Will Eagles’ offense finally help stop slump in Dallas, even if a ‘difference maker’ returns?

PHILADELPHIA – AT&T Stadium, home of the Dallas Cowboys in Arlington, Texas, has not been kind to the Eagles, who have lost each game there since the 2017 season. The Eagles hope to end that streak Sunday afternoon when they face their NFC East rivals again, looking to extend their four-game win streak.
To accomplish that, the Eagles will need their offense to maintain the level of play it has displayed since the bye week. Although the Cowboys hold a 3-5 record and are coming off a 27-21 loss to the Atlanta Falcons, they have proven to be a challenge in the past, especially in slowing down quarterback Jalen Hurts.
In the three games Hurts has started on the road against the Cowboys, he has a 0-3 record, completing 64 of 105 passes (61%) for 865 yards, three touchdowns, and three interceptions, with a passer rating of 84.8. He was also sacked six times and had three fumbles in those games. During that stretch, Hurts faced a defense led by then-coordinator Dan Quinn.
With Quinn leaving to become the Washington Commanders’ head coach this offseason, Hurts will now face a version of the defense led by Mike Zimmer. Under Zimmer, the Cowboys have struggled with injuries and their inability to stop the run, allowing 364.8 yards of total offense per game, which ranks 27th in the league, and 147.8 yards per game on the ground, ranking 30th.
Speaking after Wednesday’s practice, Hurts said it doesn’t matter if Quinn or Zimmer is calling the plays because the Cowboys’ defense can present problems, meaning the Eagles offense will have to play at its best.
“They’ve had really good talent over the years we’ve been competing against them,” Hurts said. “I think they have great DBs. Up front, with the way they rush the passer, they do that really well and have always done that really well. We have to come in ready and be keyed in on our assignments because we’re expecting a tough one.”
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The Cowboys have been without linebacker Micah Parsons, the team’s top pass rusher, for the last four games because of a high ankle sprain. Before being sidelined, Parsons had a sack, six hurries, 12 pressures, and 14 tackles. According to Pro Football Focus, Parsons won 20.1% of his pass rushes. Defensive end Carl Lawson has seen more time due to an injury to Demarcus Lawrence, and his 2.5 sacks rank second on the team, a half-sack behind Lawrence. Hurts understands the impact Parsons, a limited participant in Wednesday’s practice, would have on the game if he plays and how his return could affect the other pass rushers.
“Those guys are great players on the edge,” Hurts said. “It’s always different when you’re missing a great player, so you have to prepare for whoever’s going to go out there and play. Ultimately, we know those guys are game changers, and we have to come to the game ready for them.”
Left tackle Fred Johnson, dealing with a knee injury from a potentially fineable hit by Jacksonville Jaguars safety Andre Cisco, could face Parsons if he plays Sunday. Johnson is filling in for Jordan Mailata, who is on injured reserve with a hamstring injury. Johnson noted a noticeable difference in the Cowboys’ defense when Parsons is on the field.
“He’s a difference maker,” Johnson said. “They have more freedom to do a lot of things just because of who he is and what he brings to the field. He’s the type of guy that opens up their playbook in the pass rush. When Micah’s not in, it’s definitely different. I feel like they have more of an open playbook.”
With the Cowboys struggling to stop the run, the Eagles may look to test the Cowboys’ defensive line early, not only between the tackles but also directly at Parsons to challenge his conditioning. They might also use a no-huddle, up-tempo offense to keep the Cowboys in a specific defensive package and gain yards in chunks, a strategy that has worked well during their winning streak. If they can establish the run game, play-action passes could yield explosive plays, especially if Cowboys cornerback Daron Bland is forced to miss another game with a foot injury.
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Chris Franklin may be reached at [email protected].