Game Preview – PHI at DAL

The Eagles and Cowboys have the best rivalry in the NFL right now. You have two huge fanbases that love to talk trash. You have teams full of star players. You also get games where a lot of crazy things happen and you’re guaranteed at least two meetings a year.

A few weeks back, Saturday’s clash between Dallas and Philly looked like the Game of the Year. The division title would be on the line. Maybe the top seed in the NFC. You had a national audience on Christmas Eve. This game was going to be everything the NFL dreamed of.

But a funny thing happened on the way to the forum (hope some of you get that reference). Dallas lost to Jacksonville and Jalen Hurts got injurued.

The game is still important to Dallas. They can win the NFC East if they win out and the Eagles lose out. That’s highly unlikely, but Dallas has to approach the game as if that could happen. I think Dallas will also want to show the NFL that barely beating the Texans and then losing to the Jags was a two-game sleepwalk and not who they are now. Heck, the Colts game ended as a huge blowout, but it was 21-19 at the end of the third quarter.

Did Dallas peak in their 40-3 win over the Vikings? Are the recent struggles just due to injuries?

.@Jaguars I thought the Jags were far more physical than the @dallascowboys and one reason why they pulled off this comeback victory. #duval #BaldysBreakdowns pic.twitter.com/TpSjMZYs3Q

— Brian Baldinger (@BaldyNFL) December 19, 2022

I’m sure the NFL hates not having a star like Hurts on the field for a marquee matchup. They do get a good replacement in Gardner Minshew. He’s good as a player, but also as a storyline. Minshew is always compelling, even if it can be a bit cheesy at times. Add in the fact he was just at his college coach Mike Leach’s funeral this week and you have good TV.

This game features two of the highest scoring offenses in the league. The defenses are also outstanding. It will be interesting to see which way this game goes. Do the offenses put on a show or will the defenses harken back to the days of Gang Green and Doomsday?

Dallas has been on an offensive roll. Since Nov. 1, they have at least 27 points and 385 yards in every game. They have run for 150 or more yards in all but one of those games. They have thrown for 243 yards in all but one of those games. This is a balanced attack.

This will be a big challenge for Jonathan Gannon and his defense. They have faced one-dimensional teams in recent weeks. The Eagles shut those opponents down on the ground and limited what they could do in the air. What do you do with Dak Prescott and company?

Gannon’s instinct will be to focus on the pass. That’s where big plays generally come from. But you must be able to control the Dallas run game or it’s death by 1,000 cuts. Linval Joseph could be a key player this week. He must be able to clog the middle of the field and make life tough for Zeke Elliott.

The DBs will be critical this week, as hitters and tacklers. They must come up in support against the run and they must tackle well in space, especially against Tony Pollard. He averages 5.5 yards per carry and has delivered a bunch of big plays this season. You don’t want him running free.

Reed Blankenship is back from his injury and should be starting. K’Von Wallace did some good things in his absence so Gannon could go with more three safety looks if he wants. Wallace played some in the first Dallas game and struggled. He’s made big strides since then, especially against the run.

Have a night Reed Blankenship pic.twitter.com/knVYHFDI0E

— Brenden Deeg (@BrendenDeeg_) November 28, 2022

Tackling was issue in the first meeting. Give Dallas credit for some of that. They have skill players that are fast, elusive and also strong. That’s a tough combination. Still, there were too many plays where Eagles missed. That needs to be cleaned up this time around. Dallas is too good to help them out. Make them earn every yard. CeeDee Lamb is especially slippery in the middle of the field. I’m guessing Dak will try to get him the ball a lot on the move and over the middle.

RT Terrence Steele is out. He’ll be replaced by Tyron Smith, a potential HOF, but also someone with limited RT experience. It should be fun to see Haason Reddick battle Smith. Steele’s run blocking was key in the first game. He’s great on double teams. I’m curious to see how Smith does in his place.

In the first game, the Eagles used condensed formations to help the passing attack. They wanted DBs in heavy traffic. The Eagles ran crossers and attacked the middle of the field. That worked well and I expect to see that again. Minshew loves throwing to the TE so this is a good week for Dallas Goedert to be back. Expect the TEs to get a lot of work.

LB Leighton Vander Esch is out. He is a key run defender for a defense that can struggle against the run. This could be a game to run, run and run some more. I know Nick Sirianni loves to throw for points and then run, but it sure feels like he should test out this run defense early.

Since Oct. 30, three teams have run for 190 or more yards on Dallas, including Jacksonville last week. Without LVE, they may struggle even more. Rookie Damone Clark will replace him in the lineup. Dallas could also mix in more Dime looks. If they do that, play 12 personnel and run down their throats. The Eagles did that against the Giants and ran for 253 yards.

One of the benefits to having more of a ball control attack would be keeping Prescott and the Dallas offense as spectators on the sideline. Sometimes the best defense is a good offense.

The running game also keeps Dallas from doing what they love…rushing the passer. Micah Parson is effective vs the run, but he’s a game-changer when chasing the QB. One of the ways Dallas has been so good with pressure is rotating players up front. Rookie Sam Williams was in a car wreck and will miss this game due to a concussion.

Dallas has one outstanding CB in Trevon Diggs, but the others are erratic. Minshew will have a chance to make some plays if the Eagles block well and he makes good reads/throws. Minshew getting the ball out quickly will negate some of the Dallas pass rush.

Gardner Minshew had himself a day on the practice field, according to some of his teammates.

My report for NFL LIVE, with @LauraRutledge. pic.twitter.com/mOGYoYy7Ef

— Tim McManus (@Tim_McManus) December 21, 2022

Teams always talk about believing in the backup QB. A lot of that is just coachspeak. Say the right things and hope for the best outcome. Minshew is a different cat and it sure feels like his teammates do believe in him. You know he can’t wait to get a chance to show what he can do.

Turnovers are always an X-factor and this game will be no different. Dallas is an unusual team when it comes to turnovers, though. They have averaged two a game over the last four weeks. They also have 10 takeaways in that span. When Dallas plays, wild things can happen for both teams.

Turnovers hurt the Eagles last Sunday so I’m sure that was a point of emphasis during practice and meetings this week. If the Eagles protect the ball, they’ll have a key advantage over the Cowboys.

Special teams were an advantage for Dallas in the first game. KaVontae Turpin had a 63-yard KOR and a 15-yard PR. The Eagles must do a better job of covering him. Dallas has very good STs (6th in DVOA). The Eagles will need to watch for fake punts and punt blocks. This isn’t a game where you can take anything for granted.

This game will be an interesting test for both teams. Dallas wants to show the world how good they are and that they should be seen as a legit Super Bowl contender.

The Eagles will get a chance to see how good their offense looks without Jalen Hurts. That’s no insult to him, but it helps give you a feel for just how good the overall unit really is. Gannon and his defense get a chance to go up against a great offense. This will be a good test for the playoffs. You can’t count on facing scrub QBs and one-sided offenses in January. You must be able to go up against the best and have some success.

Dallas is favored by five points. I get that. When they play their A-game, they are really good. They just don’t always do that. And the Eagles have played well when going against a good opponent. I’m guessing the Eagles will be locked in. This should be one heck of a game.

*****

Eagles have signed LB Christian Elliss to the active roster, elevated P Brett Kern from the practice squad for tomorrow's game, and placed TE Tyree Jackson on the Injured Reserve List. pic.twitter.com/6PG7sdOd1Z

— Philadelphia Eagles (@Eagles) December 23, 2022

Elliss deserves that spot. He’s been terrific on STs the past three weeks. Nice Christmas present for him.

With the return of Goedert, there was no need for Jackson as the fourth TE.

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