Dallas Cowboys Game Preview: Week 12 vs. Philadelphia

Cover photo: Dak Prescott after releasing the ball against the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 1. Photo credit: Matt Slocum, Associated Press.

The Dallas Cowboys rebounded nicely from their disappointing home loss on Monday Night Football in Week 9 to defeat the Las Vegas Raiders in Week 11’s Monday Night showcase, 33-16, to get their record to 4-5-1. 

Against the Raiders, the team were the beneficiaries of four touchdown passes from Dak Prescott, 93 rushing yards from Javonte Williams, 144 receiving yards from George Pickens and 66 receiving yards from CeeDee Lamb. Both wideouts scored touchdowns. Defensively, the unit looked the best it had all season, registering four sacks, 1.5 of those courtesy of new addition Quinnen Williams. The secondary also played well.

The Cowboys now return home for a Week 12 date with the Philadelphia Eagles, four days before their Thanksgiving showdown against the Kansas City Chiefs. In Week 1, the Eagles defeated the Cowboys 24-20 at Lincoln Financial Field.

Philadelphia, 8-2, defeated the Detroit Lions at home 16-9 in Week 11. Jalen Hurts was not his best in the game, completing 14-of-28 passes for 135 yards and no touchdowns. Running back Saquon Barkley rushed for 83 yards on just 3.2 yards per carry, which is a positive sign for a Cowboy front that held Raider running back Ashton Jeanty to just seven yards on six carries. The Eagles will be without star tackle Lane Johnson on Sunday, but running the ball will still be a priority for the Eagles against a defense that allows 131.4 yards per game on the ground. The Eagles allow the 19th-most rushing yards per game at 114.1, and the Cowboys have the 12th-ranked rushing offense in the league at 120.0 per game. Eagles’ tackle Jalen Carter, who was ejected from Week 1’s game before a snap was played for spitting at Prescott, will be a challenge for the Cowboys’ offensive line.

The Eagles are 15th-best against the pass at 212.7 yards allowed per game, and limited Lions’ star Amon-Ra St. Brown to just 42 yards on two catches in Week 11. Cornerback Quinyon Mitchell will be tested against Lamb and Pickens. Lamb in Week 1 totaled 110 yards on seven catches, but did have critical drops on the last drive. Pickens, meanwhile, caught just three balls for 30 yards. Pickens though was crucial in that season opener in drawing defensive pass interference calls down the field. 

This game will likely come down to whether the Cowboy secondary can contain DeVonta Smith and A.J. Brown again. Smith in Week 1 tallied just 16 yards on three receptions while Brown caught one pass for 8 yards. 

The Cowboys are third in yards per game at 378.7 (29.6 points per game), while the Eagles are 25th at 300.1 yards per game (23.4 points per game). The Eagles’ rushing offense is 17th at 115.2 per game. 

It is difficult to envision the Cowboys’ defense holding Smith and Brown down again like they did in Week 1. If they can get pressure on Hurts though, that will create issues. The Eagles’ focus will likely be making big plays through the air while also establishing Barkley early in the running game. They will have to so without Johnson though, who will miss the game with a foot injury. The Cowboys have defensive end Jadeveon Clowney listed as questionable with shoulder and neck issues. It is also difficult to envision the Cowboys’ offense going scoreless in the second half again like they did in Week 1.

The Cowboys have not defeated the Eagles since Dec. 10 of 2023 when they bested them at home 33-13. The Eagles have won three consecutive matchups between the two. 

Prediction: Eagles 27 Cowboys 24