Eagles Host Cowboys Amid Injury Crisis

The Philadelphia Eagles host the Dallas Cowboys at Lincoln Financial Field on Monday night, Oct. 26, in a Week 7 matchup where both teams are reeling from recent defeats. The game kicks off at 8:15 p.m. ET on ESPN and ABC, with the Cowboys listed as 4.5-point favorites over a 43.5-point over/under at DraftKings Sportsbook.

Philadelphia enters the contest after dropping four straight games following a 2-0 start. The roster is heavily depleted. Quarterback Jalen Hurts is sidelined after blood clots were found in his calf and lungs. Wide receivers DeVonta Smith and Dontayvion Wicks are also out, along with defensive end Nolan Smith. Running back Saquon Barkley, tight end Landon Dickerson, guard Jonathan Greenard, and cornerback Jalyx Hunt are all listed as questionable.

Dallas has lost two consecutive games and its offense has slowed considerably. The Cowboys scored 30 or more points in each of their first three games but managed only 29 total points against the Buccaneers and Packers. Despite gaining over 300 yards in those two losses, the team struggled against blitzes. Dak Prescott completed 20 of 38 passes for 194 yards without a touchdown when facing extra rushers in those contests.

The Eagles defense presents a different challenge. According to Tru Media, Philadelphia blitzes on only 24.1% of dropbacks, the fourth-lowest rate in the NFL. That is a sharp contrast to the 38.8% blitz rate Dallas faced in Weeks 5 and 6. Defensive coordinator Vic Fangio has employed a blitz-heavy strategy just once this season, making a sudden shift in game plan unlikely.

However, the Eagles have allowed quarterbacks to stay comfortable in the pocket. They rank 20th in the league in expected points added per dropback, allowing opponents to complete 60.4% of passes for 7.0 yards per attempt. The defense has given up eight touchdown passes while picking up only three interceptions. They have also been aided by 14 dropped passes by opponents, the second-highest total in the league.

Dallas running back Javonte Williams averages 3.7 yards per carry this season, down from 4.8 last year. The Cowboys are unlikely to find success on the ground against a Philadelphia defense that allows only 4.0 yards per carry. Conversely, opponents have rushed for at least 165 yards against Dallas in five of its six games this season, averaging 4.7 yards per carry.

With Hurts out, the Eagles will likely lean on the passing game. Backup quarterback Tanner McKee threw 48 times in his last start. He has a career record of 16 of 45 for 179 yards and no touchdowns when under duress, with a 15.1% sack rate. If Barkley is cleared to play, he has averaged 5.5 yards per carry in the two games he has completed this season.

The Eagles' top receiving options against Dallas will be Makai Lemon, Darius Cooper, and Dallas Goedert. The Cowboys may send Joey Porter Jr. to cover Cooper or Lemon, while the return of Cobie Durant could push Daron Bland to the bench. Both teams need a win to stop their respective losing streaks before the bye week arrives.