Eagles face Cowboys with 24.1% blitz rate and key absences

The Philadelphia Eagles host the Dallas Cowboys on Monday night, October 26, at Lincoln Financial Field in a Week 7 contest that pits two struggling teams against one another.

Philadelphia has lost four straight games after opening the season with two victories. The Eagles enter the game without quarterback Jalen Hurts, who is sidelined due to blood clots found in his calf and lungs. Wide receivers DeVonta Smith and Dontayvion Wicks are also out, along with linebacker Nolan Smith. Running back Saquon Barkley, guard Landon Dickerson, tackle Jonathan Greenard, and tight end Jalyx Hunt are all listed as questionable.

The Cowboys have lost their last two games in close fashion, scoring 29 points in those contests after averaging over 30 points in each of the previous three weeks. Dallas has struggled to protect its quarterback against blitzing defenses. In the last two games, opponents sent extra rushers on 38.8% of Dak Prescott's dropbacks, according to Tru Media. Prescott was 20 of 38 for 194 yards and no touchdowns against those extra rushers. The team also combined for just 98 rushing yards in that span.

The Eagles' defensive strategy differs from the teams that recently held Dallas. Philadelphia has blitzed on only 24.1% of opponent dropbacks this season, the fourth-lowest rate in the NFL. Vic Fangio, the Eagles' defensive coordinator, has blitzed on at least 38% of dropbacks only once since taking the role. The Eagles allow opponents to complete 60.4% of passes for an average of 7.0 yards per attempt. However, the defense has allowed eight touchdown passes against three interceptions. Quarterbacks have faced a sack, hit, or hurry on only 32.9% of dropbacks against Philadelphia.

The Eagles' offense faces challenges with Tanner McKee starting at quarterback. McKee dropped back to pass 48 times in the previous game. His career record under pressure is 16 of 45 for 179 yards and no touchdowns. If Barkley plays, the Eagles may lean on the ground game, as opponents have averaged 4.7 yards per carry against Dallas this season. Every opponent except the Houston Texans and Green Bay Packers has rushed for at least 165 yards against the Cowboys.

The Cowboys' running game has been inefficient. Javonte Williams averages 3.7 yards per carry, down from 4.8 last season. The Eagles allow only 4.0 yards per carry on the ground. On the receiving end, McKee will likely rely on Makai Lemon, Darius Cooper, and Dallas Goedert. The Cowboys may use Joey Porter Jr. to cover either Cooper or Lemon, while Cobie Durant is set to return to the secondary.

The game is scheduled for 8:15 p.m. ET and will air on ESPN and ABC. DraftKings Sportsbook has the Cowboys as 4.5-point favorites, with the total set at 43.5 points.