Cowboys vs. Eagles Preview: Rashaan Evans Moves; NFC East Rivalry Fireworks?
FRISCO - Week 9 features a classic NFC East showdown between the Dallas Cowboys and the Philadelphia Eagles. The 5-2 Cowboys are chasing the reigning NFC Champion 7-1 Eagles, who have the most wins in the NFL.
Prepare for fireworks ... The Cowboys average the second-most (behind Miami) points per game with 28.1. The Eagles are right on their tail, averaging 28 points per game.
This is the first matchup of the season between the rivals, and the two sides split the season series a year ago.
The scrutinized "Texas Coast Offense" hopes to keep the positive momentum from the Week 8 win vs. the Los Angeles Rams. Quarterback Dak Prescott and receiver CeeDee Lamb connected early and often in a career-high day for Lamb. Lamb finished with 12 receptions, 158 receiving yards and two touchdowns.
Lamb has recorded a catch in 49 straight games dating back to his rookie season in 2020. With a reception at Philadelphia, Lamb would become the eighth Cowboy to record a reception in 50 consecutive games.
History shows that Prescott excels vs. division rivals. The Cowboys quarterback is 28-7 all-time against division foes, the third-most division wins among quarterbacks since 2016 behind Tom Brady (31) and Patrick Mahomes (29).
Including playoffs, the Eagles have won six games in a row in Philadelphia, averaging 31.7 points in those victories. If the Cowboys win in Philly, Coach Mike McCarthy will tie Mike Holmgren (161 wins) for 18th on the all-time wins list among NFL head coaches.
Cowboys star Micah Parsons and the defense look to get after Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts and receiver A.J. Brown, who has the second-most receiving yards (939) in the league.
Hurts insists he’s healthy despite a balky knee. For Dallas, Tyron Smith (neck) plans on playing, but we will monitor. And in terms of Dallas roster moves, new veteran linebacker Rashaan Evans is coming up to the varsity.
Evans will be up from the practice squad after having made his team debut last week, playing 13 snaps on special teams and seven on defense. He's a former Titans first-round pick and earlier this season he was briefly on the Eagles practice squad.
Dan Quinn's defense lead the NFL with four defensive touchdowns, the most defensive touchdowns through the first seven games of a season in franchise history.
RECORD WATCH: Perfect kicker Brandon Aubrey has made all of 18 field goal attempts in 2023. Aubrey needs one more to set the NFL record for most made field goals to start a career.
FUN FACT: When targeting CeeDee Lamb, Dak Prescott has a 131.6 passer rating, the third-highest passer rating the the league this season
RECORDS: Dallas Cowboys (5-2) at Philadelphia Eagles (7-1)
ODDS: Dallas is a 3-point underdog vs. the Eagles.
GAME TIME: Sunday, November 5, 2023 at 3:25 p.m. CT
LOCATION: Lincoln Financial Field - Philadelphia, PA
TV/RADIO: FOX, 105.3 The Fan
THE FINAL WORD: Eagles defensive coordinator Sean Desai on Prescott:
“He’s operating in a highly efficient way right now,” Desai said on Tuesday. “Getting the ball out fast and he’s decisive with where he wants to go with the ball and he’s accurate.”
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