Eagles vs. Cowboys Week 3 game preview and predictions

Beat Dallas.

That’s the goal this week. It’s much easier said than done for the Philadelphia Eagles.

The Cowboys are heading into this Week 3 Monday Night Football with some confidence. They kept things close against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (an all-important moral victory) in the season opener before beating a quality Los Angeles Chargers team on the road in Week 2. Dallas feels like this is their division and they have a chance to prove as much at their home field in Dak Prescott’s first game back at AT&T Stadium since suffering his serious ankle injury.

Prescott and the Cowboys’ offensive weapons will be sure to provide the toughest challenge that Philly’s defense has dealt with so far. Amari Cooper has a history of doing damage to the Eagles and CeeDee Lamb certainly isn’t someone to sleep on. The Cowboys seem to be wising up to Tony Pollard being a more efficient option than Ezekiel Elliott and the former’s increased usage only makes Dallas more dangerous.

With Brandon Graham out, the pressure is on his replacements to step it up. But I’d argue the one player who really needs to rise to the occasion plays a different position. After only notching one sack in his last six appearances, Fletcher Cox is overdue for a takeover game. The Eagles have no fumble recoveries or interceptions this season and they’re probably not leaving Dallas with a win if that trend continues.

Unlike their offense, the Cowboys’ defense isn’t scary. The Eagles should be able to bounce back from last week when they only scored one touchdown that came in the fourth quarter. Dallas’s secondary is gettable. Their front seven is depleted due to a combination of injuries and COVID-related absences.

But there are questions if the Eagles can truly take advantage. Jalen Hurts left a number of big plays on the field last week; he can’t afford to do that again. Hurts’ life might not be super easy, though, due to a downgrade in his protection. The Eagles missing both Jordan Mailata and Brandon Brooks isn’t insignificant. There’s legitimate disaster potential with Andre Dillard starting at left tackle. The thinking here is that the Eagles will give him extra help and he might be able to function against the Cowboys’ weakened d-line. The same could apply to Landon Dickerson, who really struggled after being thrown into the fire last week.

One Cowboys defender that the Eagles might have to pay extra attention to is Micah Parsons. Some Philly fans are all too familiar with the Penn State product. The rookie excelled last week when moved from off-ball linebacker to edge rusher. To be determined if he can do that again.

The feeling here is that this game is going to be a close one. The Eagles should bring a good fight down to Dallas. But they might just not have enough to outpace the Cowboys.

For more, check out BGN’s weekly NFL game predictions and picks against the spread.

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Score prediction:

Bold prediction:

My predictions:

Score prediction: 24 to 20, Eagles lose.

Bold prediction: Andre Dillard only gives up two sacks.

Your predictions:

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