As the rivalry between the Dallas Cowboys and Philadelphia Eagles intensifies, especially in the context of the NFC East, understanding the statistical trends and weaknesses of each team becomes crucial for both fan bases and analysts alike. With both teams vying for dominance, the Eagles, fresh off a Super Bowl appearance and loaded with talent, are positioned to challenge the Cowboys’ ambitions in 2024. But as the Cowboys march toward the postseason with a solid record, cracks in their armor have started to show.
Through a detailed breakdown of the Cowboys’ performance across several key metrics, we identify their most glaring weaknesses and highlight the areas the Philadelphia Eagles can exploit to tip the scales in their favor.
One of the primary areas where the Cowboys have shown vulnerability this season is their offensive line, particularly when it comes to pass protection. Despite boasting elite skill players like Dak Prescott and CeeDee Lamb, the Cowboys’ offensive line has struggled to maintain consistent protection against opposing pass rushes.
The numbers speak for themselves: Dallas is ranked 24th in the NFL with a sack rate of 6.4%, meaning they allow sacks on over 6% of their dropbacks. This is concerning for a team that relies on its passing game to stretch the field and create big plays.
The Eagles are well-equipped to take advantage of this vulnerability. With one of the most fearsome defensive lines in the league, featuring pass rushers like Haason Reddick, Fletcher Cox, and Jalen Carter, Philadelphia’s front seven is a nightmare for opposing quarterbacks. The Eagles lead the NFL in sacks, and their relentless pressure forces quarterbacks into hurried throws, mistakes, and turnovers.
By continuously pressuring Prescott, Philadelphia could disrupt the timing of the Cowboys’ offense, making it difficult for Dak to get into a rhythm. Reddick, in particular, could wreak havoc against Cowboys’ tackles, especially if Tyron Smith—who has dealt with injuries over the years—fails to hold up.
When it comes to converting drives into touchdowns, the Cowboys have shown a tendency to stall once they enter the red zone. With a conversion rate of just 53.8%—18th in the NFL—Dallas is leaving points on the field, which could be critical in a high-stakes game like this.
Philadelphia’s defense, on the other hand, has been solid in the red zone. The Eagles rank in the top 10 in red zone defense, allowing touchdowns only 53% of the time. They excel at bending but not breaking, and with their ability to force offenses into difficult situations, they can capitalize on the Cowboys’ struggles to score once inside the 20-yard line.
In particular, the Eagles’ ability to tighten up in the red zone could frustrate the Cowboys’ offense, forcing them into field goal attempts instead of touchdown conversions. This disparity could give Philadelphia a significant advantage, especially in a tightly contested game where every point matters.
While the Cowboys’ defense has been formidable in many respects, particularly against the pass, they have had difficulty containing mobile quarterbacks. On average, Dallas allows 30.4 rushing yards per game to quarterbacks, ranking them near the bottom in the league in this category. This presents a distinct problem when facing a quarterback like Jalen Hurts, whose ability to extend plays with his legs is a major asset to the Eagles’ offense.
Jalen Hurts is one of the most dynamic quarterbacks in the league when it comes to both passing and rushing. With the ability to break containment and pick up crucial first downs with his legs, Hurts could exploit Dallas’ lack of mobility defense. The Cowboys’ defenders will need to maintain their rush lanes and not over-commit, as Hurts can turn what appears to be a broken play into a big gain on the ground.
This creates a dilemma for defensive coordinator Dan Quinn, who will have to decide whether to commit extra defenders to spy on Hurts or risk being burned by his athleticism. In any case, the Eagles’ ability to get Hurts moving outside the pocket could tilt the balance of the game in their favor.
While the Cowboys have a strong defense overall, they have shown inconsistency when it comes to defending tight ends. Pro Football Focus (PFF) rates Dallas’ coverage against tight ends as one of the worst in the league (21st in the NFL), allowing them to accumulate significant yardage and first downs.
The Eagles are fortunate to have a top-tier tight end in Dallas Goedert, who can take advantage of this weakness. Goedert is a dynamic pass-catching threat with the size and agility to create mismatches against the Cowboys’ linebackers and safeties. Given his ability to stretch the field and move the chains, Goedert could become a focal point of the Eagles’ offense.
Whether it’s finding space in the seam or capitalizing on mismatches in the short to intermediate game, Goader’s success could go a long way in controlling the tempo and sustaining drives against the Cowboys’ defense.
While the Cowboys’ offense and defense often take center stage, their special teams unit has struggled in several areas. In particular, Dallas ranks 25th in kickoff return average (19.9 yards), meaning they often start their drives deep in their own territory. This limits their ability to quickly generate offense, especially in a high-pressure game against a fast-paced opponent like the Eagles.
The Eagles, on the other hand, have a more reliable special teams unit, with solid kick returners and efficient coverage units. If Philadelphia can consistently pin Dallas back with strong kickoffs and punt coverage, they could put more pressure on the Cowboys’ offense to execute long drives—something they’ve struggled with in the past when forced into difficult field positions.
Moreover, with Philadelphia’s ability to make explosive plays in the return game, they have the potential to flip the field or even score points, giving them a significant advantage in terms of field position.
While the Cowboys are a formidable team with strengths across the roster, their weaknesses are undeniable. Philadelphia, with its aggressive defense and dynamic offense, is well-equipped to exploit these vulnerabilities. Whether it’s pressuring Dak Prescott, capitalizing on the Cowboys’ struggles in the red zone, or containing a potent quarterback like Jalen Hurts, the Eagles have several avenues to attack.
For Dallas, the task will be to shore up these areas before facing off against their divisional rivals. If they fail to do so, they risk falling victim to an Eagles squad that thrives in taking advantage of these very weaknesses.
As we approach what promises to be an electrifying matchup, all eyes will be on whether the Cowboys can overcome their shortcomings or if Philadelphia will continue to assert dominance over their NFC East foes