Grayson's Grades: Eagles vs. Cowboys

PHILADELPHIA - The Philadelphia Eagles clinched the NFC East division title with a dominating 41-7 win over the Dallas Cowboys. The Eagles swept the season series against the Cowboys for the first time in 13 years. They also outscored the Cowboys in the two games 75-13.

Saquon Barkley had another huge performance and became the ninth player in NFL history to rush for more than 2,000 yards in a season. It sets up a huge question, will the Eagles play Barkley next week in a meaningless game against the Giants to have a chance to get the 101 rushing yards he needs to break the all-time NFL record for rushing yards in a season?

Kenny Pickett got the start at Quarterback while Jalen Hurts was still in the concussion protocol. At one point, Pickett got knocked out of the game and Tanner McKee had to enter. He even threw his first career touchdown pass in this one.

Defensively, the Eagles forced four turnovers. CJ Gardner-Johnson had a pair of interceptions and returned one of them 69 yards for a touchdown.

This was a big win for a team that needed to rebound from a loss well. The Eagles have now won 11 of their last 12 games. They clinched the NFC East division title and the number two seed heading into the playoffs. The Eagles close out the regular season next Sunday against the Giants. They will host a playoff game on super wild-card weekend.

Here is the latest edition of Grayson's Grades:

Saquon Barkley - Barkley had another huge day. He became just the ninth player in NFL history to rush for more than 2,000 yards in a season. Barkley is now within striking distance of the all-time NFL record for rushing yards in a season currently held by Eric Dickerson. It is a record that has stood for 40 years. Barkley carried the ball 31 times for 167 yards. He also caught two passes for two yards. The big questions surrounding Barkley this week is whether or not the Eagles let him go after the record next week in a meaningless game or whether they instead choose to rest him ahead of their first playoff game the following week.

Kenny Pickett - Pickett did what he needed to for the Eagles to win the game. He did not turn it over at all and completed 10 of his 15 passes for 143 yards. Pickett averaged 9.5 yards per completion. One of his biggest completions was to Grant Calcaterra for 34 yards early in the game. Pickett did not finish the game, he got knocked out early due to a rib injury that he had initially received the week before.

DeVonta Smith - Smith had a big day. He caught six passes for 120 yards and two touchdowns. He did a great job of getting open and giving Kenny Pickett a target to hit. It should help to remind upcoming opponents of what he can do heading into the postseason.

CJ Gardner-Johnson - Talk about a bounce-back game. I ripped CJGJ for not being smart enough last week to avoid picking up a second unsportsmanlike conduct penalty leading to an automatic ejection early in the second half. His backup was on the coverage of two fourth quarter touchdowns by the Commanders including the game-winning touchdown with six seconds left in the game. I was proud of CJGJ learning from that. He said as much after this victory and understands he needs to stay on the field with his teammates. It was a huge day for him. CJGJ picked off a pass on the Cowboys opening possession of the game and returned it 69 yards for a touchdown. He also picked off another pass later in the game. It was exactly what leaders do to lead by example. CJGJ added one tackle and two passes successfully defended.

AJ Brown - When the Eagles only complete 13 passes because they did not need to throw much and DeVonta Smith caught six of them, there are not many left for everyone else. Brown hauled in three passes for 36 yards and a touchdown. But this shows you what kind of teammate Brown is. After catching the touchdown pass he turned and launched it into the stands at Lincoln Financial Field. He realized moments later on the sideline that it was Tanner McKee's first career touchdown pass. So he negotiated with the fan who caught it to get the ball back in exchange for a game-worn signed jersey. Brown got the ball back and was able to give it to McKee.

Cooper DeJean - The rookie was all part of a strong effort by this defense to force four turnovers. He recovered a fumble. DeJean has been a huge addition to this defense since joining the starting lineup about a month into the season. DeJean also added six tackles in the victory.

Jordan Davis - Davis is in a position that does not allow him to light up the stat sheet. However, he did come up with a big fumble recovery in this one. He also added a tackle. Davis needs to be more consistent in winning his battles on the defensive line. That is what this team hoped to get from him when they drafted him and he shows bursts of it. Now he needs to become more of a consistent force.

Nick Sirianni - Sirianni deserves a lot of credit for how his team rebounded from last week's loss to the Commanders. He had them focused and ready to lock up the division title. It is the first time they have swept the season series with the Cowboys in 13 years. They outscored the Cowboys 75-13 in the two games this year. It will be a big week for Sirianni as he decides whether or not to play Saquon Barkley and allow him an opportunity to set the NFL all-time single-season rushing record.

Kellen Moore - My only issue with Moore was why he came out on their opening drive throwing three straight passes with a backup quarterback. The NFL's leading rusher is in your backfield and you did not even give him one carry on that first drive. It led to a three-and-out. He successfully fed Barkley regularly after that and Barkley produced rushing for 167 yards in the win. Ultimately the Eagles passed it just 19 times in the entire game.

Vic Fangio - Fangio had his defense ready to play. They seemed to play with a chip on their shoulder after allowing the Commanders to score 22 fourth-quarter points and ultimately beat the Eagles last week. I liked the edge they took the field with and the way they dominated. The defense has now forced nine turnovers in their last two games. Nothing helps to win games like forcing turnovers. This defense will be counted on in a big way if this team is to make a deep playoff run.

None