It’s the most important game of the season. The Dallas Cowboys will play the Philadelphia Eagles on the road for all the marbles. The NFC East title is on the line. With a win, the Cowboys would clinch the division and head to the playoffs in January with the fourth seed in the conference.
If the Cowboys get the win and the division title, it’d be the first time since 1996 that they win it in consecutive years. Without further ado, here’s this week’s rivalry edition of Cowboys Wishlist. Go Cowboys. Beat the Eagles.
Wish #1: Jason Witten Breaks Cowboys TD Record
Cowboys franchise history features a lot of legendary pass catchers. Michael Irvin, Drew Pearson, Jay Novacek among many others have worn the Star. Dez Bryant and Jason Witten are the most recent household names to play catch for the Cowboys and it’s the latter who can make history against the Philadelphia Eagles today.
Dez currently leads team history in career TD catches with 73. Witten is one away from tying his record at 72. In what might be his last game versus the Eagles, I have a bold wish… Witten finishes the day with two touchdown receptions to pass Bryant for most in Dallas Cowboys history. Unfortunately, I can no longer wish for him to do it without his helmet on.
Wish #2: Dak Prescott Plays Healthy
Perhaps the biggest concern around the Cowboys ahead of this game is Dak Prescott’s shoulder. The Cowboys quarterback didn’t throw until Friday when he was taken off the injury report. The passing game has been a huge part of this football team despite featuring Ezekiel Elliott at running back.
To win this game, the Cowboys will need Dak to be healthy. Of course, he’ll be dealing with a couple of injuries, but if he can make the throws, Dallas should win it.
Wish #3: Antwaun Woods Follows Up Great Performance
Last week was one of the best performances in the trenches for the Cowboys. As far as the defense is concerned, Antwaun Woods was the main reason why the defensive line looked different. Cowboys vs Eagles is a rivalry game that’s mostly won in the trenches. Both teams have quality offensive and defensive lines.
I wish Woods follows up what he did against the Rams last week. Thanks to the improved play from the interior defensive line, linebackers played a better game, too. With key injuries at the LB position, the Cowboys need their defensive tackles to step up.
Wish #4: Don’t Get Burnt By Eagles’ Tight Ends
The Eagles will be playing without their starting wide receivers. In the most important game of the season, they won’t have DeSean Jackson, Alshon Jeffery or Nelson Agholor. Not all of these injuries are “new,” but Carson Wentz will really have to rely on his tight ends to win the game.
Zach Ertz and Dallas Goedert are pretty good at their job and the Cowboys defense needs to limit them to win this football game. I wish they force Wentz to play left-handed and make him win with his backup receivers instead of his dynamic duo at TE.