Game Preview: Eagles vs. Cowboys

4. Remember all that talk about turnover rates?

If you were at all a doubter, hopefully that has changed. The Eagles have been particularly effective with their ball security during the four-game winning streak and actually only had one turnover last week – Saquon Barkley’s odd fumble that was returned for a touchdown – and so there’s a reason the Eagles have won four games in Consequence.

They are +4 in these games, reducing their turnover differential from -6 to -2 for the season. This is a trend you like to see. Dallas, on the other hand, is -7 and that’s as good a reason as any to explain the Cowboys’ 3-5 record.

5. The running game matchup favors the Eagles

Philadelphia is second in the league in rushing and Dallas is 30th in the league in stopping the run, allowing 147.8 yards per game. Wow. Seems pretty obvious what the strategy could be.

But of course it’s never that simple. Dallas’ defense has been plagued by injuries all season, so having Parsons back is a big deal. Maybe the Eagles will run right at him to slow him down. We’ll see.

On the other hand, Dallas runs the ball poorly – 87 yards, 31st in the league – and the Eagles did a good job stopping the running plays. Captain Obvious might suspect that this will turn things in the Eagles’ favor, but there are always new twists in games.

All of this sounds good now, but what does it really mean? Maybe a lot, maybe very little. It’s a new chapter in a rivalry that dates back to 1960, so let’s get started. When these teams get together, crazy things happen. Dallas is desperate for a win, which makes the Cowboys a dangerous team. The Eagles host Washington on Thursday night, so it’s a very quick week for the Eagles.

This is what we all love: Eagles at Cowboys, the first of two games between the teams this season. It should be fun, hard, and mean something that means a lot in the department before it’s all said and done.