1. The defense stopped the Dallas running game

Dallas has the 11th-ranked rushing offense in the league (117 yards per game) so it isn’t a dominating phase in the offense. But the first priority for every defense in every game is to win against the run, and the Eagles limited the Cowboys to 73 yards on 21 carries, with a long of 15 yards. That’s a great job by the run defense and it forced Dallas to load up and throw the football as quarterback Dak Prescott attempted a season-high 44 passes. The Eagles held a team that was averaging 28 points per game to just 23 in this win, and that was a big win for the defense – and the team. Note that Dallas has scored 40 or more points in three of the four games since that first meeting and 33 in the other. 

2. Philadelphia was dominant in the third quarter

There are moments that weren’t successful from a Philadelphia point of view from the game from which the Eagles will learn – the fourth-quarter offense, for example – but the third-quarter performance is one the Eagles want to replicate for longer stretches on Sunday. The Eagles took the opening kickoff of the second half and, after a Dallas facemask penalty, started the possession at the 40-yard line. Using a nice mix of the run and the pass – the big play was a 29-yard pass to wide receiver DeVonta Smith for a touchdown, set up by the running game and an 11-yard completion to D’Andre Swift – and the Eagles took a 21-17 lead. The Philadelphia defense then held Dallas and the Eagles’ offense came back on the field and put together an 11-play drive paired with 3 Dallas penalties to move 87 yards, consuming 6 minutes, 18 seconds. 

Keeping possession and making sure Prescott and the Dallas offense stayed on the sidelines was critical as the Eagles ate most of the third quarter with a precise, balanced offensive attack. That is a good formula for Sunday night. 

3. The Eagles kept their poise on defense late in the game

It was hectic and, at times, downright wild, but the Eagles never lost their composure. And they were able to keep their personnel up front fresh and ready to rush Prescott. It was a matter of great organization and communication with the coaches and the players and the focus was on wide receiver CeeDee Lamb and tight end Jake Ferguson. Now, the Cowboys moved the football and put themselves in position to score, but the Eagles held tough. Which leads to …