Cowboys vs Eagles: 3 daring predictions for Sunday’s matchup

The Dallas Cowboys are again in motion on Sunday as they journey to Philadelphia to tackle the Eagles. The Cowboys had been formally eradicated from playoff competition final weekend, however they nonetheless have an opportunity to finish the Eagles’ possibilities on the primary seed within the NFC with a win.

Earlier than the 2 groups sq. off listed below are three daring predictions for the matchup.

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1) Saquon Barkley continues his historic season, dashing for over 150 yards in a sport for the fifth time this season

The Philadelphia Eagles signing of operating again Saquon Barkley in free company will go down as top-of-the-line free agent acquisitions within the final decade. Barkley, who performed the primary six years of his NFL profession with the Giants, has lastly reached his full potential in Philadelphia.

15 video games into the season Barkley leads all operating backs in dashing yards (1,838) and complete EPA (32.8). The 27-year-old operating again has been the true distinction maker for a Philadelphia offense that’s first within the NFL in Rush EPA (0.077) and has recorded over 170 crew dashing yards in additional than half (9 of 15) of their video games.

This week, Barkley and the Eagles face a Cowboys protection that has struggled to decelerate groups with high quality dashing assaults. On the season, Dallas’ protection is final within the NFL in defensive rush EPA (0.077), giving up 140 or extra dashing yards in a sport seven instances. The Ravens, Eagles, Lions, and Texans all ran at will in opposition to Dallas’ protection, and the Cowboys ended up being outscored 143 to 50 in these video games.

Saquon Barkley and the Eagles’ dominant dashing assault proceed to roll because the operating again builds on his historic season.

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2) Jalen Tolbert takes benefit of an elevated workload, recording the primary 100-yard sport of his NFL profession

It’s been a little bit of a disappointing season for third-year vast receiver Jalen Tolbert. Coming into the 12 months, hopes had been excessive that Tolbert might lastly reside as much as the potential many believed he had when Dallas chosen him within the third spherical of the 2022 NFL Draft.

When Brandin Cooks went down with an damage early within the season, Tolbert had an impressive alternative to step up and present what he was able to. Sadly for each he and the Cowboys, that by no means actually occurred. On the season, Tolbert has recorded 42 receptions for 482 yards and 6 touchdowns and has been stricken by some premature drops in massive spots.

With simply two video games left within the season, Tolbert will as soon as once more get an opportunity to play important snaps with CeeDee Lamb out for the 12 months. This time, the younger wideout will reap the benefits of the elevated workload. Tolbert has his greatest day of the season in opposition to the Eagles, recording over 100 receiving yards in a sport for the primary time in his profession.

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3) Trey Lance performs 20+ offensive snaps

With the Cowboys formally eradicated from playoff competition, they might be extra keen to show the reigns over to backup quarterback Trey Lance if their offense is struggling. The final time the Cowboys confronted this Eagles crew, Lance received some enjoying time, finishing 4 of six passes for 21 yards and an interception.

With out CeeDee Lamb, it is going to be exhausting for Dallas’ offense to do sufficient to maintain this sport shut. This sport could also be out of attain by early within the second half, giving the Cowboys an opportunity to see what Lance is succesful.

For the primary time as a Cowboy, the younger quarterback will get an prolonged look, enjoying almost your complete second half and recording 20+ offensive snaps.