Well, Cowboys fans, are we tired of having to watch this stuff on primetime every week? I am.
This game looked like big fun in May when the schedule came out. But for both of these teams, its not turned out like anything they have hoped for…
There is a disappointed sentiment in Philadelphia; it’s terrible that Jalen Hurts is out for the rest of the season with a medical injury that could sideline him for even longer. Hopefully he can get back well and make this division a fun competition again.
The Eagles may not have high hopes for the rest of the outlook of their season, but Dallas with their QB healthy may not have any hopes left either. Dallas needs to win to just keep any idea about their season alive. As the Giants beat Houston, NYG leads the NFC East by 2.5 games.
This game won’t be fun for Dallas fans. Its more about taking care of business. You shouldn’t change your feelings ever based on one game. And if we see a Dallas victory by a wide margin, don’t think they are world beaters.
And for what its worth, fans (and haters) won’t let them feel good for beating Tanner McKee. But for fan sentiment, a loss will feel like a wrap on the season.
Click ⬇️ for my quick breakdown, or keep scrolling to read all three.
1. Christian Parker’s Homecoming
When the Cowboys hired Christian Parker, this was one of the games I immediately circled on the schedule.
Parker spent two seasons in Philadelphia learning under Vic Fangio and helping develop one of the NFL’s best secondaries. His return to Philadelphia was supposed to be the ultimate measuring stick for how far the Cowboys defense had come under his leadership.
Six games into the season, we were supposed to be talking about how Parker had transformed Dallas’ defense. Maybe we’d see the same creativity, discipline and communication that made Philadelphia so successful. Maybe we’d finally have a defense that could complement Dak Prescott and the offense.
Instead, we’re heading into Monday night just hoping the Cowboys can line up correctly and get off the field on third down.
Not exactly the homecoming we envisioned.
Dallas has struggled with blown assignments, inconsistent coverage, missed tackles and a pass rush that hasn’t generated nearly enough pressure. And while there were some encouraging signs against Green Bay, one decent defensive performance doesn’t erase six weeks of frustration.
Playing against an Eagles offense that has been struggling and now is missing its leader, Jalen Hurts, for the rest of the season. This game should be the one where the defensive scheme looks good, but so was Tampa Bay…there’s no more time to figure things out after this. Dallas can’t fall 2-5, so the Dallas D better figure it out.
2. Keep Hope Alive
For Philadelphia, Monday night feels like a season that’s already slipping away. With Jalen Hurts out for the year and the Eagles sitting at 2-4, it’s hard to imagine this being the season their fans expected.
The Cowboys aren’t exactly inspiring confidence themselves, but there’s still a chance to turn things around. And if there’s one game they absolutely need to take care of business in, it’s against a struggling division rival missing its starting quarterback.
Now, I know there isn’t a sense of high fan sentiment going around the Cowboys fanbase. But whether you like it or not, the Cowboys still have to play football. Therefore, in an effort to keep hope alive…and the season alive, just win and let’s move on.
This game won’t…and shouldn’t change how you think about the Cowboys right now. It’s more important to get the win in the column and move on to Arizona.
Dallas needs to win the next three: Eagles, Arizona, Indianapolis. 3 teams, 3 losing records. This will get Dallas to 5-4, and then we can start talking about the future of this season. But you have three weeks to lock in.
For this game: Dak Prescott has historically dominated the NFC East, going 38-11 against division opponents with a 103.1 passer rating. That success needs to continue Monday night. And despite Philadelphia’s offensive struggles, Dallas can’t afford to overlook Tanner McKee. The Cowboys’ defense has been far too inconsistent to assume any opponent will struggle against it.
The Eagles have lost four straight and rank 30th in total offense, averaging just 255.5 yards per game. Dallas is also 2-4, but the NFC East remains wide open.
3. Don’t Get Fooled Again
The Cowboys have spent two straight weeks struggling to find answers offensively, and now they face one of the NFL’s most experienced defensive coordinators.
Philadelphia’s defense hasn’t been nearly as dominant as expected, recording just eight sacks through six games. But Fangio’s defense still does a good job of limiting short passes, allowing just a 43.6% success rate on throws between 0–9 air yards, the third-lowest mark in the NFL.
That’s particularly concerning for Dallas.
Prescott has thrown more than 60% of his passes in that short range in each of his last two games. Under Brian Schottenheimer, the Cowboys are 0-5 when Dak reaches that threshold.
And while Philadelphia has struggled to finish sacks, its defensive front still features Jalen Carter and Jordan Davis, with Fangio capable of disguising coverages and mixing in pressure.
This Eagles defense is not known for bringing the pressure, but the impact that its had on Dak these past few weeks, you might as well send a couple to just see. Dallas needs to get its offense right, and whether they like it or not…it has to be against Philly.
X-Factors of the Game
Game x-factors: not necessarily the best players, but guys who could have a big impact.
I won’t have fun watching this game, I just know it. Just win and let’s move on. Cowboys need it and they need a couple. This game could be a way for Dallas to feel good about itself, whatever is necessary at this point.
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