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Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles face date with destiny against rival Dallas Cowboys

Injury-hit defending champs can draw level with Dallas in the NFC East should they win tonight

THE Philadelphia Eagles face another date with destiny on Sunday night - and they've had a few of those already this season.

The reigning Super Bowl champions are on the brink in the final month of the NFL season.

 The Philadelphia Eagles won the Super Bowl in January - but face a massive task to make it back this season
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The Philadelphia Eagles won the Super Bowl in January - but face a massive task to make it back this seasonCredit: Reuters

 

 Londoner Jay Ajayi won the trophy last season but suffered a season-ending injury in October
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Londoner Jay Ajayi won the trophy last season but suffered a season-ending injury in OctoberCredit: Getty Images - Getty

An inconsistent start - that included losing British star Jay Ajayi for the season - has seen them playing catch up in the NFC East, the most competitive division in the league this year.

Now, however, the Eagles are starting to find a little bit of form.

They mounted a fourth quarter comeback against the New York Giants two weeks ago and on Monday dominated a banged up Washington Redskins team to take their record to 6-6.

Star quarterback Carson Wentz was back to his best, throwing for 300 yards and two touchdowns, while Golden Tate - who joined the team via trade in week ten - showed his value catching one of those touchdowns and getting a two-point conversion.

 Rookie cornerback Chandon Sullivan is not feeling any pressure
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Rookie cornerback Chandon Sullivan is not feeling any pressureCredit: Getty Images

The Eagles are finding their form just at the right time - and they're going to need it more than ever as they face the toughest final four games of any team in the NFL.

Tonight, theyface their other division rivals, the Dallas Cowboys, with the winner taking top sport of the division.

The defending champs have dug themselves a big hole, but the mood in the locker room is so relaxed you'd think the Eagles had already made the play-offs.

Special teams expert DJ Alexander told SunSport: "Whoever is in front of us we take care of them first and then go from there.

"We just take it day-by-day, come game day everybody will show up and do what we have to do and keep trucking."

Alexander, who joined the team in September, says the Eagles are at their best when people are doubting them.

 Carson Wentz is back to his best after he missed the Super Bowl last season
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Carson Wentz is back to his best after he missed the Super Bowl last seasonCredit: Getty Images
 On Sunday night the Eagles face their rivals the Dallas Cowboys - who lead their division
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On Sunday night the Eagles face their rivals the Dallas Cowboys - who lead their divisionCredit: Getty Images

"We thrive in those situations when our back is against the wall, when we're kicking and scratching to try and get back on top.

"I love being doubted, that makes me work harder.

"That's what this team is all about."

Rookie cornerback Chandon Sullivan has seen more playing time than expected this season, because of injuries to other players.

The 22-year-old is confident the older guys in the dressing room will be able to draw on their Super Bowl experience to help the team through the final weeks of the season.

"We've got a lot of leaders on this team, a lot of veterans," Sullivan tells SunSport.

Philadelphia Eagles celebrate as they win 2018 Super Bowl defeating Tom Brady’s New England Patriots

"We've been hit with a lot of injuries but we stay resilient, we keep pushing and keep fighting. Anything can happen."

He says that the win over the Redskins was "big" and will give them "momentum" for the Dallas game.

But there's no special motivation this game despite the importance of a win.

"We're just motivated by the next game, no matter who it is or what's at stake," he says, "we want to win regardless.

View from above as thousands in Philadelphia celebrate The Eagles winning the Super Bowl for the very first time

"We're just trying to execute and continue to build momentum."

And is he, or anoy of his team-mates feeling any pressure heading into Texas?

He smiles: "Nah there's no pressure, it's just football."

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