Eagles Prepare for Cowboys Amid Roster Decimation
Philadelphia faces Dallas on Monday night with Jalen Hurts and two primary receivers sidelined, while the Cowboys seek to reverse a two-game skid.
By Kwame Silva ·
The Philadelphia Eagles will host the Dallas Cowboys on Monday, October 26, at Lincoln Financial Field in a Week 7 matchup that features a severely depleted home roster. The game begins at 8:15 p.m. ET on ESPN and ABC, with the Cowboys listed as 4.5-point favorites and the total set at 43.5 by DraftKings Sportsbook.
Philadelphia enters the contest after losing four consecutive games following a 2-0 start. The injury list is extensive. Quarterback Jalen Hurts is out after blood clots were found in his calf and lungs. Wide receivers DeVonta Smith and Dontayvion Wicks are also ruled out. Running back Saquon Barkley, center Landon Dickerson, guard Jonathan Greenard, and safety Jalyx Hunt are all listed as questionable.
The Cowboys have lost two straight games, surrendering 29 points in those contests after scoring at least 30 in each of the previous three weeks. Their offense struggled against blitzes in recent outings. Dak Prescott completed 20 of 38 passes for 194 yards and no touchdowns when facing extra rushers against the Buccaneers and Packers. Dallas rushed for only 98 yards in that span, even though star guard Tyler Smith returned to the lineup.
Statistical analysis suggests the Eagles will not replicate the blitz-heavy approach that stymied Dallas. Philadelphia has blitzed on just 24.1% of opponent dropbacks, the fourth-lowest rate in the NFL. In contrast, the Buccaneers and Packers blitzed on 38.8% of Prescott's drops in the final two weeks. This lower pressure rate may allow the Cowboys more time to operate in the pocket.
The Eagles' offense is likely to rely heavily on the passing game if backup quarterback Tanner McKee starts. McKee has been 16 of 45 for 179 yards and no touchdowns when under pressure in his career. If Barkley plays, he has averaged 5.5 yards per carry in the two games he completed healthy this season. The Cowboys have allowed opponents to average 4.7 yards per carry, giving the Eagles a potential path to control the clock.
The defensive matchups will test both secondaries. The Eagles' cornerbacks include Quinyon Mitchell, Riq Woolen, and Cooper DeJean. The Cowboys will look to leverage the return of safety Cobie Durant, who may push Daron Bland to the bench. The outcome will depend on whether Philadelphia's pass rush can disrupt McKee or if Dallas can sustain drives long enough to exploit the Eagles' thin offensive lineup.
