Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
USA Today Sports Media Group
USA Today Sports Media Group
Sport
Glenn Erby

Eagles vs. Cowboys: 5 things to watch (and a prediction) for Week 16 matchup

The Eagles are 13-1 and the No. 1 overall team in the NFL, but they’ll be road underdogs when they travel to Dallas for a showdown against the Cowboys on Saturday afternoon.

Buy Eagles Tickets

The Christmas Eve matchup will be played at AT&T Stadium and Philadelphia will look to clinch home-field advantage without Jalen Hurts against a team looking to rebound from a heartbreaking loss to the Jaguars.

Dallas allowed 503 total yards and had a 4-game win streak snapped in the 40-34 overtime loss at Jacksonville Sunday.

Here are five things to watch and a prediction for late Saturday afternoon.

How Eagles utilize TE Dallas Goedert

Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports

Philadelphia will likely return to using a ton of 12 personnel (one running back, two tight ends) in part to help integrate Dallas Goedert back into the offense.

In his first start against the Jets last season, Goedert finished with six catches for 105 yards and two touchdowns. The extra tight end also benefits the Birds in the running game.

Gardner Minshew ready to put on a show

(Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)

Saturday sets up for an unbelievable for Minshew who’s mourning the death of Mike Leach but also wants to embrace the opportunity to display his skill set in front of millions, including 31 other GMs who could be looking for a quarterback.

How Eagles contain Cowboys explosive offense

[Bob Self/Florida Times-Union]Jki 121822 Bs Jaguars Vs C 46
Lost in all the talk surrounding the Cowboys’ upset loss at the Jaguars is the fact that Dallas can be explosive when they need it most.

Since quarterback Dak Prescott returned to the lineup in Week 7, the Cowboys lead the league in offensive points per game (33.9) and are second in yards per game (408.4), with 38.3 points per game in the last three weeks.

Where will Dallas play Micah Parsons

(Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)

With Philadelphia having such a talented offensive line, where Dallas employs Micah Parsons could be the thing to watch.

Leighton Vander Esch, the second leading tackler for the Cowboys with 54, is out with a neck injury, which could force the Cowboys to play Parsons on the second level.

James Bradberry vs. Noah Brown

(Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)

Brown is coming off a two-touchdown performance on six receptions against the Jaguars on Sunday.

It’ll be imperative for Bradberry to neutralize Brown while shutting down his side of the field.

Prediction

(Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)

Gardner Minshew wants to be a starter in the NFL and what better way to put NFL GMs on notice about his skill level than to shred the Dallas defense for 300+ yards and three passing touchdowns on the road?

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.