Dallas Cowboys at Philadelphia Eagles
2026-10-26 · 7:15 PM CT · Scheduled
ESPN standings data retrieved October 6, 2026. 2026 season totals at this snapshot.
| Measure | Dallas Cowboys | Philadelphia Eagles |
|---|---|---|
| Record | 2-2 | 2-2 |
| Points scored / game | 30.5 | 18.8 |
| Points allowed / game | 28.0 | 23.2 |
| Points differential | +10 | -18 |
| Home record | 1-1 | 1-1 |
| Road record | 1-1 | 1-1 |
How this game can be won
Dallas Cowboys average 30.5 points scored and 28.0 allowed; Philadelphia Eagles average 18.8 scored and 23.2 allowed. The first question is whether each offense can make ordinary downs useful. Repeated manageable gains keep more of the playbook available.
Watch the long gains separately. An offense can move steadily without breaking a big play, or spend an afternoon waiting for one big play to rescue it. The more repeatable approach is the one that can still move the ball when the defense removes its easiest option.
Field position changes the job. Starting near midfield means fewer yards are needed before a scoring chance. Once the drive reaches threatening territory, watch whether the offense finishes it with useful points instead of wasting the trip.
Finally, count the lost possessions. Turnovers can change a close game without explaining every down that came before them. Our football model needs efficiency, explosive-play rate, starting field position, drive finishing and turnover margin together. A scoring average or a third-down rate cannot replace that set.
Closer to game day
Spreads and win probabilities are reserved for confirmed games within the next seven days. This game stays on the schedule; its forecast opens inside that window.
Dallas Cowboys · our 2026-10-06 assessment
Cowboys | 2-2
Read the table as text
| Season evidence | Cowboys | Opponents |
|---|---|---|
| Plays keeping pace | 48.0% | 53.3% |
| Long gains | 17 | 30 |
| Points / threatening drives | 119 / 23 | 112 / 25 |
| Defensive takeaways | 2 | 2 |
| Special-teams recoveries | 0 | 0 |
Dallas has a relatively dependable offense and a defense that repeatedly gives the work back. Its useful offensive gains have stayed between 45.1 and 53.7 percent across four games, while the defense has allowed 53.3 percent over the season. The offense has returned 119 points from 23 threatening drives. Opponents have generated 25 such possessions and 30 long gains against Dallas's 17. Only two defensive takeaways have interrupted that flow. Two giveaways of its own are a strength, but protecting possession cannot prevent someone else from scoring.
Brian Schottenheimer said CeeDee Lamb “put on a show”. Seventeen catches for 189 yards, capped by the winning touchdown in the 34-30 comeback, support the praise. They also explain why Dallas needed such a show. The Cowboys gave nothing away, yet still required an 11-play, 74-yard final touchdown drive. Defensive pass-interference and holding penalties helped an earlier goal-line possession stay alive; those were assistance from Houston, not proof of effortless execution. The 2-2 record is balanced. The weekly burden on the offense is not.
After opponent punts or failed fourth downs, Cowboys possessions have begun at their own 30.2, on average, across 11 competitive drives. The weekly average has varied widely, from their own 15.0 to their own 36.0. The latest game averaged their own 29.2. The resulting possession started at midfield or closer to the end zone in 1 of those 11 cases. These are actual starting spots, including punt returns, rather than a measure of the defense alone. The return unit has added 90 punt-return yards over the season. Starts following turnovers are counted separately: 2 competitive possessions at their opponent 48.5 on average.
Philadelphia Eagles · our 2026-10-06 assessment
Eagles | 2-2
Read the table as text
| Season evidence | Eagles | Opponents |
|---|---|---|
| Plays keeping pace | 37.7% | 43.7% |
| Long gains | 17 | 20 |
| Points / threatening drives | 75 / 19 | 93 / 21 |
| Defensive takeaways | 2 | 5 |
| Special-teams recoveries | 0 | 0 |
Philadelphia's offense has been unreliable throughout a 2-2 start, keeping up with the down on only 37.7 percent of plays. Its useful-play share actually rose in the Week 3 loss before collapsing to 31.0 percent Sunday, a reminder that moving the ball and cashing in are separate questions. Five giveaways in Weeks 2 and 3 created another problem, but Sunday was clean. The defense finally collected its first two takeaways, yet the team still lost 24-20.
Jalen Hurts called it “Poor execution”. Zero third-down conversions in 12 attempts and 172 total yards leave little to dispute. Two interceptions set up 10 first-half points, but the offense then failed to protect a 10-point lead. The decision to reject a short field goal on fourth down removed a chance to make it a 13-point margin and handed the Rams a possession that became a 98-yard touchdown march. A defense can provide territory and chances. Philadelphia still has to use them.
After opponent punts or failed fourth downs, Eagles possessions have begun at their own 30.1, on average, across 18 competitive drives. The weekly average has varied widely, from their own 17.7 to their own 38.0. The latest game averaged their own 38.0. The resulting possession started at midfield or closer to the end zone in 1 of those 18 cases. These are actual starting spots, including punt returns, rather than a measure of the defense alone. The return unit has added 136 punt-return yards over the season. Pre-snap changes before the first run or pass affected 2 of these drives; those changes are excluded from the listed starting spots. Starts following turnovers are counted separately: 2 competitive possessions at their opponent 31.5 on average.
Our coverage of these teams
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