Brett's Cowboys Corner

As the Cowboys land in Philadelphia, they will look to make up for a disappointing and injury riddled 2024. There will be plenty of returners like Dak Prescott and Ceedee Lamb ready to make up for last season, but several new faces including an entire coaching staff, running back room and a replacement for the All-Pro Guard Zack Martin

The Cowboys used their first round pick on Tyler Booker, an Alabama guard. He will be taking over for one the best guards in NFL history, Martin was a nine time pro bowler in his career, and only had seven holding penalties. They say you never want to be the man that has to follow The Man. The test will be tough for Booker.

We saw last season a rookie tackle, Tyler Guyton thrown into the fire immediately going against Myles Garrett in week one.

This time around, the trial by fire will be Tyler Booker against a defensive tackle that has quickly transcended as one the best in the NFL. Jalen Carter is going into his second season, with a Pro Bowl and All Pro selection in 2024, Carter already has 10.5 sacks, 25 QB hits and 75 tackles.

Per NFL Next Gen Stats, Jalen Carter generated 45 pressures on 494 pass rushes last season (9.1% pressure rate), the 9th-most pressures by any defensive tackle. Tyler Booker allowed 2 pressures on 15 pass blocks during the preseason.

The Rest of the Line

The projected starters for Thursday Night will be:

Tyler Guyton, Tyler Smith, Cooper Beebe, Tyler Booker, Terrance Steele

Guyton had his first week of practice after an acl scare during training camp- it is projected for him to get the start, but it could be Nathan Thomas on a last second decision.

As for the other guard, Dallas will have their two-time Pro Bowl and All-Pro Guard Tyler Smith (we have a lot of Tylers…) who is rumored to be working a deal for his big payday. Smith has allowed a league-low 4.2% pressure rate aligned at guard over the last two seasons among players with at least 400 pass blocks.

As for the line holding up. The Cowboys allowed the 7th-lowest pressure rate in the NFL last season (28.5%), when they did allow pressure, they did so in an average of 2.58 seconds, 4th-quickest in the NFL.

So when the Cowboys give up pressure, they are generally being beat immediately, usually off the edge. The tackles not getting to their landmark in time when they set the block. A few times we saw the center or guard get pushed back into the QB.

But if Dallas can get set in their blocks, they usually can hold up.

Philadelphia Defense

The Eagles aren’t a blitz heavy team, usually they rely on their defensive coverage to win games. In fact in the Superbowl, Philadelphia did not blitz once across 42 Kansas City dropbacks, becoming just the 4th defense to not blitz in a game in the Next Gen Stats era (since 2016).

The Eagles used four-or-fewer pass rushers on 79.5% of dropbacks in 2024, the 5th-highest rate in the NFL. They allowed 5.8 yards per attempt (fewest) and a 62.6% completion percentage (3rd-lowest).

The Eagles played zone coverage on all but two dropbacks, specifically using Cover 4 on 59.5% of dropbacks, the 3rd-highest rate by any defense in a game since 2018.

Vic Fangio’s defense has always given Dallas issues- looking back at 2021 Denver Broncos.

While a lot of people will be worried about stopping Saquon Barkley (you should be) the second most important thing to this game will be the offensive line holding up.

You can’t do much with your weapons like Lamb or Pickens, if you can’t block. Also Dallas will be fielding a running back room with two veterans and a rookie, none of who have played a snap for the Cowboys.