What We’ve Seen from Eagles and Possible Defensive Game Plan Against Cowboys
Opponents’ Points Per Game: 19.1
Opponents’ Passing Yards Per Game: 200.3
Opponents’ Rushing Yards Per Game: 121.1
Opponents’ Total Yards Per Game: 321.4
Opponents’ Third Down Conversion Percentage: 37.6%
Opponents’ Red Zone Conversion Percentage: 53.3%
Eagles Defensive Strategy vs Cowboys
This Eagles defense is very good in the passing game at locking down receivers, with Darius Slay and James Bradberry on the outside. The loss of safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson dealt a blow to the defense, but his backup Reed Blankenship has done a great job filling in.
The Eagles will try to repeat their strategies that limited Rush to only181 passing yards and three interceptions. This time, they will have to factor in the mobility of Dak Prescott, who looks to extend plays in order to push the ball downfield.
Eagles defense with their third straight game of 6+ sacks
— John Clark (@JClarkNBCS) December 18, 2022
Held Bears to just 248 yards pic.twitter.com/toe0HDCoUs
The one area where the Eagles know they are vulnerable is in the running game, where they are giving up 4.7 yards per carry. Last game without Prescott, the Cowboys had 134 rushing yards and a touchdown against the Eagles, and with No. 4 on the field, that number should rise. Philly will look to keep the Cowboys in third and long situations, which have been a sore subject for the Dallas offense at times this season.
Cowboys Offensive Strategy vs Eagles
The Cowboys, on the other hand, will need to have their running game start fast in order to manage down and distance in the game and take the pressure off Prescott (who, right now, has shade being thrown at him left and right).
Hopefully, the Cowboys decide to suit up T.Y. Hilton and give themselves another threat in the passing game, which will help Prescott and take some pressure off CeeDee Lamb, who has been playing very well this season. The Cowboys can’t afford to go three and out in a game like this, because if they do, the Eagles’ offense will surely figure out a way to take advantage.
Complementary football? Cowboys S Donovan Wilson recovered Travis Etienne fumble, setting up 43-yard field for offense. Cowboys exclusively used Tony Pollard and Ezekiel Elliott on drive, Zeke running in TD 6 plays later.
— Jori Epstein (@JoriEpstein) December 18, 2022
Cowboys 7, Jaguars 0pic.twitter.com/CZmVdYKaEV
The Cowboys also can’t have miscommunications between Prescott and his receivers, or along the offensive line in pass blocking. Otherwise, it’s going to be a long day for the Cowboys and their fans, as they look to show the NFL that last week’s loss to the Jaguars was a bump in the road on their way to the postseason.
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