Eagles Vs. Cowboys Game Preview: NFC East On The Line

PHILADELPHIA, PA — Before the 2020 NFL season started, it would've been pretty hard to imagine the Eagles being in a position to take a clear lead in the NFC East after winning only once in their first five weeks.

But with a tie and a pair of wins under their belt, the 2-4-1 Eagles are in a position to take a commanding lead of the division as they face off against their archrivals, the Dallas Cowboys, this weekend on Sunday Night Football.

The game comes a week after the Eagles possibly changed the trajectory of their season with a dramatic come from behind victory over the New York Giants last week.

The Birds were down 21-10 with just over six minutes left, and hopes for salvaging the season were rapidly slipping away. A loss would've dropped the Birds to 1-5-1, towards the cellar of what is already the weakest division in the league.

But behind Carson Wentz, the Birds rallied with a pair of late touchdowns to steal a 22-21 victory, and suddenly have the chance to improve to a respectable 3-4-1 with a win Sunday night.

The Cowboys, meanwhile, have struggled tremendously in the wake of the loss of star quarterback Dak Prescott, who is out for the year with an injury. Rookie quarterback and third stringer Ben DiNucci, a seventh round draft pick this year, is taking the helm in his stead in his starting debut against the Birds.

But the Cowboys should not be counted out. Even without Prescott the past two games, their offense has easily been the most productive in the NFC East this year, headlined by star running back Ezekiel Elliot. When Elliot's hot, he's one of the best in the game. And the Eagles have been one of the NFL's worst rush defenses in 2020, allowing 913 yards, the eighth most in the sport, and 11 touchdowns, the fourth most.

Luckily for the Eagles, this is one of the Cowboys' greatest weaknesses as well, while their pass defense has been closer to average. Look to the Birds to try to exploit the Cowboys on the ground, possibly leaning heavily on Boston Scott and Corey Clement. Miles Sanders is questionable for Sunday night with an injury.

Tackle Lane Johnson, cornerback Cre'Von LeBlanc, and wide receiver Alshon Jeffery are other notable question marks due to injuries heading into Sunday.

Oddsmakers give the Eagles the decisive advantage, as 9.5 point favorites, according to OddsShark.

Kickoff is slated for 8:20 p.m.