Dallas @ Philadelphia preview

Last Meeting ( Oct 20, 2019 ) Philadelphia 10, Dallas 37

The NFC East boasts a rich and decorated history, but the division's quartet has left plenty to be desired this season with a 20-36 overall record and 14-14 mark among the top two teams. The Philadelphia Eagles, however, are trending upward after posting consecutive wins over the bottom two clubs and host the Dallas Cowboys in a game that ultimately could decide the division title.

Eagles quarterback Carson Wentz was quick to acknowledge the significance of Sunday's contest at Lincoln Financial Field, going so far as to admit that it likely serves as the biggest game of his career. "You could probably say that. It's definitely a big game," Wentz told reporters. "We know the situation. We know what's going on. At the same time, we're treating it as another game. But we're aware of everything." Philadelphia must win on Sunday to gain the advantage heading into its Week 17 tilt against the New York Giants, while a loss on Sunday would give Dallas the division title for the second straight year -- regardless of next week's results -- by virtue of a season sweep of the Eagles. "This is what you play the game for. When I was a little boy and dreamed about being the quarterback of the Dallas Cowboys, this is the situation you thought about being in and excited for this moment, this opportunity for our team," Dak Prescott said.

TV: 4:25 p.m. ET, FOX. LINE: Cowboys -2. O/U: 46

ABOUT THE COWBOYS (7-7): Prescott, who has thrown for an NFL second-best 4,334 yards, elected against adding to the drama surrounding this high-stakes game by declaring that he'll "be good to go Sunday" despite dealing with a sprained right shoulder that limited him in practice this week. Pro Bowl selection Ezekiel Elliott certainly wasn't limited in the first encounter with Philadelphia, gashing the Eagles for 147 scrimmage yards (111 rushing, 36 receiving) and a touchdown in Dallas' 37-10 romp on Oct. 20. The two-time rushing champion eclipsed those gaudy totals last week after erupting for 160 scrimmage yards (117 rushing, 43 receiving) and two scores in a 44-21 victory over the Los Angeles Rams. Star wideout Amari Cooper, who leads the team in catches (71), receiving yards (1,073) and receiving touchdowns (eight), had five receptions for 106 yards in the first meeting with Philadelphia.

ABOUT THE EAGLES (7-7): Wentz tossed an interception and had two of Philadelphia's three lost fumbles in the first matchup with Dallas. The fourth-year quarterback has answered the team's three-game losing skid by throwing for 591 yards and five touchdowns without an interception in two contests while dealing with an injury-depleted wide receiver corps. Zach Ertz, who is headed to his third straight Pro Bowl, has 47 receptions for 544 yards and five touchdowns over his last six weeks and leads NFC tight ends in receptions (84), yards (888) and scores (six). Miles Sanders had 172 scrimmage yards (122 rushing, 50 receiving) in the Eagles' 37-27 victory over Washington last Sunday to boost his season total to 1,120 (687 rushing), with both totals serving as franchise records for a rookie.

EXTRA POINTS

1. Dallas can still punch its ticket to the postseason with a loss on Sunday, but it would need to defeat Washington in Week 17 and have Philadelphia fall to the Giants.

2. Eagles DT Fletcher Cox, who is headed to his fifth straight Pro Bowl, had a sack and forced fumble in the previous meeting with the Cowboys.

3. Dallas has won five of its last six games in Philadelphia.

PREDICTION: Cowboys 24, Eagles 20