Cowboys vs Eagles Week 6: history, key players, projection

Week 6 gives us one of the best rivalries in the NFL in a Sunday night primetime game that appears to be the start of another chapter between the Dallas Cowboys and the Philadelphia Eagles. The Cowboys are sitting at a 4-1 record while the Eagles remain the sole undefeated team in the NFL at 5-0.

With Dak Prescott’s thumb injury thrust Cooper Rush into action, he has gotten enough juice out of the offense to go 4-0 under center. All signs point to Rush playing Sunday night as Prescott is only just getting back into throwing. This isn’t to say Dak won’t start as quarterback, but it feels as if we may see Rush attempting to preserve his perfect record.

The Eagles are among the NFL contenders right now. At 5-0, led by quarterback Jalen Hurts, one would be naïve to not believe they are serious threats to the NFC East, the NFC as a whole, and the entire league. It should be mentioned that the Eagles have only beat one team with a winning record. Their other wins come against opponents with a combined record of 6-14.

Nonetheless, Sunday night is one of the premier primetime matchups that the NFL gets regardless of record. This one just happens to give it a little more juice.

Cowboys vs Eagles: History, key matchups, and prediction

Cowboys vs Eagles: Matchup History

All-time Record: 72-54 in favor of the Dallas Cowboys (3-1 playoff record in favor of the Dallas Cowboys)

Most recent result: Dallas Cowboys 51, Philadelphia Eagles 26 on January 8, 2022

The Cowboys have a sizable lead in the overall history of this matchup and even more so in the last five years where the Cowboys sport a 7-3 record in the last 10 matchups. Dallas has won the last three matchups by 20-plus points. Last season, the ‘Boys outscored the Eagles 97-47, a 50-point margin, in their two meetings.

One point in history in this matchup that really says all you need to know about Eagles fans dates back to 1999. Michael Irvin caught a pass and ultimately took a hit that resulted in it being the very final down he played in the NFL.

What did Eagles fans do? Pay respect? Applaud him off the field? Wish him well? You’d think that’s what they should do. They cheered as he lay there injured. That’s Eagles fans for you. Luckily, Irvin’s career success singlehandedly out measures the entire Eagles franchise.

In what feels like a bit of a sweet moment, this matchup also saw Tony Romo’s final touchdown pass in the NFL come against the Eagles. Dallas had the division wrapped up and gave Romo one drive before shutting him down. He found Terrance Williams in what would be his final drive, final pass, and final touchdown.

Cowboys vs Eagles: Weather Outlook

Location: Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia, PA

Stadium Type: Open air, grass

Predicted Forecast: High of 68, low of 54, sunny with some clouds, winds of 8-9mph with gusts up to 15-16mph, 25% chance of rain

The good news for the Cowboys is that they catch the road trip to Philadelphia during the front half of the season and get to avoid a late-December trip to a cold and likely snowy Philly. The bad news is that they still have to play a game in Philadelphia and that is just not enjoyable for any teams, fans, or anyone in general. This weather sets up beautifully for a Sunday Night Football primetime game in what should be a raucous atmosphere.

That isn’t a compliment to Philly or their fans, though. Everyone and their mother knows that the term “fans” is generous to whatever packs the stands for Eagles games. With Philly undefeated, this crowd will be hostile. Dallas will be tested in this environment offensively.

With the crisp air and minimal rain in the forecast, the weather should not affect this game in any matter from a wet ball to slippage, or really anything.

Cowboys vs Eagles: “Under the Radar” Players

Dallas Cowboys: Jayron Kearse, Safety

Philadelphia Eagles: Dallas Goedert, TE

The Eagles’ offense can run it, they can throw it, they can get Jalen Hurts loose, and hurt you in quite a few ways. Cowboys safety Jayron Kearse, an extremely valuable defensive chess piece, becomes extraordinarily important this week.

His ability to support the run game, play in the passing game, guard tight ends, and potentially be a spy on Hurts as a hybrid player make him a key contributor for the Cowboys. Donovan Wilson and Malik Hooker have been providing Dallas with great safety play and Jayron Kearse will need to be a key factor Sunday night.

He may not have an interception or game-changing play, but if Kearse can make a few solo tackles in space, limit Hurts running the ball when he breaks contain from the pocket, and slow down the Eagles’ passing attack, he could be an unsung hero. But who knows, maybe Kearse shows off his hands and footwork on an interception.

The Philly offense has two big-time weapons on the outside. DeVonta Smith and A.J. Brown are the top two receivers for the Eagles. They have each shown to be plenty productive this season, combining for 28 receptions and 789 yards. Trevon Diggs will be manning these two most of the game and that sheds light on the third option.

Tight end Dallas Goedert has 24 receptions for 335 yards on the season and could be the key to getting the Eagles passing offense moving. The Cowboys passing defense has shut down the likes of Tom Brady, Joe Burrow, and Matthew Stafford this year. Doing it against Hurts will mean the attention turning to how they manage Goedert.

Cowboys vs Eagles: Gut projection

Projection: Dallas Cowboys 24, Philadelphia Eagles 21

The Dallas defense simply refuses to give up points. Giving up just 14.4 points per game and no more than one touchdown to any team, this unit is playing on fire. Also, the Eagles eventually have to lose a game. This could be the week.

Michael Irvin had 64 receptions and 1,047 yards against the Eagles. Dez Bryant had 64 receptions and 975 yards against the Eagles. The No. 88 has owned the Eagles and this could be CeeDee Lamb’s game to coronate himself as even more deserving of the 88 by a monster game against the Eagles. Lamb is ready to explode and 130-plus yards with two touchdowns could be that recipe.

The Philly defense is not bad, though. They allow just 17.6 points per game, 105 rushing yards per game, and 189 passing yards per game. They also have hauled in six interceptions to this point.

The key matchup in this game pits strength against strength. The Eagles run the ball well and have run for 210 yards and 139 yards in their last two games. The Cowboys defend the run well. They are coming off a game where they allowed just 38 yards to the Rams with six tackles for loss.

If Dallas can slow down the run game, Hurts is unlike other quarterbacks they have faced. His mobility changes things and will be a fantastic matchup against Micah Parsons’ speed and the rest of the Cowboys’ dominant defensive line.

I think America’s Team hands the Eagles their first loss of the season. Cooper Rush protects the ball and improves the passing game from last week to find the end zone a couple of times while managing field position. Philadelphia threatens late but the ‘Boys defense once again proves themselves as a top unit as they continue to position themselves well in the NFC East and the entire NFC.

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