The Philadelphia Eagles (3-3) will in Texas on Sunday night to face the Dallas Cowboys (3-3) in a game that will that leave one team in first place in the NFC East. The meeting is also significant because it’s the first of two meetings between these two teams this year and could give one franchise a decisive leg up in the division.
With both teams coming off disastrous defeats last Sunday, here are six matchups to watch on Sunday night.
1. LT Andre Dillard-Lane Johnson vs. DeMarcus Lawrence-Robert Quinn
With Jason Peters listed as week to week with a knee injury, Dillard will be getting his first-ever NFL start against the Cowboys. He’ll be facing talented veteran defensive end Robert Quinn, who has 5 sacks in 4 games played this season and could provide Dillard with his stiffest test yet. There is no love lost between Eagles tackle Lane Johnson and the Cowboys DeMarcus Lawrence. The Eagles’ right tackle has Lawrence down in every past matchup, holding the Cowboys star sackless against Philadelphia in his career. Lawrence has tallied 36.5 sacks in six NFL seasons.
2. Jordan Howard-Miles Sanders vs. Leighton Vander Esch-Jaylon Smith
In the two games vs. the Cowboys last season, the Eagles averaged 52.5 rushing yards.
“They’re big, they really run well, they tackle really well, they’re strong,” Mike Groh said of Smith and Vander Esch.
The Eagles will counter with a big strong, physical running back in Jordan Howard. The addition of Sanders should provide a matchup problem in the passing game as well.
3. Brandon Graham-Derek Barnett vs. Tyron Smith-La’el Collins
The Eagles have done a good job of pressuring the quarterback this season and they’ll need to do a great job on Sunday night while locking up with Dallas’ star tackles, Tyron Smith and La’el Collins. Both are battling injuries, yet are expected to start against the Birds.
Cameron Fleming will fill in for Smith if he can’t go, while undrafted rookie Brandon Knight will relieve La’el Collins in an emergency.
Barnett on Wednesday mentioned that he’s preparing for Smith and Fleming, but he needs to get his mind locked on battling two All-Pro’s.
Graham has 4 sacks in the last 2 games and should take advantage of a favorable matchup.
4. Nate Gerry-Kamu Grugier-Hill-T.J. Edwards vs. Ezekiel Elliott
Through six games, Elliot has 491 rushing yards and five touchdowns to go along with 140 receiving yards. The Eagles were badly gashed through the air last week, but that doesn’t mean that Dallas won’t try to unleash Elliott against the NFL’s second-best rushing defense. The Birds give up 68.0 yards per game, but that was with a healthy Nigel Bradham, and before cutting Zach Brown. With the Birds lacking experience at the position, Sunday night will provide a huge test for Nate Gerry, Grugier-Hill and the rookie, T.J. Edwards.
In four games against Philly, Elliott has averaged 115.8 yards per game on the ground and 51.3 yards per game as a receiver.
He’ll be public enemy No. 1.
5. Jalen Mills vs. Amari Cooper
Cooper is dealing with an injury (quad) but is expected to play. With Mills back, it’ll be a welcomed sight for the Eagles after last December’s matchup saw Cooper explode for 217 yards and three touchdowns against the Birds.
6. Alshon Jeffery-Nelson Agholor vs. Cowboys banged up cornerbacks
The Eagles will be without DeSean Jackson on Sunday and it’ll cost them the opportunity to take advantage of the Cowboys banged-up secondary. The Cowboys’ top corners (Byron Jones and Anthony Brown) are both dealing with hamstring injuries and could be ripe for big plays.
Alshon Jeffery will provide consistency, but the Eagles desperately need production Nelson Agholor and Mack Hollins.
