After months of waiting, the Eagles are set to raise a Super Bowl banner for the second time in seven years, and they’ll do it on Thursday against the hated Dallas Cowboys.
After months of waiting, the Eagles are set to raise a Super Bowl banner for the second time in seven years, and they’ll do it on Thursday against the hated Dallas Cowboys.
Thursday’s matchup will mark the 133rd meeting between Dallas and Philadelphia, with the road team holding an overwhelming edge in the series. The Cowboys own a 74-58 edge all-time, but Philadelphia completed its first sweep of Dallas last season since 2011, setting a franchise record for best point differential against Dallas in a single season, winning twice by 62 total points (75-13). The previous record was 58 points set in 1961.
With kickoff fast approaching, we’re looking at five matchups to watch:
Vic Fangio vs. Dak Prescott
Dallas veteran quarterback Dak Prescott has a 9-4 record against the Eagles in his career, 33-8 against the NFC East. Still, it’s Jalen Hurts who is the reigning Super Bowl MVP and arguably the best quarterback in the division. Prescott is healthy and will be 100% at kickoff of this matchup.
Saquon Barkley vs. Cowboys linebackers
Barkley is a 2,000-yard rusher, and Dallas will pull out all the stops to prevent a huge game on opening night. They’ll counter with A third-round pick out of Notre Dame. Marist Liufau displayed enormous potential as a rookie, recording 50 tackles, 1.5 sacks, three pass defenses, and two forced fumbles in 17 games. He was especially effective when asked to fill in for Overshown following his injury.
Cowboys cornerback vs. Eagles pass catchers.
Philadelphia has a solid four of A.J. Brown, DeVonta Smith, Jahan Dotson, and John Metchie. Dallas will counter with the Cowboys’ top cornerbacks, who are Trevon Diggs, DaRon Bland, and Kaiir Elam. Diggs has been an All-Pro and the highest-paid cornerback in the game, but he had knee surgery in January and was just cleared on Monday. The Cowboys are also lacking depth at the position because their top backups, Shavon Revel (NFI), Caelen Carson (IR), and Josh Butler (PUP), will all be inactive.
CeeDee Lamb-George Pickens vs. Adoree’ Jackson-Jakorian Bennett
The Eagles have two stars at the cornerback position in Cooper DeJean and Quinyon Mitchell, but the No. 2 cornerback spot is something to watch when George Pickens and CeeDee Lamb are lined up on the outside. Adoree’ Jackson is the likely starter opposite Mitchell. Jackson and the veteran had mixed results in camp but can offer some familiarity with the Cowboys and CeeDee Lamb, having spent the past four years in the NFC East with the Giants. Pickens’ potential was a big reason he was a second-round pick back in 2022, and the move would give Dallas a bona fide No. 2 wide receiver to pair with All-Pro Ceedee Lamb. Ceedee Lamb was an All-Pro in 2023 and finished an injury-plagued 2024 season with 101 catches (tied for the second-most in the NFL entering Week 17) for 1,194 receiving yards (third in the NFL entering Week 17) and six receiving touchdowns despite quarterback Dak Prescott being out for the season with a torn hamstring since Week 9. The move to land Pickens gives Ceedee Lamb a versatile and bona fide running mate. The former Georgia wide receiver has eclipsed the 1,000-yard mark once during his first three seasons.
Jalen Carter vs. Tyler Booker
Booker has been talking about this matchup since draft night, and he’ll get an early shot at proving his point to the Eagles All-Pro. The Cowboys drafted Tyler Booker with the No. 12 overall pick out of Alabama, and since Carter plays most of his snaps at the left DT spot, they’ll battle.
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