The Dallas Cowboys (4-5-1) and Philadelphia Eagles (8-2) meet for the second time this season, and the stakes couldn’t be higher. Since their Week 1 clash, the Eagles have silenced early doubts, rattling off four straight wins to seize control of the NFC East.
As they head into Sunday’s showdown at AT&T Stadium, Philadelphia arrives riding momentum, but not without some drama.
Here are five things to know about the Cowboys’ Week 12 opponent:
Star meets frustration
Cowboys
A.J. Brown remains one of the NFL’s most respected receivers, but his role in Philadelphia’s run-heavy offense has become a source of tension.
The star receiver has 457 yards this season on 38 catches. He has been targeted 65 times, averaging 12 yards per catch with three touchdowns. At this pace, Brown is projected to finish the regular season with 777 yards, 65 receptions, and five touchdowns. Those numbers are below his 2024 totals (1,077 yards, 67 catches, 7 TDs) when Philadelphia won the Super Bowl. His 50.8 receiving yards per game average is by far the lowest of his seven-year NFL career. His previous worst was 65.7 in his rookie season with the Tennessee Titans.
Brown’s frustration has been public, with social media complaints and even a reported one-on-one meeting with owner Jeffrey Lurie. Against the Detroit Lions last week, Brown caught seven passes for 49 yards.
“We still got to do a better job on offense and get our stuff going,” Brown said after the 16–9 win over the Lions. “There’s a lot of room for improvement.”
Despite the noise, he remains one of Jalen Hurts’ top targets and a dangerous weapon capable of changing a game.
Talented, but inconsistent
The drama surrounding Brown isn’t without reason. The Eagles average just 185 passing yards per game — only four teams in the league rank worse. DeVonta Smith has emerged as their leading receiver with 665 yards. On the ground, Philadelphia averages 115 rushing yards per game (17th in the league), but only 88 yards per game on the road. Saquon Barkley leads the team with 662 rushing yards and four touchdowns on 175 carries. He also has 28 receptions for 207 yards and two scores. Quarterback Jalen Hurts has 1,995 passing yards (19th in the league), completing 180 of 269 passes with 16 touchdowns and just one interception. Philadelphia averages just over 23 points per game (16th in the NFL). This is an offense with talent but one that hasn’t consistently hit its stride.
A defense full of contrasts
At first glance, the Eagles’ defense is the eighth-best in the NFL, allowing 20 points per game, but when you start breaking it down, you realize it has flaws. They allow an average of 327 yards per game (17th in the league). Their pass defense is vulnerable, giving up 202 yards per game (15th). Against the run, they allow 114 yards per game (19th). Linebacker Zack Baun anchors the defense with 79 tackles and three sacks. Defensive tackle Moro Ojomo leads the team in sacks with four. The unit has playmakers but remains vulnerable, especially against efficient passing attacks.
Odds and series history
The Eagles are 3.5-point favorites, as of Tuesday, with the over/under set at 48.5. The Cowboys lead the all-time series 74–59 (including playoffs). The Eagles have won three straight (2024–present). Their first matchup was in 1960, when the Eagles won 27–25. According to 10,000 simulations by Dimers’ NFL model, the Eagles have a 51% chance of winning, with a projected final score of 25–21.
Fantasy spotlight: Despite the drama, Brown remains a fantasy force. Entering his fourth season in Philadelphia, he has never finished lower than 13th in fantasy points per game and continues to be Hurts’ go-to option.
Things you might not know about Philly
The “Steagles”: In 1943, the Eagles and Steelers merged during World War II due to a player shortage, finishing with a 5–4–1 record.
Franchise value: Ranked sixth in the NFL at $8.3 billion, with $688 million in reported revenue (Forbes).
Ownership: Jeffrey Lurie purchased the team in 1994 for $185 million.
Tickets: The average price to attend a game at Lincoln Financial Field is $138.
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