TONIGHT’S GAME : PHILADELPHIA EAGLES AT DALLAS COWBOYS CHANNEL 7, 6 P.M.

The Eagles won their first game since Randall Cunningham’s knee injury last week at Washington.

Philadelphia (5-6) has learned to counteract the aggressive pursuit of its backup quarterbacks, Bubby Brister and Ken O’Brien. Brister, who will start, throws quick, short passes that keep defenses honest.

Herschel Walker had 10 catches for 103 yards last week, and he is formidable on screen passes. He still has the speed and size to turn small plays into large gains.

The Eagles’ defensive strength is against the pass, but, like every other team, pass defense doesn’t matter if you don’t stop Emmitt Smith. Last time the teams met, Smith ran for a club-record 237 yards in the Cowboys’ 23-10 victory at Veterans Stadium. Smith was hampered by his bruised thigh and a slippery, frozen field against the Dolphins on Thanksgiving, and had only 51 yards in 16 carries. He also had nine catches.

The Eagles say that a big difference in stopping Smith will be the addition of 330-pound William Perry.

Troy Aikman showed little, if any, effects from his hamstring injury against the Dolphins. He is the NFC’s third-rated passer (96.1) and has thrown only three interceptions in 262 attempts.

A big blow to Dallas (7-4) could be the loss of defensive end Charles Haley, who is listed as questionable because of back and groin injuries.