Clarence Hill: Who has the edge between the Dallas Cowboys and the Philadelphia Eagles?
The status of Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts will have a huge impact on Saturday’s game against the Dallas Cowboys.
The Eagles (13-1) were initially installed as 1.5-point underdogs against the Cowboys (10-4).
But when news broke of Hurts possibly being doubtful for the game with a sprained right shoulder, the home-standing Cowboys grew to a 6-point favorite.
The Eagles have not ruled Hurts out of the game but it’s likely that backup Gardner Minshew will start against the Cowboys.
Cowboys coach Mike McCarthy said he is preparing for both quarterbacks and already reviewed game tape of the 2021 season finale against the Eagles when Minshew started and went the entire way.
“It’s just like anything, whether it’s the offense the defense or special teams, you h,ave a call sheet that you build based off of what you expect and what you’ve seen,” McCarthy said. “I have visited with [defensive coordinator] Dan [Quinn], just going through the calls with both quarterbacks. You have only so many reps, whether it’s the walkthrough and team. How do you utilize those reps? That’s the process you go through.”
Who has the edge between the Cowboys and the Eagles?
Cowboys offense vs. Eagles defense
The Eagles defense ranks second overall and first against the pass. It is No. 1 in the league in sacks and have arguably the best cornerback tandem in the NFL. But the Eagles are still susceptible against the run and it’s now facing a Cowboys offense that is hot as any in the league statistically with quarterback Dak Prescott in the lineup. If he can avoid the turnovers, Prescott should move the ball against the Eagles. But that’s a big if, considering he has seven interceptions in the last four games.
Edge: Cowboys
Cowboys defense vs. Eagles offense
If quarterback Jalen If Hurts is unable to go, it will be huge setback for an Eagles offense that is explosive as any in the league via the pass and the run. Gardner Minshew is a more than a capable backup but he is not nearly the running threat that Hurts is so that is a plus for the Cowboys defense. Still the Eagles offensive line is one of the best in the league as well as their receiver corps so it won’t be an automatic sack party for a Cowboys defense that suddenly can’t get to the quarterback, struggles against the run and has a weak link in the secondary.
Edge: Eagles
Special Teams
The Eagles have the league’s best record but they have struggled on special teams all season with coverage units. That is a bad open going into again against the Cowboys newly-minted Pro Bowl returner in KaVontae Turpin, who is the only player in the NFL with returns of 50-plus yards on kick offs and punts.
Edge: Cowboys
Coaching
What Mike McCarthy has done in keeping the Cowboys not only afloat and thriving despite a plethora of injuries this season has been amazing. He has the Cowboys in playoffs in back to back years for the first time since 2006-2007 and the first coach to do so since 1998-1999. But Nick Sirianni guided the Eagles to the best record in the NFL and has developed Jalen Hurts into a leading MVP candidate.
Edge: Eagles
Intangibles
The Cowboys are 7-1 following losses the past two seasons and Dak Prescott has a 7-3 all-time record against the Eagles
Edge: Cowboys
Prediction: Cowboys 28, Eagles 25
