Monday night offers thePhiladelphia Eaglesa chanceto change the conversation around a season that has gone sideways. At 2-4, Philadelphia cannot afford to let another opportunity slip away, particularly with the NFC East still within reach. The pressure is mounting, and a nationally televised divisional matchup leaves little room to hide from the team's recent struggles.
The Eagles have reached a point where the result matters, but so does how they respond. There is still time to build momentum before the Week 10 bye, but that window won't stay open indefinitely. Monday's meeting with the Dallas Cowboys could indicate whether Philadelphia can begin to steady itself.
Can Tanner McKee give the Eagles enough with key receivers out?
When the Cowboys visited Lincoln Financial Field in 2024, Tanner McKee entered
the game and attempted just four passes. He completed three, and two went for touchdowns, giving Philadelphia an unusually efficient cameo from its backup quarterback.
Replicating that efficiency will be difficult, if not impossible, particularly with DeVonta Smith and Dontayvion Wicks ruled out. The circumstances demand more from McKee, who will need to make sound decisions and take advantage of the opportunities available to him rather than forcing plays that aren't there.
The Eagles haven't scored more than 20 points since Week 2 and failed to reach that threshold in their past two games. McKee doesn't need to produce a spectacular performance, but Philadelphia needs competent quarterback play to avoid putting its defense in another difficult position.
Will Jake Ferguson turn his season around after a tough stretch?
Jake Ferguson has endured a difficult start to the season, recording just 115 receiving yards through six games. He has scored three touchdowns, but a fumble and a costly miscue that contributed to the game-ending interception last week have added to the frustration. His 45 yards after the catch also suggest he has done little to create additional yardage once he gets the ball.
His blocking has been another concern, giving Philadelphia reason to challenge him beyond his receiving production. The Eagles would prefer those problems to continue, but Ferguson has an opportunity to change the narrative in a divisional game.
Dallas has also split snaps between Brevyn Spann-Ford and Ferguson, with the two operating at nearly equal rates last week. Spann-Ford's continued progress could make the opportunity distribution worth watching, especially if Ferguson struggles to make an early impact. Philadelphia will want to keep both tight ends from becoming a reliable outlet when Prescott needs a quick completion.
How effective will DeMarvion Overshown and Cobie Durant be in their returns?
Cobie Durant has missed Week 2, while DeMarvion Overshown has missed Week 1. Both are expected to return, potentially giving Dallas important reinforcements after extended absences. However, being available and immediately returning to peak form are two different things.
Rust could affect either player's timing and execution, particularly if the Cowboys ask them to handle substantial workloads right away. Overshown's situation is especially notable after another frustrating stretch on the sideline. Repeated injuries have made it hard to realize his potential, and Dallas would welcome a healthy return that lets him make a sustained contribution.
From Philadelphia's perspective, the challenge is to make the returning defenders prove they are ready. If either player needs time to regain his rhythm, the Eagles must capitalize rather than allowing Dallas to settle into its preferred defensive combinations.
Can the Eagles' interior offensive line handle Kenny Clark and Quinnen Williams?
Philadelphia's interior offensive line faces a difficult test against Kenny Clark and Quinnen Williams. Clark's matchup against Drew Kendall is particularly intriguing, as the center has settled into the starting job. The 2025 fifth-round pick out of Boston College has just four career starts. Clark will try to exploit his inexperience as both a run defender and pass rusher.
If Dallas can consistently disrupt Philadelphia from the middle, it could throw off the offense's timing and make life harder for the quarterback. Williams adds another challenge, meaning the Eagles cannot afford to devote all their attention to Clark. Communication and coordinated protection will be critical if Philadelphia hopes to keep its offense on schedule.
Will the Cowboys' tackling issues continue?
According to Pro Football Focus, Dallas has missed 58 tackles this season. Philadelphia needs to take advantage when Dallas fails to wrap up. Missed tackles can turn a routine completion into a significant gain, extend drives, and create opportunities for an offense that has struggled to sustain production.
With the aforementioned key receiving options unavailable, yards after contact and extra effort from the available playmakers could become particularly valuable. The Eagles cannot count on Dallas to make the same mistakes again, but they should be ready to exploit them if they do. Finishing plays with the ball in hand could be one way for Philadelphia to manufacture offense without relying exclusively on explosive passes.
How productive can Makai Lemon, Darius Cooper and Dallas Goedert be?
Philadelphia needs its available pass catchers to take on greater responsibility. Makai Lemon, Darius Cooper, and Dallas Goedert could all influence the passing game, but the challenge is turning those chances into consistent production against a struggling Dallas secondary.
Cooper has shown he can contribute when targeted, but an increased role could also make him a more obvious focus for opposing coverage. He will need to keep finding ways to get open as the Cowboys adjust their attention. Goedert, meanwhile, could provide a dependable option underneath if McKee needs to get the ball out quickly.
Lemon is viewed as a receiver capable of creating after the catch, but he hasn't consistently shown the ability to evade the first defender and gain additional yardage. That skill will be especially important if Philadelphia leans on short throws to compensate for its absences. The Eagles need their available targets to turn manageable opportunities into meaningful gains rather than allowing Dallas to end plays with minimal yardage.
Monday night's game gives Philadelphia a chance to make progress, but the Eagles will have to earn it against a divisional opponent. Their response will depend on whether they can execute with the personnel available and take advantage of the openings Dallas gives them.
This article originally appeared on Eagles Wire: Eagles vs. Cowboys: Six storylines to watch Monday night
