3 reasons the Dallas Cowboys will beat the Eagles in Week 16
By Randy Gurzi
2. Quarterback Tables Have Turned
While Cooper Rush deserves a ton of credit for keeping the season afloat for Dallas, he’s simply not the same caliber quarterback as Dak Prescott. We saw this in Rush’s final start of the year, as the QB couldn’t deliver when the defense wasn’t dominating.
Asked to try and throw his team back into the game, Rush finished with 181 yards on 18-of-38 passing, with one touchdown and three picks.
On his 122nd pass attempt this season, Cowboys QB Cooper Rush throws an interception. Some others have come perilously close, but Eagles CB C.J. Gardner the first to secure a pick from Cooper.pic.twitter.com/JQrWHulnwr
— Jori Epstein (@JoriEpstein) October 17, 2022
In the end, Dallas lost 26-17 — and it was the only game where Rush started that the defense surrendered 20 or more points. And while 26 isn’t a mind-blowing number, America’s Team’s offense never posted more than 25 with Rush under center.
Since Prescott’s return, the Cowboys have scored fewer than that only once, which was their 24-6 win in Week 7 against Detroit. So not only are they in better shape with No. 4 under center, but the Eagles are now the ones having to go with their backup in this NFC East showdown.
A shoulder injury will keep Jalen Hurts from playing, as Philly will turn to Gardner Minshew. Much like Rush, Minshew is a very capable backup, but he’s not as dangerous as Hurts. He also doesn’t bring the speed element that Hurts does, which was a major issue for Dallas in their last meeting.
While Hurts had just 155 yards passing and two touchdowns, it was the attention he drew in the run game that kept Micah Parsons from being unleashed. Minshew isn’t a statue, by any means, but he’s going to be in the pocket much more than Hurts, which is a benefit for Dallas.