The Cowboys are 2-4 after losing to Green Bay, but Monday night gives them the perfect opportunity to change the mood. Philadelphia is also 2-4, has lost four games in a row and will be without Jalen Hurts.
Hurts will miss the remainder of the season after being diagnosed with blood clots and undergoing treatment. Philadelphia will instead start Tanner McKee.
McKee threw for 215 yards and one touchdown against Carolina, but Philadelphia scored only 14 points, managed 17 first downs and punted eight times with McKee having a poor 56% completion rate. Dallas now gets a backup quarterback rather than one of the league’s most dangerous dual-threat players.
The Eagles are sliding down right now. They started 2-0, but are now 2-4 after four consecutive defeats, including Sunday’s 25-14 home loss to Carolina. This isn’t a Philadelphia team playing with confidence and Dallas knows it can beat this team
Now put that into history and the last meeting should give the Cowboys plenty of belief. Dallas fell behind Philadelphia 21-0 last November and still came back to win 24-21. Dak Prescott threw for 354 yards and two touchdowns, while George Pickens caught nine passes for 146 yards and a touchdown. Brandon Aubrey then won it with a 42-yard field goal as time expired. Dallas has recently taken Philadelphia’s best punch and responded.
The Cowboys could finally use their ground game to better effect. Carolina running back Chuba Hubbard just carried the ball 28 times for 120 yards and a touchdown against the Eagles. That should encourage Dallas to lean on Javonte Williams. Keeping the running game involved would also help Prescott after Green Bay’s pressure caused Dallas major problems. Run the football, stay away from obvious passing situations and make Philadelphia defend the entire offense.
DeMarvion Overshown is expected to have a strong chance of returning after missing five games with a hamstring injury. That becomes even more important with Dee Winters expected to miss time because of an Achilles strain.
Dallas could also get Cobie Durant back. Brian Schottenheimer said the cornerback is “trending to play” after missing four games with a hamstring injury. The defense desperately needs healthy bodies, and two important ones could return at exactly the right time.
For the Eagles in terms of injury, Hurts isn’t Philadelphia’s only concern. Saquon Barkley missed the Carolina game, while edge rusher Nolan Smith suffered a concussion and was unable to finish it. Their status will be worth watching throughout the week.
The Eagles are already struggling offensively, scoring an average of 17 points per game, that’s among the bottom of the league right now. So any further absences only make Dallas’ job easier, and things look that way as it stands.