Eagles Face Cowboys With Thin Roster and Low Blitz Strategy

The Philadelphia Eagles host the Dallas Cowboys on Monday, October 26, at 8:15 p.m. ET at Lincoln Financial Field. The matchup features two teams on four and three game losing skids, respectively, and the odds favor Dallas by 4.5 points with a total of 43.5.

Philadelphia is dealing with a severe injury crisis. Quarterback Jalen Hurts is out after blood clots were found in his calf and lungs. Wide receivers DeVonta Smith and Dontayvion Wicks are also sidelined, as is linebacker Nolan Smith. Running back Saquon Barkley and guard Landon Dickerson are listed as questionable, while both of Barkley's backups remain on injured reserve.

The Cowboys arrive with their own offensive concerns. Dallas scored 29 points across its last two games against the Buccaneers and Packers, down from 30 or more in the previous three weeks. The offense failed to handle blitzes effectively, allowing quarterback Dak Prescott to go 20 of 38 for 194 yards without a score against extra rushers. The team managed only 98 combined rushing yards in those contests.

A tactical mismatch exists in the defensive approach. The Buccaneers and Packers blitzed on 38.8% of Prescott's dropbacks, while the Eagles have blitzed on just 24.1% of their own dropbacks this season. That rate ranks fourth lowest in the NFL. Defensive coordinator Vic Fangio has blitzed on at least 38% of dropbacks only once since taking the role.

The Eagles' defense has allowed opponents to average 7.0 yards per attempt and complete 60.4% of passes. However, the unit has generated pressure on only 32.9% of dropbacks, which has given quarterbacks time to operate. If the Eagles can limit their blitzing, they may avoid the specific weakness that has hurt Dallas recently.

On offense, the Eagles will likely rely on Tanner McKee, who started last week. He threw 48 times in that game. The team faces a challenge in the running game, as Dallas has allowed opponents to average 4.7 yards per carry all season. Barkley, if he plays, has averaged 5.5 yards per carry in his two healthy games this year.