How ESPN Ensured the Cowboys and Eagles Will Make Unprecedented NFL History in Week 18

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This week in the NFL, a rare feat occurred and it’s one that we may never see again.

The “sportscasting” is a way that ESPN has ensured the Cowboys and Eagles will make unprecedented NFL history in Week 18.

How ESPN Ensured the Cowboys and Eagles Will Make Unprecedented NFL History in Week 18

Highlights of the article:

  • In Week 18, the Dallas Cowboys and Philadelphia Eagles will create history on Monday Night Football.
  • For the second time this season, the two teams will face off on MNF, the first time since the tournament was transferred to ESPN.
  • On Saturday night, the playoff-bound Cowboys and Eagles still have a lot to play for.

Fans of the Dallas Cowboys and Philadelphia Eagles have a lot to be thrilled about heading into Week 18. Both teams have clinched postseason berths — the Cowboys are the No. 4 seed in the NFC, while the Eagles are the No. 7 seed — ahead of a vital matchup in the regular-season finale.

Whatever happens this weekend, the Cowboys and Eagles will undoubtedly create NFL history, and they can thank ESPN (and ABC) for that.

In Week 18, the Eagles and the Cowboys will create NFL history on ‘Monday Night Football.’

Dallas Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott runs against the Philadelphia Eagles in 2021.

Dallas Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott runs against the Philadelphia Eagles in 2021. Week 18 will see Ezekiel Elliott and the Dallas Cowboys create NFL history | Richard Rodriguez/Getty Images

The NFL awarded ESPN three more Monday Night Football games when it formally inaugurated the 18-game season earlier this year. Only one of the three games under the MNF brand, the Week 17 matchup between the Cleveland Browns and the Pittsburgh Steelers, took place on a Monday night.

The other two games are on Saturday, Jan. 8, and will formally start the regular season’s 18th and final week. The Denver Broncos (7-9) will face the Kansas City Chiefs (11-5) on ESPN, ABC, and ESPN+ at 4:30 p.m. ET. The 9-7 Eagles will host the 11-5 Cowboys at Lincoln Financial Field later that night.

Here’s why the Cowboys-Eagles matchup is so intriguing. According to NBC Sports, Saturday will be the first time since ESPN obtained the rights in 2006 that both games of an intra-divisional battle would be shown on Monday Night Football twice in the same season.

This is a notion that long-time Sunday Night Football watchers are acquainted with. Due to NBC’s ability to flex games, two clubs, such as the Cowboys and the New York Giants, would often face each other twice on SNF in a single season.

On Monday, Sept. 27, Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott passed for 238 yards and three touchdowns in a 41-21 win. Jalen Hurts threw for 361 yards (326 passing, 35 running) and two passing touchdowns in the defeat for Philadelphia.

Despite having already won postseason places, both clubs have a lot to play for.

The #Eagles postseason prospects are in San Francisco’s hands. They’ll only be able to achieve that #6 seed if the 49ers lose; else, they’ll be seeded #7. But, whatever the case may be, they’re in! pic.twitter.com/WElqkgsXxI

January 3, 2022 — Bryan Knowles (@BryKno)

In theory, the Cowboys and Eagles don’t have much to play for in Week 18. Both clubs have already clinched a playoff berth and can’t alter their fortunes; Dallas won the NFC East, while Philadelphia qualified as a wild-card team. 

However, each club can improve its playoff position, and Dallas can claim the NFC’s No. 2 spot with a victory and some assistance. Dallas, though, will not get a first-round bye as the No. 2 seed. 

With a win and the San Francisco 49ers losing or tying, Nick Sirianni’s Eagles may secure the No. 6 seed. Unless the 49ers lose to the Los Angeles Rams and the New Orleans Saints beat the Atlanta Falcons, the Eagles will be locked into the No. 7 slot if they lose or tie.

The chances of the Eagles and Cowboys meeting in the NFC Wild Card Round are stacked against them.

Jalen Hurts and the Philadelphia Eagles faced the Dallas Cowboys in September 2021.

Jalen Hurts and the Philadelphia Eagles faced the Dallas Cowboys in September 2021. Will the Philadelphia Eagles, led by Jalen Hurts, beat the Dallas Cowboys in Week 18? | Richard Rodriguez/Getty Images

The Eagles would face the Rams in the Wild Card Round if the NFL season ended today, while the Cowboys would face Kyler Murray and the Arizona Cardinals. Murray tossed two touchdowns in a 25-22 win against the Cowboys on Sunday, Jan. 2, despite the Eagles not playing the Rams this season.

The Eagles and Cowboys can only meet each other in the NFC Wild Card Round in one scenario. Dallas must win and hope that both the Rams and the Buccaneers (at home versus the Panthers) lose. The Cardinals have a chance to tie or lose against the Seahawks.

With the 49ers winning on Sunday, Dallas would be the No. 2 seed and Philadelphia would be the No. 7 seed. With a defeat and the Saints losing or tying, the Eagles will be seeded seventh.

Since the 2009 NFC Wild Card Round, Dallas hasn’t faced Philadelphia in the playoffs. On Jan. 9, 2010, Tony Romo threw two touchdown passes, one to Pro Bowl receiver Miles Austin, and the Cowboys won 34-14.

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RELATED: How Justin Herbert and the Los Angeles Chargers Can Snare an AFC Wild Card Spot in Week 18

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The “dallas cowboys record 2020” is a problem that has been present for a while. ESPN has ensured the Cowboys and Eagles will make unprecedented NFL history in Week 18.

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