The Philadelphia Eagles will have two opportunities at home to clinch the NFC East, with a playoff spot already clinched, they wrap up their season playing the Cowboys then the Giants.
The Cowboys are already eliminated from playoff contention, so they are playing for the opportunity to spoil the clinching of the NFC East against a bitter rival.
The last time Philly won the East was in 2022, where they made it to the Superbowl. A similar vision in mind, but this week they need to decide on chasing records or staying healthy.
Below I linked the in-depth film breakdown of the Eagles that was conducted in week 10. Take a look, and we will discuss all of the things that have changed in 7 weeks.
One of the first points I mentioned was the lack of good looking wins. I would say they have picked up two wins against quality opponents, Baltimore and Pittsburgh.
Barkley For 2k and Dickerson’s Record
The most interesting story-line heading into this game is Saquon Barkley who sits at 1,838 rushing yards, 268 yards away from passing Eric Dickerson who holds the single-season NFL rushing record, at 2,105.
If he can get 134 yards in each of the last two games, Barkley owns the record. The decision in Philadelphia is how much of a workload are you going to give him, knowing you need good health for the post season.
Is it worth giving him 40 carries over the course of the next two weeks for a chance at a record?
Barkley has been crushing it this season, posting a 255 yard day against the Rams. In the past 10 games only twice was he held to less than 100 rushing yards, Pittsburgh (65) and…Dallas (66).
New QB
Jalen Hurts has been dealing with a finger injury, and it was reported going into the Washington game that he had a broken finger, which he played through. During the game he ended up getting a concussion, and is still waiting to clear protocol.
Regardless if he clears or not, it is likely that Philly decides it is best to just let him sit this week and get back to 100%.
That will bring in Kenny Pickett for the start this week, who helped blow the 27-14 lead over Washington last week.
How much does the offense change?
Well the threat of the QB run disappears entirely, and there could be more of a reliance on Saquon Barkley, or one of the Eagle running backs.
But the passing schematics are close to the same, so the receivers can see some similar concepts.
Jalen Hurts has thrown outside the numbers on a league-high 45.4% of his passes this season. Last season, then Steelers quarterback Kenny Pickett threw outside the numbers on a league-high 52.3% of his passes, followed closely behind by Hurts at 45.9%, the 3rd-highest rate in the NFL.
Pickett has thrown outside the numbers on 51.9% of his passes in limited action this season, completing 9 of 14 passes for 116 yards. So they keep their throws near the sideline essentially.
Micah Parsons saw his return in the week 10 matchup and has been playing back to his elite level since the injury. Pickett was blitzed on over half his dropbacks (53.3%) for the first time in his career in Week 16 against the Commanders and took 3 sacks.
With Parsons, Osa, Lawson and Kneeland continuing to bring the heat these past few weeks, Mike Zimmer should continue to bring the pressure and blitz Pickett.
Will Cooper Rush Repeat Week 10?
The Eagles defense remains as one of the leagues best. After week 10, which was the first Cooper Rush start of 2024, the Cowboys offense was in the dumps. Rush passed for 45 yards. Failing to complete a pass further than 10 yards downfield.
Rush has improved in recent weeks as a passer but adding the emergence of Rico Dowdle, who in week 10 only rushed for 45 yards. He averaged 5.6 yards per carry and has been among league leaders in yards per carry since week 8.
The final hit to the Cowboys offense is the shutting down of Ceedee Lamb. Dealing with a shoulder injury for quite a few weeks now. Thursday the team decided the risk outweighs the reward and won’t play Lamb for the last two games of the year. So we will expect to see the young guys get an opportunity, Tolbert, Brooks and Flournoy.
A lot of story-lines to keep an eye out for Sunday, though I guess the NFL did not think they were as interesting as this game got flexed out of the 3:25 kickoff and now is a noon game.
Brett's Cowboys Corner 
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