Going into this season, not many prognosticators would’ve bet on the NFC East having the sole undefeated team in the league, and two one-loss teams five weeks into the season. Add an injury to Dallas Cowboys’ quarterback Dak Prescott and nobody is placing that bet.
The New York Giants have shocked everyone going 4-1, with the lone loss coming at home against Dallas. The Philadelphia Eagles are looking dominant at 5-0, and the Cowboys at 4-1, undefeated with Cooper Rush, might be the most surprising of all. The two teams matchup on Sunday night for early division supremacy.
Philadelphia is running over their opponents unlike any other team in the NFC. They’re tied for second in the league in point differential at 47 points, more than double that of Dallas at 21. Their offense is averaging 27 points per game, the Cowboys aren’t even averaging 20. The Eagles lead the league in turnover differential at +9, almost doubling that of last year’s turnover kings.
Dallas is winning with their defense. As the passing offense gets worse statistically every week, the defense continues to allow less points than they did the game prior. Dallas isn’t as dominant in all three phases as their opponent this week, but they are making enough big positive plays, and avoiding too many big negative plays to continue to win.
Something has to give in this matchup of early NFC powerhouses. Here are the keys to victory between these two NFC East rivals.