Dallas Cowboys vs Philadelphia Eagles: Know Thy Enemy

Oct 16, 2022; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver A.J. Brown (11) and Dallas Cowboys cornerback Trevon Diggs (7) have words after a play in the second quarter at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 16, 2022; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver A.J. Brown (11) and Dallas Cowboys cornerback Trevon Diggs (7) have words after a play in the second quarter at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
3 of 3
Next
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA – OCTOBER 16: Ezekiel Elliott #21 of the Dallas Cowboys runs the ball whilst C.J. Gardner-Johnson #23 of the Philadelphia Eagles defends during the game at Lincoln Financial Field on October 16, 2022, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA – OCTOBER 16: Ezekiel Elliott #21 of the Dallas Cowboys runs the ball whilst C.J. Gardner-Johnson #23 of the Philadelphia Eagles defends during the game at Lincoln Financial Field on October 16, 2022, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) /

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.

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.

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.