How the East will be won
Pivotal division matchup likely a must-win for Eagles
ARLINGTON, Texas — Dak Prescott and the Cowboys saved their season with a win in Philadelphia a month ago.
Carson Wentz and the Eagles will try to do the same in Texas — actually for the third consecutive week since the defending champs found their season on the brink after a blowout loss to the Saints a week after falling to their NFC East rivals.
While Eagles coach Doug Pederson isn’t big on the word “desperation” coming off his team’s first back-to-back wins this season, he isn’t dodging the significance of Sunday at AT&T Stadium.
The Cowboys (7-5) have a chance for a fifth consecutive win that would all but eliminate the Eagles (6-6) and make things difficult for the Redskins as well.
“Every game for us is definitely a must-win,” Pederson said. “I think every game for them is a must-win. Both of us are trying to accomplish the same goal. We’ve just got to get ourselves ready to go.”
The Cowboys were in danger of losing touch with the playoff race when they visited the Eagles in early November.
The debut of new No. 1 receiver Amari Cooper, acquired in a trade, had been ruined in a loss to Tennessee. The offense had been struggling for the equivalent of a full season going back to 2017.
Including that 27-20 win to start a four-game surge, the offensive average is up almost 50 yards, Prescott’s efficiency at quarterback is significantly improved and there’s little doubt that Cooper’s impact has influenced both of those developments.
While the scoring hasn’t spiked as much because of the surprising defensive struggle against the high-scoring Saints, the 13-10 win
The Eagles are running more effectively and more frequently than they have all season. Running backs have 56 carries for 263 yards the last two games. Undrafted rookie Josh Adams has emerged as the lead back and has 169 yards on 42 rushes. Corey Clement has been productive and Darren Sproles scored on a 14-yard run in his first game since the opener. Receiver Golden Tate will face the Cowboys for the third time