The Dallas Cowboys (4-5-1) return home this week as they welcome their division rivals, the Philadelphia Eagles (8-2) to AT&T Stadium. If the Cowboys want to keep their playoff hopes alive, they absolutely
must walk out of Sunday’s matchup with a win.
Before the two rivals square off, here are three bold predictions for the matchup.
1) Eagles’ run defense continues to dominate, holding Javonte Williams under 40 rushing yards for only the second time this season
Over the course of the first six weeks of the season, the Eagles were really struggling to stop the run. In those six matchups, Philadelphia surrendered 119 or more rushing yards five times, allowing an average of 134 rushing yards a game over that span.
After two straight losses in Weeks 5 and 6, the Eagles’ run defense completely turned a corner in their Week 7 matchup against the Minnesota Vikings. Philadelphia allowed just 89 rushing yards in that game, the fewest they had allowed all season.
From that game on, the Eagles have been one of the league’s best at stopping the run. Over their last four games, Philadelphia has allowed an average of just 83 rushing yards a game. They also lead the league in defensive rush EPA (-0.264) by a wide margin, showing just how dominant they have been against the run. It should come as no surprise that the Eagles are 4-0 over this span.
This week, the Eagles face a Cowboys’ offense that has struggled to run the ball against talented defensive fronts, such as those of the Carolina Panthers and Denver Broncos. Philadelphia continues to be dominant against the run, holding Cowboys’ running back Javonte Williams under 40 rushing yards in a game for just the second time this season.
2) CeeDee Lamb atones for his drops in the Week 1 matchup, recording a season-high 120 receiving yards
When the Cowboys and Eagles squared off in Week 1, CeeDee Lamb was at the center of conversation. The All-Pro wideout had a very productive game, catching seven passes for 110 yards, but all anyone talked about was his key drops, in particular the one coming late in the fourth quarter.
After returning from injury in Week 7 against the Commanders, Lamb has produced some decent numbers, but he hasn’t looked like the All-Pro receiver we are used to seeing. Lamb has averaged just six receptions and 83 yards over the four-game span since he returned, not close to the level of production we are used to seeing from the 26-year-old receiver.
This week, in a season-changing game against their division rival, we’ll see vintage CeeDee Lamb come back out. Given how productive George Pickens has been over the past few weeks, Philadelphia will likely prioritize slowing him down. This will create some favorable matchups for Lamb, particularly in the slot, and he’ll take full advantage of the opportunity.
Lamb atones for his key drops in Week 1, putting together his best performance of the year, recording a season-high 120 receiving yards.
3) Brandon Aubrey continues to cement himself as the league’s best kicker, converting a game-winning 56-yard field goal as time expires
When the Cowboys and Eagles match up, as long as both teams’ starting quarterbacks are healthy, the game is almost always close. This week will be no different, and there is a very good chance Sunday’s matchup is decided by four or fewer points.
If that does happen, the Cowboys have to feel good about their chances late in the game. Dallas has the ultimate weapon on their side, the NFL’s best kicker, Brandon Aubrey. The 30-year-old has converted 18 of his 19 field goal attempts this season, including six of 50+ yards.
Aubrey continues his dominant season on Sunday, making his biggest kick of the season. With Dallas’ bleak playoff hopes hanging in the balance, the All-Pro converts a 56-yard field goal as time expires, keeping the Cowboys alive in the playoff hunt.
