PHILADELPHIA -- A year ago, the Dallas Cowboys went to Lincoln Financial Field in Week 17 with nothing on the line. They had already wrapped up home-field advantage in the playoffs and the Philadelphia Eagles were playing for nothing but pride.
In the Cowboys’ return to Philadelphia on Sunday, the roles are reversed.
The Eagles have wrapped up home-field advantage in the playoffs and the Cowboys are playing for pride.
The Cowboys are hoping to use a win today to kick-start their 2018 season.
“I mean, we’re trying to do exactly what they did last year: Go take that game away from us and somehow use that as motivation going into next season,” quarterback Dak Prescott said. “Seems like they did it with their game last year and the way they progressed. That’s kind of our mindset. It’s just about going and getting a win and doing whatever we can to go get that.”
Up to speed: The Cowboys played Prescott only for two series in last year’s finale but the Eagles might not have that luxury with Nick Foles.
With Carson Wentz injured, the Eagles have not been as sharp. They converted just one of 14 third-down opportunities Monday against the Oakland Raiders and gained just 216 yards. Foles had four touchdown passes against the New York Giants the previous week, but the offense looked lost against Oakland.
Foles has four touchdown passes in four career games against the Cowboys but has won only one of his three starts.
“You see him very comfortable throwing from the pocket,” Jason Garrett said. “He’s a big guy, doesn’t appear like he’s a runner but he does a good job buying some time and escaping when he needs to. And he can deliver the ball anywhere he wants to on the field.”
Slow them down: Unless the Eagles have an epic meltdown today, they will finish the season with the NFL’s best run defense. They have allowed just 75.9 yards per game on the ground on the season. Minnesota is in second place, giving up 87.1 yards per game.
Things have been different over last month with opponents averaging 105.5 yards per game on the ground against the Eagles, and the Cowboys will have Ezekiel Elliott ready for his second game back from a suspension. He wasn’t around for the first meeting but Alfred Morris had 91 yards on 17 carries. In his only action against Philadelphia last year, Elliott ran for 96 yards on 22 carries.
A big reason for the Eagles' success is the play of defensive tackles Fletcher Cox and Timmy Jernigan.
“They’re among the best players at their position in the league,” Garrett said. "They’re big, strong, physical guys. They’re quick and explosive. They’re very good using their hands, disrupting runs, getting to the quarterback. They have a lot of guys up front and it’s challenging for opposing offensive lines because you say, ‘OK, who do we give attention to?’ You start zeroing in on one guy too much, the other guy is going to make plays.”
The ref: For the second time in three years, John Parry will be the referee in a meaningless Cowboys’ finale. He called the 2015 season-ender against the Washington Redskins that the Cowboys lost to finish 4-12. Since 2010, the Cowboys are 3-4 with Parry as the referee. Last week, Parry called the Arizona Cardinals’ win over the New York Giants. New York was flagged 10 times for 101 yards, while the Cardinals had six penalties for 45 yards. Here is a breakdown of that game.
