The 4-1 Dallas Cowboys travel to Philly for a showdown with the Eagles under the bright lights of Sunday Night Football. The winner of the key matchups will have sole possession of the NFC East lead with a tie-breaker edge over the loser. The Cowboys find themselves in a tough spot heading into this showdown as they will be without 40 million-dollar quarterback Dak Prescott for a fifth-straight game. The Eagles come in at 5-0 and haven’t really been challenged at this point and are averaging 27 points per game. The Cowboys have given up exactly one touchdown per game this season. Something has to give in this showdown in Philly. Here are the key matchups to watch in Cowboys/Eagles.
Key Matchups: Cowboys Edge Defenders vs. Jalen Hurts/Miles Sanders
How will the Eagles slow down the vaunted Dallas pass rush? The answer is a heavy dose of run-pass options and smashmouth running. According to Football Outsiders, Dallas ranks 25th in DVOA against the run. They seem to either swallow up the back for little to no gain or give up an explosive run. The Cowboys’ defense is built on speed and sometimes their aggression allows them to be pushed out of the play along the edge. It will be important for linebackers and corners to maintain discipline and cover their assigned gaps. This would not be the weak to press the issue on defense.
Hurts has been very effective with his legs as he has rushed for 260 yards and six touchdowns already. The Cowboys have gotten more of a push from their defensive tackles than in recent years. If Micah Parsons and the Cowboys’ edge defenders can keep the Eagles playing between the tackles, the interior rush and the ball-hawking secondary will be able to frustrate the early MVP candidate.
Key Matchups: Cowboys’ Secondary vs. Eagles Pass Catchers
This will be one of the more entertaining key matchups. The Dallas secondary has been balling. Trevon Diggs leads the NFL with nine breakups. Anthony Brown has been a wonderful story as a former sixth-round pick. Former first-round pick Malik Hooker currently ranks fourth among safeties according to Pro Football Focus. This unit hasn’t allowed more than one passing touchdown in any game this season and only one 300-yard passer. The group they face on Sunday Night Football will be their greatest challenge yet.
A.J. Brown came over in a trade with the Tennessee Titans and had an instant rapport with Jalen Hurts. His presence has allowed teammate DeVonta Smith to thrive with his college quarterback, amassing 28 receptions despite having none in week 1. Dallas Goedert is an established threat over the middle but Dallas will benefit from having tight end eraser Jayron Kearse back in the lineup. Even with Kearse potentially neutralizing Goedert, Diggs and Brown will have their hands full in this matchup.
Cowboys’ Interior O-Line vs. Eagles Defensive Tackles
What a time to have a fully healthy Jason Peters back in the lineup for a key matchup with his former team. Peters spent 11 seasons in Philly and earned two first-team All-Pro honors. He could find himself lined up across from rookie sensation Jordan Davis. Davis is currently leading all rookie defensive linemen in tackles and pressures. Peters is up to the challenge and third-year center Tyler Biadasz has played well all season. These two along with Zach Martin will contend with Davis as well as former Pro-Bowler Javon Hargrave up front. If Dallas can get a push in the middle it will allow the run game to protect Cooper Rush from forcing tough throws.
What key matchups are you watching in Cowboys/Eagles on Sunday Night Football? Leave a comment below and get the banter going. Follow me on Twitter for more Cowboys and fantasy football content!