Philadelphia Eagles vs. Dallas Cowboys: What to Know About the Week 18 Game
The Philadelphia Eagles are facing a significant challenge heading into their Week 18 matchup against the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday. With just one game remaining in the regular season, the Eagles are still vying for playoff positioning, but they’ll have to do so without their star quarterback, Jalen Hurts. Hurts, who has been a key leader for the Eagles throughout the season, suffered a concussion during last week’s game against the Washington Commanders. This unexpected injury leaves the Eagles with some tough decisions to make at the quarterback position heading into their crucial game against their NFC East rivals.
To further complicate matters, Hurts’ backup, Kenny Pickett, also went down with an injury in the same game, suffering a rib injury. This leaves Ian Book, a relatively inexperienced quarterback, in line to make his first start for the Eagles against the Cowboys on Sunday. This game is important for both teams, but especially for Philadelphia, as they need to win to secure their position in the postseason and improve their seeding.
Here’s everything you need to know about the Cowboys vs. Eagles game:
Eagles’ Quarterback Situation: Ian Book to Start
The Eagles are in an unfortunate situation with their quarterbacks. Jalen Hurts, who has been instrumental in leading the Eagles to a strong record this season, will be sidelined due to a concussion. While Hurts’ injury is serious, there is hope that he could recover in time for the playoffs, but for now, the Eagles will have to look elsewhere for a starting quarterback.
Kenny Pickett, Hurts’ backup, also went down in the same game against Washington, suffering a rib injury that has left him unable to play. This leaves the Eagles with Ian Book, a former fourth-round draft pick, as their likely starter for Sunday’s game against the Cowboys.
Book is a young quarterback with limited experience, having spent most of his career as a backup. He has only seen limited action in his previous NFL appearances and is largely unproven at this level. However, Book has been with the Eagles throughout the season, and he has had time to learn the system and develop chemistry with the team.
Head coach Nick Sirianni and the rest of the Eagles’ coaching staff will need to make adjustments to their offensive scheme to accommodate Book’s style of play. Although Book doesn’t have the same mobility or playmaking ability as Hurts, the Eagles will likely try to rely on their running game and solid defense to support their quarterback.
Eagles’ Playoff Implications
The Eagles are in the middle of a tight playoff race, and they cannot afford to lose this game. After a dominant 10-game winning streak earlier in the season, the Eagles have had a few slip-ups, including the loss to Washington that snapped their momentum. With the playoff picture still up in the air, a loss to the Cowboys could cause the Eagles to miss out on a higher playoff seed and potentially jeopardize their chance to host a playoff game at home.
With Hurts out, the pressure falls squarely on the shoulders of Book to keep the Eagles’ playoff hopes alive. Even though he has little experience, Book will need to make quick decisions and rely on his teammates to perform well around him. This could be a tall order against a Cowboys team that has shown flashes of brilliance but has also struggled at times this season.
Dallas Cowboys’ Outlook and Motivation
The Cowboys, on the other hand, come into this game already eliminated from playoff contention. While they will not be competing for a postseason berth, the Cowboys have plenty of motivation heading into the Week 18 matchup. Head coach Mike McCarthy and the Cowboys will want to end the season on a high note, especially after a disappointing 41-7 loss to the Eagles last week.
The Cowboys will also be playing for pride and the opportunity to play spoiler to their division rivals. While the Eagles may be struggling without Hurts, the Cowboys will want to prove they can still compete against a top team in the NFC, even with nothing on the line for them personally.
Another key focus for the Cowboys is continuing to evaluate their younger players for the future. With backup quarterback Cooper Rush underperforming and Trey Lance still waiting for his chance, the Cowboys will likely use this game as an opportunity to see how their roster can develop for the upcoming season.
On defense, the Cowboys have one of the league’s top units, led by Micah Parsons. The defense will look to capitalize on Book’s inexperience and force him into difficult situations. If the Cowboys can pressure Book early and often, they could make life very difficult for the Eagles’ offense.
Key Matchups to Watch
- Eagles’ Quarterback Play: Ian Book vs. Cowboys Defense
The most obvious and important matchup to watch will be Ian Book against the Cowboys’ defense. The Cowboys have a strong pass rush, led by Micah Parsons, and they will be looking to exploit Book’s inexperience. The Eagles’ offensive line will need to step up and provide solid protection to give Book time to make throws, but the Cowboys will likely come after him in waves.
If Book struggles under pressure, the Cowboys’ defense could dominate the game, limiting the Eagles’ offensive production and forcing turnovers.
- Eagles’ Running Game vs. Cowboys’ Run Defense
With Book under center, the Eagles will likely rely more heavily on their running game. Running backs Miles Sanders and Boston Scott have been solid throughout the season and will need to step up in a big way. However, the Cowboys have one of the better run defenses in the league, led by DeMarcus Lawrence and the defensive line.
If the Eagles can establish the run, they might be able to take some pressure off Book and create opportunities for play-action passes down the field.
- Cowboys’ Quarterback Play: Cooper Rush vs. Eagles Defense
On the Cowboys’ side, Cooper Rush will need to step up after a rough performance against the Eagles last week. Rush has shown flashes of competence when filling in for Dak Prescott, but his performance against the Eagles was not up to par. The Eagles’ defense, led by cornerback Darius Slay and linebacker T.J. Edwards, will look to limit the Cowboys’ passing attack and force Rush into mistakes.
If the Cowboys want to make a statement in this game, Rush will need to perform better and lead the offense efficiently, especially since the team will need to rely on him to move the ball down the field.
Final Thoughts: What’s at Stake
For the Philadelphia Eagles, the stakes are clear: they need to win to secure a favorable playoff position and avoid falling in the standings. A loss to the Cowboys, especially with Ian Book starting at quarterback, could jeopardize their entire postseason outlook. On the other hand, the Dallas Cowboys have the opportunity to play spoiler, and they will want to finish the season strong, regardless of the playoff implications.
With the Eagles’ quarterback situation in flux, the Cowboys have a chance to capitalize on the uncertainty and give themselves an opportunity to end the season on a positive note. Expect an intense, hard-fought game as both teams have a lot to prove heading into the offseason.
