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USA Today Sports Media Group

Sport

Glenn Erby

Eagles 53-man roster vs. Cowboys: News and notes for Sunday night matchup

USA TODAY Sports Bill Streicher Eric Hartline Cowboys Eagles Mitchell Leff Dallas Goedert Philadelphia Philadelphia Eagles the Philadelphia Eagles

The Eagles were forced to get over their 42-19 loss to the 49ers reasonably quickly, and the team will need to be on its A-Game for a must-win showdown in Dallas against the Cowboys.

Dallas is undefeated at home this season and has outscored their opponents in those games by 151 points.

The matchup will have playoff implications and could decide the NFC East crown, while the winner will clinch a playoff spot.

With kickoff fast approaching, we’re looking at who has the edge at each key position.

#0 RB D'Andre Swift

Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports

Swift had 6 carries for 13 yards in the loss to San Francisco.

#1 QB Jalen Hurts

Hurts was 26/45 passing, for 298 yards, and one touchdown in the Week 13 loss to the 49ers and he’ll look to improve his decision making, and pocket awareness.

Hurts also had 7 rushes for 20 yards and his 100th career touchdown.

#2 CB Darius Slay

Slay could see a heavy dose of CeeDee Lamb and DC Sean Desai would be best served allowing his cornerbacks to travel.

#3 LB Nolan Smith

#4 Jake Elliott, K

Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

#6 WR Devonta Smith

DeVonta Smith had 9 catches for 96 yards against San Fraicisco and he’ll look to keep his hot-streak going.

#7 LB Haason Reddick

Reddick logged 3 tackles, 1 sack, 1 tackle for loss and 1 QB hit in the loss to the 49ers.

#8 QB Marcus Mariota

Mariota will be the backup despite calls for the Eagles to bench Jalen Hurts.

#10 P Braden Mann

#11 WR A.J. Brown

A.J. Brown led the Eagles with 8 catches for 114 yards in last week’s loss to the 49ers.

#13 WR Olamide Zaccheaus

#14 RB Kenneth Gainwell

Dec 3, 2023; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; PhiladelSphia Eagles running back Kenneth Gainwell (14) dives for a first down against the San Francisco 49ers during the first quarter at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

Gainwell logged 2 carries for five yards, while also adding 5 catches for 42 yards on six targets in the loss to San Francisco.

#16 WR Quez Watkins

Watkins had 3 catches for 28 yards in his second game back from injury.

#18 WR Britain Covey

Covey is among the league leaders in punt return yards and average per return.

#19 QB Tanner McKee

#21 DB Sydney Brown

#22 CB Kelee Ringo

Mandatory Credit: Eric Canha-USA TODAY Sports

#23 RB Rashaad Penny

#24 CB James Bradberry

#28 CB Josh Jobe

INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA – OCTOBER 08: Josh Jobe #28 of the Philadelphia Eagles during warm up before the game against the Los Angeles Rams at SoFi Stadium on October 08, 2023 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

Jobe has developed into one of the NFL’s top special team standouts.

#31 DB Kevin Byard

PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA – NOVEMBER 05: Jake Ferguson #87 of the Dallas Cowboys reacts after a catch during the fourth quarter in the game against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field on November 05, 2023 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images)

Byard will have a key matchup against Cowboys tight end Jake Ferguson.

#32 DB Reed Blankenship

PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA – DECEMBER 03: George Kittle #85 of the San Francisco 49ers is tackled by Reed Blankenship #32 of the Philadelphia Eagles during the third quarter at Lincoln Financial Field on December 03, 2023 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images)

The undrafted safety is one of the leading vote getters at his position.

#33 CB Bradley Roby

Nov 20, 2023; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce (87) runs the ball as Philadelphia Eagles cornerback Bradley Roby (33) defends during the second half at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports

Roby will have key matchups against CeeDee Lamb when the Cowboys star is matched up in the slot.

#35 RB Boston Scott

#39 CB Eli Ricks

Nov 5, 2023; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Dallas Cowboys wide receiver CeeDee Lamb (88) makes a catch past Philadelphia Eagles cornerback Eli Ricks (39) during the second quarter at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports

#41 LB Nicholas Morrow

PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA – DECEMBER 03: George Kittle #85 of the San Francisco 49ers runs the ball while chased by Nicholas Morrow #41 of the Philadelphia Eagles during the second quarter at Lincoln Financial Field on December 03, 2023 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)

With Shaquille Leonard on the roster and Zach Cunningham healthy, Morrow will likely see his snaps dwindle after a disastrous performance against the 49ers.