could get exposed, etc. Not this week. Nope. Solely Cowboys talk. I don’t want to give the Eagles my time of day to discuss them.

We had a few options of what this game could mean before the season started. A handful of those consisted of both teams missing the playoffs.

I won’t sugarcoat it. I hate that the Eagles found enough success to even make the playoffs. An Eagles loss makes me almost as happy as a Cowboys win. So, them getting in stinks. That said, I would take both teams already being in the playoffs and this game not causing my heart rate to crank up over a “win-and-in” situation on my Saturday night.

Due to that, I have a feeling that we see key players either not playing or being pulled after a few series to protect them for the playoffs. That goes both ways too as the Cowboys and Eagles have individuals they want to rest.

While I am a little perplexed that the NFL flexed this game to Saturday night, I also see why. The NFC East rivalry will still get both fan bases tuning in and generating ratings. But we may see a game of Rush duking it out against Minshew, although Prescott feels otherwise.

If the Cowboys and Eagles rest their starters, how will Rush and Minshew fare in the matchup?

Now that we all have that primetime matchup getting us pumped up, let’s talk about it. Rush filled in for a spot start earlier this year and delivered a 300+ yard performance on the road in primetime to get a win.

Rush can play. And like Turner, this game means a lot to Rush in terms of his future. While he put out great tape earlier this year, delivering another good performance could earn him a new contract in Dallas or a raise on the open market as a backup.

If we get the starters most of the game, I think Dallas can win with some ease over a lesser Eagles team. If we see Rush vs Hurts, then it gets close. But a Rush vs Minshew heavyweight bout goes to the Cowboys in a slow-played, cold, sloppy game.

In the grand scheme of things, winning or losing this game is very likely not going to matter, but no one wants to go into the playoffs coming off of a loss. The backups for the Cowboys will be fired up against a rival and look to send this team into the playoffs with some momentum.

As we wrap up the regular season, I have thoroughly enjoyed chatting with you guys during this weekly outlook. The real fun starts next week when we draw our playoff matchup and get to dive in on that opponent. Until then, give me a Cowboys win over the Eagles to get us to 12 wins.

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