The game we have all been waiting for since the release of the 2023 NFL schedule is finally here.
You won’t hear me call it “Eagles week” because until the rivalry isn’t as lopsided with Dak Prescott as the Cowboys’ quarterback, Philadelphia hasn’t earned that moniker.
Instead, I’ll just call it the week the Cowboys play the Eagles.
This game is in Philadelphia, and the unruly fans at Lincoln Financial Field will be out in full support of the 7-1 Eagles.
Despite their record, Philadelphia has far from dominated their opponents.
Their victories versus New England (2-6), Minnesota (4-4), and Washington twice (3-5) were all within one possession.
On top of that, their only loss this season was a 20-14 defeat at the hands of Zach Wilson and the 4-3 New York Jets.
Prescott holds an 8-3 all-time record versus the Eagles, and looks to increase that win total to nine this weekend.
In honor of this game, I’d like to take a look back at the three best games Dak Prescott has played against the Eagles.
2016 Week 8
When: October 30, 2016
Where: AT&T Stadium, Arlington, TX
Score: DAL 29 PHI 23 OT
Prescott Stats: 19/39 287 yds, 2 TD, 1 INT; 7 rushes 31 yds, 1 TD
There’s nothing like your first time…beating the Philadelphia Eagles, that is.
The very first game Prescott faced the Eagles was not his best game statistically, but for a rookie quarterback to take on the biggest division rival and win on his first try deserves recognition.
Prescott turned in his second worst completion percentage of the season (48.4%) and threw an interception, but countered that with three total touchdowns.
Dallas faced a 10 point deficit twice in the game, but Prescott willed them to victory with long touchdown drives on each of their final possessions of the game.
The first of those drives was an 11 play 90 yard masterpiece that ended with a 22 yard strike to Dez Bryant to tie the game at 23.
On that drive, the Cowboys saw only one third down, as Prescott was moving the ball efficiently and racking up first downs.
The game headed into overtime, and Prescott again delivered.
This time a 12 play 75 yard drive ended in a walk off touchdown pass to veteran TE Jason Witten.
Again, Dallas only faced one 3rd down on the drive. They didn’t convert, but Prescott powered forward for a first down on 4th & 1.
It would mark the first of eight total victories over the Eagles by Prescott as a starting quarterback.
2021 Week 3
When: September 27, 2021
Where: AT&T Stadium, Arlington, TX
Score: DAL 41 PHI 21
Prescott Stats: 21/28 236 yds, 3 TD 0 INT
This particular win is special because it was the first home game after Prescott’s brutal ankle injury suffered in the 2020 season.
What better way to welcome yourself back to AT&T Stadium than to demolish the Eagles in primetime?
It also marks the first and only head to head meeting between Prescott and Jalen Hurts…so far.
Dallas, powered by two first half touchdown runs by Ezekiel Elliott, took a 20-7 lead into halftime.
The defense held dual-threat QB Jalen Hurts to four punts and an interception in five first half drives.
On the first drive of the second half, Trevon Diggs stepped in front of a Hurts pass for an interception, and returned it 59 yards for a touchdown.
That play broke the game wide open and put the Eagles in a 20 point deficit that they would never close.
Prescott would lead two more drives that resulted in touchdown passes to Cedrick Wilson and Dalton Schultz for the 41-21 win.
2022 Week 16
When: December 24, 2022
Where: AT&T Stadium, Arlington, TX
Score: DAL 40 PHI 34
Prescott Stats: 27/35 347 yds, 3 TD, 1 INT; 6 rushes 41 yds
The most recent win versus the Eagles stands out to me because of the adversity Prescott was forced to overcome.
After an opening drive Eagles’ field goal, the Cowboys first offensive possession resulted in an interception returned for touchdown by DE Josh Sweat.
This put the Cowboys in an early 10-0 hole versus a 13-2 Eagles team whose greatest strength was the pass rush.
Prescott responded by leading a 14 play 75 yard touchdown drive in which Dallas converted two third downs, one with his legs.
After an Eagles turnover and a short field, Prescott hit CeeDee Lamb for an eight yard touchdown to take the 14-10 lead.
The two teams battled back and forth in a shootout, but Prescott landed the final blows with the help of his defense.
Down 27-20, the Cowboys defense forced an Eagles fumble that Prescott and the offense turned into a touchdown to tie the game.
Tied at 34, the Cowboys defense again stepped up to the plate, intercepting a Gardner Minshew pass in Dallas territory.
Prescott and the offense drove for the go-ahead field goal, and the defense would again force a fumble that Dallas would turn into three more points.
The Cowboys would finish off the Eagles in a huge 40-34 home victory that kept their division title and #1 seed hopes alive.
This Sunday’s game is in Philadelphia, but if Prescott can conjure up some of the magic of previous matchups, Dallas could escape with a victory.