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Cowboys–Eagles rivalry
NFC East Rivalry

Cowboys–Eagles

Bitter NFC East blood feud

Matchup:Cowboys–Eagles
First Meeting:1960
Division:NFC East
2026 Meetings:2

The Cowboys and Eagles have been NFC East rivals since the early 1960s, and theirs is widely regarded as one of the most heated mutual hatreds in the NFL. Hard-hitting games, controversy, and contrasting fan cultures have fueled the animosity for more than sixty years.

The Rivalry

Philadelphia got the better of the expansion-era Cowboys in the early 1960s, but Dallas turned the rivalry sharply in its favor through the late 1960s and 1970s, dominating the decade. The bad blood crystallized in the 1980 NFC Championship Game, when the Eagles beat the Cowboys to reach the Super Bowl. The 1989 "Bounty Bowl" games, marked by accusations that Eagles coaches had targeted Cowboys players and by Philadelphia fans pelting the field, pushed the feud to a new level of hostility. Through the decades the teams have traded eras of dominance while meeting twice a season, and playoff matchups have raised the stakes further. The rivalry runs hot because of geography, divisional familiarity, and a genuine clash of fan identities.

What's at Stake

As NFC East opponents, the Cowboys and Eagles meet twice every regular season with division titles, tiebreakers, and playoff seeding routinely in the balance. The rivalry connects two passionate fan bases — Philadelphia's famously intense supporters and the Cowboys' nationwide following — and the games often headline national broadcasts. Beyond standings, it is a culture clash: blue-collar Philadelphia versus the star-spangled image of "America's Team."

Famous Moments

  • 1980 — The Eagles defeated the Cowboys in the NFC Championship Game to advance to the Super Bowl.
  • 1989 — The two "Bounty Bowl" games, swept by Philadelphia, became infamous for bounty accusations and fans throwing objects.
  • 1992 — Dallas routed Philadelphia 34-10 in an NFC Divisional playoff game during its championship run.
  • 2004 — Philadelphia hammered Dallas 49-21 on Monday Night Football.
  • 2009 — The Cowboys beat the Eagles 34-14 in an NFC Wild Card playoff game.

The Cowboys–Eagles Games in 2026

The Two Teams

Plan the Trip

A Cowboys-Eagles trip pairs two great football cities: Dallas, whose Cowboys play at the colossal AT&T Stadium in nearby Arlington, Texas, and Philadelphia, where the Eagles host games at Lincoln Financial Field. Few atmospheres match a Linc crowd when Dallas comes to town, and few venues impress like AT&T Stadium's scale. For fans chasing the NFL's fiercest rivalries, either game earns a place on the bucket list.

Frequently Asked Questions: Cowboys–Eagles

The two teams first met in 1960. The Cowboys and Eagles have been NFC East rivals since the early 1960s, and theirs is widely regarded as one of the most heated mutual hatreds in the NFL. Hard-hitting games, controversy, and contrasting fan cultures have fueled the animosity for more than sixty years.

As NFC East opponents, the Cowboys and Eagles meet twice every regular season with division titles, tiebreakers, and playoff seeding routinely in the balance. The rivalry connects two passionate fan bases — Philadelphia's famously intense supporters and the Cowboys' nationwide following — and the games often headline national broadcasts. Beyond standings, it is a culture clash: blue-collar Philadelphia versus the star-spangled image of "America's Team."

Yes — they meet 2 times in the 2026 NFL season. The game pages, each with a fan-travel guide, are linked on this page.

Dallas Cowboys host at AT&T Stadium in Arlington; Philadelphia Eagles play at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia.

Sources

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