Saquon Barkley rushed for an impressive 167 yards, surpassing 2,000 yards for the season, while backup quarterback Kenny Pickett ran and threw for touchdowns before leaving the game with a rib injury. The Philadelphia Eagles claimed the NFC East title with a dominant 41-7 victory over the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday.
Barkley now stands at 2,005 yards for the season, needing 101 more in the final regular-season game to break Eric Dickerson’s 1984 record of 2,105 yards with the Los Angeles Rams.
The Eagles (13-3) led 24-7 in the third quarter when Pickett, starting in place of the injured Jalen Hurts, exited after being hit by defensive end Micah Parsons. Third-string quarterback Tanner McKee stepped in, guiding the team to a field goal to extend their lead.
McKee later threw two touchdown passes—one for 20 yards to A.J. Brown and another for 25 yards to DeVonta Smith—helping Philadelphia secure the NFC East title and lock in at least the No. 2 seed in the NFC. The home crowd celebrated as the Eagles completed their emphatic victory over their division rivals.
Hurts Remains Out, Pickett Steps Up
Jalen Hurts, who suffered a concussion during last week’s loss to Washington, remains in the concussion protocol and did not practice this week. His absence opened the door for Kenny Pickett to make his first start for the Eagles. Pickett, acquired in an offseason trade from Pittsburgh, wore extra protection on his jersey due to a rib injury sustained in the game against the Commanders.
Pickett’s Excitement for the Opportunity
Despite his rib soreness, Pickett was enthusiastic about starting. A lifelong Eagles fan from central New Jersey, about 80 miles from Lincoln Financial Field, he fondly recalled attending games with his father and grandfather since he was 5 years old. Pickett was supported by family members in the stands, along with over 60,000 cheering Eagles fans.
A Short-Lived Dream
Pickett’s debut was cut short after completing 10 of 15 passes for 143 yards. His day ended following a hit that exacerbated his rib injury, leaving Tanner McKee to take over as quarterback.
Looking Ahead
With the NFC East title secured, Hurts is expected to rest through the final regular-season game in preparation for the playoffs. Pickett’s status is uncertain, which could mean another opportunity for McKee to start.
Barkley’s Milestone
Saquon Barkley had a standout performance with 31 carries, including a 23-yard run that pushed him over the 2,000-yard mark for the season.
Barkley’s Historic Season
Saquon Barkley might sit out the final regular-season game to avoid injury as he continues his pursuit of Eric Dickerson’s single-season rushing record. Barkley, who joined the Eagles this season on a three-year, $26 million guaranteed contract after leaving the Giants, has already set an NFL record for the most rushing yards by a player in their first season with a new team.
Pickett’s Promising Start
Kenny Pickett’s first start drew excitement from friends and family but began with a delay as Eagles safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson returned an interception 69 yards for a touchdown on Dallas’ opening drive. Cowboys quarterback Cooper Rush, who threw for 147 yards and two interceptions, responded with a 4-yard touchdown pass to Jalen Tolbert, tying the game at 7-7.
Pickett quickly regained the momentum, completing a 34-yard pass to Grant Calcaterra before finding DeVonta Smith for a 22-yard touchdown. Smith, who had six receptions for 120 yards, helped the Eagles take a 14-7 lead.
Eagles Defense Shines
The Eagles’ defense continued to dominate. A recovered fumble set up a 31-yard Jake Elliott field goal, while Gardner-Johnson’s second interception of the day led to a rushing touchdown by Pickett on a “tush push” play, mimicking Jalen Hurts’ signature move.
Pickett’s Early Exit
Pickett completed 10 of 15 passes for 143 yards but endured two hard hits on the same drive. A roughing-the-passer penalty was called on Osa Odighizuwa, but a subsequent hit by Micah Parsons forced Pickett out of the game with a rib injury.
A Reliable Backup
Despite his premature exit, Pickett demonstrated his value as a reliable backup quarterback. With a 14-10 record as a starter during his time with the Steelers, Pickett brought experience and poise to the Eagles’ lineup. Pittsburgh legend Terry Bradshaw, commenting for Fox, noted that the Steelers might regret letting Pickett go.
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