Eagles-Cowboys meet with matching records and mounting pressure
· Yahoo Sports
The Eagles will not be the only team arriving Monday night searching for answers.
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Dallas has lost two consecutive games and enters Philadelphia at 2-4 after a 23-13 defeat at Green Bay. The Cowboys’ latest loss featured two Dak Prescott interceptions and only 48 rushing yards, exposing the kind of imbalance the Eagles must try to exploit. Philadelphia has its own problems after four straight losses, but Dallas’ inability to consistently support Prescott could open the door for Vic Fangio’s defense.
The first task is preventing the Cowboys from restoring their running game. Dallas averaged 3.2 yards per carry against Green Bay and did not run for a gain longer than eight yards. Keeping the Cowboys in difficult down-and-distance situations would give Philadelphia more opportunities to pressure Prescott and disguise coverage.
Green Bay also demonstrated the value of disrupting Dallas’ protection. The Eagles must decide how aggressively to pursue that approach with a defensive front dealing with injuries. Still, Philadelphia can't simply copy the Packers’ plan. Sending additional rushers creates chaos in coverage, and Prescott’s connection with CeeDee Lamb makes poorly timed pressure dangerous. Fangio needs a balance that challenges Dallas’ protection without repeatedly exposing his secondary.
The Eagles’ offense also has to contribute. Sustained possessions and an early lead would make it harder for the Cowboys to stay patient in the run game. Another afternoon of short drives could leave Philadelphia’s defense carrying too much of the game.
Both teams need this matchup to become the beginning of a recovery. For the Eagles, the opportunity is clear: Dallas has recently shown turnover and protection problems they can attack.
Philadelphia now has to turn those weaknesses into enough stops — and enough points — to end its own slide.
This article originally appeared on Eagles Wire: Eagles-Cowboys meet with matching records and mounting pressure