Cowboys @ Eagles: Can Dallas finally lock up the NFC East crown?

The first time these two teams met at AT&T Stadium, the Eagles were absolutely dominated by the Cowboys, 37-10, on Sunday Night Football. The 7-7 Cowboys are coming off a 44-21 throttling of the Rams that fans hope was their wake up call. The 7-7 Eagles have fought back through a few games of their own to host this divisional decider on Sunday. Who will win on Sunday? We will soon find out.

When the Eagles have the ball

Get to Carson Wentz. It’s really that simple, the Cowboys defense has to put pressure on Carson Wentz to get the victory. The Eagles are a wounded team and they have a far less impressive offensive roster than that of the Cowboys. However, Carson Wentz has been much better in recent weeks and he’s got the arm talent to make things work. The Cowboys defense got back on track with how they managed a good Rams offense but now they will have to do the same on the road. This Cowboys defense cannot afford to revert back to the bad defense they were just a couple of weeks ago. It’s time to put up or shut up and the Cowboys must shut down Carson Wentz.

When the Cowboys have the ball

Run the football. Dak Prescott is going to give it a go but there is no doubt that his shoulder will be somewhat bothersome. Even if Prescott’s throwing the ball well, this offense has to establish the run with Ezekiel Elliott and Tony Pollard. They must keep their offense in-sync by allowing the playbook to stay open. Yes, Amari Cooper and the receivers can shred a poor Eagles secondary but the run is still very important to the identity of the Cowboys’ offense. We saw first-hand last week that the Cowboys offense can be just as potent with Elliott and Pollard as it’s featuring stars.

Now, let’s see what the writers see happening in this game...

DannyPhantom

This is such a difficult game to predict because both teams are such an enigma. We all know about the inconsistencies of the Cowboys, but the Eagles are just as bad. Their defense can be really good at times, but then also really terrible. Carson Wentz can be great at times, but then also really terrible. Whenever these teams have squared off in recent years, one team just seems to be more aggressive, has more fight, and makes the key plays at the most opportune time. And that team has been the Cowboys. In what I expect to be a dogfight, I’m taking Dallas. Cowboys 24, Eagles 19.

David Howman

The last time these two played each other, Dallas got a surprise blowout victory. Now, the Eagles are a worse team with all their injuries, though I wouldn’t expect a blowout from a team whose season could end Sunday. Cowboys win 27-17

Matt Holleran

The Cowboys will build off their strong performance against LA last Sunday, and come out and defeat Philadelphia to win the NFC East for the second year in a row. With the injury to Dak Prescott, Dallas will rely heavily on Ezekiel Elliott and the running game, rushing for over 165 yards as a team. On defense, Dallas will force Carson Wentz to turn the ball over twice, one being in the fourth quarter and clinching Dallas the victory. Cowboys 23, Eagles 20

Michael Sisemore

I realize how badly the Cowboys destroyed the Rams last week and that it should give you a ton of confidence in a game against the Eagles. I realize that if there is one thing the Cowboys do in 2019, it’s beat their division rivals, where the Cowboys are 4-0 right now. I just don’t have the confidence to trust the Cowboys to get it done two weeks in a row, in hostile territory. The Eagles have heard all the criticism of their football team this season but I see a lot of fight in this Philly squad. They have fought back in several close games to win. You can’t say the same about the Cowboys and I see this game being much closer than their last matchup. The Eagles win on a late field goal, 24-21. The call for change in the Cowboys organization will ring loud come Monday.

Tom Ryle

I may just wind up having been sucked in once again, but things really seem to be in the Cowboys’ favor in the Eagles game. Dallas really seemed to have figured out just about all their problems in one game and gotten them fixed. I’m hoping that sticks. Additionally, Philly has not been able to solve the Cowboys for a while now, especially with Zeke operating at full capacity, and that looks like exactly where he is. And the Eagles roster is a MASH ward right now. I hope I don’t wind up eating my words, but give me the Cowboys locking up the division 28-16.