The Philadelphia Eagles are absolutely decimated by injuries heading into their “Monday Night Football” showdown against the Dallas Cowboys, with franchise quarterback Jalen Hurts officially out due to blood clots in his calf and lungs. This isn’t just a minor setback, folks. This is a full-blown catastrophe for a team that’s suddenly spiraling.
Philly’s Nightmare Week 7 Injury Report
Seriously, take a look at this list: Hurts isn’t the only one out. Wide receivers DeVonta Smith and Dontayvion Wicks are sidelined, as is Nolan Smith. That’s a huge chunk of their playmakers and a key defender gone. And it gets worse: Saquon Barkley, Landon Dickerson, Jonathan Greenard, and Jalyx Hunt are all listed as questionable. This team is already reeling, having dropped four straight games after an optimistic 2-0 start to the season. You can feel the frustration building, especially when your top guy is out with something as serious as blood clots. How do you even begin to rally with that much talent sidelined against a division rival?
Dallas’ Sputtering Offense Just Got a Lucky Break
Now, let’s not pretend the Cowboys are coming into this game smelling like roses. They’ve lost two straight in “dispiriting fashion,” and their offense, which was “cooking” through the first four weeks, has gone ice cold. We’re talking a measly 29 points combined against the Buccaneers and Packers, after consistently hitting 30-plus in their earlier games. Their defense, which everyone thought would be elite, was “under fire early in the season” and now has “questions.”
But here’s the kicker: Dallas’ biggest problem the last two weeks has been handling the blitz. Dak Prescott, usually excellent against extra rushers, went just 20 of 38 for 194 scoreless yards when facing blitzes. They ran for a pitiful 98 yards total in those games, even with star guard Tyler Smith back on the field. The Bucs and Packers blitzed Prescott on a massive 38.8% of his dropbacks, completely toying with the Cowboys’ protection rules. Here’s where Philly’s current defensive setup could be a gift for Dallas: the Eagles, under Vic Fangio, blitz just 24.1% of the time, the fourth-lowest rate in the entire NFL. Fangio would have to completely flip his entire “modus operandi” to start sending extra rushers at Prescott. Does he do it? Or do the Cowboys get a much-needed reprieve from the pressure that’s been crushing their offense?
This “Monday Night Football” matchup is massive for both squads, each desperate to stop their losing skid. It’s happening tonight, October 26, at 8:15 p.m. ET from Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, live on ESPN/ABC. With Hurts out and the Eagles’ roster looking like a hospital ward, the stakes couldn’t be higher. Can the Cowboys finally get their offense back on track, or will the Eagles find a way to defy the odds on a ravaged roster? We’ll find out soon enough.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by CBS Sports.
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