Saquon Barkley ran for 167 yards on his option to his first 2,000 yards of the season, backup quarterback Kenny Pickett ran and threw for a rating earlier than leaving with injured ribs, and the Philadelphia Eagles clinched the NFC East title by defeating the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday, 41- 7.
Barkley has 2,005 yards and can want 101 in subsequent week’s largely unremarkable regular-season finale to surpass Eric Dickerson and his 2,105 yards for the Los Angeles Rams in 1984.
(Read extra: 2024 NFL Playoffs Image: Four extra postseason berths nonetheless up for grabs in Week 17)
The Eagles (13-3) led 24-7 within the third quarter when Pickett was drilled by defensive finish Micah Parsons, ending his first begin rather than the injured Jalen Hurts. Career third-liner Tanner McKee entered the sport, and the Eagles completed the drive with a subject aim.
McKee then threw two landing passes, a 20-yarder to AJ Brown and a 25-yarder to DeVonta Smith, in entrance of a roaring crowd blissful to see the Eagles dominate their fiercest rival to seize the division title and at the very least the no. 2 seed within the NFC.
Hurts was injured in final week’s loss at Washington and stays within the NFL’s concussion protocol. He did not observe all week, which opened the door for Pickett to begin.
Greg Olsen and Joe Davis break down the Eagles’ dominant win | NFL on FOX
Pickett, acquired from Pittsburgh within the offseason, performed with further safety underneath his jersey after struggling a rib damage when compelled to serve in opposition to the Commanders.
Sore ribs or not, Pickett has been pumped for this begin all week. He grew up a diehard Eagles fan in central New Jersey about 80 miles from Lincoln Financial Field and recalled “nice recollections” of going to video games along with his father and grandfather since he was 5 years outdated.
The 26-year-old Pickett stated he has a number of household on the Linc to assist him in opposition to Dallas (7-9).
More than 60,000 different Eagles cheered him on, too, however Pickett’s dream day ended prematurely. He completed 10 of 15 for 143 yards.
Since the Eagles now not have a division title to play for, Hurts will possible relaxation one other week earlier than the playoffs. Now, Pickett may very well be sidelined as effectively, maybe forcing McKee into the beginning lineup.
(Read extra: Why a “particular” Saquon Barkley is probably the most worthwhile participant within the NFL)
Barkley had 31 carries and his final one went for 23 yards pushing him over 2,000. He may as effectively sit out relatively than threat damage chasing Dickerson’s document. Barkley, who left the New York Giants and signed a three-year contract with the Eagles for $26 million assured, set the NFL document for many dashing yards in a participant’s first season with a brand new group.
Saquon Barkley MAKES HISTORY as ninth participant to high 2,000 dashing yards in Eagles win over Cowboys
Friends and household who traveled to see Pickett play needed to wait some time after Eagles security C.J. Gardner-Johnson returned an interception 69 yards for a rating on Dallas’ opening drive. Cooper Rush — who threw for 147 yards and had two interceptions — adopted the following drive for Dallas with a 4-yard landing move to Jalen Tolbert.
Pickett linked with Grant Calcaterra for 34 yards after which hit Smith — who had six whole receptions for 120 yards — for a 22-yard rating and a 14-7 lead.
The Eagles protection broke the sport open for Pickett when a recovered fumble led to Jake Elliott’s 31-yard subject aim and Gardner-Johnson’s second decide of the day arrange Pickett’s dashing rating on a tush drive.
Just prefer it hurts.
Pickett, who accomplished 10 of 15 passes for 143 yards, made two robust throws on the identical drive within the third: Osa Odighizuwa was flagged for roughing the passer on a late hit and Parsons delivered the knockout blow.
The Eagles had been thrilled to have a succesful backup QB who went 14-10 as a starter with the Steelers. His efficiency prompted Pittsburgh legend and FOX broadcaster Terry Bradshaw to say the Steelers ought to by no means have gotten rid of him.
Saquon Barkley turns into ninth participant in NFL historical past to hurry for two,000 yards in a season
The Cowboys host Washington subsequent week of their ultimate sport of the season.
The Eagles put together for the playoffs with a house sport in opposition to the Giants.
Associated Press reporting.
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