Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images Taking one last look at the Eagles’ side of things. Eagles Rule Out Jalen Hurts, But The Bigger Surprise Is On Defense – Ed Kracz, Sports Illustrated Another star besides the quarterback may be missing for the Eagles on Sunday. PHILADELPHIA – It was trending this way all week, that Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts would not play in Sunday’s Week 17 matchup against the Dallas Cowboys, and it was made official on Friday when the team released its injury report – Hurts is out with a concussion. As far as surprises go, this wasn’t exactly Christmas morning. The surprise wasn’t that Kenny Pickett will get his first start as an Eagle, but that linebacker Nakobe Dean is listed as doubtful for Sunday. Perhaps Dean’s health was overlooked a bit in the swirl of attention around Hurts, but the linebacker who was having a Pro Bowl-worthy season is looking like a no-go with an abdomen injury. Also ruled out for the Eagles were receiver/punt returner Britain Covey (neck) and rookie running back Will Shipley (concussion). Defensive end Bryce Huff is listed as questionable after having his 21-day window to return from injured reserve to active duty opened nearly two weeks ago. Huff was seen in the locker room on Friday with a big cast over his left wrist. Oren Burks is likely next-man-up at linebacker in place of Dean, and as far as drop-offs go, this is Thelma and Louise driving off a cliff at the end of the 1991 movie. It’s a long way down. Burks is a veteran, to be sure. He has played in 106 games but has logged just 43 defensive snaps with the Eagles since signing as a free agent from the 49ers on March 17. Dean has been a force this season. Paired with Zack Baun, the duo has become one of the most productive linebacker corps in the NFL. Dean is second on the team with 128 tackles behind Baun’s total of 144. Dean has three sacks, one forced fumble, and two fumble recoveries. Where did this come from? Zack Baun’s Eagles breakout has the NFL looking for the next him – Jori Epstein, Yahoo! Sports Other teams are looking to replicate Philadelphia’s success with Zack Baun. PHILADELPHIA — As the Los Angeles Rams lined up on third-and-3, Zack Baun crept up to the right edge. The Philadelphia Eagles linebacker looked ready to blitz. But when Matthew Stafford fielded the snap, Baun instead backpedaled. He shuffled out toward receiver Puka Nacua, who would catch nine passes for 117 yards on this late November night. Nacua would not catch this pass. Because Baun — yes, the same Baun who was just threatening to rush Stafford — broke up the pass. Where was this guy during his first four pro years, when he played just 15 percent of defensive snaps? Team and league voices offer different explanations for how the inside linebacker leading the league in tackles and several other metrics played so sparingly throughout his rookie contract with the New Orleans Saints, then exploded onto the scene in his first year in Philadelphia. Rarely do players cement themselves as starters after four years unable to crack the lineup. Questioning the Saints is fair — and some do, one NFC executive going so far as to call it “negligent” to play Baun so sparingly when “he had All-Pro in his body.” But Baun’s resurgence isn’t just about the Saints’ depth chart or the Eagles’ success mining for traits independent of production. This isn’t just about Baun finally getting the opportunity to play 95% of defensive snaps. Baun’s progress toward realizing his potential stems from his work ethic and ability as well as landing in the right scheme with the right coaching staff. It stems from the block-destruction guidance from a linebackers coach whose eye he caught during their pandemic-shortened pre-draft meeting in March 2020, and from a front office sharp enough to pursue an unproven linebacker as early in free agency as it pursued star running back Saquon Barkley. Zach Ertz downplays postgame exchange with Eagles’ Nick Sirianni: It was ‘blown way out of proportion’ – Tyler Sullivan, CBS Sports Their appears to be no bad blood between the Eagles’ coach and his former tight end. Philadelphia Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni and Washington Commanders tight end Zach Ertz needed to be separated after an altercation following their Week 16 matchup last Sunday, according to the Philadelphia Inquirer. Ertz has since downplayed the exchange, saying reports of the interaction have been “way overblown” and suggesting he has a good relationship with his former coach. “Nick and I had a great relationship when I was there,” Ertz told reporters Thursday, “and we still have a great relationship. It’s definitely been blown way out of proportion. We spoke. We’re good. There’s no ill feelings on my part, and I don’t think there are any ill feelings on his part. It’s just something in the heat of the moment that probably got blown out of proportion and maybe [was] a misunderstanding. But him and I are fine. Everyone knows how I feel about that place and that building.” After Washington pulled out a 36-33 victory over the Eagles on Sunday, Sirianni and Ertz reportedly got into a spat during postgame handshakes. Ertz went to initially shake Sirianni’s hand but, upon realizing the coach was still irked by his team losing, opted for a high-five. Sirianni apparently took exception to Ertz’s gesture, which led the head coach to chastise him for having just a single catch in the game. That’s when Ertz reportedly got in Sirianni’s face, which prompted action from chief security officer Dom DiSandro (better known as “Big Dom”). The Inquirer reported also that Sirianni later called Ertz via Zoom to apologize. However, after the game, he was asked about the exchange and said, “We just say congrats … [Both] of us say congrats to each other.” As for Ertz, he told

Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images Which team has the better defense? Previously we broke down the offense for this week’s upcoming game for the Dallas Cowboys. Now we dive back into the position battleground, this time looking at how the defensive positions and special teams stack up against each other DEFENSIVE LINE The Cowboys defensive line have been the most impressive in terms of how far they’ve risen this season. At the start of the year the defensive line struggled with injuries, couldn’t generate pressure and was getting beaten easily in the run game. The last three games has Dallas be the number one team in sacks per game and have allowed the sixth-fewest rush yards per game. Osa Odighizuwa continues to be the anchor that finds ways to disrupt any play coming his way. Micah Parson is the straw that stirs this drink for the defense, it’s no surprise since his return from injury some several weeks back this defense has improved. Chauncey Golston is an unsung hero that’s played efficiently the past two weeks. The biggest problem for this defense is the fact they are facing the number one rushing offense this season. It’s not just Saquon Barkley, it’s also Jalen Hurts who leads the league in rushing touchdowns. Adding to Dallas’ defensive problems is the Eagles offensive line which is built to pave the way in the running game, and does so very effectively. The Philadelphia Eagles’ defensive line has been a significant strength for the team during the current NFL season. Several key players have emerged as impactful contributors, showcasing both individual talent and effective teamwork. Jalen Carter has been a standout performer on the Eagles’ defensive line. His ability to rush the passer is particularly noteworthy, as he has achieved an impressive pass-rush grade of 80.6 ranking fifth among defensive interior players in the NFL. Over the past four games, Carter has delivered three strong performances, solidifying his position as a crucial asset for the Eagles. After experiencing a slump earlier in the season, Josh Sweat has rebounded impressively. In his last five games, he has recorded five sacks, seven quarterback hits, and five tackles for loss. Milton Williams has contributed effectively to the defensive line’s overall performance and continues to develop into a reliable player within the rotation.Win: Eagles Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images LINEBACKER Marist Liufau has now solidified himself as the new sheriff in town. He’s been making plays the last couple of weeks and last week was no exception. He’s now established himself as a defensive playmaker leading to plays that result in either a turnover or a negative play for the opposition. Eric Kendricks is a key figure on this defense and he was inactive last week due to a calf strain. The Eagles linebacker corps this season is characterized by a mix of established talent and emerging potential. The team has made significant changes to its linebacker unit, bringing in new players through free agency and the draft, while also relying on returning players who have shown promise. Nakobe Dean is looking to establish himself as a key player after an injury-plagued second year in 2023. He’s second on the team in tackles and tackles for loss. The player leading the way in tackles and tackles for loss is Zack Baun who joined the Eagles after leaving the New Orleans Saints. Dean is dealing with an abdomen injury. Conclusion:Losing players due to injury is no exception for both teams at this position. But the loss of DeMarvion Overshown seriously puts a negative spin to this group for Dallas. Baun and Dean have been both been having good seasons. They can defend very effectively laterally or come down and press. Win: Eagles Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images DEFENSIVE BACKS The Cowboys defensive backs have had a notable season, characterized by both strengths and challenges. The performance of this unit can be analyzed through several key aspects: overall effectiveness, individual performances, injury issues, and their role helping to find ways to impact the opposing passing game. This secondary has shown resilience and adaptability throughout the season. They have been effective in creating turnovers, which is a critical component of their defensive strategy. Jourdan Lewis made one of the most mind-blowing interceptions last week that looked like a touchdown pass all the way up until Lewis stood up with the ball. DaRon Bland had the biggest play to end the game with his fumble recovery to end the game last week. One of the standout features of the Eagles’ defensive backs is their ability to work together as a unit. This season, they have excelled in communication and teamwork, which has allowed them to cover receivers effectively and support each other in various defensive schemes. The absence of individual interceptions among cornerbacks highlights a collective approach where players focus on minimizing big plays rather than seeking personal accolades. Rookie Cooper DeJean has made a notable impact during the 2024 NFL season. Drafted in the second round, he has quickly established himself as a versatile player capable of contributing significantly to the Eagles’ secondary. His ability to play multiple positions within the defensive backfield has allowed him to adapt to various game situations and matchups against opposing offenses. Quinyon Mitchell has demonstrated elite coverage abilities, but he’s had a mixed season this year. His statistics reflect this, as he has allowed the most number of yards and completions against him among all defensive backs between these two teams. Conclusion:Injuries have played a significant role in shaping the performance of the Cowboys’ defensive backs this season. The absence of key players at various points has forced younger or less experienced players into starting roles, impacting overall cohesion and performance. The Eagles have stayed healthy this year and other starters like Darius Slay and C.J. Gardner-Johnson all come into this week with a clean slate. That’s led to a team allowing the second-fewest passing yards this year. Win: Eagles Photo by Timothy Nwachukwu/Getty Images

Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images The Cowboys have a sort of chance to play spoiler on Sunday. The Dallas Cowboys already know their season is over. They were eliminated from playoff contention just a few hours before kickoff against the Buccaneers on Sunday night, but it didn’t stop them from playing their hearts out and stealing a win from a team firmly in the postseason mix. Now, the Cowboys have two games left, both of them against divisional foes. First on the schedule is a road trip against the Eagles, who just lost their first game since the last week of September. The first time these teams met this year, it was Cooper Rush’s first start of the year after Dak Prescott went down for the year. Things were surprisingly close in the first half, as Philadelphia led just 14-6 at halftime, but Rush lost two fumbles and the Eagles outscored Dallas 20-0 in the second half for a big win. Since then, though, the Cowboys have been much better. Rush has gotten into a groove, ranking 16th in EPA/play over the last five games, ahead of the likes of Kyler Murray, Geno Smith, and C.J. Stroud. The offense as a whole has stabilized as well, but it’s their defense that has taken off. Since Micah Parsons returned from his injury the week of that game against the Eagles, Dallas is 10th in EPA/play allowed. More specifically, they’re second in EPA/dropback allowed and rank fourth in both pressure rate and sacks on the season. Parsons is also eighth in the league in individual pressures despite missing four games. Parsons’ elite play has been partnered with some exceptional games from CeeDee Lamb, who will not be suiting up for this one. On Thursday, it was announced that Lamb would be shut down for the year so he can get rehab his shoulder, an injury he had been playing through in recent weeks. The Eagles aren’t exactly a clean bill of health either, with their biggest question being Jalen Hurts. Their star quarterback left this past game with a concussion in the first quarter and he remains in the concussion protocol as of Thursday. Hurts’ backup, Kenny Pickett, is also on the injury report with a rib injury. He was limited on Wednesday’s practice but participated fully on Thursday, The general sense from Philadelphia is that Hurts is likely to miss this game, though you can never say never. If that is the case, it will mark Pickett’s first start of the year and his first start since early December of last year. Pickett was a first-round pick in 2022 by the Steelers, becoming their starter during his rookie year. Last year, Pickett led Pittsburgh to a 7-5 start but injuries knocked him out. When Pickett did return to full health, the Steelers chose not to put him back in the lineup, which led to their decision this offseason to pursue both Russell Wilson and Justin Fields. Not long afterwards, Pickett was traded to Philadelphia, where he has been Hurts’ backup all year. Coming into this last game, Pickett had attempted just three passes on the year and played a total of 28 snaps. When called into action against the Commanders this past week, Pickett completed 58.3% of his passes for 143 yards with a touchdown, an interception, and a fumble. He came in during a touchdown drive for the Eagles, but after that drive Pickett produced just 12 points the rest of the game, while Washington was able to come back in the fourth quarter for the win. Needless to say, there isn’t a wealth of optimism from Eagles fans if Pickett is the starter. Still, though, this offense runs through Saquon Barkley. The former Giants running back accounts for 38% of the Eagles’ offensive yards and leads the league in scrimmage yards with 2,114 yards. That said, one of his worst games of the year came against this defense, as Barkley averaged 4.7 yards a carry. His 67 rushing yards in that game was the third-fewest he’s had in a game all year. The Cowboys will need to have similar success against Barkley in this one regardless of who plays under center. Mike Zimmer’s defense has surged lately because they don’t let run games go wild, creating more passing downs for Zimmer’s chaotic pressure schemes to run loose. Similarly, Mike McCarthy will have his work cut out for him trying to scheme things up in the passing game without Lamb anymore. This game brings a lot of uncertainty for both teams, but it probably figures to be closer than the last time these teams met. The Eagles are favored by a touchdown, but the Cowboys have been exceeding bettors’ expectations in recent weeks. Can they pull out another surprise win and play spoiler for their bitter rival, who still haven’t locked up the NFC East?

Photo by Ron Jenkins/Getty Images Regardless of these last two games, Mike McCarthy has nothing left to prove to the Dallas Cowboys. It wasn’t supposed to go like this. The Dallas Cowboys were supposed to crash and burn, the locker room would turn on each other, players would quit on their lame duck coach and make early plans for their beach vacations in January while coaching interviews get under way. That’s exactly where things were headed at the start of November, when the Cowboys were in the midst of what turned out to be a five-game losing streak that saw Dak Prescott go down for the season. He was the latest, and most prominent, veteran leader to spend significant time on the injured reserve. On top of it all, a postgame incident with Trevon Diggs hinted that the walls were about to crumble in Dallas. Then, something clicked. The Cowboys went on the road and beat the Washington Commanders, who at one point looked like the frontrunner in the division. They returned home for Thanksgiving and crushed the Giants. Now, after back-to-back wins against the Panthers and Buccaneers, the team has improved to 7-8 and are one crazy play away from looking at a five-game win streak. The most recent win was the best, too. Tampa Bay came in as winners of four straight and, after the Falcons won earlier in the day, they knew they needed this game to remain in the driver’s seat of the NFC South. Meanwhile, Dallas watched the Commanders beat the Eagles at the last second, thereby ending the Cowboys’ slim chances at reaching the postseason. They hadn’t even had a chance to play their game this week, and the Cowboys’ post-season chance was officially ended. Some teams would’ve let that get to them. Some teams would have come out flat and gotten crushed by the vastly superior team. Shoot, most Cowboys teams of the last two decades would’ve done that. This team is different, though. They’ve been dealt adversity from the moment last year ended. Every single day brings a new conversation about their head coach, while injuries and losses have both stacked up over and over. They’ve been through the ringer, but somehow they’ve come out on the other side stronger for it. The team took the field on Sunday night with nothing to gain, so they took their anger out on the Buccaneers instead. It’s been a long time since we saw a Cowboys team play like this. No longer was it about “getting right” or pushing for a playoff spot to climb the mountain that is nearly three decades of playoff disappointment for this franchise. This was about a love of the game, going out there and playing good football for 60 minutes just because that’s what professionals do. It was a direct reflection of the way McCarthy carries himself, and the most resounding endorsement this team could possibly give their embattled head coach. Cooper Rush arguably had the best game of his career, CeeDee Lamb showed a level of toughness never seen before, and defenders just kept making play after play no matter what. Some will look at this win, which did nothing to get them closer to the playoffs and only hurt their draft positioning, and say it was a mistake. But the intangible impact this kind of win has on the culture has massive implications. Take Lamb, for example, who had this to say after the game: Cowboys WR CeeDee Lamb: “My shoulder is outta whack, I’m not gonna even lie to you. I’m just out there battling and doing what I do. It’s not fun.” What is the biggest reason he keeps playing through it? “I love this game that much. I’m literally willing to put my body out… — Jon Machota (@jonmachota) December 23, 2024 Lamb earned plenty of criticism earlier this year for a perceived lack of toughness, some of which was at least somewhat warranted. But there is no way to make such a claim now, as Lamb has played through excruciating pain and played at a high level even knowing there are no playoffs to be made anymore. Micah Parsons had similar comments after the win: Cowboys DE Micah Parsons said he “100 percent” believes if they finish strong that it can carry over into next season: “You need to go through things. Everything can’t be sunshine and rainbows. I’m looking to finish this year strong and prove to these guys that we can get over… — Jon Machota (@jonmachota) December 23, 2024 Of course, Parsons made history in this game too, becoming the fifth-fastest player to reach 50 career sacks. After the game, though, his comments were focused on continuing this momentum and building a solid foundation for next season. With Prescott out, as well as DeMarcus Lawrence and Zack Martin – not to mention the offseason losses of Tyron Smith, Leighton Vander Esch, and Stephon Gilmore – there was a bit of a leadership vacuum on this roster. Lamb and Parsons have stepped up over the last month, which is great news considering their status as the future of this team. That kind of development is more valuable for the Cowboys than any draft pick. It all comes back to McCarthy, too. His steady leadership, even in the face of what so many assumed to be his final season in Dallas, provided a calming presence in the face of so much turmoil. It’s not easy to tune out the noise in a season like this, or any season in Dallas, but McCarthy has continually had his team focused and ready to play. Whether or not they can play spoiler to the Eagles or Commanders over these last two weeks, McCarthy has proven everything he could at this point.

Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images The latest hot topics surrounding the Dallas Cowboys all in one place. Micah Parsons has ‘locked in’ on being a leader, and he’s better because of it – Tommy Yarrish, DallasCowboys.com There has been tremendous growth in Micah Parsons this season when it comes to being a leader on the defense. Parsons fulfilled his own prophecy from back in Week 11 when he said Dallas’ defense would be discussed as a “damn good defense” by the end of the season. Parsons credits both defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer and his teammates for rising to the occasion. “As much as I think [Zimmer’s] a mastermind, I give credit to everyone in the room. Coaching matters and Zimmer doesn’t even yell anymore, he just tells people to line up.” Parsons said. “It goes to show that everyone in the locker room and every that’s in defensive meetings, they’re busting their butts, they’re fighting for their lives, they’re fighting for every inch of every game, I think it’s more than just coaching too.” A message from a coach is one thing, but the players buying into it is another. The good news for Dallas is that they have both, and the Cowboys are locked into their winning mindset despite being eliminated from playoff contention because in their mind, they have something to prove. “We were eliminated from the playoffs and you saw some of the best effort from all the guys…” Parsons said. “We’re locked in, we want it, we want to win games, we want to prove to people that we can win, and we want to prove to people that we’re a good football team.” Cowboys legend says Mike McCarthy’s future shouldn’t depend on recent wins – Ali Jawad, Sports Illustrated Michael Irvin wants Mike McCarthy to be judged off of playoff success rather than late season wins in 2024. While Dallas has recently strung together a series of victories, Irvin believes that the idea of a possible McCarthy contract extension should not be solely based on these recent performances. “Let’s remember, winning a few games in a row was not the criteria and the genesis of this season. It was getting to the playoffs,” Irvin stated earlier this week on FS1’s Speak. The playoffs have always been the ultimate goal for the Cowboys. However, their failure to make the postseason for the first time since 2020, along with their overall lack of success in the playoffs under the veteran coach, could raise doubts about McCarthy’s chances of returning next season. Despite their recent winning stretch, which had kept Dallas’ playoff hopes alive until Week 16, the team faced significant challenges throughout the year. These include a five-game losing streak, inconsistent performance, questionable play calls, injuries to key players, and issues with sun exposure during games. Mike McCarthy’s stock is rising. Could the coach dump Cowboys to join another NFL team? – Jarrett Bell, USA Today While Jerry Jones has been vocal in his support of Mike McCarthy these past few weeks, it may not be his decision whether McCarthy stays in Dallas for 2025. After last season, Jones didn’t reveal that McCarthy would return – albeit without an extension – until he underwent three days of hard contemplation. In mid-January, similar drama could play out. Yet there will be a significant twist: McCarthy might opt to bolt and become a coaching free agent. It would one thing for Jones to determine that he wouldn’t do any better than McCarthy by bringing in a new unproven coach. But what if McCarthy, with his contract up, decides that he’s had enough of the intense scrutiny that comes with coaching arguably the most high-profile team in the NFL? With his experience, a resume that includes a Super Bowl victory with the Packers and three straight 12-win campaigns with the Cowboys, and a track record for bringing out the best in quarterbacks, McCarthy could be a hot item on the open market. Sure, Bill Belichick was supposed to be a hot candidate in the last cycle, and only one of the seven teams besides the New England Patriots with an opening, the Atlanta Falcons, bothered to even interview a coach with six Super Bowl victories on his resume (eight, if including his coordinator duty). But McCarthy might be different, given his expertise as an offensive strategist and without needing the GM-type clout that Belichick commanded. He’s also made a key move that shows how much he means business in preparing for that possibility. McCarthy hired a new agent in Don Yee, who last year brokered Jim Harbaugh’s return to the NFL with the Los Angeles Chargers and in 2023 facilitated Sean Payton’s return from a one-year layoff to a moonshot catch with the Denver Broncos. Yee also has represented Tom Brady for many years and incidentally was the person that Las Vegas Raiders owner Mark Davis said he used to put on TB12’s post-retirement radar the possibility to first get involved in the ownership ranks of his franchise. Rush on looming free agency, Cowboys’ mentality in finale vs. Eagles – Patrik Walker, DallasCowboys.com Cooper Rush is savoring these last few games of the season as paying time is never promised to backup quarterbacks. With only two games remaining before he finds himself once again in free agency, it goes without saying that Rush wants to keep the good times rolling against the Philadelphia Eagles and then Washington Commanders. “You’ve got two left only, and that’s all you’re promised and, as a backup, you go through stints where you won’t play for a while,” he said. “You cherish all these moments. You really enjoy it and, I think I’ve said it before, enjoying getting to go out there and play. … I don’t think the future is the driver because you always have something to prove. “I think that’s everyone, league-wide. It’s everyone’s mindset, usually, as a competitor. Being in the NFL, that’s enough.” With that, his focus is solely

Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images Who wins tonight… Seattle or Chicago? The Seattle Seahawks play the Chicago Bears on Thursday Night Football. FanDuel has the Seahawks as 4.5-point favorites over the Bears. Final score prediction: Seahawks 20 – Bears 19. Check out FanDuel for all of your NFL betting needs. This is an open thread for game chat.

Tim Heitman-Imagn Images The Cowboys injury report for Thursday After not practicing during the Christmas holiday yesterday, the Dallas Cowboys and Philadelphia Eagles returned to work on Thursday. The Cowboys have been riddled with injuries this year, but their opponent this week has one glaring injury that could drastically change how they play at home versus the Cowboys. Here’s what Thursday’s injury report revealed about both teams’ injuries and the status of Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts. #Cowboys second injury report vs. Eagles: pic.twitter.com/0VYBG1ASpL — Patrik [No C] Walker (@VoiceOfTheStar) December 26, 2024 CeeDee Lamb, who has been playing through a shoulder injury much of the season, did not practice today. It has been reported that additional testing revealed that the injury is sufficient enough that he would be ruled out the remaining two games of the season. Jalen Tolbert (finger) was limited today. He is optimistic he’ll be available this Sunday despite the injury. Eric Kendricks (calf), who missed last week’s game, was upgraded to limited participation. Reserve offensive lineman T.J. Bass (thigh) did not practice today. However, fully participating in practice were Juanyeh Thomas (knee), Mazi Smith (back), and Jourdan Lewis (elbow). Chuma Edoga (toe) and Donovan Wilson (knee) were downgraded to DNP. Thursday’s Injury Report#DALvsPHI pic.twitter.com/zSwJpkix2w — Philadelphia Eagles (@Eagles) December 26, 2024 Jalen Hurts is in the NFL’s concussion protocol and did not practice. He sustained a concussion against the Washington Commanders that could keep him out of this week’s game. His absence Thursday means he needs to improve significantly in the next few days to play this week. Backup quarterback Kenny Pickett (ribs) was a full participant at Thursday’s practice. However, Nakobe Dean was a limited (abdomen).