Eagles Defeat Cowboys In Must-Win Thriller; Playoff Dream Alive

PHILADELPHIA, PA — The Philadelphia Eagles are well on their way to completing two consecutive years of late season magic to earn a postseason berth.

They defeated the Dallas Cowboys in a must-win thriller at Lincoln Financial Field on Sunday, 17-9, putting them in first place and in control of their destiny heading in the season's final game next week.

Carson Wentz easily handled the Dallas defense after they shut him down during the Birds first matchup with the Cowboys back on Oct. 20. During that game, Wentz only managed 16 completions in 26 throws and 191 yards. On Sunday, however, he was the difference maker, firing 304 yards for 29 out of 38 completions, looking sure on his feet despite a depleted Philadelphia receiver core that was without several of its key weapons.

The Eagles, now 8-7, can clinch a playoff berth with a victory over the New York Giants up in the Meadowlands next week. However, if they lose and the Cowboys beat the Washington Redksins, the Cowboys will win the division because the Cowboys own the tiebreaker over the Birds.

For the Eagles, after several weeks of questionable performances against poorer teams, things finally seemed to click when it counted the most. Receiver Dallas Goedert stepped in huge, accounting for a bulk of the Eagles offense in the first half, reeling in seven receptions for 60 yards, along with the game's first touchdown (and the only of the first half).

>>Here's Where The Eagles Playoff Chances Stand After A Big Win

The touchdown put the Birds up 10-0 in the first, and a pair of Cowboys field goals made it 10-6 at the half.

Injuries struck the Eagles early yet again, with another of Carson Wentz's key weapons, tight end Zach Ertz, going down with an injury.

The defensive battle continued in the second half, as the Eagles were able to force a fumble early on.

Though the Birds could not capitalize on good field position to score and punted away, they got the ball back shortly thereafter. Wentz connected with Greg Ward on a 38-yard toss down the sideline, bringing the Eagles within the red zone.

Greg Ward down the sideline for 38 yards! #FlyEaglesFly

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The Birds quickly battered down to the two yard line, and on 3rd down, back Miles Sanders ran it home to put the team up 17-6.

The Cowboys saved their fiercest charge for late in the fourth quarter, with Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott, largely held in check for the first three quarters, finding his rhythm. On five out of six plays, he connected for completions, bringing the Cowboys down to the Eagles 19 yard line and threatening late.

However, a huge sack from Vinny Curry and a pair of incomplete passes and third and fourth down ended the threat, forking the ball back over to the Eagles and essentially ending the game.

The win is the Birds third consecutive victory, and puts them back over .500 for the first time in weeks at 8-7.

The regular season wraps up next week in New York with a 1 p.m. game against the Giants.

To catch up on our Eagles coverage and their playoff chances heading into Sunday, see here.