The goal for the Dallas Cowboys versus the Philadelphia Eagles is to pull off a major upset.
Making predictions about the Dallas Cowboys is never simple. This season, they have been great at times and terrible at others. The Cowboys might lead the NFC East heading into the second half of the season if the correct team plays well in their Week 9 matchup against the Eagles. If not, this season’s road rivalry matchup might get ugly for the second time. There’s no denying that on Sunday afternoon, there will be an abundance of quality at the Linc. Apart than that, anything can happen. Here are some wild predictions made by the Cowboys for Week 9 of one of the greatest rivalries in sports.
The upward trend that propelled Jalen Hurts to the Super Bowl the previous season is beginning to level out. The Eagles have already had to grind out a number of close victories over lower-tier opponents this season, and the third-year quarterback’s eight interceptions this season are tied with other players for second-most in football.
Hurts and the Eagles’ offense have been playing better lately, though. Hurts has averaged 292 passing yards and 74 running yards per game with nine touchdowns overall in his last three outings. Hurts is still producing at an outstanding level aside from his four choices throughout that time.
After Sunday afternoon’s game against the Cowboys, Hurts’ passing yards per yard average will decrease. He won’t have enough time to exploit Dallas’ defense in every way. Sunday won’t be a strong passing day for Hurts until A.J. Brown breaks off a couple big runs after the catch or DeVonta Smith repeatedly eludes the Cowboys’ defense. Hurts will be able to make good use of his most precious possession, which are his legs.
The offense that Hurts used in Philly’s Week 6 victory over the Cowboys in the previous season should be rinsed and repeated by Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni. On Sunday night, Hurts should have little trouble moving the ball with his legs at times thanks to option runs that fall right at Micah Parsons’ side of the field behind Philly’s all-world offensive. Hurts may surpass the century mark on the field, and it’s not surprising if he is shoved from behind into the end zone once or twice.
Hot as ever CeeDee Lamb
The Cowboys offense as a whole had a big week eight, but in Mike McCarthy’s new approach, CeeDee Lamb’s explosion was long overdue. Throughout most of Dallas’ first seven games, Lamb had been an afterthought, but McCarthy turned him into the focal point against the Rams. Last week versus LA, Lamb tied his career high in touchdowns and set new records for yards and receptions.
This year, the Eagles’ secondary has been questionable. Kevin Byard’s arrival should be beneficial, but the defensive line’s ability to pressure Dak Prescott will determine whether the Eagles can contain Lamb. Prescott could quickly set some new career highs if he has a clean pocket too frequently against the Eagles.
The game is decided by the turnover fight.
It’s been a while since the Cowboys and Eagles were this evenly matched. Although Prescott missed the first game of the season in Philadelphia and Hurts missed the second in Dallas, both teams finished as the top two in the NFC last season. In 2023, both quarterbacks are fit and performing admirably in spite of their recent struggles with turnovers.
Every play in this type of game has a somewhat more significance. It can depend on who scores last, makes a crucial stop in the fourth quarter, or steps up to play big when the opposition can’t. The game will be won by the team that manages to win the turnover battle by a margin greater than one. Too few possessions are available to cause too many turnovers of the ball. The key to this Week 9 matchup will be if the Cowboys or Eagles can take the ball away from their opponent by a considerable margin.