The Philadelphia Eagles are favored to win their September 4th, 2025 matchup against the Dallas Cowboys by 8 points, with a projected final score around 31-16. The Eagles boast the 2nd overall team ranking and 1st in defense, while the Cowboys rank 19th overall and 30th in defense.
Key Matchups to Watch:
Saquon Barkley vs. Cowboys Front Seven: Barkley, behind an elite offensive line, faces a Dallas defense that allowed 4.8 yards per carry in 2024.
Jalen Hurts vs. Cowboys Secondary: Hurts, coming off a Super Bowl win, will exploit a secondary that ranked 31st in points allowed last year.
Cowboys Pass Attack vs. Eagles Back Seven: Dak Prescott, with new targets CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens, challenges the Eagles’ coverage.
Advanced Stats to Monitor:
EPA/play: Highlights offensive efficiency, favoring the Eagles.
Yards Per Route Run (YPRR): Key for WR matchups; DeVonta Smith and A.J. Brown project over 2.0 YPRR.
Pressure Rate: Dallas’s pass rush projects near the bottom post-Micah Parsons trade.
Eagles Gameplans:
Offense: Heavy RPO and zone-run usage, leveraging Barkley and Hurts’s dual-threat abilities.
Defense: Disguise coverage to stifle Prescott and focus on run fits against new backs Javonte Williams and Miles Sanders.
Cowboys Gameplans:
Offense: Short passing and play-action to protect Prescott, with a revamped run game.
Defense: Interior focus with Kenny Clark, but lack of Parsons reduces pressure capacity.
Deciding Factors: The absence of Micah Parsons significantly weakens the Cowboys’ defense, while the Eagles’ offensive firepower, led by Saquon Barkley and Jalen Hurts, is expected to thrive.
