The Dallas Cowboys had a rash of bad news going into their Week 2 tilt against the Los Angeles Chargers. Defensive end Randy Gregory went into COVID-19 protocols, La’el Collins was suspended, Michael Gallup went on IR, and Demarcus Lawrence needed foot surgery. The Cowboys ended up having to play without seven starters, but they escaped SoFi Stadium with a victory to bring their record to 1-1.
Now it is “Philly week” in Dallas for the Cowboys fanbase. Three days before the 61st anniversary of the start of this epic rivalry, the Eagles head into AT&T Stadium for the Monday night match up with the Cowboys. The game is gonna be even more emotional than usual when these two teams face off because it is the Dallas home opener and the first time quarterback Dak Prescott has played at home since his season ending ankle injury against the New York Giants in Week 5 of the 2020 season.
The Cowboys offense survived the Joey Bosa problem last week, but the Eagles defensive line is an even larger issue they need to solve if Prescott is gonna improve to 6-4 against the Eagles all time. An injury cost defensive end Brandon Graham his season, but Philadelphia is still loaded on the DL. Fletcher Cox, Javon Hargrave, Derek Barnett, Josh Sweat, and Ryan Kerrigan will make it a lot more difficult for Dallas to lean help towards right tackle Terence Steele. If Kellen Moore can devise a game plan to not allow the Eagles defensive line to wreck the game, the Cowboys pass catchers should have a giant advantage over the linebackers and defensive backs.
If Prescott stays upright, this game might not beat the record margin of victory of 56-7, but it could get ugly.
Philly has another way to slow down the Cowboys offense, keep them off the field.
Dallas had a known deficiency from last season, the run defense, and this is the first team on the Dallas schedule that could test them in that area. The Eagles are the second-best run team through two weeks of the season. They have a quarterback who can run, an excellent running back in Miles Sanders, speed at the wide receiver position to keep opposing safeties honest, and an excellent offensive line. If Philadelphia can control the time of possession, and limit the possessions of Prescott, then maybe they can keep the game in their control. Defensive coordinator Dan Quinn will need his defensive line and linebackers to play disciplined football.
Here’s how fans can watch, listen to, and bet on how the action will unfold.