By Patrick Del Gaone, Sports Talk Philly staff writer 
Having locked up home field advantage throughout the NFC playoffs, Dallas has only pride to play for when they take the field in South Philadelphia on New Year's Day. Given their advantageous situation, the Cowboys could decide to rest many of their starters for Sunday's glorified exhibition matchup.
The Cowboys envious position heading into the postseason is primarily the result of a ripsnorting rushing attack which allowed rookie quarterback Dak Prescott to ease into his duties as the team's new signal-caller. At Wednesday's presser, Doug Pederson was asked if the Cowboys' recipe for success is one he'd like to emulate heading into 2017.
"Yeah, it is a strategy for success," Pederson said. "Really, you look at Carson's attempts per game and Dak's attempts, I think it's within four or five attempts per game, so it's not that far off. Even our rushing attempts are 10th in the NFL right now. So, it feels like we're throwing the ball a bunch, but I feel a recipe for success is [to] lower those attempts, keep them in that manageable 33, 34, maybe 30 attempts per game, but still being able to run the ball just as equally… I think are formulas for success. Then, obviously play great defense and special teams."
Four or five attempts per game really makes a difference over the course of a 16-game schedule. Carson Wentz currently ranks 7th in the league with 564 pass attempts, while Prescott has accumulated more passing yards than the Eagles' rookie despite having thrown 113 fewer passes in 2016 (23rd in NFL).
Regardless of Jason Garrett's approach to the final game of the regular season, Pederson believes this rivalry game is key to perpetuating the momentum established during last Thursday's win against the Giants.
"I think [it's big] for a lot of guys," Pederson said. "For us, if we can somehow figure it out and win this football game [on] Sunday, I think it's big for a lot of reasons, and for our team going into the offseason. It leaves you with that great taste and that great feel going into the offseason, and kind of gives you that confidence looking forward to OTA's and obviously next year."
You can watch the full press conference from Pederson below.
