Game Preview: Cowboys vs. Eagles | December 29, 2024

4. Special teams are on alert

Turpin is a special type of player in the return game – he leads the NFL with an average of 34.4 yards on kickoff returns (with one touchdown) and an average of 10.9 yards per return on punts. Turpin had kickoff returns of 47 yards and 36 yards in the teams’ first meeting, so the Eagles are well aware of how dangerous he is. Turpin only had one fair catch on punt returns on November 10th. Dallas will get him the ball on offense with jet sweeps, handoffs and short passes, and the defense will be ready for that, but don’t sleep on kicks. Turpin cancels the games.

5. Micah Parsons leads an aggressive Dallas defense

To their credit, the Cowboys put together a defensive drill in their win over Tampa Bay on Sunday night. They were physical, opportunistic and determined. At the forefront, as always, was Micah Parsons, who has had a lot to say about the Eagles, the fans and this game in recent weeks – to put it another way: he doesn’t like the Eagles or the Eagles fans. What makes Parsons a special player is that he backs up his words. He is an exceptional pass rusher who spends much of his time playing over right tackle Lane Johnson. Parsons had two quarterback sacks in November and wins with his speed and ability to shed blockers and work his way up the field without chip blocking and schemes getting in his way. He’s a great player, a game-wrecker, and the Eagles can’t let him disrupt the offense.

6. Third downs are crucial

Dallas has struggled this season, but the Cowboys are really good — they rank fourth in the NFL — at third-down defense and are allowing just a 35.2 percent conversion rate. This is an area where the Eagles know they must succeed. Therefore, getting the offense into third and manageable situations is crucial. Don’t let the Dallas defense, which is applying pressure, penetrate third-and-long plays during the game. Look, there are a lot of things that matter here – turnover rate, red zone play, consistent discipline, penalties – but third downs are at the top of the list. And that’s on both sides of the ball. Dallas has struggled to run the football all season, so the Eagles’ defense will have to crack down. Who knows what will happen in this game, because as we’ve seen over the years, this rivalry has produced some pretty crazy moments.