As Nick Sirianni sat at the podium, wearing the cap awarded to NFC East champions, he reflected on all the glory his Eagles could still achieve this season.
Personal objectives, of course. Eric Dickerson’s NFL rushing record is within reach of Saquon Barkley.
Team objectives, of course. This Philadelphia club plays like one that could win it all, and they have playoff games and a Super Bowl to aim for.
Regarding the division title, Barkley stated, “I’m not going to minimize it; it’s cool.” “In the end, you won’t be remembered for winning the 2024 NFC East division.”
The Eagles defeated the Dallas Cowboys 41-7 on Sunday to secure the division title, Barkley ran for 167 yards to surpass 2,000 yards for the season, and backup quarterback Kenny Pickett ran and threw for TDs before leaving with damaged ribs.
Barkley needs 101 yards in Sunday’s largely pointless regular-season finale to surpass Dickerson’s 2,105 yards for the Los Angeles Rams in 1984. Barkley now has 2,005 yards.
In the third quarter, defensive end Micah Parsons drilled Pickett, ending his first start in place of the injured Jalen Hurts, and the Eagles (13-3) took a 24-7 lead. The Eagles completed the drive with a field goal after career third-stringer Tanner McKee joined the game.
In front of a boisterous crowd that was thrilled to see the Eagles defeat its opponents and secure the division title and at least the No. 2 seed in the NFC, McKee subsequently tossed two touchdown passes, a 20-yarder to A.J. Brown and a 25-yarder to DeVonta Smith.
We’re always looking to do something unique. “I believe that winning the division is always a unique experience, and from here, our objectives are much more ambitious,” Sirianni stated. “I believe we have some unique guys.”
Hurts missed practice all week due to an injury sustained during last week’s defeat to Washington, and he is still under the NFL’s concussion protocol, which allowed Pickett to start.
After being rushed into duty against the Commanders and suffering a rib injury, Pickett, who was acquired from Pittsburgh in the summer, played with additional protection beneath his jersey.
All week long, Pickett was excited about this start, ribs or not. He recounted “great memories” of attending Eagles games with his father and grandfather since he was five years old. He grew up as a devoted Eagles fan in central New Jersey, some 80 miles from Lincoln Financial Field.
Pickett, 26, claimed that he had a large family at the Linc to support him during the game versus Dallas (7-9).
Pickett’s fantasy day ended too soon, despite the support of over 60,000 other Eagles. He gained 143 yards on 10 of 15 plays.
Hurts is probably going to take another week off before the playoffs since the Eagles no longer have a division title to contend with. Pickett may now also be sidelined, which may push McKee into the starting lineup.
Barkley got over 2,000 yards after his final carry, which went for 23 yards. Instead of risking getting hurt trying to beat Dickerson’s record, he may also sit out. Barkley established the NFL record for most yards rushing in a player’s first season with a new team after leaving the Giants to accept a three-year contract with the Eagles for $26 million guaranteed.
On Dallas’ first drive, Eagles defender C.J. Gardner-Johnson returned an interception 69 yards for a touchdown, forcing the friends and family who had come to watch Pickett play to wait a little while longer. On the following drive, Cooper Rush, who had two interceptions and passed for 147 yards, followed up with a 4-yard touchdown pass to Jalen Tolbert for Dallas.
After connecting with Grant Calcaretta for 34 yards, Pickett hit Smith, who had a total of 120 yards from six catches, for a 22-yard touchdown and a 14–7 lead.
When a recovered fumble resulted in a 31-yard field goal by Jake Elliott and Gardner-Johnson’s second pick of the day set up Pickett’s rushing touchdown on a tush shove, the Eagles’ defense opened the game.
similar to hurts.
On the third drive, Pickett took two hard shots: Parsons delivered the killing blow, and Osa Odighizuwa was called for roughing the passer on a late hit.
With a 14-10 record as a starter for the Steelers, the Eagles were ecstatic to have a capable backup quarterback. Terry Bradshaw, a Fox commentator and Pittsburgh veteran, said the Steelers never should have cut him after his performance.
“I just wanted to get the win today, for the team and the city,” Pickett stated.
Cowboys have difficulties.
The damage-depleted Despite winning four of five games, the Cowboys couldn’t compete with Philadelphia.
Coach Mike McCarthy of the Cowboys stated, “We knew it was going to be a different game with the plan this week.” “We didn’t really get to some of the things we’d hope to get to, to tell the truth.”
Late in the game, the teams scuffled, and Sydney Brown, the defensive back for the Eagles, was removed following a fight in the stadium tunnel. Troy Pride, a cornerback with the Cowboys, and wide receiver Jalen Brooks were also benched.
Cowboys with injuries: S All-Pro wide receiver CeeDee Lamb was out for the final two weeks due to a sprained right shoulder, and Donovan Wilson had a knee injury.
Eagles: DE After being activated off the injured list, Bryce Huff missed a brief stint due to a shoulder injury he acquired in his first game back. He got surgery on his wrist.
Next up
The Cowboys’ season-ending game against Washington is scheduled for next Sunday.
Next Sunday, the Eagles play the Giants at home to get ready for the playoffs.
