The Dallas Cowboys passing attack will be crucial for Dallas to beat the Philadelphia Eagles on Monday night. Dallas is coming off a great win versus the Los Angeles Chargers last Sunday. The Philadelphia Eagles visit the Dallas Cowboys on Monday night for a divisional showdown. The Eagles were impressive in Week 1 against the Atlanta Falcons and played the San Francisco 49ers to the wire in Week 2. The Dallas Cowboys Week 3 passing attack will be vital against the Philadelphia Eagles.
Dallas Week. Enough said.#FlyEaglesFly pic.twitter.com/eAuc9PvL9J
— Philadelphia Eagles (@Eagles) September 21, 2021
Dallas Cowboys Week 3 Passing Attack Must the Be Focus Against the Philadelphia Eagles
The Dallas Cowboys lost to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 1 and squeaked out that victory against the Chargers in Week 2. If the Cowboys want to improve to 2-1 they will need to outscore the Eagles in Week 3. This week marks the start of divisional matchups for the Dallas Cowboys and potentially the path to the playoffs.
The Cowboys are a run-first team as of late. Ezekiel Elliott struggled in Week 1 against the Buccaneers, but the backfield tandem of Elliott and Tony Pollard got the ground game going in Los Angeles. Unfortunately, the strength of this Eagles defense is their defensive line. Fletcher Cox is one of the best defensive linemen in the NFL and he has earned his reputation by stifling opposing running backs.
Through the Air Not on the Ground
Dallas will need to move the ball in the air if they hope to have success against the Eagles. The matchup of the night will be Darius Slay covering Amari Cooper. Slay has earned the nickname “Big Play Slay,” thanks to his big-play capabilities in the secondary. If Slay shuts down Cooper, Dak Prescott will have to look for CeeDee Lamb in the passing game.
Lamb shredded the Buccaneers in Week 1 for 104 yards on seven catches including one touchdown. Lamb followed up that performance with eight catches and 81 yards in Week 2 versus the Chargers. With Cooper most likely drawing Slay, Lamb will be a crucial part of the passing game.
Stack up Dak Prescott and the Cowboys pic.twitter.com/h3RcopoeaJ
— PFF Fantasy Football (@PFF_Fantasy) September 17, 2021
Eagles Defense
With Fletcher Cox waiting up the middle, the Dallas running backs will hope to contribute to the box score by catching passes. Pollard and Elliott are both viable pass-catchers in the flat, and running routes. With no standouts in the Eagles linebacking corps, the Dallas backfield could take advantage of this Eagles defense through the air rather than on the ground.
Cowboys Defense
The Cowboys defense will likely struggle in this game. Through two games Jalen Hurts looks like a bonafide NFL starter. His rushing ability keeps defenders peeking in the backfield, which opens up receivers down the field. The linebackers will have their hands full controlling the run, covering underneath coverage, and keeping Hurts in the pocket.
Although improved over last season, the Dallas defense has not been great in 2021 and that was before their recent rash of injuries. The entire NFL has been plagued by injuries, and the Cowboys are not exempt from that. After injuries to Demarcus Lawrence and Neville Gallimore, this defense is reeling.
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Best Defense Is a Good Offense
Dallas will have to outscore Hurts and the Eagles if they want to win on Monday Night and improve to 2-1. With their struggling defense, Dallas needs to control the ball and dictate the pace of the game. The Cowboys are unlikely to run the ball successfully into the heart of the Eagles defense. Prescott, Cooper, and Lamb need to get the air attack going early and often to control the pace of the game and put pressure on Hurts and the Eagles offense. But if Dallas plays into what Philadelphia wants to do, they will likely find themselves in another one-possession game hoping to have the ball last.
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