The Cowboys and Eagles collide at Veterans Stadium as these bitter NFC East rivals square off once again.

The Cowboys own a 49-30 overall advantage in the series standings (including a 2-1 edge in the postseason) and have had their way with the Eagles as of late, prevailing in 13 of the last 17 overall meetings with the Birds dating back to the clubs' second meeting in 1991--including victories in the 1992 (34-10) and 1995 (30-11) NFC Divisional Playoffs.

Last season, the Cowboys swept this two-game set for the first time since 1994.

In Week 9 on a Monday night at Veterans Stadium, Cowboys QB Troy Aikman returned to the starting lineup for the first time in seven weeks and threw for 171 yards and a pair of scores, while RB Emmitt Smith chipped in with 101 yards rushing and a touchdown as Chan Gailey's club plucked the Birds, 34-0.

Seven weeks later at Texas Stadium (Week 16), Smith rushed for 110 yards and Cowboys' TE Eric Bjornson ran 7 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.

The Cowboys are 5-3 in their last eight visits to Philadelphia dating back to 1991.

Numbers: In his last 15 games vs. the Eagles (including playoffs), Cowboys RB Emmitt Smith has carried 380 times for 1,881 yards (5.0 avg.) and 13 touchdowns, rushing for 100 or more yards in 11 of those contests. Smith has totaled 129 rushing touchdowns, 37 of those scores from 1 yard out. Smith has scored at least 1 touchdown in 4 straight games dating back to '98.

The Eagles have started eight "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 & 97and Koy Detmer in '98) in their last 18 games (including playoffs) vs. Dallas dating back to 1991. In their last 19 games vs. Dallas (including playoffs) dating back to the teams' second meeting in 1990, eight 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) have thrown a touchdown pass vs. the Cowboys.

Including playoffs, in 11 games vs. NFC East rivals dating back to '98, the Cowboys are 10-1, totaling 304 points (27.6 PPG) and 32 offensive touchdowns in those 11 contests. In nine games vs. the rest of the NFL dating back to '98, the Cowboys were 3-6, totaling 184 points (20.4 PPG) and 18 offensive touchdowns...Including playoffs, Cowboys' CB Deion Sanders has scored 21 touchdowns in 6 different ways (8 interceptions, 5 punt returns, 3 kickoff returns, 3 receptions, 1 rushing and 1 fumble recovery) in 10 NFL seasons (1989-99).

After scoring 21 points (3 offensive touchdowns) in the first quarter in Week 1 vs. the Cardinals, the Eagles have scored just 20 points in their last 15 quarters in '99 and have not scored an offensive touchdown in 15 straight quarters. They have been limited to fewer than 200 yards of total offense, fewer than 100 yards rushing and 15 or fewer points in 3 straight games. The Eagles have been limited to 17 or fewer points in 18 of their 20 contests dating back to '98. They have allowed 140 sacks in their last 36 games (1997-99), including 111 sacks in their last 27 contests dating back to '97. They have allowed 120 or more yards rushing in 3 straight games and 17 of their last 20 contests dating back to '98.

Things To Look For: Embarrassing. Pathetic. Comical. Take your pick; there are so many ways to describe the Eagles' offense. Unfortunately for Andy Reid, none of this is very funny as his quarterbacks are getting battered behind the leagues worst offensive line. It figures to be another easy day at the office for the revitalized but suspect Cowboys, who continue to whip up on their NFC East brethren.

Etc.: The Cowboys are 3-0 for the first time since 1995. They have won five straight games dating back to '98. Including playoffs, they are 50-19 (2-1 in playoffs) vs. NFC East competition since 1991, including 18-9 vs. divisional competition since '96, and have won 10 straight games vs. divisional competition dating back to '98. WR Michael Irvin (749) needs one catch to tie Charlie Joiner (750) for 9th place on the NFL's all-time receptions list. Irvin (11,896) needs 104 yards to become just the 9th player in NFL history with 12,000 career receiving yards. RB Emmitt Smith (2,988) needs eight rushing attempts to tie Eric Dickerson (2,996) for 4th place on the NFL's all-time rushing attempts list, and 12 rushing attempts to become just the fourth player in NFL history with 3,000 career rushing attempts. Smith (12,861) needs 139 yards to become the 4th player in NFL history with 13,000 career rushing yards.

The Eagles have lost seven straight games dating back to '98. PK Norm Johnson has converted an NFL-record 280 consecutive PATs.