3 keys to victory for week 10

It is only the second time this season and the first since week 4 that the Dallas Cowboys (3-5) will compete against an NFC East rival this Sunday as they host the Philadelphia Eagles (6-2) in Week 10.

Dallas is currently 1-0 in the NFC East this season after defeating the New York Giants 20-15 in Week 4.

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Can the Cowboys break their three-game losing streak? Their current skid, the longest since 2020 after a 27-21 loss in Week 9 to the Atlanta Falcons, threatens to extend to a demoralizing four games, a level they haven’t reached since that same year.

Meanwhile, the Eagles are riding high, extending their winning streak to four games after a close 28-23 call against the Jacksonville Jaguars. Nick Sirianni and company are locked in a dogfight with the Washington Commanders for the NFC East title, and it’s shaping up to be a tight race to the finish.

Sunday’s game in Arlington, Texas marks the 130th all-time meeting between these two storied franchises. Both teams split the season series in 2023, with the Cowboys ultimately coming out on top for the division title.

Dallas has won five of its last eight meetings and will desperately need to come out on top in this one to have any hope of salvaging what is increasingly shaping up to be a lost season.

Here are three keys to victory for the Cowboys in Week 10.

Quarterback Cooper Rush takes over as Dak Prescott’s hamstring injury will keep him out for the next game four games after the veteran quarterback was placed on injured reserve earlier this week.

Rush, who has a 5-1 career record, is preparing for his seventh career start and his first since Week 6 of 2022 against the Philadelphia Eagles.

In six career startsthe former 2017 undrafted free agent has passed for 1,281 yards, seven touchdowns and four interceptions.

“Cooper Rush is as respected as a backup quarterback I’ve been with since Rich Gannon,” head coach Mike McCarthy told reporters on Monday. “He has that kind of credibility. He’s a great teammate. He’s someone you can see the young guys leaning on.”

The game plan for Rush is simple: run the offense, make big plays when necessary and protect the ball, like Dallas experienced two seasons ago. McCarthy recognized the veteran’s abilities as he led the charge.

‘He’s incredibly smart and instinctive. He does a great job leading the team. He just does everything the right way. Excellent professional. There will be a lot of confidence in him.”

With the deep ball threat of AJ Brown, the precise route running of DeVonta Smith and the elusive running style of Saquon Barkley, this offense is filled with game-changing talent capable of making big plays.

The Eagles’ offense was a high for nine weeks, with 26 plays gaining 20 or more yards and a league-best eight plays of 40-plus yards. This explosive playing ability was a key factor in their success.

Dallas will have to rely on a secondary that is still working on regaining full health to limit big plays down the field. In contrast, the Cowboys have struggled on explosive plays, allowing seven plays of 40 yards or more – only the New Orleans Saints have allowed more, making it the second-highest total in the league.

Speaking of Saquon Barkley, the running back turned in perhaps the most breathtaking play of the season.

Early in the second quarter against the Jaguars last Sunday, the Eagles led 7-0 when quarterback Jalen Hurts found Barkley on a third-and-6 pass play. The All-Pro made a series of dazzling moves, including a no-look hurdle over Jags cornerback Jarrian Jones, to gain 14 yards.

Aside from the play that set the football world on fire, Dallas will face another run at the top level this week despite their struggling defense.

Philadelphia ranks second in rushing offense, averaging 174.8 yards per game and ranks second with 14 rushing touchdowns.

In his first season as an Eagle, Barkley was a key driving force behind the team’s 6-2 start. The two-time Pro Bowl running back has rushed for 925 yards, the second-highest total behind Baltimore’s Derrick Henry. Barkley has also scored six rushing touchdowns and contributed through the air with 20 receptions for 146 yards and two receiving touchdowns.

After Sunday’s loss to the Falcons, Dallas’ defense has now given up 100 rushing yards or more in five games this season and allowed 147.8 rushing yards per game, which is the third-most in the league.

It’s easier said than done, but slowing down Barkley increases the chance of limiting the offense overall. In the two games the Eagles lost this season, Barkley was held under 100 rushing yards.

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