The Philadelphia Eagles (4-4) and the Dallas Cowboys (3-5) clash on Sunday night at Lincoln Financial Field in an NFC East matchup that’s become a desperation game for the defending Super Bowl champions.
The match has also become a virtual elimination game for the Dallas Cowboys, who have lost two straight and three of their last four, putting head coach Jason Garret on the hot seat after what’s become another disappointing season.
Despite their poor record, the Cowboys postseason hopes are still alive thanks to the poor level of their division which is led by the 5-3 Washington Redskins. Same can be said of the Eagles, who despite their Week 8 win against the Jacksonville Jaguars, are far from the level shown in 2017.
The Cowboys are 0-4 on the road this season so the outlook is bleak for them, however, the Eagles have been far from dominant at home stumbling to a 3-2 record.
If the Cowboys are going to win this matchup, they have to get their running game going and try to handle the ball to tailback Ezekiel Elliott. Although Garrett and Cowboys may want to focus on feeding newly added wide receiver Amari Cooper, the truth is the outcome of this game lies on Elliot being able to carry the ball 20 or more times.
In three of his last four games, Elliott has run for 61 yards or fewer and failed to find the end zone. Not coincidentally the Cowboys record in that same span has been 1-3, with their lone victory coming against the Jacksonville Jaguars, a game where Elliott finished with 106 yards and a touchdown.
The Cowboys offensive line, considered one of the best at the start of the season, has not been the same without Travis Frederick, their injured starting center.
Considering that on Sunday they will also be without starting left guard Connor Williams is tough to envision Elliott having a big game against an Eagles defense that ranks second in the NFL against the run.
The Cowboys road woes and the injuries to their offensive line make it hard to believe they can beat Philadelphia on Sunday. The Eagles defense is playing a little better recently as they have held opponents to 21 points or less in their last three games.
With this also being a crucial game for the Eagles’ postseason aspirations they’re unlikely to start slowly and allow Elliott and the Cowboys to run all over them.
Prediction: Cowboys 21 – 24 Eagles
