Eagles host Cowboys in Week 7 with Jalen Hurts and key players sidelined

The Philadelphia Eagles will host the Dallas Cowboys at Lincoln Financial Field at 8:15 p.m. ET on Monday, October 26, in a Week 7 matchup where both teams aim to halt four-game losing streaks. The contest, broadcast on ESPN and ABC, features a Philadelphia squad stripped of its starting quarterback and top receiving corps against a Dallas offense that has struggled against pressure.

The Eagles began the season with two wins before dropping their last four contests. Their injury list expanded this week with the confirmation that Jalen Hurts will miss the game due to blood clots found in his calf and lungs. Receivers DeVonta Smith and Dontayvion Wicks are also out, while running back Saquon Barkley, center Landon Dickerson, offensive lineman Jonathan Greenard, and defensive lineman Jalyx Hunt are listed as questionable.

Dallas enters the game after losing consecutive matches against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Green Bay Packers. The Cowboys combined for 29 points in those two games, a sharp decline from the 30-plus point totals recorded in each of their previous three contests. Despite gaining over 300 yards in both losses, the offense managed only 98 rushing yards combined and saw quarterback Dak Prescott complete 20 of 38 passes for 194 yards without a score when facing blitzes.

Defensive strategy will likely favor Philadelphia, which has blitzed on 24.1% of dropbacks, the fourth-lowest rate in the NFL. This contrasts with the 38.8% blitz rate employed by Tampa Bay and Green Bay in Weeks 5 and 6. Philadelphia's defense allows opponents to complete 60.4% of passes for an average of 7.0 yards per attempt but has given up eight touchdown passes while forcing only three interceptions. The Eagles have recorded a sack, hit, or hurry on just 32.9% of opponent dropbacks, leaving quarterbacks relatively comfortable in the pocket.

The Eagles will rely on backup quarterback Tanner McKee if Barkley is limited or out. McKee passed 48 times last week, continuing a trend of high pass volume that aligns with his previous starts. If Barkley plays, he averages 5.5 yards per carry in his two healthy games this season. The Cowboys, meanwhile, have allowed opponents to average 4.7 yards per carry against them, with five of their opponents gaining at least 165 rushing yards.

DraftKings Sportsbook lists the Cowboys as 4.5-point favorites with a total points line of 43.5. The Eagles will look to leverage the Cowboys' defensive vulnerabilities, particularly their struggle to generate pressure, while Dallas attempts to exploit the gaps in Philadelphia's depleted offensive lineup.