Cowboys vs Eagles Week 16: history, key players, projection
By Riley Donald
NFC East divisional rivalry football down in Dallas on Christmas Eve? Absolutely. The Dallas Cowboys and Philadelphia Eagles going at it? You bet. If for no better reason than a little break from the family, this one is smack dab in the middle of Saturday afternoon and couldn’t be a better stocking stuffer for Cowboys fans to indulge in. Toss in that it is a Saturday, with getting Christmas on Sunday, and this is simply an ideal time to watch a game.
As for the game, well, things have changed a bit in the scope of meaning and weight that it carries. The Cowboys found a way to blow a 17-point lead to the Jaguars last week, yet still clinched a playoff spot, so not all was lost. The Eagles beat the Bears, but have potentially lost quarterback and MVP candidate Jalen Hurts for some time.
Truth be told, a win or loss is minimally impactful for each team in this one. The Cowboys have a two-game advantage on the No. 5 seed with three to play, while the Eagles need just one more win to clinch homefield advantage throughout the playoffs. The likelihood of much seeding changing is minimal.
This game is still in the NFC East, and will draw eyes across the nation, as it always does. The Cowboys could use a good showing to get themselves back on track as the playoffs near.
As my Christmas present to you, here is our weekly history lesson, some key players, and an outlook for what might happen in this matchup.
Cowboys vs Eagles: History, key matchups, and prediction
Cowboys vs Eagles: Matchup History
All-Time Record: 72-55 in favor of the Dallas Cowboys (3-1 postseason record in favor of the Dallas Cowboys)
Most Recent Result: Philadelphia Eagles 26, Dallas Cowboys 17 on October 16, 2022
The last meeting in this series is one that has been all but forgotten by Cowboys fans. While Cooper Rush filled in admirably for Dak Prescott earlier this year, his Cinderella story came to a close against the Eagles with some turnovers. This script may flip this weekend, as the Cowboys may be getting the Eagles backup quarterback to bring the rivalry full circle.
One thing of note here is the postseason record between these two teams. Both teams have much bigger aspirations right now than just simply getting to the playoffs. Super Bowl dreams abound the night before Christmas. There is an argument that the Cowboys and Eagles are the best two teams in the NFC. Could a postseason matchup, and third game this season, be imminent?