The Philadelphia Eagles and Dallas Cowboys rivalry is one of the NFL’s most storied, filled with intense matchups, dramatic plays, and standout performances. As NFC East rivals, their games are always high-stakes, with player stats often telling the tale of who dominates the field. In this article, we’ll analyze the player stats from their most recent clashes in the 2024 NFL season, focusing on the December 29, 2024, game (Eagles 41, Cowboys 7) and the November 10, 2024, game (Eagles 34, Cowboys 6). We’ll break down key performances, provide detailed stat tables, and offer insights for fans and fantasy football enthusiasts. Let’s dive into the numbers and see what made these games unforgettable.
Why the Eagles-Cowboys Rivalry Matters
The Eagles-Cowboys rivalry, dating back to 1960, is a cornerstone of NFL history. With 132 regular-season meetings, the Cowboys lead the series 74-58, but the Eagles have been closing the gap in recent years. Their 2024 encounters showcased Philadelphia’s dominance, sweeping Dallas for the first time since 2011 and clinching the NFC East title. These games weren’t just about bragging rights—they highlighted individual brilliance and team strategy, reflected in the player stats.
What Makes Player Stats Crucial in This Rivalry?
Player stats are the heartbeat of any NFL game analysis. They reveal who’s carrying the team, who’s struggling, and how strategies play out. For Eagles-Cowboys games, stats like rushing yards, passing efficiency, and defensive takeaways often decide the outcome. In 2024, Philadelphia’s balanced attack and suffocating defense overwhelmed Dallas, as the numbers clearly show.
Key Player Stats from Eagles vs. Cowboys (December 29, 2024)
The Week 17 matchup at Lincoln Financial Field was a masterclass by the Eagles, who crushed the Cowboys 41-7. Without star quarterback Jalen Hurts (concussion), backup Kenny Pickett and third-stringer Tanner McKee stepped up, while Saquon Barkley made history. Dallas, missing Dak Prescott and CeeDee Lamb, struggled with turnovers. Here’s a detailed breakdown of the stats.
Offensive Stats Table: Eagles vs. Cowboys (Dec 29, 2024)
|
Player |
Team |
Passing Yards |
Pass Completions/Attempts |
Passing TDs |
Rushing Yards |
Rushing TDs |
Receiving Yards |
Receiving TDs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Kenny Pickett |
Eagles |
143 | 10/15 | 1 | 1 | 1 | – | – |
|
Tanner McKee |
Eagles |
54 | 3/4 | 2 | 0 | 0 | – | – |
|
Saquon Barkley |
Eagles |
– | – | – | 167 | 0 | 14 | 0 |
|
DeVonta Smith |
Eagles |
– | – | – | 0 | 0 | 120 | 2 |
|
A.J. Brown |
Eagles |
– | – | – | 0 | 0 | 20 | 1 |
|
Cooper Rush |
Cowboys |
147 | 15/28 | 1 | 0 | 0 | – | – |
|
Rico Dowdle |
Cowboys |
– | – | – | 104 | 0 | 8 | 0 |
|
Jalen Tolbert |
Cowboys |
– | – | – | 0 | 0 | 25 | 1 |
|
Brandin Cooks |
Cowboys |
– | – | – | 0 | 0 | 21 | 0 |
Defensive Stats Highlights
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Eagles Defense: Forced four turnovers, including a 69-yard pick-six by C.J. Gardner-Johnson and another interception by him. Nolan Smith forced a fumble, recovered by Cooper DeJean. Oren Burks also forced a fumble, recovered by Jordan Davis.
-
Cowboys Defense: Struggled, allowing 167 rushing yards to Barkley alone. Micah Parsons recorded a sack but couldn’t stop Philadelphia’s momentum.
Standout Performances
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Saquon Barkley (Eagles): Rushed for 167 yards on 31 carries, surpassing 2,000 rushing yards for the season, becoming the ninth NFL player to achieve this milestone. His 5.4 yards per carry shredded Dallas’ defense.
-
DeVonta Smith (Eagles): Caught 6 passes for 120 yards and 2 touchdowns, including a 22-yard score. His speed and route-running were unstoppable.
-
C.J. Gardner-Johnson (Eagles): Two interceptions, including a pick-six, shifted the game early. His 6 interceptions in 2024 tied for the league lead.
-
Rico Dowdle (Cowboys): A bright spot for Dallas, rushing for 104 yards on 25 carries, crossing 1,000 yards for the season.
-
Cooper Rush (Cowboys): Threw for 147 yards but was hampered by two interceptions and a fumble, leading to 24 Eagles points off turnovers.
Key Player Stats from Eagles vs. Cowboys (November 10, 2024)
The Week 10 game at AT&T Stadium saw the Eagles dominate 34-6, capitalizing on Dallas’ mistakes. Jalen Hurts was in top form, and the Eagles’ defense suffocated Cooper Rush and the Cowboys’ offense.
Offensive Stats Table: Eagles vs. Cowboys (Nov 10, 2024)
|
Player |
Team |
Passing Yards |
Pass Completions/Attempts |
Passing TDs |
Rushing Yards |
Rushing TDs |
Receiving Yards |
Receiving TDs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Jalen Hurts |
Eagles |
151 | 14/20 | 2 | 56 | 2 | – | – |
|
Saquon Barkley |
Eagles |
– | – | – | 66 | 0 | 37 | 0 |
|
Dallas Goedert |
Eagles |
– | – | – | 0 | 0 | 24 | 1 |
|
Johnny Wilson |
Eagles |
– | – | – | 0 | 0 | 11 | 1 |
|
Cooper Rush |
Cowboys |
49 | 13/23 | 0 | 0 | 0 | – | – |
|
Rico Dowdle |
Cowboys |
– | – | – | 28 | 0 | 7 | 0 |
|
CeeDee Lamb |
Cowboys |
– | – | – | 0 | 0 | 21 | 0 |
Defensive Stats Highlights
-
Eagles Defense: Held Dallas to 107 total yards through three quarters, including just 49 net passing yards. Bryce Huff’s strip-sack on Rush led to a field goal.
-
Cowboys Defense: Allowed 195.8 rushing yards per game since Week 6, with Hurts and Barkley exploiting gaps. Trevon Diggs had an interception but couldn’t stop the Eagles’ surge.
Standout Performances
-
Jalen Hurts (Eagles): Accounted for 4 touchdowns (2 passing, 2 rushing) with a 128.8 passer rating over his last four games. His dual-threat ability overwhelmed Dallas.
-
Eagles Defense: Limited Dallas to 2-for-11 on third downs and 9 net yards in the third quarter, showcasing their league-leading total defense.
-
CeeDee Lamb (Cowboys): Managed only 21 yards on 6 catches, averaging a career-low 3.5 yards per catch, stifled by Philadelphia’s secondary.
How Did the Eagles Dominate the Cowboys in 2024?
The Eagles’ success in both games stemmed from three key factors:
-
Turnover Differential: Philadelphia forced 7 turnovers across the two games (4 in Week 17, 3 in Week 10) while committing only 2. This led to 37 points off turnovers.
-
Rushing Dominance: Barkley’s 233 combined rushing yards and Hurts’ mobility in Week 10 exposed Dallas’ weak run defense, which allowed 494 rushing yards since Week 9.
-
Defensive Pressure: The Eagles’ defense, with 10 takeaways in their last three games of 2024, suffocated Dallas’ offense, holding them to 13 points total across both games.
What Can Fantasy Football Players Learn from These Stats?
For fantasy football enthusiasts, these games offer valuable lessons:
-
Start Eagles RBs and WRs: Barkley and Smith are must-starts against Dallas, given their consistent production. Barkley’s 2,005 rushing yards in 2024 make him a top-tier pick.
-
Avoid Cowboys QBs: Rush’s turnovers and low passing yards (196 total in two games) make him a risky play against Philadelphia’s elite defense.
-
Target Eagles Def/ST: With 9 takeaways in their last two games, Philadelphia’s defense is a fantasy goldmine in rivalry matchups.
How Do These Stats Compare Historically?
The Eagles’ 41-7 and 34-6 wins mark their most lopsided sweep of Dallas since 1987. Historically, Dallas has averaged 22.2 points per game in the rivalry, but in 2024, they managed just 13 points combined. Philadelphia’s defense, allowing only 613 net passing yards over five games, is the stingiest since 2006.
What’s Next for the Eagles and Cowboys?
The Eagles (13-3) are playoff-bound, likely resting starters in Week 18 to preserve Barkley and Hurts for a Super Bowl run. Dallas (7-9), eliminated from contention, faces questions about coach Mike McCarthy’s future and Prescott’s recovery.
See Also: fballquery.com
Conclusion
The 2024 Eagles-Cowboys matchups were a showcase of Philadelphia’s dominance, driven by Saquon Barkley’s historic rushing, a relentless defense, and clutch performances from backups like Kenny Pickett. The stats tell a clear story: the Eagles are a force, while the Cowboys need to regroup. For fans, these numbers fuel the passion of the rivalry, and for fantasy players, they offer actionable insights for future games.
