The Philadelphia Eagles can reasonably attribute their 2-4 start to a number of injuries impacting their team. Most notably, quarterback Jalen Hurts has joined the injured list. While this isn’t their sole struggle, it certainly plays a significant role.
The Dallas Cowboys, however, lack justifiable excuses for their 2-4 record. Their performance has simply not met expectations. The defense has faltered for a majority of the season, and the offense has delivered two subpar performances consecutively.
The Cowboys and Eagles were anticipated to vie for the NFC East championship, but both teams are now focused on returning to a .500 record before the season reaches its midpoint. On Monday night, these two underperforming teams will clash, with the losing side sinking deeper into a challenging season. Since Week 2, the combined record of the Cowboys and Eagles stands at a dismal 1-7.
The Eagles are facing major challenges as they head into Monday night. With Hurts out—potentially for the remainder of the season—Tanner McKee will step in as his replacement, despite a lackluster performance in his previous start. Both starting wide receivers, DeVonta Smith and Dontayvion Wicks, are also sidelined, along with pass rusher Nolan Smith. Offensive tackle Lane Johnson announced his retirement shortly into the season. Star running back Saquon Barkley has been inactive since Week 4 due to a hamstring issue but may make a return against the Cowboys, as he is listed as questionable. Any contribution would be a boost.
On the other hand, the Cowboys have a relatively clean injury report, yet they are experiencing a slump. They have lost their last two games, averaging just 29 points across those matches. Early in the season, Dallas recognized that their defense, which was the worst in terms of points allowed last year, hadn’t seen significant improvement. Even with Dak Prescott, CeeDee Lamb, George Pickens, and Javonte Williams in their arsenal, the offense’s decline in performance over the last two games has become a concern.
It has been an uphill battle for every NFC East team this season. One of these bitter rivals is destined to drop even lower in the league standings.
Dak Prescott of the Dallas Cowboys faces the Philadelphia Eagles on Monday night. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
(Mitchell Leff via Getty Images)
Who needs it more?
This is not to disrespect the Eagles, but it’s difficult to envision them remaining competitive in the NFC East without Jalen Hurts. A roster with this level of talent shouldn’t find itself in a situation where their season seems nearly over before October concludes, yet that is the reality for the Eagles. The Cowboys still have a chance to turn their season around. With the Giants having secured a commendable victory against Houston to lift their record to 4-2-1, they are not invincible. A loss to an Eagles squad missing several key contributors could drop Dallas to 2-5, making their future look grim and inviting relentless scrutiny, especially as they had projected themselves as Super Bowl contenders during the offseason. This game is crucial for Dallas.
Key player: Cowboys RB Javonte Williams
While the Cowboys passing offense has shown promise, the running game has been significantly less effective compared to last season. After Week 6, Dallas currently sits at 31st for rushing yards. This decline has repercussions for the entire offensive unit.
“Due to the deficiencies in our running game, we’ve become somewhat predictable, and for us to function effectively as an offense, we need balance,” Cowboys head coach Brian Schottenheimer commented post-game last week, as reported by ESPN. “Finding that balance is crucial, and there are numerous factors at play. Missed blocks, poor calls, and unproductive runs are all part of this puzzle.”
Williams is the focal point of the ground game. His average yards per carry have dropped from 4.8 last season to 3.7 so far this year. Establishing a robust running game would benefit the defense by keeping them rested. The Eagles’ run defense ranks 13th in terms of yards allowed per carry through the first six weeks, but for Williams and the Cowboys to regain momentum, they’ll need to find success against this formidable defense.
Betting market watch, by Ben Fawkes
Currently, this Monday Night Football matchup appears far less appealing than what the schedule-makers had envisioned in May. Initially, the line favored the Eagles by 3 points, reopened with them at 1 point ahead on the lookahead line, and is now set at Eagles +4.5 due to the absences of Jalen Hurts and DeVonta Smith, among others for Philadelphia. The injury list for the Eagles seems extensive, but taking into account they’re facing the Cowboys who are coming off a disappointing 23-13 defeat to Green Bay, this could offer an opportunity. For the fourth consecutive game, the Eagles face off as underdogs, marking the third occasion this season they’ve played at home in that role. If Dak Prescott and his teammates fail to capitalize on this chance, the rest of the season is likely to be a long struggle for Dallas.
Check out more of Ben’s work at the Yahoo Sports betting hub.
As we approach the conclusion of Week 7 in the unpredictable NFC East, it’s important to be prepared for unexpected developments. Below are three fantasy themes to monitor as the rivalry between the Cowboys and Eagles intensifies.
1. Which version of Saquon Barkley will we see? Barkley hasn’t played a full game since the end of September and has yet to find the end zone this year. With a mediocre offensive line in front of him and an offense missing its quarterback and leading receiver, he has fewer resources than usual. However, if Barkley’s hamstring is fully recovered, this could be a favorable matchup for him.
2. How will the Dallas receivers perform? While receivers often bring variability in fantasy, both CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens have had inconsistent performances this season. The Philly pass defense, however, has been merely average.
3. Will any Eagles pass catchers step up? With DeVonta Smith and Dontayvion Wicks out of the picture, this becomes a significant concern for Philadelphia. Rookie Makai Lemon has yet to make a substantial impact, while Dallas Goedert has been reliable amid injury struggles. Keep an eye on Darius Cooper, who surprisingly has accumulated four touchdown catches on just 15 targets, as teams have had success against the Dallas secondary.
Check out more of Scott’s work at the Yahoo Sports fantasy hub.
