Eagles News: DeVonta Smith primed for a big night in Dallas

Let’s get to the Philadelphia Eagles links ...

Fantasy Football 2021: 5 WR/CB matchups to target and 5 to avoid in Week 3 - PFF
WR DeVonta Smith, Philadelphia Eagles vs. CB Anthony Brown, Dallas Cowboys. Week 1 and 2 fell on either end of the spectrum for Smith, as he reeled in an impressive six receptions on seven targets for 71 yards and a touchdown to begin the season but then only pulled in two catches for 16 yards in the follow-up. The good news is he leads the team with an absurd 26.4% target share and is clearly being given opportunities to produce. There’s a good chance he makes due on that in Week 3, with the suspect Cowboys secondary up next. Brown is projected to cover Smith for the majority of the contest and has allowed the most receiving yards (176) this season, as well as two receiving touchdowns.

Eagles-Cowboys Game Preview: 5 questions and answers with our most hated enemy - BGN
The Cowboys biggest weakness is the cornerback group. Only Trevon Diggs inspires confidence back there and teams have really picked on the group in the first two weeks. To make matters worse, the Cowboys pass rush, outside of what Parsons did against the Chargers, hasn’t exactly struck fear into anybody. So the Cowboys are very vulnerable to a passing attack that has receivers who can do damage. Tom Brady and company torched them, and Justin Herbert did too, except penalties kept causing issues for the Chargers who had two passing touchdowns wiped out by penalty. The only thing that has saved them in the secondary is they are getting turnovers. That has been the great equalizer for the pass defense.

Eye on the Enemy #67: Eagles-Cowboys Week 3 Preview with RJ Ochoa - BGN Radio
John Stolnis and RJ Ochoa from SB Nation’s Blogging the Boys broke down match-ups to watch for this week’s game against the Cowboys. They tried to come up with new insults for Cowboys fans to make fun of their Super Bowl drought. Also, John did a mini BGN Memories taking a look back at the Eagles vs. Cowboys game in Dallas in Week 3 of 1991 when the Birds sacked Troy Aikman 11 times and won 24-0.

Cowboys vs. Eagles: “Jalen Hurts is probably only going to get the 2021 season to prove [himself]” - Blogging The Boys
I’m feeling like the Eagles are a flawed team not without merits. Prior to the season, I had them finishing the season around 8-9. The excitement from the blowout win over the Falcons had me wondering if they might even be better than expected. The loss to the 49ers was a reminder that they can’t win a game where they waste too many opportunities. By contrast, an elite team like the Chiefs or Bucs might be able to survive those mistakes. Perhaps for an exception or two, the Eagles should be a pretty competitive team week in and week out. If they can at least tread water in the first half of the season, there’s potential for them to go on a run by winning their NFC East games down the stretch. And they might be a more fully formed team at that point with Sirianni and Hurts and other young players growing as the season goes along.

NFL Week 3 fantasy football questions and answers: 32 reporters give advice on Clyde Edwards-Helaire, Ezekiel Elliott, more - ESPN
Two games, two very different game plans. Do you expect the cautious Jalen Hurts from Week 1 or the risk-taking version from Week 2 to be the norm moving forward? I’m expecting a roller-coaster ride with Hurts in the passing game, filled with plenty of highs and lows. The approach will change slightly each week based on the matchups, but I think we’ll see the Week 1 version of Hurts more often. The offense is at its best when Hurts is firing quick, short-to-intermediate passes, allowing the playmakers to create in space. Coach Nick Sirianni strayed too far from that Sunday against the 49ers with a number of designed shot plays. Hurts does have a pretty good deep ball and these receivers can burn, but Hurts probably will be more selective moving forward.

Mailbag: How will the Eagles replace Brandon Graham? - PhillyVoice
As for Barnett, he has obviously been a disappointment, partly because of production, and partly because of availability, and obviously the continued occasional idiotic cheap shots don’t help. I know this point is getting tired, but he’s still only 25 years old. It’s not out of the ordinary at all for pass rushers to sort of figure it out and become more productive at this point in their careers. Barnett still has 15 games to show that he can take his game to the next level. I’m not super optimistic on that. My early guess is that he’s playing elsewhere next year, and the Eagles are shopping for a edge rusher in the 2022 NFL Draft.

Onus on Fletcher Cox, other Eagles to fill Brandon Graham energy void - Inquirer
Cox has been the obvious candidate to assume some of Graham’s leadership roles. Coach Nick Sirianni has focused almost exclusively on the veteran defensive tackle, and for obvious reasons. Cox is also a team-voted captain, he plays on the same side of the ball and with the same position group, and has clout because of his on-field accomplishments. But he is generally subdued. Cox may speak up or call out effort when necessary — the infrequency enough to carry weight — but Graham had a way of constructively criticizing teammates without generating bitterness in return. It helped that he worked as hard as anyone. “He’s been here longer than anybody else, and the way he practices, carries himself, and is full energy — there’s really no excuse for anybody else,” Johnson said of Graham. “If a guy who’s played that long can set that kind of example, it rises everybody else up.”

Dickerson not interested in excuses, ready to correct mistakes - NBCSP
The Eagles’ second-round pick was thrown into the fire for his first NFL action on Sunday against the 49ers. After missing all of training camp as he recovered from a torn ACL, Dickerson only started practicing a few weeks ago. Sunday was his first game active. And he got just a few practice reps at right guard during the week after splitting his time at center and guard. He didn’t bring up any of that. “I could sit here and give you excuses all day, but I believe excuses breed mediocrity,” Dickerson said. Dickerson, 22, wasn’t happy with the way he played in Sunday’s 17-11 loss and has vowed to correct his mistakes going forward. That’s good news for the Eagles, who will be starting Dickerson going forward in place of Brandon Brooks, who is now on IR.

GamePlan: How the Broncos Have Come Together and a Window Into COVID-19 Precautions in 2021 - Sports Illustrated
FIVE STAR MATCHUPS. 5) Eagles at Cowboys (Monday, 8:15 p.m. ET): There are other games here, but it’s always tough to top an old-school NFC East showdown and an opportunity for each of these teams to step forward in the division race in a big way. It’s also a big spot for Jalen Hurts, after an up-and-down Week 2.

’Our best against their best. That’s the way you want it’ - PE.com
“Dallas has a strong 1-2 punch in the backfield. They are special together. They are both physical and will come downhill on you and thump you. They’re looking for big yards after contact. We want to set the tempo on them. Dak is a composed quarterback who knows how to play within the system. I think we’re all excited to get down there and do what we do – stop the run and get into favorable down and distances and then play the coverages we want to play.” The Eagles are, like every team, still feeling things out. We’re three weeks into the season. Monday night represents an opportunity to take a step forward on a national stage. The defense has the task of limiting a Dallas offense that can be devastating when at its best. “Our best against their best. That’s the way you want it,” Singleton said. “We feel like it’s on us and we know that to have success. We all have to do our part.”

Week 3 Previews: Can Aaron Rodgers Beat 49ers’ Cover-2? - Football Outsiders
After the Cowboys defeat a second straight opponent that outplays them but self-destructs at the goal line, the main talking point around Dallas will be Elliott’s selflessness. Cowboys 24, Eagles 21.

Dak Prescott looking forward to ‘special’ homecoming on Monday night - NFL.com
Dak Prescott’s comeback tour is set for the homecoming game. Returning to play in front of Cowboys fans at AT&T Stadium for the first time since he broke his ankle last season, Prescott and Dallas will look to take down the rival Philadelphia Eagles. And Prescott will look to take in all the joys of the home crowd. “I think it will be more special just because of the amount of Cowboys fans that will be there versus the away games,” Prescott said Friday, via ESPN’s Todd Archer. “I mean, obviously the first two they traveled great and felt the energy and felt that, but just knowing that the support that they’ve given me over these past, I guess, going on a year, was important, was something that I felt. And knowing when I run out there once again, whether it’s pregame, whether it’s in a moment within the game, just to be able to see up there and know that after COVID and what we all went through last year, to have them all back, yeah, it will be exciting.

Amari Cooper expects to play with “cracked” rib - PFT
Cowboys coach Mike McCarthy described Amari Cooper‘s ribs as “bruised” during a news conference earlier this week. The star receiver, though, indicated it was even worse than that. “I think it’s cracked,” Cooper said Friday, via Rob Phillips of the team website. Cooper expects to play the home opener Monday night against the Eagles. “It’s getting better every day. I’ll be ready,” Cooper said. Cooper said he initially injured his ribs on a touchdown catch in the season opener against the Bucs. He played through it last week, seeing action on 60 snaps, and called the injury “very manageable.”

Giants vs. Falcons injury news: TE Evan Engram could make 2021 debut for Giants on Sunday - Big Blue View
The New York Giants could have tight end Evan Engram back in their lineup on Sunday against the Atlanta Falcons. After missing the first two games with a calf injury, Engram is listed as questionable for Sunday’s game. Engram, Nate Ebner (quad) and Kenny Golladay (hip) are questionable. Linebacker Cam Brown (hamstring) is the only Giant ruled out.

Three key matchups to watch in Sunday’s Washington Football Team vs. Buffalo Bills game - Hogs Haven
Scott Turner is coming off of an excellent game, specifically in his ability to have a rhythmic feel for his offense and utilizing plays designed for his proven playmakers. Wideout Terry McLaurin had one of his best games in Washington against the Giants. Bills’ defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier and his players could do no wrong against the Miami Dolphins and did well against the Pittsburgh Steelers. The key with Frazier has been his pre-snap looks; he loves to show a six or seven-man front and forces Washington and other opposing offenses to find the five or six that he will send.

Colts Injury Report: QB Wentz QUESTIONABLE, RT Smith & LB Glasgow OUT - Stampede Blue
Quarterback Carson Wentz is QUESTIONABLE for Sunday’s game against the Titans. Wentz managed to practice today although it was limited. Coach Reich said Wentz will truly be a game time decision for Sunday, it is very unclear if Wentz will play and even more unclear who will play in place of Wentz if he can’t go Sunday.

Dolphins vs Raiders 2021 Week 3 injury report: Tua Tagovailoa out, Josh Jacobs doubtful - The Phinsider
The Miami Dolphins on Friday officially ruled quarterback Tua Tagovailoa out of Sunday’s game against the Las Vegas Raiders. The news was not surprising, though, as head coach Brian Flores told the media on Wednesday that Tagovailoa’s fractured ribs would keep him from playing this weekend. The team will start Jacoby Brissett at quarterback against the Raiders.

NFL Reacts #8: CMC Injury, Fantasy starter Justin Fields, Reacts Polls, & Fantasy Sleepers - The SB Nation NFL Show
Welcome to another edition of NFL Reacts! Stephen Serda and Kate Magdziuk discuss the injuries to watch ahead of week 3, and the game-plan for your team after the Christian McCaffrey injury. Justin Fields should be a starter in your lineup this week against the Browns, and we are no longer a Zach Wilson pod. We’ve got a fresh batch of NFL Reacts polls and our weekly fantasy sleepers.

...

Social Media Information:

BGN Facebook Page: Click here to like our page

BGN Twitter: Follow @BleedingGreen

BGN Instagram: Follow @BleedingGreenInsta

BGN Manager: Brandon Lee Gowton: Follow @BrandonGowton

BGN Radio Twitter: Follow @BGN_Radio

BGN Cameo: Click here for a personalized video message