Five Key Questions Leading up to Cowboys-Eagles Showdow

Ahead of the Cowboys-Eagles game on Sunday, several critical questions loom large. This Sunday’s matchup between the Philadelphia Eagles and the Dallas Cowboys at 4:25 p.m. ET on Fox is set to be a highly anticipated Week 9 clash.

This game involves a heated rivalry, showcases star-studded talent, and features two of the NFC’s top teams. A victory for the Eagles (7-1) on home turf could firmly establish their dominance in the NFC East as they enter the season’s second half, while a win for the Cowboys (5-2) would significantly narrow the gap.

Last year, the Cowboys and the Eagles split their season series, with injuries playing a crucial role. The first game saw the absence of Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott, resulting in an Eagles win, while Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts missed the rematch. This time, both Hurts and Prescott, each coming off four-touchdown performances, will have the opportunity to face off.

Cowboys reporter Todd Archer and Eagles reporter Tim McManus provide insights into the key questions leading up to this pivotal game.

1. Can Dallas contain WRA.J. Brown? WRA.J. Brown, who has set an NFL record with six consecutive games of at least 125 yards receiving, was a significant threat against the Cowboys last season, with 11 catches for 170 yards and a touchdown. Despite concerns arising from the loss of Trevon Diggs to injury, DaRon Bland has stepped up admirably for the Cowboys. Bland boasts three interception returns for touchdowns this season, setting a Cowboys record, and has the lowest target EPA in the league as the nearest defender in coverage. Keeping Brown in check will depend on Micah Parsons and the pass rush’s ability to affect Hurts.
2. How will the Eagles counter Micah Parsons? The Eagles have effectively slowed down Parsons in the past due to Hurts’ running threat, which forced Parsons to be cautious in his pass rush. However, Hurts’ recent struggles with a left knee injury have reduced his impact on the ground game. The coaching staff must find creative ways to limit Parsons’ productivity in this matchup.
3. Can Philadelphia contain CeeDee Lamb? CeeDee Lamb is in excellent form, accumulating 19 receptions, 275 yards, and two touchdowns in the last two games. He was also successful against the Eagles last season with 15 catches for 188 yards and two touchdowns. The Eagles’ secondary has been dealing with injuries, particularly in the safety and slot corner positions. To exploit these vulnerabilities, Dallas may frequently position Lamb in the slot. The recent acquisition of veteran safety Kevin Byard is expected to stabilize the Eagles’ secondary, while the defensive front will aim to pressure Prescott and disrupt his passing rhythm.
4. Can the Cowboys’ defense stop the ‘tush push’? The Eagles’ short-yardage tush push play, where teammates help propel Hurts forward for first downs or touchdowns, has been highly effective this season. The Cowboys’ defense relies on speed, not size, and replacing a linebacker with a converted safety may pose challenges when defending against this play. The key for the Cowboys will be to avoid getting into these situations, as the Eagles typically do not make substitutions before running the play.
5. Dak vs. Jalen: Key stats to know Prescott boasts a remarkable record of not throwing an interception at Lincoln Financial Field in five starts, covering 145 throws and including seven touchdown passes. However, the Eagles have intercepted Prescott more times than any other team in his career (eight interceptions). On the other hand, Jalen Hurts has thrown eight interceptions in eight games this season, exceeding his total from the previous year. While he has been effective as a passer, he needs to reduce turnovers, especially against the Cowboys’ defense, which ranks third in interceptions with nine.

In summary, the upcoming Cowboys-Eagles game promises to be a thrilling clash with numerous storylines to follow, including battles between star players, strategies to contain key offensive threats, and the potential impact of turnovers on the outcome.