By Patrick Del Gaone, Sports Talk Philly staff writer 
A new era in the Eagles-Cowboys rivalry will dawn on Sunday night in front of a national audience at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, but the divisional showdown is expected to have an old school feel.
Rookie quarterbacks Carson Wentz and Dak Prescott are set for their first taste of a bitter rivalry that dates back to 1960, the same year the Eagles won their last NFL Championship.
Behind a mountainous offensive line, and former Ohio State halfback Ezekiel Elliott, the 5-1 Cowboys lead the league with just under 34 rushing attempts per game. Meanwhile, Philly’s 27 rushes per game ranks 9th in the NFL.
The similar recipes for success have allowed Wentz and Prescott to exceed even the most grandiose expectations after being thrown into the fire at the start of the season. Considering the usual tendency of NFL play-callers to remain dedicated to the running game with a young signal-caller at the helm, Pederson was asked if Philadelphia’s run-pass ratio would differ with a veteran under center.
“I don’t think so,” Pederson said. “I say that because both teams have the ability to run the football, [and] it just helps your passing game. Both teams know that we both have young quarterbacks, you have to rely on defense and rely on special teams, and that running game becomes so important. The challenge is obviously on the offensive line and the runners. It’s also been a formula league-wide, you’re seeing teams that are having success because they are running the ball. And that’s okay. As long as you can do that and you still find a way to win the game, then I’m okay with that.”
Time will tell whether the first-year head coach maintains a propensity to run the ball at a frenetic pace in years to come, or whether he’ll adjust to a pass-first mentality as Wentz continues to mature.
This morning, Pederson was asked whether his dedication to the run is an area where he differs from his mentor, former Eagles’ head coach Andy Reid.
“I think maybe a little bit,” Pederson said. “But I think sometimes [the] games dictate that, the personnel dictates that. I’ve played the quarterback position and I know how important the run game can be your friend. And it opens up your drop-back game, it opens up your play-action pass game. So, where we are right now, we’re gonna continue to pound the football and utilize our passing game where we see fit [depending on] how we’re protecting that game.”
Philadelphia's coaching staff worked out Prescott at the NovaCare Complex prior to the 2016 draft, but ultimately chose to trade up for Wentz, the more lauded prospect following the NFL combine. Today, Pederson juxtaposed the similarities and differences between the two.
“They’re proven winners,” Pederson said. “They know how to win, they know how to lead their teams. Nothing seems to be too big for either one of them. The ability to protect the football, through these first six [or] seven games has been crucial. Differences: Carson could be a little bit bigger. They’re both very athletic though, that’s a similarity. I think they both prepare extremely well, [and] definitely utilize the strengths of their team. Two good offensive lines, two good run games. They’re probably more similar than they are not.”
“These guys are coming out of college a little more NFL ready, a little more NFL prepared. To handle, No. 1, the rigors of an NFL season. They know how to handle success, they know how to handle media, they know how to handle fans. I think they’re just genuinely more prepared coming to us at this level. To their credit, it’s how well they’ve prepared themselves to be in this position. They all strive to one day play in the NFL. In our case, how well [Wentz] prepares himself during the week, his leadership ability, all of that is just taught at an early age. Some guys have it, some guys don’t. Both of these guys have it.”
You can watch the full press conference from Pederson below.
