Cowboys clinch the NFC East after Giants’ loss to Eagles

The Dallas Cowboys clinched the NFC East title after the New York Giants fell to the Philadelphia Eagles on Thursday night. Dallas has also secured the top seed in the NFC and home-field advantage throughout the playoffs.

Led by rookie quarterback Dak Prescott and rookie running back Ezekiel Elliott, the Cowboys went on plenty of offensive barrages to secure one of the league’s top records. A high-powered rushing attack — a staple of Jason Garrett’s teams — was finally enough to push Dallas to the top of the NFC.

The Cowboys have the best offensive line in the NFL, and that unit did a superb job of carving out space for Elliott. The rookie running back out of Ohio State is a dangerous runner. He can get on the perimeter and burn opposing defenses with his speed.

Elliott also has the size and strength to run up the middle to plow through defenders. He enters Week 16 leading the NFL in rushing with 1,551 yards and tied for second in rushing touchdowns with 13.

To complement that powerful rushing attack, Prescott used his speed and strong arm to make plays. For the most part, the rookie signal caller played mistake-free football this season. Heading into Week 16, he’s registered 3,418 passing yards to go along with 20 touchdowns and four interceptions. He also has a 103.2 quarterback rating.

Since the Dallas offense has been scoring almost 30 points per game, its defense didn’t have to do much to help the team win. The Cowboys struggled with defending the pass, but they have had a lot of success against the run.

Now that Dallas is the NFC East champion, it doesn’t have much to play for — save for Elliott’s and Prescott’s MVP candidacies. Earlier in the month, Cowboys owner Jerry Jones hinted that Dallas is not going to rest the starters after winning the division.

The 12-2 Cowboys next play on Monday Night Football when they host the Detroit Lions.