The Eagles fly south to Texas Stadium in position to sweep this always-intense NFC East rivalry for the first time since 1990.

Nine weeks ago at Veterans Stadium (Week 5), Dallas owned a 10-0 lead early in the fourth quarter but Eagles PK Norm Johnson kicked a pair of field goals and QB Doug Pederson threw a 28-yard touchdown pass to WR Charles Johnson with just 1:05 to play as Philadelphia handed the Cowboys their first loss of 1999, 13-10.

Despite the loss, Pokes own a 49-31 overall advantage in the series standings (including a 2-1 edge in the postseason) and have had their way with the Birds as of late, prevailing in 13 of the last 18 overall meetings with the Birds dating back to the clubs' second meeting in 1991 -- including wins in the 1992 (34-10) and 1995 (30-11) NFC Divisional Playoffs.

As for the Eagles' last appearance in Irving (Week 16 of '98), Cowboys RB Emmitt Smith rushed for 110 yards and TE Eric Bjornson ran seven yards for a score on a fake field goal attempt for the game's only touchdown as Dallas held on for a 13-9 win.

Including playoffs, the Eagles have lost two straight and are just 1-8 in their last nine games at Texas Stadium dating back to 1992.

Numbers: The Eagles have started nine "different" quarterbacks (Ken O'Brien and Bubby Brister in '93, Randall Cunningham in '92 & '94, Jim McMahon and Jeff Kemp in '91, Rodney Peete in '95, '96 and '98, Ty Detmer in '96 & 97, Koy Detmer in '98 and Doug Pederson in '99) in their last 19 games (including playoffs) vs. Dallas dating back to 1991. In their last 20 games vs. Dallas (including playoffs) dating back to the teams' second meeting in 1990, nine different Eagles (Ken O'Brien and Bubby Brister in '93, Randall Cunningham in '92 & '94, Jim McMahon and Jeff Kemp in '91, Keith Byars in '90, Ty Detmer in '96 & '97, Rodney Peete in '97 and Doug Pederson in '99) have thrown a touchdown pass vs. the Cowboys.

In his last 16 games vs. the Eagles (including playoffs), Cowboys RB Emmitt Smith has carried 410 times for 1,995 yards (4.9 avg.) and 13 touchdowns, rushing for 100 or more yards in 11 of those contests.

The Eagles have been limited to 17 or fewer points in three straight games and 25 of their 29 contests dating back to 1998. They have allowed 120 or more yards rushing in 21 of their last 29 contests dating back to '98. The Eagles have forced 31 turnovers in 13 games in '99, this after totaling an NFL-low 17 takeaways in 16 games in '98. They have totaled 20 interceptions in 13 games in '99, this after totaling just 9 interceptions in 16 games in '98, and have forced two or more turnovers in 9-of-13 contests in '99... Eagles have allowed 164 sacks in their last 45 games (1997-99).

In 14 games vs. NFC East rivals dating back to '98 (under head coach Chan Gailey), the Cowboys are 11-3, totaling 364 points and 38 offensive touchdowns in those 14 contests. The Cowboys have scored 30 or more points in eight of those 14 contests. The Cowboys have totaled 20 interceptions in 12 games in '99 (intercepting 2 or more passes in 4 straight contests), this after totaling just 14 interceptions in 16 games in '98. They have forced two or more turnovers in five straight games, and have limited the opposition to 13 or fewer points in four straight games. The Cowboys have outscored the opposition a combined 74-9 in the first quarter in 12 games in '99. Including playoffs, CB Deion Sanders has scored 22 touchdowns in 6 different ways (8 interceptions, 6 punt returns, 3 kickoff returns, 3 receptions, 1 rushing and 1 fumble recovery) in 11 NFL seasons (1989-99).

Things to look for: While this may be a mismatch on paper, let's not forget that it was the Eagles who handed the Cowboys their first loss of the season. And given the fact that QB Donovan McNabb and his cohorts are learning to move the football with some consistency, something that has eluded Chan Gailey's team in recent weeks, this doesn't figure to be an easy afternoon for RB Emmitt Smith and company.

Etc.: The Eagles have lost three straight games. They have lost four straight road games and are 1-21-1 in their last 23 regular-season road games dating back to '97 (1-22-1, including the 1996 NFC Wild Card Game at San Francisco). PK Norm Johnson has converted an NFL-record 292 consecutive PATs.

The Cowboys have won seven straight home games dating back to '98. Including playoffs, the Cowboys are just 16-18 in their last 34 games after opening 6-5 in 1997. RB Emmitt Smith (145) is tied with Marcus Allen (145) for 2nd place on the NFL's all-time touchdowns scored list, and needs one touchdown to move into 2nd place by himself