Eagles Look To Shut Down Balanced Cowboys
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- Few expected the Dallas Cowboys to be 5-1 on the season. A balanced attack on offense has been a big reason for the Cowboys' success.
Powered by the rookie dynamic duo of running back Ezekiel Elliott and quarterback Dak Prescott, Dallas has emerged as one of the NFL's biggest surprises in 2016. The Cowboys hold a one-game lead over the Eagles in the NFC East and Eagles defensive lineman Fletcher Cox knows the Dallas offense will present his unit with one of its toughest challenges of the season.
"I think they're playing at a really high level," said Cox. "They lost their first game of the season and they came back hungry. They're playing really good ball right now. They've had a week of rest. They'll be ready to go for this game."
While Prescott has been impressive, Elliott has been the key contributor to the Cowboys' success. Running behind what many believe to be the best offensive line in football, Elliott leads the league in rushing with 703 yards. Eagles Linebacker Jordan Hicks knows stopping the run will be the most important task for the Eagles on Sunday night.
"The task is heavy this week," Hicks said. "They're playing so well. They've got one of the best offensive lines in the National Football League. They've got the leading rusher in the National Football League. Their offense runs through that run game."
While Elliott has done the job on the ground, Prescott has done his part with the passing game. Much like Carson Wentz, Prescott has hardly played like a rookie. Prescott has just one interception and Cox says the first year quarterback has performed like a seasoned veteran.
"He's patient in the pocket," said Cox. "He's making a lot of good throws that I don't think a lot of rookie quarterbacks can make. He's not taking a lot of sacks. They're having a lot of success running the football, so he doesn't have to throw the ball a whole lot."
The game will go a long way in determining who will win the NFC East. There is always plenty of hype when the Eagles face the Cowboys, and even more so when there is a piece of first place on the line. Players such as Malcolm Jenkins wouldn't have it any other way.
"We embrace all of the hype," Jenkins said. "It's the Cowboys. It's on the road. It's the division. We embrace it because that's what it is."