Jalen Hurts, the Eagles’ QB1, is officially out for the season with issues stemming from blood clots, a bombshell that absolutely rocks this Monday Night Football matchup. It’s wild, because just weeks ago, the Eagles were playing a Bears team missing Caleb Williams, and now it’s Philly feeling that same pain.
The Eagles Are Shorthanded and Hobbled for MNF
With Hurts sidelined, Tanner McKee got his first start of the season in relief, and if you saw that game against the Panthers, you know it was rough. The Eagles ranked 26th of 28 in advanced metrics like EPA/Play and Success Rate. Look, he didn’t turn the ball over on 45 pass attempts, which is a positive, but that’s about all you can say. To make matters worse for Philadelphia’s passing game, DeVonta Smith and Dontayvion Wicks have already been ruled out for Monday, which completely kills any hope for chunk yardage.
However, there’s a flicker of hope with the possible return of Saquon Barkley. That changes the entire game plan for McKee and makes it way more likely the Eagles can string together those long, clock-chewing drives between the 20s. Good thing, too, because the Cowboys’ defense has been known to give those up.
Is The Cowboys’ Offense Seriously Overrated?
The Dallas Cowboys are expected to win this game on the road, but hold up, the betting market isn’t so sure. The line is well under a touchdown, especially after that home underdog upset the first time around when the Eagles played without their starting QB. And honestly, the numbers back up the skepticism.
The Cowboys’ offense? It’s overrated. After what looked like a respectable start, when you adjust for garbage time, turnovers, and fourth downs, their advanced metrics like weighted EPA/Play and Success Rate have been tumbling. Their early season numbers were propped up by facing teams outside the top 10. Once they faced top-five units like the Buccaneers and Packers, it became clear. Teams are scouting what Dallas wants to do, and you can’t just rely on “out-talenting” your opponent in the NFL.
What to Expect: A Low-Scoring Grind
Few defensive coordinators know Dallas better than Vic Fangio, the Eagles’ DC, and his unit has been better at limiting opponents’ EPA/Play than their raw Success Rate. That’s big, because EPA/Play is augmented by the explosiveness the Cowboys live and die by. Considering the quarterback situation for Philly and the growing questions around Dallas’s offense, neither team is going to want to put the football at risk. We’re looking at a game much like that Eagles-Bears matchup earlier in the season, with a combined total score likely in the mid-to-high 30s.
So, what’s the play for Monday Night Football? Bet the Under 44.5 total points. And let’s talk about Dak Prescott’s legs: he looked spry in the first three games, running 10 times for 59 yards. But since then? It’s been all “chuck and duck,” with only four rushing attempts for a total of 7, 6, 0, and -1 yards over the last three games. Against a pass defense that only has a 45% pass-rush win rate, Prescott should have enough time to get the ball out without needing to scramble. Bet Dak Prescott under 9.5 rush yards. This one is going to be a defensive battle, not a shootout.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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