Nov 10, 2024; Arlington, Texas, USA; Dallas Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott (15) fumbles the ball after bring hit by Philadelphia Eagles cornerback Cooper DeJean (33) in the second quarter at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-Imagn Images
The best Eagles coverage is always local, but it's helpful to get a national perspective as well.
For the first time in months, the Fighting Siriannis are coming into a game off of a loss. And Jalen Hurts will not play. But the Cooper Rush-led Cowboys have issues of their own.
Here's what they're saying about your Birds this week. (Note: Most of these picks were made when Hurts' status was still up in the air.)
"The Cowboys have won two straight, while the Eagles are coming off a loss to the Commanders that snapped a 10-game winning streak. The Eagles beat the Cowboys earlier this year and will once again provide an issue for their defense with their run game. Look for Saquon Barkley to carry the Eagles to a victory."
HISTORY: #Eagles RB Saquon Barkley is the first player in NFL history with four rushing touchdowns of 65+ yards in a single season.
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Greatness. pic.twitter.com/W8eDyLmVDL
— MLFootball (@_MLFootball) December 26, 2024
"The Eagles are hoping Jalen Hurts will have enough time to clear concussion protocol and return after missing most of the Commanders game. They will lean a lot on Saquon Barkley regardless to wear down fellow Penn Stater Micah Parsons and a hard-fighting Cowboys defense."
Micah Parsons since Week 10,
• #1 in sacks (8.5)
• #1 QB pressures (39)
• #1 in Pass Rush Win Rate
• #1 in multi-sack games
• 2 forced fumbles
• Most uncalled holds
the #Cowboys defense
• #1 in takeaways (15)
• #1 in sacks (28)
Defensive Player of the Year. pic.twitter.com/QduV6daRno
— festive mpf (@demcowboysfan) December 26, 2024
"Even if Hurts does go, it's hard to count out a Cowboys team that continues to play hard despite being eliminated from the postseason. Cooper Rush may not be a great quarterback, but he has been serviceable since replacing Dak Prescott. It's also tough to discount Dallas when the Cowboys seemingly get three points whenever they reach their opponent's 40-yard line. Brandon Aubrey has been automatic from 50+ yards at a rate we haven't seen before.
"The Eagles merely need a win to secure the division, and may be more interested in getting healthy for the postseason than running it up on the Cowboys, which can have this game fairly competitive throughout."
Brandon Aubrey kicking 50+ yard field goalspic.twitter.com/V49GGrrUHB
"This game is massively complicated by the fact that Jalen Hurts is in the concussion protocol. If Hurts plays, then -7 is about the right line for this matchup. Yet, if he doesn’t, this game becomes close to a pick ’em between a frisky Cowboys team and a Philadelphia Eagles team that will be one hit from Tanner McKee under center.
"The Eagles are the superior team offensively and defensively, but they have played a much easier schedule. Still, Philadelphia is significantly better defensively, and it’s hard to see Dallas being able to go toe-to-toe with Hurts and Saquon Barkley over four quarters.
"There’s no real way of knowing how Hurts will progress through the concussion protocol, so betting on either side of this game is essentially taking a 50-50 guess on his status. If he clears the protocol, I would take the Eagles at anything -7 or below and then tease down anything up to -10 by six points."
AJ Brown says he’s been spending some extra time with Kenny Pickett this week getting on the same page pic.twitter.com/f0pQOUIk6x
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