Cowboys Face Eagles in Monday Night Clash

Monday Night Football returns this week with a divisional matchup that features two struggling teams.

The Dallas Cowboys travel to Philadelphia on Monday, Oct. 26, to face the Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field. The game kicks off at 8:15 p.m. ET on ESPN and ABC. DraftKings Sportsbook lists the Cowboys as 4.5 point favorites with an over/under of 43.5 points.

Philadelphia enters the contest after losing four straight games following a 2-0 start. The Eagles are dealing with a heavy injury load that reshapes their roster. Quarterback Jalen Hurts is out after blood clots were found in his calf and lungs. Wide receivers DeVonta Smith and Dontayvion Wicks are also out. Running back Saquon Barkley, tight end Landon Dickerson, guard Jonathan Greenard, and linebacker Jalyx Hunt are listed as questionable.

Dallas has lost its last two games after scoring over 30 points in each of the previous three weeks. The Cowboys combined for just 29 points against the Buccaneers and Packers. Their offense struggled to handle blitzes, with Dak Prescott completing 20 of 38 passes for 194 yards and no touchdowns when facing extra rushers. The team gained only 98 rushing yards in those two games despite the return of star guard Tyler Smith.

The Eagles defense ranks 20th in opponents' expected points added per dropback. They allow opponents to complete 60.4% of passes for 7.0 yards per attempt. However, the unit gives up eight touchdown passes while picking up only three interceptions. The defense has been aided by 14 dropped passes from opponents, the second-highest total in the league.

Philadelphia has generated pressure on only 32.9% of opponent dropbacks. This low rate leaves cornerbacks Quinyon Mitchell, Riq Woolen, and Cooper DeJean in coverage for extended periods. Quarterbacks have been comfortable in the pocket, which benefits Dak Prescott. He can target CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens with ease if the Eagles cannot disrupt his timing.

The Eagles offensive line faces a significant challenge against a Dallas defense that has allowed opponents to average 4.7 yards per carry. All five of Dallas' other opponents have rushed for at least 165 yards. If Barkley returns, he has averaged 5.5 yards per carry in the two games he played healthy this season. He practiced fully on Friday for the first time since his hamstring injury.

Backup quarterback Tanner McKee has a career record of 16 of 45 for 179 yards and no touchdowns when under duress. He faces a Cowboys front that has been vulnerable to the run but inconsistent against the pass. The Eagles will likely rely on Makai Lemon, Darius Cooper, and Dallas Goedert as their primary targets if Barkley is limited.

The Cowboys need to improve their offensive execution against a defense that blitzes less often than their previous opponents. Philadelphia has blitzed on only 24.1% of drops, the fourth-lowest rate in the NFL. Dallas must avoid the mistakes that led to their recent scoring slump while capitalizing on the Eagles' depleted roster.

The Cowboys are projected to win 24-20 in a game that will test both teams' ability to manage their current struggles.