Philadelphia Eagles vs Dallas Cowboys Match Player Stats (Dec 29, 2024)
The Philadelphia Eagles vs Dallas Cowboys match player stats from December 29, 2024, tell the story of complete domination at Lincoln Financial Field. With 69,879 fans roaring in 61-degree weather, Philadelphia demolished their division rivals 41-7 to clinch the NFC East title and secure at least the second seed in the NFC playoffs.
Table of Contents
Setting the Stage for a Division-Clinching Showdown
This wasn’t just another chapter in the NFL’s most storied rivalry. The Eagles entered as 7.5-point favorites despite missing starting quarterback Jalen Hurts, who remained in concussion protocol. Dallas, already eliminated from playoff contention, arrived without All-Pro receiver CeeDee Lamb. The stage was set for an afternoon that would define both teams’ seasons.
Nick Sirianni wore the NFC East champions hat at the podium after the game, but his focus remained on bigger goals. “We always want to do special things,” Sirianni said. “I think winning the division is always a special thing, and then our goals are much bigger from here.”
| Statistic | Dallas Cowboys | Philadelphia Eagles |
|---|---|---|
| Total Yards | 268 | 376 |
| Rushing Yards | 127 | 179 |
| Passing Yards | 141 | 197 |
| First Downs | 16 | 20 |
| Yards per Play | 4.5 | 6.2 |
| Time of Possession | 27:11 | 32:49 |
| Turnovers | 4 | 0 |
| Penalties | 8-69 | 4-25 |
Saquon Barkley’s March Into History
The afternoon belonged to Saquon Barkley, who entered needing 162 yards to reach the magical 2,000-yard rushing milestone. He got there with authority, carrying 31 times for 167 yards as chants of “MVP!” echoed through the Linc.
“It’s cool, I’m not going to downplay it,” Barkley said after becoming just the ninth player in NFL history to rush for 2,000 yards in a season. “At the end of the day, you’re not getting remembered for being a 2024 NFC East division champ.”
Barkley’s Historic Performance
- Rushing Attempts: 31
- Rushing Yards: 167
- Yards per Carry: 5.4
- Longest Run: 23 yards
- Season Total: 2,005 yards
- NFL Record: Most rushing yards in first season with new team
His 23-yard burst in the fourth quarter pushed him over 2,000, setting off a celebration that included his offensive line mobbing him on the field. Lane Johnson later revealed the line wanted to help Barkley chase Eric Dickerson’s all-time record of 2,105 yards, though the running back needs 101 more yards with one game remaining.
Backup Quarterbacks Steal the Show
Kenny Pickett’s family and friends who made the trip from Pittsburgh witnessed a dream start turn into a nightmare. The former Steeler completed 10 of 15 passes for 143 yards and a touchdown while adding a rushing score on the Eagles’ signature “tush push” before Micah Parsons drilled him in the ribs during the third quarter.
“All I wanted to accomplish today was to get the win, for the team, for the city,” Pickett said after the game, despite his injury forcing an early exit.
Enter Tanner McKee, the 2023 sixth-round pick making his NFL debut. The youngster delivered immediately, completing 3 of 4 passes for 54 yards and two touchdowns, including a 20-yard strike to A.J. Brown that sent the crowd into a frenzy.
| Player | Completions/Attempts | Yards | TDs | INTS | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kenny Pickett (PHI) | 10/15 | 143 | 1 | 0 | 119.6 |
| Tanner McKee (PHI) | 3/4 | 54 | 2 | 0 | 156.2 |
| Cooper Rush (DAL) | 15/28 | 147 | 1 | 2 | 50.7 |
McKee’s excitement was palpable postgame: “It’s surreal… to actually be able to play in the NFL, play with these guys, throw a touchdown pass and win a game was surreal.”
DeVonta Smith Torches the Cowboys Secondary
While A.J. Brown drew coverage from DaRon Bland most of the afternoon, DeVonta Smith found himself matched against Andrew Booth. The mismatch produced fireworks: Smith hauled in 6 catches for 120 yards and 2 touchdowns, with 111 of those yards coming when Booth was the primary defender.
DeVonta Smith’s Dominant Day
- Targets: 7
- Receptions: 6
- Yards: 120
- Touchdowns: 2
- Longest Reception: 49 yards
- Production vs Andrew Booth: 5 catches, 111 yards, 2 TDs
Smith caught scoring passes from both Eagles quarterbacks, proving the passing game’s effectiveness regardless of who took snaps. His 49-yard catch from Pickett set up the Eagles’ second touchdown, while his chemistry with McKee produced a beautiful 25-yard score in the fourth quarter.
Defense Creates the Turning Point
C.J. Gardner-Johnson made sure Dallas never found rhythm. On the Cowboys’ opening drive, he picked off Cooper Rush and returned it 69 yards for a touchdown, immediately putting Dallas in catch-up mode. His second interception later in the half set up another Eagles score.
“We have to continue to do the detailed things… if we don’t get the ball, we’re kind of pissed off,” Gardner-Johnson explained about the defense’s mindset.
| Player | Position | Key Stats |
|---|---|---|
| C.J. Gardner-Johnson | Safety | 2 INTs, 1 Pick-Six (69 yards) |
| Oren Burks | Linebacker | 1 Forced Fumble |
| Nolan Smith | Edge | 1 Forced Fumble |
| Cooper DeJean | CB/S | 1 Fumble Recovery |
Vic Fangio’s unit made crucial adjustments after Dallas gained 105 yards on their first two possessions. Over the Cowboys’ final eight drives, they managed just 163 yards total. The defense’s ability to create turnovers directly led to 24 Philadelphia points.
Dallas Shows Fight Despite Adversity
Rico Dowdle provided the lone bright spot for Dallas, rushing 23 times for 104 yards to become the first undrafted player in Cowboys history to reach 1,000 yards in a season. Unfortunately, his fumble in the fourth quarter epitomized Dallas’s day.
Cooper Rush struggled without his top weapon, completing just 15 of 28 passes for 147 yards with two interceptions. “We felt like we could move the ball all day, but we just kept stopping ourselves with turnovers,” Rush admitted afterward.
| Player | Position | Stats |
|---|---|---|
| Cooper Rush | QB | 15/28, 147 yards, 1 TD, 2 INTs |
| Rico Dowdle | RB | 23 carries, 104 yards, 1 fumble |
| Brandin Cooks | WR | 4 catches, 52 yards |
| Jake Ferguson | TE | 3 catches, 18 yards, 1 fumble |
Mike McCarthy’s postgame comments focused on the obvious: “Minus-four is the tell-tale of the football game… being minus-three at halftime was a real kick in the ass.”
Special Teams Excellence Caps Complete Performance
Jake Elliott remained perfect on the day, converting field goals from 31 and 26 yards while nailing all five extra points. His consistency gave Philadelphia 11 points and maintained scoreboard pressure throughout.
Brandon Aubrey’s 61-yard field goal attempt for Dallas hit the upright in the fourth quarter, symbolizing the Cowboys’ frustrating afternoon. Even when they had chances, nothing went right.
Historical Significance and Playoff Implications
This victory extended several remarkable streaks:
- The NFC East hasn’t had a repeat champion in 20 years
- Philadelphia swept the season series, outscoring Dallas 75-13
- The Eagles improved to 13-3, clinching the NFC East
- Philadelphia secured at least the No. 2 seed in the NFC
The game also showcased Philadelphia’s incredible depth. Without their starting quarterback, tight end Dallas Goedert, and linebacker Nakobe Dean, they still dominated every phase against a Cowboys team missing only CeeDee Lamb.
Breaking Down the Numbers
| Metric | Cowboys | Eagles |
|---|---|---|
| Third Down Conversions | 4/11 (36%) | 6/13 (46%) |
| Red Zone Efficiency | 1/2 (50%) | 3/4 (75%) |
| Sacks Allowed | 1 | 1 |
| Average Starting Field Position | Own 28 | Own 37 |
The field position battle proved crucial. Philadelphia’s defense consistently gave their offense short fields, while Dallas faced long drives that their struggling offense couldn’t sustain.
Quarter-by-Quarter Momentum
The second quarter transformed a 7-7 tie into a 24-7 halftime advantage for Philadelphia:
- DeVonta Smith’s 22-yard touchdown reception
- Jake Elliott’s 31-yard field goal
- Kenny Pickett’s 1-yard rushing touchdown
Once Philadelphia seized control, Dallas never threatened again. The Cowboys’ offense went silent after their first-quarter touchdown, managing just 163 yards over their final eight possessions.
Impact Beyond the Box Score
For comprehensive analysis of this historic rivalry, check out the detailed season series breakdown. The Eagles’ dominant performance also compared favorably to their earlier victory against Pittsburgh, showing consistent excellence against quality opponents.
Micah Parsons, despite recording the hit that knocked out Pickett, managed just two tackles all game. His postgame assessment was blunt: “We didn’t start as good as we did in those last couple of games… When you lose that turnover battle against the top team in the NFL, that’s kind of like the outcome.”
Looking Ahead
With the division clinched and home-field advantage secured through at least the divisional round, Philadelphia faces an interesting decision for Week 18. Barkley sits 101 yards from Dickerson’s all-time record, but risking injury in a meaningless game against the Giants might not be worth it.
“I can’t lie, it’s amazing,” Barkley said about his 2,000-yard season, “but at the same time, I wouldn’t be able to do that without this team.”
FAQs
What was the final score of the Eagles vs Cowboys game?
The Philadelphia Eagles defeated the Dallas Cowboys 41-7 at Lincoln Financial Field on December 29, 2024.
How many yards did Saquon Barkley rush for?
Barkley rushed for 167 yards on 31 carries, pushing his season total to 2,005 yards and becoming the ninth player in NFL history to reach 2,000 rushing yards.
Who played quarterback for the Eagles?
Kenny Pickett started and played into the third quarter (10/15, 143 yards, 1 pass TD, 1 rush TD) before Tanner McKee took over (3/4, 54 yards, 2 TDs).
What were the key factors in the Eagles victory?
The 4-0 turnover differential, Barkley’s dominant rushing performance, strong backup quarterback play, and a suffocating defense that forced four turnovers were the main factors.
Did the Eagles clinch a playoff spot?
Yes, the Eagles clinched the NFC East division title and secured at least the No. 2 seed in the NFC playoffs.
How did the Cowboys perform without CeeDee Lamb?
The Cowboys struggled significantly without their All-Pro receiver, managing just 147 passing yards and committing two interceptions.
Final Analysis
The Philadelphia Eagles vs Dallas Cowboys match player stats reveal more than just numbers on a page. They showcase a team built for January football, with the depth to overcome injuries and the talent to dominate rivals. While Dallas faces an uncertain offseason with questions about coaching and roster construction, Philadelphia enters the playoffs as a legitimate Super Bowl contender, proving they can win with anyone under center.
Sources:
