Dallas takes on the Philadelphia Eagles in a primetime Monday night matchup where the Cowboys will look to stop the bleeding that is the two-game losing streak that’s sunk their record to 2-4.
Can the Cowboys right the ship and win their way back into a slow-moving NFC East race, or will the hole they’re trying to dig out of only get bigger?
The Dallas Morning News’ columnists and beat writers offered up their predictions for the Week 7 matchup against the hated Eagles below.
There’s a hint of junior varsity flavor to this game with both teams staggering along at 2-4. Do the Cowboys actually have more swagger than stagger going into Philly? Even with Saquon Barkley expected back, the Eagles are up against it with inexperienced Tanner McKee at quarterback. Obviously, the Dallas defense has to make more of a showing than it did against Bucs rookie Jalon Daniels two weeks ago. But there was at least a hint of progress in the final 30 minutes in Green Bay that suggests this is a chance for Dallas to end its Prime Time slide.
Well, the Cowboys can’t lose this one, right? Right? For as much Dallas is dealing with, it doesn’t compare to what Philadelphia is going through right now. The Cowboys can’t afford to lose this week. But if they win, will that spark owner Jerry Jones to try to make one more trade to improve the roster?
The Cowboys face another backup quarterback, the Eagles’ Tanner McKee. The Dallas defense likely won’t overlook its opponent after the “embarrassing” performance against the Bucs’ rookie backup, Jalon Daniels. McKee is not a mobile quarterback, an attack the Cowboys have yet to figure out, and that will be the difference. It might be hard to tell, but the defense is trending upward since the acquisition of Joey Porter Jr. On Monday, Dallas does just enough to get out of Philly with a win and keep their hopes alive.
The Eagles’ situation is so dire that not even a visit from the Cowboys will be enough to stop their free fall. Mired in controversy over how they have handled Jalen Hurts’ health situation, saddled with a growing list of injuries, an anemic offense and a vulnerable defense, Philadelphia enters this game in the midst of a four-game losing streak with no escape in sight. The Cowboys will take full advantage of the opportunity and get back on the winning track.
Hard to say whose prospects have fallen further, faster: the Cowboys or the Eagles? You’d think the Cowboys could handle a third-string quarterback, but this defense has proven there’s no depth it can’t plumb. Just the same, I’m betting on a bounce back from Dak Prescott, who’s usually reliable in divisional games, though he’s only .500 so far.
This has a playoff feel. The loser is probably done for any playoff chances. The Cowboys are getting healthy on defense and you suspect that should help in the overall development of this unit. If the Cowboys’ offense can just play to its standard, then it wins this game. That will be the difference Monday night. George Pickens is due for a big game and should get it.