The Philadelphia Eagles (8-1) come to town in what is a pivotal game for your Dallas Cowboys (5-4). The teams have reversed roles from the 2016 season and Dallas is looking at the real possibility of missing the playoffs if the injury woes continue to hit them at key positions.
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The most important stat I can give you now is that the Dallas Cowboys sit three games behind the Philadelphia Eagles with seven games to play.
An insurmountable lead?
Not typically, but with the way the Eagles have played this year, it's difficult to see a scenario where they don't win the NFC East. For the Cowboys to have a chance at winning the division, they have to win this game. Dak Prescott and company can't afford to fall four games back in the division.
In the wild card standings, America's Team is one game behind the Seattle Seahawks for the second wild card. So don't let the naysayers tell you that the Cowboys are finished. It's further from the truth.
On a positive side, Dallas leads the all-time series with a record of 65-51 (56%). Jason Garrett's record against the Philadelphia Eagles as the head coach is 7-7, which is pretty Jason Garrett like.
The Dallas Cowboys have work to do. With that, lets look at the statistics surrounding this all-important matchup.
1
At 8-1, the Philadelphia Eagles have the best record in the NFL, let alone the NFC. Quarterback Carson Wentz is leading the NFL in touchdowns, is second in touchdown percentage, and third in quarterback rating. He's having a tremendous season.
2
The Philadelphia Eagles, led by quarterback Carson Wentz are the second highest scoring team in the NFL, second only to the Los Angeles Rams. After a season in which the 2016 NFL Draft's first and second overall picks struggled, Jared Goff and Wentz now have their teams leading the NFL in scoring.
Further evidence that we shouldn't overreact about a bad quarter, bad game, or even a bad season.
3.6
Philadelphia's run defense is only allowing 3.6 yards per carry, which is fourth in the NFL. They've only allowed one 100 yard rusher this season and have held seven of their nine opponents under 80 yards on the ground.
4
As impressive as Wentz has been in the passing game, the running game has been equally impressive, led by LeGarrette Blount. As a team they've rushed for the fourth most yards in the league. They were a plodding rushing team with Blount, but have received a boost from former Cowboys draft crush Jay Ajayi, who ran for 77 yards and a touchdown on nine carries. They are a balanced team.
5
Dak Prescott's five rushing touchdowns are the most at the quarterback position and only two off the lead of Ezekiel Elliott, Todd Gurley, and Mark Ingram.
Quarterbacks Cam Newton and DeShone Kizer, who sit behind Dak with four rushing touchdowns, are only averaging 4.9 and 5.0 yards per carry. Dak is averaging a robust 7.4 yards per carry on 32 attempts.
Carson Wentz is averaging 4.8 yards per carry on 44 carries.
6
Philadelphia's +6 turnover differential sits sixth in the NFL. The Dallas Cowboys' +2 is good enough for 12th in the league. Both Carson Wentz (5) and Dak Prescott (4) have done well to not throw it to the other team.
8
Eagles CB Patrick Robinson is eighth in the NFL in passes defensed with 11. He's only two off the leader. Jourdan Lewis, who leads the Dallas Cowboys in the same category, has only registered six.
9
Philadelphia has allowed the ninth most passing yards in the NFL this season, but they've only allowed 14 passing touchdowns, tied for 15th in the league.
10
In points allowed, the Eagles sit 10th in the NFL having given up 179 or an average of 19.88 points per game. Dallas has now dropped to 18th after giving up 27 to the Atlanta Falcons and are giving up an average of 22.78 points per game.
11.5
DeMarcus Lawrence regained the top spot in the NFL with his sack of Matt Ryan on Sunday. With 11.5 sacks through nine games, Lawrence is on pace for 20.44 sacks this season. He'll have a good shot at picking up a couple more this Sunday. As I mentioned above, Philly has allowed the eighth most sacks in the NFL this season. If Lawrence wants to keep the single season sack record within reach, he'll need to pick up the pace a bit.
21
Zach Ertz, who is the leading receiver for the Philadelphia Eagles coming into this game–and has more receiving yards than Dez Bryant–ranks 21st in the NFL in yards and 17th in receptions overall. Among tight ends, only Travis Kelce of the Kansas City Chiefs and Rob Gronkowski of the New England Patriots have more receiving yards. Only Jack Doyle from the Indianapolis Colts and Kelce have more receptions.
Byron Jones, you're up.
23
While Wentz has done a number on opposing defenses, those defenses have also sacked him 23 times, which is good for the 8th most in the NFL. Time for David Irving and DeMarcus Lawrence to go to the buffet.
29
The Eagles' 29 first downs allowed in the running game are the fewest in the NFL. This doesn't bode well for a team that is hampered on the offensive line and missing All-Pro running back Ezekiel Elliott.
35
Dallas allows 35 points per game when Sean Lee is inactive. After he left the game against the Atlanta Falcons, the Cowboys allowed 27 points. Let's just say that without Sean Lee, the Dallas defense struggles a bit.
42
Dez Bryant and Jason Witten are tied for the team lead in receptions with 42, though Dez has had 28 more targets than Witten.
53.1
At 53.1 yards per game, wide receiver Dez Bryant leads the Dallas Cowboys. That's a pretty low number for a team leader. He and Dak haven't been able to connect downfield, but they are getting more comfortable underneath.
61.4
Philadelphia has allowed a completion percentage of 61.4%. They've allowed the most attempts and the most completions in the NFL. This looks like one of those games where Dak will be asked to throw the ball 40 times.
76.4
Among players with 40 or more receptions, Jason Witten's 76.4 catch percentage ranks seventh in the NFL. The only non-running back that is in front of the future NFL Hall of Famer; wide receiver Golden Tate of the Detroit Lions.
96.3
Dak Prescott's passer rating has him 11th in the NFL at the moment. He's been trending up for more than a month. Hopefully, Tyron Smith is back this week so Dak can get back to slinging it around comfortably, because the run game is going to have some difficulties.
Bonus Stats
- The Philadelphia Eagles and the Dallas Cowboys are neck and neck in offensive yards per play at 5.7 and 5.6, which put them sixth and seventh respectively in the NFL.
- On the defensive side of the ball, again, they are nearly identical with the Philadelphia Eagles at 5.1 yards per play and the Dallas Cowboys at 5.2.
If there were ever a midseason game that is a must-win, this seems like one. They can do it, but they'll need a little health to be on their side. Don't forget to check out our Staff Picks later this week.
With that, Let's Go Cowboys!!!
