Eagles vs. Cowboys: TV Info, Spread, Injury Updates, Game Time and More

The battle for first place in the NFC East takes center stage on Thanksgiving when the Philadelphia Eagles visit the Dallas Cowboys. 

Thursday marks the first of two meetings between the bitter rivals over the course of 18 days. Both rest at 8-3 at the moment and lean on explosive offensive attacks to outgun the opposition.

Dallas enters Thursday on a two-game winning streak after dropping as many contests in the weeks prior with Tony Romo struggling with an injury. Philadelphia is also red hot with one win under the belt while without starter Nick Foles.

Arguably the most important of the Thanksgiving contests offers plenty of offense for fans. The main course of the day is quite fitting, indeed.

Like-Minded Rivals

Julio Cortez/Associated Press

When one thinks of the Cowboys of past years, the thoughts usually go to Romo.

Rightfully so, too. Romo is quietly having another great year, as he has completed 68.8 percent of his passes for 2,519 yards and 22 touchdowns to six interceptions. But this year, the offense flows through running back DeMarco Murray.

Murray is far and away the best back in the league this year now that he has been able to stay healthy. He has surpassed the 100-yard mark in 10 of his team's 11 games this season and has 1,354 yards and seven scores on a 5.1-yards-per-carry average.

Philadelphia, of course, will attempt to counter this with a high-flying attack of its own. Somewhat vague words by coach Chip Kelly really tell the whole story, as captured by the Eagles on Twitter:

The Eagles are no slouches offensively, although it has taken star back LeSean McCoy some time to get his wheels about him this season. Shady has scored just three total touchdowns on the year but does have two of his three 100-yard outings over the course of the past four games.

Kelly's offense makes its headway through the air, though. Mark Sanchez has assumed the starting role and is helped mightily by lead wideout Jeremy Maclin, who has 63 grabs for 980 yards and nine scores. Jordan Matthews has proved to be a breakout player and has 50 for 635 and six.

This obviously breeds the environment for a shootout come Thursday.

Of course, that hinges on Philadelphia being able to move the ball well through the air. Given some recent issues under center, things may perhaps not unfold in such predictable fashion.

As the Globe Watches

Michael Perez/Associated Press

Sanchez has been a bit of an enigma under center so far this season in place of Foles. 

At times, the former USC star looks like the perfect fit for Kelly's schemes. Sometimes, though, he makes questionable throws that remind many of his days with the New York Jets. The up-and-down numbers tell the whole story:

OPP	CMP	ATT	YDS	CMP%	TD	INT
at HOU	15	22	202	68.2	2	2
vs. CAR	20	37	332	54.1	2	0
at GB	26	44	346	59.1	2	2
vs TEN	30	43	307	69.8	1	2

Thursday, Sanchez has to keep turnovers to a minimum in front of a global audience on the road, the latter element which has clearly given him some issues this season.

That said, Sanchez is now a veteran and appears to have turned a corner when it comes to mistakes.

"I think maybe a couple of years ago, those two interceptions would have just eaten away at me," Sanchez said, per Adam Hermann of PhiladelphiaEagles.com. "But there's no time to worry about it. There's time to fix it, I think, this week, and really work on some of those throws."

Dallas does certainly not have some defense that Sanchez will just steamroll, either. The Cowboys are much improved on that side of the football this year, ranking 19th against the pass and 13th against the rush.

If Sanchez continues to struggle with turnovers, his team will be put at a serious disadvantage against a defense that is quietly solid.

When: Thursday, November 27, 4:30 p.m. ET

Where: AT&T Stadium, Arlington, Texas

Watch: Fox

Betting Info: (via Odds Shark)

• Over/Under: 54
• Spread: Dallas (-3)

Team Injury Reports

Injury info will be updated once released, via ESPN.com.

Prediction

Al Bello/Getty Images

In this particular scenario, Philadelphia's defense is a serious issue. 

This is a unit that come Thursday will be days removed from allowing Tennessee Titans rookie quarterback Zach Mettenberger to throw for 345 yards and a pair of scores.

Imagine what Romo, who is almost completing 70 percent of his passes, can do against the unit as it focuses on Murray.

Murray is a sure thing to get another 100 yards and beyond, while Romo's job will be made easy at home. Expect the Cowboys to roll, especially if Sanchez starts to turn the ball over. 

Prediction: Cowboys 30, Eagles 24

Note: Stats courtesy of NFL.com. All advanced metrics via Pro Football Focus (subscription required).