Sunday Night Football: Three takeaways from Eagles' win over rival Cowboys

Joe Rodgers

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Sunday Night Football: Three takeaways from Eagles' win over rival Cowboys image

The Eagles all but wrapped up the NFC East Sunday night in Dallas with a 37-9 win over the Cowboys.

Philadelphia, with the NFL's top record, now owns a four-game lead over the 5-5 Cowboys in the NFC East with a perfect 4-0 division record heading into Week 12. While the Eagles have a playoff birth all but locked up, the Cowboys are going to need to start winning without Ezekiel Elliott and get some help if they are to reach the postseason. 

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Here are three takeaways from the visiting Eagles' win over the Cowboys. 

1. Eagles running deep into playoffs

Philadelphia has become the favorite to represent the NFC in the Super Bowl and it's easy to see why. With Carson Wentz making pinpoint throws, a solid defensive secondary and established running game, the Eagles can control the clock and confuse opposing QBs like they did Dak Prescott on Sunday night with his three interceptions. 

The Eagles offense rushed for 215 yards on 33 carries and saw four rushers in double-figures led by Jay Ajayi with 91. Corey Clement torched the Cowboys late and arguably the team's No. 4 back Kenjon Barner saw the end zone in the rushing onslaught. 

2. Second-half adjustments propel Eagles

Carson Wentz got off to a hot start but a quiet second quarter left the Eagles trailing 9-7 at halftime. The Dallas defense was solid in the first half, at one point holding the Eagles to four consecutive 3-and-outs but in the second half, things quickly changed. The first three Eagles' possessions resulted in TD drives of 75, 90, and 85 yards, all but breaking the Cowboys spirit in the third quarter.

After Philadelphia went up 29-9, a sack-fumble returned for a touchdown followed by Dak Prescott's third pick prematurely ended his night. 

3. Cowboys are hurting

The Cowboys desperately needed a win but were also shorthanded against the NFL-leading Eagles. Not only was Ezekiel Elliott suspended, but starting left tackle Tyron Smith and linebacker Sean Lee were also ruled out.

The team's star power was reduced to Dez Bryant, who had a solid game with eighth grabs for 63 yards. After allowing six sacks to Adrian Clayborn against the Falcons, Prescott was sacked four more times exposing a problem the Cowboys need to address. 

Highlight

Sunday Night Football schedule

Packers (5-5) at Steelers (8-2), Nov. 26, 8:30 p.m. ET (NBC)

Joe Rodgers