Cowboys vs Eagles Preview

One of the most anticipated games of the Cowboys season, and probably the most important game of the season because this probably is it for them. This is probably their last shot at making a push for the playoffs. The 8-2 Eagles are a damn good football team, but they aren't unbeatable. Let's see what the keys to victory are for this week 12 matchup vs Philly.

Offensively, the Cowboys have to follow the same pattern vs Vegas, establish the run game, get Dak in play action. This pass rush comes off of a game where they made Goff's life a living nightmare. Forcing multiple sacks and tipped passes on the Lions Offense. They need to keep this Eagles d-line guessing and they can't give them any momentum. Especially Carter, who will be eager to get his revenge against Dak Prescott(even though he was the aggressor in the situation technically). Javonte Williams posted a respectable 22 carries for 93 yards vs Vegas, and he will need to repeat that same production vs Philly. In the week 1 matchup, Williams was held in check to 15 carries for 54 yards, but he did post 2 TDS, they were on the goal line though. As for the o-line, Terrance Steele and Tyler Guyton will need to step up in this one. Steele and Guyton had a bounce back game vs Vegas after their debacles vs Arizona, and they will need to do that vs Philly to keep Dak clean, especially with Prescott's nagging hip injury. Now for the main matchup, that vaunted Eagles secondary vs Lamb, Pickens, and Ferguson. Philly can't afford to double one of them because the other will be left in a one v one. I understand Mitchell is a good cornerback but these recievers are one another level. Expect Fangio to throw a lot of zone coverages against Dak Prescott. Dak has been on fire this year, but he typically is worse against zone coverage than man coverage, but it's still a strength of his. Will Dak and this offense find success vs Philly and will Dak be able to maintain his win streak vs NFC east opponents vs home, he hasn't lost since 2017.

Defensively, we know their issues have plagued this season and this team, hopefully last game was a step in the right direction, even if it was against Vegas. But they aren't facing some high-powered offense. The Eagles offense comes in dysfunctional and sloppy as of late. Jalen Hurts has struggled in the past 2 games and the offense itself has only posted 10 and 16 points. The run game, which was once a glaring strength for this team, has turned into a flat rifle incapable of striking any fear into opponents. Not that it would matter for Dallas with those d-tackles. The key to disrupt this offense is to simply not blitz. Hurts has been exceptionally well against the blitz this year in part due to his stellar offensive line play, but if the Cowboys want to make him anxious, they need to disrupt what he sees downfield and maintain good gap rush integrity. Getting immediate pressure on Hurts won't help as much as taking away his run lanes. If this defense can follow the recipe that the Packers and Lions had for the Eagles, they should be in good hands. It is something to note that Hurts has never had a stellar game against Dallas in Dallas. I know last year he posted 258 yards and 4 tds, but most of that came in the second half when it was clear the Cowboys offense wasn't doing anything. He had two turnovers in the first half and took some bad sacks. Calen Carson will be making the start vs Philly(even though I think Diggs would probably be a better option against these recievers and Hurts), and he was abysmal last year against the duo of Brown and Smith. He was great against Vegas, so hopefully he carries it over to tomorrow.

The most important game of the Dallas Cowboys season has arrived, who do you think will come out with the victory in this one?