The setting is set for a must-see NFC East clash between the Philadelphia Eagles and the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday Night Football. As if a rivalry game didn’t have enough stakes, this primetime battle may determine the NFC’s No. 1 seed and conference title.
The most recent Eagles-Cowboys game was one of the greatest in the NFL this season. Philadelphia triumphed 28-23 at home, although the game came down to the closing seconds. Even more is at stake on Sunday night, and a few circumstances could determine the victor.
Let’s take a look at the stats to know for Sunday’s Eagles vs. Cowboys game, as well as some of the best Sunday Night Football matchups.
Tyron Smith, the Cowboys’ left tackle, is one of the best offensive linemen of his generation. Surprisingly, the 32-year-old blindside protector is still performing at a high level. He is, of course, not alone. Tyler Smith, Smith’s colleague on the left side, has developed as one of the top young offensive lineman in the NFL.
According to Nick Harris of Cowboys.com, Tyron Smith has allowed only a 6% pressure rate this season, the lowest among left tackles with 250 or more snaps played. Tyler Smith has the lowest QB pressure rate allowed (4.6 percent) among all left guards. In simply, you are not collapsing the offensive line’s left side.
That puts the Eagles’ defense in jeopardy. Prescott is already performing at an MVP level, and he’s crushed superior passing defenses than the one he’ll face on Sunday Night Football. The Cowboys will win if the Eagles are unable to collapse the right side of the offensive line and provide sustained pressure on Prescott.
Prescott’s turnover woes in 2022 elicited strong comments. Even after that season, he had one of the NFL’s lowest interception rates. He now has the league’s third-lowest interception rate among quarterbacks with 400 or more pass attempts. More importantly, he’s been playing at an MVP level in every category since Week 6.
Prescott has led the NFL in EPA per Play (0.266) since Week 6, handily outpacing Patrick Mahomes (0.191) and Jalen Hurts (0.155). During that time, he ranks third in Success Rate (52.4%) and sixth in Completion Percentage above Expectation (5.1%). Prescott is set to deliver another MVP performance against an Eagles defense that has allowed a 103.9 QB rating and a 15-3 TD-INT line since Week 8.
The best NFL offenses are so productive because they can both avoid many third-down attempts and regularly convert them when they do occur. That requires success on first down, which Hurts and the Eagles’ offense have struggled with in 2023.
Hurts has the fourth-highest average depth of target (9.4 yards) this season, according to Benjamin Solak of The Ringer, illustrating how frequently Philadelphia asks him to take chances downfield on first down. Despite his tenacity, Hurts has the second-worst first-down success rate (38 percent) this season.
The Eagles have the offensive firepower to switch up their approach to first downs, leaning more on the run game and getting A.J. Brown or DeVonta Smith open immediately for a chunk of yards. While reducing explosive plays may lessen the number of highlights, it may also result in a more steady offensive against Dallas. It is required, given that Philadelphia has averaged only 6.7 points per first half over the last three games.
DaRon Bland of the Dallas Cowboys is one of the NFL season’s breakout stars, and he may easily make a big play on Sunday Night Football. However, the Cowboys’ defense has been inconsistent since Trevon Diggs’ injury.
The divides are simple to identify. When compared to Brock Purdy, Justin Herbert, Jalen Hurts, and Geno Smith, the Cowboys’ pass defense played admirably against Daniel Jones, Zach Wilson, Joshua Dobbs, Mac Jones, and Tommy DeVito.
While Hurts only had 182 net passing yards and two touchdowns in the previous Eagles-Cowboys game, he did score three total touchdowns. Furthermore, in that game, Philadelphia converted 50% of its third-down efforts and went 3-for-3 in the red zone. Dallas has a top-five defense, but it may not be seen on Sunday Night Football.
When these teams last played in Week 9, pass protection was an issue. Dallas allowed 19 pressures, 12 hurries, and five sacks while Philadelphia allowed 18 pressures, 12 hurries, and three sacks. In 2023, each team received one of its lowest Pass Blocking Efficiency grades.
The Eagles’ offensive line hasn’t been as effective this season after dominating the trenches in 2022. Right guard Cam Jurgens has a 56.0 pass-blocking grade this season, which is one of the team’s worst shortcomings. Meanwhile, Jordan Mailata struggles against Dallas (2 sacks). If the Eagles can’t turn things around and protect Hurts, the Cowboys will win because of their offensive advantages.
