Eagles Face Cowboys on Monday Night With Offense Decimated by Injuries

The Philadelphia Eagles will host the Dallas Cowboys on Monday night at Lincoln Financial Field, bringing together two teams in distinct states of disarray. The game is scheduled for 8:15 p.m. ET, with the Cowboys favored by 4.5 points and a total line of 43.5 via DraftKings Sportsbook.

Philadelphia enters Week 7 having lost four consecutive games after an initial 2-0 start. The roster has taken a severe hit from injuries, with quarterback Jalen Hurts sidelined due to blood clots in his calf and lungs. Wide receivers DeVonta Smith and Dontayvion Wicks will also miss the contest, while safety Nolan Smith remains out. Key offensive linemen Saquon Barkley, Landon Dickerson, Jonathan Greenard, and Jalyx Hunt are all listed as questionable to play.

The Cowboys arrive after losing back-to-back games, with their offense combining for just 29 points against the Buccaneers and Packers in Weeks 5 and 6. This dip follows three straight games where Dallas scored at least 30 points. The team has struggled against blitzing defenses, with Dak Prescott completing 20 of 38 passes for 194 yards and no touchdowns when facing extra rushers. Running back Javonte Williams has averaged only 3.7 yards per carry this season, down from his 4.8 average last year.

The Eagles' defensive strategy may offer Dallas a reprieve from the pressure that has plagued them recently. According to Tru Media, the Bucs and Packers sent extra rushers on 38.8% of Prescott's dropbacks over the last two weeks. In contrast, the Eagles have blitzed on just 24.1% of opponent dropbacks, the fourth-lowest rate in the NFL. Head coach Vic Fangio has rarely employed such a heavy blitz scheme since joining the staff, having done so in only one other game this season.

Philadelphia's defense has allowed opponents to complete 60.4% of passes at an average of 7.0 yards per attempt, per Tru Data. However, the unit has given up eight touchdown passes while recording only three interceptions. The Eagles' inability to generate pressure is evident, with a sack, hit, or hurry on only 32.9% of dropbacks. This lack of pressure has kept quarterbacks comfortable in the pocket, a dynamic that could benefit Prescott if the Eagles' offensive line cannot hold up.

On the other side of the ball, the Eagles' offense is expected to shift heavily toward the passing game. In Hurts' absence last week, backup quarterback Tanner McKee dropped back to pass 48 times. McKee has a career record of 16 of 45 passes for 179 yards and no touchdowns when under duress, with a 15.1% sack rate. If the Cowboys can pressure McKee, the Eagles' lack of a quarterback running game could limit their offensive efficiency further.

The Eagles may lean on the running game if Saquon Barkley returns to the lineup. Barkley has averaged 5.5 yards per carry in the two games he has played through this season. Opponents have found success against the Cowboys' front seven, with five of the six teams facing Dallas gaining at least 165 rushing yards. The Cowboys have allowed opponents to average 4.7 yards per carry, creating an opportunity for Philadelphia to control the tempo and prevent the game from becoming a passing contest.

With both teams missing key personnel and facing strategic challenges, the outcome hinges on execution. The Eagles will rely on Makai Lemon, Darius Cooper, and Dallas Goedert as McKee's primary targets, while the Cowboys look to capitalize on Philadelphia's thin offensive line. The matchup pits a high-volume passing offense against a defense that struggles to generate pressure, while Dallas attempts to rebound from a two-game losing streak against a team with fewer options in the backfield.