It’s Dallas week, folks.
The Philadelphia Eagles are looking to take another step toward wrapping up the NFC East and pushing for the NFC’s No. 1 seed with a win over the Cowboys.
Here are five thoughts that are on my mind ahead of Sunday’s NFC East showdown.
Another Smitty week?: For all the chatter around A.J. Brown, DeVonta Smith has been the Eagles’ best receiver this season. Yes, he had a couple drops and only one catch vs. the Lions. But prior to that, Smith had a five-game stretch with 499 yards — more than Brown has the entire season. This game vs. Dallas projects as another big opportunity for Smith. The Cowboys use the second-most zone coverage in the league, per FantasyPoints. And Smith leads the Eagles in targets per route run and yards per route run vs. zone. Keep a close eye on No. 6.
A.J.’s comments: Brown offered a snappy answer when asked about speculation that he isn’t the same player he was in years past: “I guess Saquon (Barkley) ain’t the same player, either.” Brown wasn’t dissing Barkley; he was commenting on the offensive struggles that are affecting his stats and Barkley’s, too. But the reigning NFL Offensive Player of the Year isn’t giving up on plays. Barkley is fighting for every yard behind an injured offensive line. Brown has bailed early on routes a few times this season. There’s a noticeable difference between the two.
Bless you, thank you: Quinnen Williams is known for more than just a hilarious, viral sneeze. The former Jets All-Pro and new Dallas defensive tackle is a game-wrecker. Williams had 1 1/2 sacks in his debut in the Cowboys’ Monday night win over the Raiders. Now, he faces an Eagles offensive line that is without right tackle Lane Johnson and could be without center Cam Jurgens (concussion, questionable). Regardless if it’s Jurgens, who has struggled this season, or backup Brett Toth starting, how the O-line deals with Williams is a matchup I’m watching.
Quinyonamo Bay: Eagles players and coaches wear each other’s apparel all the time. One shirt that’s featured at the NovaCare Complex is Quinyon Mitchell’s “Quinyonamo Bay” merch. And make no mistake, Mitchell is living up to that slogan. Mitchell has allowed a 41.9% completion rate this season, the lowest by any player since 2018 (min. 50 targets), per Next Gen Stats. Mitchell has been playing at an All-Pro level in his second season. And on Sunday, he’ll have to maintain that standard vs. Ceedee Lamb and George Pickens.
“SpitGate” revisited: There will be a lot of talk on the broadcast about Jalen Carter and his Week 1 ejection. But what I’m focused on is how he plays vs. Dallas this time around after missing the first meeting. Jordan Davis won NFC Defensive Player of the Week, Moro Ojomo has been a revelation, and Jaelan Phillips has thrived since the deadline acquisition. But a lot of their individual success — and the defense’s success as a whole — is tied to Carter’s play. You can bet No. 98 wants to ball out vs. the Cowboys after what happened in Week 1.
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