An old NFC East rivalry is set to add another chapter as thePhiladelphia Eagles andDallas Cowboys renew unpleasantries. Despite consecutive losses and matching records, Dallas will be favored. They're the healthier team, and despite questions about a recently stagnant offense and a porous defense, they can challenge Philadelphia in several ways.
Dak Prescott isn't the only player who can make life difficult for Philadelphia's defense. Dallas has playmakers who can stretch the field, move the chains, and create problems for an opposing defense.
They also field defenders who can disrupt an offense at every level, even if the overall result hasn't been what they wanted. The Eagles are looking to get their season back on track, and divisional games
leave little room for overlooking an opponent's supporting cast. Dallas has enough individual talent to exploit mistakes, especially if Philadelphia lets the Cowboys dictate the terms of the matchup. Here are six players worth watching heading into Week 7.
CeeDee Lamb, wide receiver
CeeDee Lamb has been Dallas' most productive receiving threat, leading the team with 48 receptions, 577 receiving yards and four touchdowns. He also leads the Cowboys with seven receptions of at least 20 yards, and his 179 yards after the catch show how dangerous he can be once the ball is in his hands. Lamb has moved the chains for 32 first downs, giving Prescott a reliable target when Dallas needs to sustain a drive.
Philadelphia must be disciplined after the catch. Giving Lamb room to operate could turn routine completions into big gains, especially if the secondary struggles to get back to the ball. Limiting his opportunities to create after the reception will be just as important as preventing him from getting open.
George Pickens, wide receiver
George Pickens gives the Cowboys another receiver who can stretch the field. He has recorded 33 receptions for 428 yards and a touchdown, averaging a team-leading 13.0 yards per catch. Six explosive plays and 23 first-down receptions highlight his ability to produce meaningful gains, while his longest reception of the season has covered 53 yards.
Pickens presents a different challenge from Lamb because his ability to win downfield can punish even a brief lapse in coverage. Philadelphia's cornerbacks will need to maintain their positioning and avoid giving Prescott opportunities to connect on deep throws. If the Eagles devote too much attention to Lamb, Pickens could benefit.
Jake Ferguson, tight end
Jake Ferguson has produced 17 receptions for 115 yards and three touchdowns, the second-most receiving scores on the Cowboys. Six of his catches have resulted in first downs, making him another option for Prescott when Dallas needs to move the chains.
His touchdown production makes him particularly important near the goal line. With Lamb and Pickens drawing attention from the secondary, Ferguson could find opportunities underneath or in traffic. Philadelphia's linebackers and safeties must recognize his routes without losing track of the Cowboys' outside threats.
Caleb Downs, safety
Caleb Downs has made his presence felt throughout the defense, recording 43 tackles, a sack, a pass breakup, and three forced fumbles. His production suggests a defender who can influence plays beyond traditional coverage responsibilities, whether he's pursuing the ball carrier or contributing near the line of scrimmage.
For Philadelphia, Downs is a player to account for when evaluating how to attack Dallas' defense. His ability to make plays at multiple levels could complicate both the passing game and the rushing attack, particularly if the Eagles fail to identify his positioning before the snap.
Jaishawn Barham, linebacker
Jaishawn Barham has 32 tackles, including 18 solo stops, plus four tackles for loss and a forced fumble. Those numbers point to a linebacker who can contribute against the run while also creating negative plays behind the line of scrimmage.
Philadelphia must prevent Barham from consistently penetrating the backfield and disrupting its rushing rhythm. If he can diagnose plays quickly and get downhill, he could make it more difficult for the Eagles to establish the ground game and stay ahead of the chains.
Quinnen Williams, defensive tackle
Quinnen Williams has been a disruptive presence along Dallas' defensive front, leading the Cowboys with two sacks. He has also recorded 18 tackles, including nine solo stops, six tackles for loss, a pass breakup, and a forced fumble.
His ability to penetrate the backfield challenges Philadelphia's interior offensive line. Williams can disrupt running plays before they develop and pressure the quarterback without forcing Dallas to send extra rushers. The Eagles will need sound blocking assignments and decisive execution to prevent him from dictating the tempo up front.
The Cowboys have enough talent beyond Prescott to threaten Philadelphia on both sides of the ball. The Eagles' challenge is to limit Dallas' explosive plays while preventing its defensive playmakers from disrupting the offensive rhythm. In a divisional matchup, failing to account for even one of these threats could prove costly.
This article originally appeared on Eagles Wire: Six Cowboys beyond Dak Prescott, the Eagles must contain
