PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Nick Sirianni sat at the platform, wearing the headgear awarded to NFC East champions, and reflected on all the greatness 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 certainly plays like one that could win it all, and they have playoff games and a Super Bowl to try to win.
“It’s cool, I’m not going to downplay it,” Barkley was saying in reference to the division title. “At the end of the day, you re not getting remembered for being a 2024 NFC East division champ.”
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA – DECEMBER 29: On December 29, 2024, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Saquon Barkley #26 of the Philadelphia Eagles runs the ball against the Dallas Cowboys during the third quarter at Lincoln Financial Field. (Image courtesy of Emilee
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 next week’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 constantly try to do unique things. “I believe that winning the division is always a unique experience, and from here, our objectives are much more ambitious,” Sirianni stated. “I think we ve got special guys.”
Hurts, who is still in the NFL’s concussion protocol after suffering an injury during last week’s loss to Washington, missed all of practice, allowing 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 in central New Jersey, around 80 miles from Lincoln Financial Field, as a devoted Eagles fan.
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 might now be forced into the starting lineup if he is also out.
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 Dallas’ subsequent drive, Cooper Rush, who threw for 147 yards and had two interceptions, followed up with a 4-yard touchdown pass to Jalen Tolbert.
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 running score on a tush shove, the Eagles defense opened the game up.
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.
“All I wanted to accomplish today was to get the win, for the team, for the city,” Pickett stated.
Cowboys struggle
Despite winning four of five games, the injury-plagued Cowboys couldn’t compete with Philadelphia.
“We knew it was going to be a different game with the plan this week,” stated Mike McCarthy, the coach of the Cowboys. “To be honest with you, we didn t really get to some of the things we d hope to get to.”
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.
Injuries
Cowboys: S Donovan Wilson suffered a knee injury. … All-Pro WR CeeDee Lamb was shut down for the final two weeks with a sprained right shoulder.
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.
Up next
Next week, the Cowboys play their season-ending game at home against Washington.
The Eagles tune up for the playoffs with a home game against the Giants.
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