The Philadelphia Eagles come to AT&T Stadium to take on the Dallas Cowboys in an NFC East battle on Monday Night Football. In week one, Dallas was coming off a heartbreak-loss to Tampa, so nipping the Chargers at the wire on the road, 20-17, on Sunday was crucial. Now they open at home with a familiar foe in the Eagles, a team licking its wounds after a 17-11 loss to the Niners on Sunday. Who can get their divisional schedule off to a good start on MNF?
Dallas Offense in Trouble?
While 20 points were enough last week to beat the Chargers, the Dallas offense might be in a little trouble. Amari Cooper is dealing with a rib contusion, and with Michael Gallup already out, their solid receiving corps is a bit compromised. In addition, they have an issue at RB where Tony Pollard has been the more effective rusher for the better part of a whole season, with Ezekiel Elliott struggling to reclaim his old form. Their offensive line has taken some hits once again, so Dak Prescott is already dealing with offensive shortcomings in week three.
Can Philly Put Up Some Points?
After an understandably rough outing in a road game against the Buccaneers, the Dallas defense settled in against the Chargers. They were again vulnerable aerially but turned it around with big plays. After two road games, the Cowboys get their belated home-opener, and it sets up for a defensive showing that might surpass what the Eagles can deliver on offense. A plucky Philly offensive showing against Atlanta in week one dissolved into an 11-point showing against a more-formidable SF defense last week.
Eagles’ QB Jalen Hurts has been serviceable, playing efficiently and being a menace with his running ability. RB Miles Sanders has been a bit quiet. Their ball-catching crew is young and inconsistent. Getting some big pass plays from Quez Watkins was helpful, and DeVonta Smith has flashed his potential. It’s just not an offensive cast that is going to be strong every week. This is a familiar divisional pairing, and the Eagles aren’t out of their element, but this is a Philly offense that needs the right setting to shine. How much it matters now is debatable, but this offense didn’t thrive in either of their meetings with a 6-10 Dallas team from last season.
- Get more details: PHI/DAL 9/27/21 Match-up Stats
It Goes Both Ways
While the Eagles are dealing with offensive issues, the Cowboys are too. The Eagles aren’t lighting the world on fire, but they’ve allowed only 23 combined points in their two games. Potential bad news for Dak and his compromised offense is that the Eagles’ are allowing very little through the air. Against Matt Ryan, who was playing from behind the whole game, he got almost nowhere and ditto for Garoppolo last Sunday, even with three running backs going down. The Philly “D” has been getting pressed in this area and has been especially resilient through two games. A dinged-up Cooper, no Gallup, and a lack of viable producers underneath them could start to turn this equation in the Eagles’ favor. Then again, a two-game window against Atlanta and San Fran isn’t any kind of proof that this secondary will be a lot better than some anticipated. This is still a Dallas offense that can put that group to the test.
More Picks: Get Loot’s SNF Packers at 49ers Pick Against the Spread
