One of the sport’s oldest and fiercest rivalries renews Sunday, with the 12-3 Philadelphia Eagles playing home favorites to the 7-8 Dallas Cowboys. The former harbors Super Bowl aspirations, while the latter is at least thankful to salvage some of its dignity this season.
How to watch Cowboys at Eagles
Philadelphia will be without Jalen Hurts, who suffered a concussion last Sunday. Kenny Pickett is expected to start. The fact that the Eagles are still sizably favored is a testament to Philly’s thrilling ground game and a ferocious, disciplined defense.
Saquon Barkley is enjoying a historic first season in midnight green — comfortably leading the league with 122 rushing yards per contest on a Madden-esque 5.9 yards per carry and a real shot at Eric Dickerson’s single-season record. In establishing the run, Philly has run up at least 26 points in eight of its last 10 games.
Meanwhile, Vic Fangio’s defense is for real. It is fifth in points allowed, first in yards against and second in net passing. Seven Eagles have at least three sacks, with Josh Sweat leading at eight.
The Eagles can clinch the NFC East with a win Sunday after failing to do so in last weekend’s grinder with Washington. The Cowboys have been eliminated from playoff contention, but they can still play spoiler to one of their historic enemies.
Despite otherworldly bad vibes for most of 2024, Dallas has somehow won four of its last five games. Rico Dowdle is averaging 100 rushing yards in that span. And Cooper Rush threw for 292 yards, with a touchdown and no picks, in Sunday night’s upset over the Buccaneers. The Cowboys will be without CeeDee Lamb for the rest of the season due to a shoulder injury.
At 39.5, this matchup opens as the second-lowest point total of Week 17. Only the lowly Raiders-Saints game is projected for less.
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(Photo of Saquon Barkley: Mitchell Leff / Getty Images)