Cowboys vs. Eagles: Sunday Night Football Preview and Predictions

By Shawn Stewart

Sunday, Nov. 1 at 8:20 P.M. EST NBC

Spread: Eagles, -10.5

If 2020 has taught us anything, it is that we can't take anything for granted. With that said, welcome to the worst division in football in 2020. The NFC East or the NFC (L)east has been a dumpster fire, and that is putting it lightly. The Eagles, Cowboys, Giants, and the Football Team have a combined total record of 7-20-1. However, somehow, one out of these four teams will win the division and host a playoff game in December. Even though the teams in the division have underperformed, the competition can still be some of the best in football. The Cowboys and Eagles rivalry goes back to the 1960s. In fact, the first game ever between the two franchises occurred on September 25, 1960, and the Eagles prevailed 27 to 25 in that contest. The Cowboys lead the all-time series 73-49.

Dallas Cowboys

The Cowboys have been a disaster this season. The season-ending injury to Dak Prescott has the franchise already thinking about 2021 instead of the present season. Prescott was putting together a very solid year before the injury in the Giants game a few weeks ago. The Cowboys passing offense was number one in the entire league and number two overall. However, since the injury to their franchise quarterback, the offense has been able to manage a total of 13 points in the last two weeks. Before the injury to Prescott, he had already passed for almost 1900 yards and nine touchdowns.

Cowboys Offense

Ben DiNucci (7) stepped in for the injured Andy Dalton. (USA TODAY Sports)

Some people may argue that Zeke Elliott is the player that makes the Cowboys offense click, but in fact, that honor goes to Dak Prescott. With Prescott on the field and running the offense, the Cowboys are a tough team to stop. Now that Andy Dalton has taken over (and even he is dealing with an injury and could miss this game), the offense has struggled heavily. The running game has been anemic and some questions have been swirling around about the possibility that Zeke Elliott could already be slowing down just his 5th year in the league. In fact, Elliott has fewer than 100 yards in each of the seven games to start this season. That is the longest drought of his career. If Dalton is not able to play due to a concussion, then the Cowboys are going to need to rely heavily on Zeke and Tony Pollard to carry the offense. If Dalton is not able to suit up for this game, then Ben DiNucci, who was a seventh-round pick in the 2020 NFL Draft out of James Madison University would get the start.

Cowboys Defense

The Cowboys offense is the reason they have two wins this season. If the defense had anything to say about that, the Cowboys would be sitting at 0-7. Atrocious does not even begin to describe the Cowboys play on the defensive side of the ball. The team ranks 28th overall on defense. In fact, the defensive unit is allowing 34.7 points per game this season. If this trend continues, it would be a franchise record for most points per game allowed in a single season. The Cowboys defensive unit only has one interception this season, and that is the fewest through the first seven games in franchise history. The Cowboys have been busy over the last few days with trades and cuts. The team released Dontari Poe due to weight concerns. The team also cut Daryl Worley and traded highly anticipated veteran edge rusher Everson Griffen to the Lions for a late-round draft pick. It is safe to say that the Cowboys are cleaning house and could be rebuilding the entire defense this offseason.

Philadelphia Eagles

No one has been decimated by injuries more than the Philadelphia Eagles, and it feels like a common occurrence for this team. The Eagles just can't stay healthy, and it starts with their offensive line. The offensive line is in shambles right now. Ever since Brandon Brooks was lost for the season with an Achilles injury, the injury bug just spiraled from there. Lane Johnson and Jason Peters were injured. The only healthy starter on the offensive line has been center Jason Kelce. The Eagles need to get healthy if they have any chance of making a run in the postseason. The talent is there, but so is the injury bug.

Eagles Offense

Boston Scott (35) comes up with a huge touchdown late in the game against the Giants. (Derik Hamilton/AP)

Everything starts with Carson Wentz. He is the engine that makes this offense go and sputter. Wentz has been inconsistent at times this season, but he has made some big plays as well, keeping the Eagles in ball games. Wentz does lead the league with ten interceptions. However, he has played better as of late. In his last three games, Wentz is averaging 276 passing yards per game and has six touchdown passes compared to only three interceptions. In the first four games of the season, Wentz was averaging 232 passing yards per game and had only four touchdown passes compared to seven interceptions. The Eagles need Wentz to play much better, and Wentz will tell you himself that it starts with him.

Wentz has been very successful against New York and Washington in the division, but he has a losing record against their heated rival, the Dallas Cowboys. Wentz is 3-4 in seven career games against Dallas. With injuries to Tight Ends, Dallas Goedert, and Zach Ertz, other players have had to step up on offense. The surprise so far this season on the offensive side of the ball for the Eagles, has not been DeSean Jackson, or even the highly anticipated rookie sensation, Jalen Reagor, but second-year player, Travis Fulgham. Not only does Wentz need to get going, but so does the running game. The Eagles running backs have also been dealing with injuries. Second-year running back, Miles Sanders, has been out a few weeks with a knee injury, so the Eagles have been relying heavily on Boston Scott and Corey Clement to take the lead in the running attack.

Eagles Defense 

The Eagles defense has had its ups and downs early into the season. The Eagles defense currently ranks 18th in the NFL. The linebacker core has been atrocious for this team, and that has been a big part of the reason why the Eagles are underachieving and have a losing record. The pressure from the defensive line has to continue to get to the quarterback, and I think the Eagles will have a very good chance in this game to put pressure on the quarterback and possibly produce a few turnovers.

Prediction

This game is going to be ugly! The Cowboys can't stop anyone and Carson Wentz does not have anyone to throw the ball to. No team has been back to back NFC East champions since the Eagles accomplished this feat in 2001-2004. The 15-season drought is the longest span without a repeat division champion in NFL history. Whoever wins this game could have control of the worst division in football and a clear path to the playoffs, although it could be a very short path for one of these two teams. If Andy Dalton is not able to play in this contest, then I think the Eagles will win the game and force a few turnovers, but the Eagles still have to find a way to stop Zeke and the Cowboys running attack.

SHAWN’S PREDICTION: Eagles 21 - 19

AJ’S PREDICTION: Eagles 34 - 20

TIMOTHY’S PREDICTION: Eagles 24 - 20

CADE’S PREDICTION: Cowboys 14 - 3

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