WHAT TO WATCH
QB COMPARISON
Carson Wentz and Dak Prescott are probably going to measure themselves against each other for years after coming into the league together in 2016. So here are the latest numbers: Prescott has the head-to-head edge 3-2and the only playoff victory for either player. Wentz has the second contract after signing a four-year extension worth $128million during the summer. Prescott is still waiting for a megadeal that should come eventually. “Something that’s always fun,” Prescott said of the comparison.
SLOW STARTS
The Eagles have scored 24points in the first quarter, but they’ve been shut out four times. The Cowboys are even worse with 20points, including just three during the three-game skid. Eagles coach Doug Pederson is considering taking the ball if the team wins the coin toss instead of deferring to the second half. The Eagles have won the toss 32 times since Pederson took over in 2016and taken the ball just once. “Put our offense out there and try to generate points early in the game and not fall behind,” Pederson said. “I think that’s all part of trying to start fast.”
WHO’S IN, WHO’S OUT
The Cowboys figure to have several key players whose availability will be unknown until game time. Offensive tackles Tyron Smith (ankle) and La’el Collins (knee) returned to practice Thursday. Smith has been out two games and Collins one. Receivers Randall Cobb (back) and Amari Cooper (thigh) appear further behind. Cobb was out against the Jets, and Cooper didn’t play after the first series. Like Cobb and Cooper, cornerbacks Byron Jones and Anthony Brown missed the first two practices of the week. Both have hamstring injuries.
HELP COMING
The Eagles have struggled against the pass but have been without starting cornerbacks Ronald Darby and Jalen Mills, nickel corner Avonte Maddox and key backup Cre’Von LeBlanc. They are 13-5when Darby and Mills start. Darby and Mills could return to the field against the Cowboys. Both began the week practicing. Darby has missed a few games with a hamstring injury after returning from ACL surgery. Mills hasn’t played since last October because of a foot injury. Subbing for Darby and Mills, Rasul Douglas and Sidney Jones had a tough time last week at Minnesota.