SATURDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL: DALLAS COWBOYS AT PHILADELPHIA EAGLES

BY ADAM GREENE

Like the early Saturday game, there’s not much drama to be had in the nightcap as the NFC East Champion Dallas Cowboys travel to Lincoln Financial Field to take on the Wild Card bound Philadelphia Eagles in a game that, alone, changes absolutely nothing in the NFC playoff picture.

The Cowboys currently hold the fourth seed in the NFC and all winning here would do is allow them the opportunity to possibly move up to the two seed if every double-digit win team in the NFC outside of the Green Bay Packers lose Sunday. If the apocalypse just hits the Rams and Cards, then they can move up to three. If the Rams or Cards win, then the Cowboys are stuck at four, regardless of what Tampa Bay does.

Philadelphia either has a date set with the No. 2 seed or No. 3 seed, depending on the final result. A loss likely lands them at the NFC West winner. A victory means they’ll get to travel to Tampa Bay to take on the defending Super Bowl Champions and the greatest quarterback to ever suit up. So, good luck and Godspeed guys.

This is the 126^th all time meeting between the two teams. The Cowboys lead the series 71-54 and have won the last two meetings. In their Sep. 27 game earlier this year, Dak Prescott threw for 238 yards and three touchdowns with no interceptions. Ezekiel Elliott rushed 17 times for 95 yards and two scores and Dalton Schultz caught six passes for 80 yards and two touchdowns. Jalen Hurts threw for 326 yards, two TDs and two picks in the loss while adding 35 yards on the ground. Jalen Reagor caught five passes for 53 yards.

DALLAS COWBOYS AT PHILADELPHIA EAGLES (+7.5, O/U: 43)

Location: Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia, Pa.

Broadcast: ESPN/ABC

Kickoff: Jan. 2, 8:15 p.m.

DALLAS COWBOYS (11-5)

Mike McCarthy’s Mike McCarthy-ness was on full display last week when the Cowboys fell 25-22 to the Cardinals at home. Dak Prescott finished 24 of 38 for 226 yards and three touchdowns and led his team rushing with 20 yards. Dalton Schultz caught six passes for 54 yards. The defense did manage to sack Kyler Murray once, but surrendered more than 400 yards of total offense and, more importantly, screwed around too much with the clock and time outs in the second half.

PHILADELPHIA EAGLES (9-7)

Jalen Hurts solidified himself as the Eagles starter by not only securing a playoff spot for his team, but giving them a shot a double digit win season thanks to a 20-16 win over the Washington Football Team. Hurts finished 17 of 26 for 214 yards and rushed for 44. Boston Scott carried the ball 14 times for 47 yards and two touchdowns. Dallas Goedert caught six passes for 71 yards. Philly’s defense sacked Taylor Heinicke three times and picked him off once.

THE PICK

Losing this game would be the icing on the Mike McCarthy cake he’d never make it to the car with before either eating it, or tripping and falling into it face first. Still, there is such a roster difference here, one that McCarthy is, of course, squandering, that it’s hard to see Philadelphia pulling off the upset. Even at home. But it will be hilarious if they do. Cowboys 24, Eagles 20

Last Week

Straight up: 14-2

Against the spread: 8-8

Season

Straight up: 159-96-1

Against the spread: 183-123

Follow Adam Greene on Twitter @TheFirstMan.

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