Eagles Defense Yields 416 Yards in Fifth Straight Loss to Cowboys
Philadelphia falls 38-21 to Dallas, extending its skid to a season high while Tanner McKee completes a third touchdown drive.
By Beatriz Soto ·
The Philadelphia Eagles entered Monday night’s matchup against the Dallas Cowboys with a 2-4 record, facing the prospect of extending a losing streak that had not occurred for the franchise since 2016. The Eagles lost that contest, dropping to 2-5 and marking their fifth consecutive defeat.
The defensive unit struggled throughout the contest, allowing 416 total yards to the Cowboys. That total included 204 rushing yards and three touchdown passes from quarterback Dak Prescott. The Eagles had started the week ranked 26th in total yards allowed and 31st in sacks, metrics that remained stagnant after the game. The defense stopped Dallas only twice, yielding a sequence of scoring drives that included two field goals and five touchdowns.
Quarterback Tanner McKee made his second consecutive start, completing 23 of 35 passes for 211 yards. He threw one touchdown pass and one interception. The only score came late in the third quarter when McKee connected with wide receiver Makai Lemon for a 15-yard touchdown pass. Lemon finished the game with career highs of seven catches for 67 yards. He had missed the previous two games due to a hamstring injury, and his return provided the offense with its most productive stretch of the evening.
Running back Saquon Barkley returned from injury to open the game, scoring a touchdown on the Eagles’ first drive. However, he exited in the fourth quarter with a back injury and did not return. Running back Elijah Mitchell, who rejoined the practice squad last week, finished the game. The Eagles recorded 66 rushing yards on their first two drives, a total that exceeded their combined rushing output in the previous two losses. Wide receiver Britain Covey exited after one quarter with a knee injury.
The Eagles’ run defense allowed the Cowboys 5.4 yards per carry, despite Dallas entering the week ranked 30th in the league for rushing efficiency. Javonte Williams rushed for 155 yards and a touchdown. This marked the second-most rushing yards the Eagles have allowed in head coach Vic Fangio’s three seasons, and the most they have given up to the Cowboys at home since 1993.
The defensive secondary allowed three touchdown passes on Monday, bringing its total for the last three games to seven. The unit has intercepted only three passes in 244 attempts against it this season. Safety Riq Woolen and cornerback Cooper DeJean were among the players noted for missed coverages and poor communication during the contest.
The Eagles will face the Washington Commanders in Week 8 on Sunday night. Their next two weeks will include a bye period before the trade deadline, a window in which the team may evaluate its roster depth at guard and safety.
