The Dallas Cowboys and Philadelphia Eagles will battle in an NFC East showdown on Sunday that will likely determine who wins the division.

For the Cowboys, it's simple: win and clinch. The Eagles, on the other hand, need to beat Dallas this weekend and then also take care of business against the New York Giants in Week 17.

The game is at Lincoln Financial Field, so Philadelphia has the home-field advantage. The Eagles will also certainly be seeking to avenge the beating the Cowboys gave them in Texas earlier this season.

But Dallas should be able to win this game.

Here are four reasons why:

4. Cowboys passing game vs. Eagles secondary

The Eagles' secondary has been much-maligned all year long, and for good reason: it is one of the worst defensive backfields in the NFL, and while Philadelphia has been better in defending the pass in recent weeks, it has still gotten lit up more often than not.

The Cowboys have one of the most lethal aerial attacks in football, and while Dak Prescott may be compromised with an AC joint injury in his throwing shoulder, he looked solid last week against the Los Angeles Rams, and Dallas doesn't seem all that concerned about its quarterback heading into Week 16.

With Amari Cooper, Michael Gallup and Randall Cobb, not to mention tight end Jason Witten, the Cowboys have one of the better groups of pass catchers in the league, and they have a fine signal caller putting the ball where it needs to be.

Philly's secondary may be in some trouble on Sunday.

3. The Eagles' winning streak is fugazi

The Eagles have won two games in a row to put themselves in a position to challenge the Cowboys for the NFC East title, but their two wins came against the New York Giants and Washington Redskins.

What's more, they won both games by the skin of their teeth, rallying from a 17-3 deficit to beat the Giants in overtime and needing a 20-point fourth quarter capped by a Carson Wentz touchdown pass in the waning seconds to defeat the Redskins last weekend.

Comeback wins are great and all, but New York and Washington are both 3-11 teams that were playing for absolutely nothing in those two contests.

So while the Birds are on a two-game winning streak, it has come at the expense of two of the NFL's worst teams.

Not that the Cowboys have been so reliable this season, but Philly beating the Giants and the Redskins by a hair isn't all that impressive.

2. The Eagles are missing their top two receivers

DeSean Jackson has missed just about all of the season, and Alshon Jeffery was recently placed on the injured reserve list.

In addition, Nelson Agholor is out, and rookie JJ Arcega-Whiteside — who has been a massive disappointment this season — is dealing with a foot injury.

Article Continues Below
More Dallas Cowboys News
Dallas Cowboys wide receiver CeeDee Lamb (88) walks off the field after a play in the fourth quarter against the Cincinnati Bengals at AT&T Stadium.
Cowboys star CeeDee Lamb opens up on 2024 contract holdoutOwen Crisafulli ·
Dallas Cowboys 2025 first round pick Tyler Booker poses for a photo during the first period between the Dallas Stars and the Winnipeg Jets in game three of the second round of the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs at American Airlines Center.
Cowboys 2025 Draft pick shows WNBA support at Wings-SparksTim Crean ·
Brian Schottenheimer and Jerry Jones have a potential 2025 NFL Draft steal on their hands for the Cowboys
Rising Dallas Cowboys rookie turning heads in 2025 OTAsLorenzo J Reyna ·
Dallas Cowboys cornerback Trevon Diggs (7) leaves the field after an injury during the fourth quarter against the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium.
Why Trevon Diggs could lose $500,000 before 2025 seasonBen Strauss ·
; Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver George Pickens (14) runs after a catch against the Dallas Cowboys during the fourth quarter at Acrisure Stadium.
The crucial upside that comes with George Pickens-Cowboys pairingAlex House ·
Dallas Cowboys linebacker Micah Parsons (11) walks onto the field during the first quarter against the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium.
Micah Parsons makes announcement amid contract uncertaintyZachary Draves ·

That leaves Philadelphia with Greg Ward and Mack Hollins as its only wide receivers, meaning that Wentz will basically have to force feed the ball to tight ends Zach Ertz and Dallas Goedert.

On top of that, running back Jordan Howard will likely miss his sixth straight game.

The Cowboys, who have a fierce defense that ranks seventh in the NFL, have to be licking their chops.

Yes, rookie halfback Miles Sanders has been impressive, and Philly has found a way to get it done over the last couple of weeks, but again, the Eagles haven't exactly played against great competition of late.

Not having all of these weapons will hurt.

1. The Cowboys are just better

Even though the Cowboys and Eagles have identical 7-7 records, Dallas is the better team.

The Cowboys have the better quarterback (at least this year). They have the better running back. They have the better receivers. They have the better offensive line. They have the better defense. They're healthier.

The only area where Philadelphia may have the edge is coaching, but as bad as it has been for Jason Garrett, Doug Pederson has certainly lost some of his luster since the famous Philly Special.

If the Eagles weren't at home, I wouldn't think they would even stand a chance in this game, but the fact that they will be playing at the Linc does provide them with a shot.

But really, there is no other reason why the Cowboys shouldn't win this game.

I understand that Dallas has been up and down throughout the year, but when the Cowboys have been at their best, they have looked head and shoulders above the Eagles.

Dallas is one of the NFL's most talented teams. Philadelphia isn't.

I think the Cowboys get a win here to advance to the playoffs.