The Eagles stumbled for the first time in months last week. For the first time since September 29th, they lost. They lost Jalen Hurts to a concussion early, Kenny Pickett did not play well in his place, and the defense had arguably its worst game of the season. It was only the 2nd time they gave up 30 points this season and only the 2nd time the defense itself gave up 20 since the bye week.

Related: Eagles Stumble After Losing Jalen Hurts Early, 1st Loss Since Bye

The loss cost the Eagles a chance at the 1 seed. It also slightly complicated things for them winning the NFC East. They need just 1 more win, or a Commanders loss, to lock up the NFC East, and the 2 seed. But with Hurts likely out, it suddenly is not as much of a sure thing as we once presumed it was. And to avoid a potential must-win game in the final week, they will need to take care of business this Sunday vs the Cowboys.

The Cowboys have actually been playing better since starting the season 3-7. They are 4-1 in their last 5 games. The turnaround is meaningless and has actually ruined their chances at a high draft pick, but hey good for them.

(Photo by Timothy Nwachukwu/Getty Images)

Still, the Cowboys are playing better than when the Eagles last played them. They are now without CeeDee Lamb, who the Cowboys announced they are shutting down for the season. But they are suddenly winning games and just beat a decent Bucs team pretty convincingly.

The Eagles meanwhile likely have to make do without Jalen Hurts. As of writing this article, he is not ruled out yet. But you don’t often see someone clear concussion protocol in 1 week. The fact the Eagles signed another QB, Ian Book, tells you they don’t believe Hurts will play. So Kenny Pickett will be the QB, again.

So who needs to step up for the Eagles to just take care of business and lock up the 2 seed this weekend? Let’s dive into some of the important matchups.

These 6 Eagles Players Need To Step Up vs. the Cowboys:

(Cooper DeJean Was Orginally Listed As One of The Players, But Was Removed After News Broke That The Cowboys Were Shutting CeeDee Lamb Down For The Season)

• Braden Mann (And The Kick Coverage Team)

  Kickoffs had not been much of an issue for the Eagles all year. But last Sunday, it was suddenly a huge one. Braden Mann’s first kick was a penalty after it didn’t make it to the Landing Zone. All of his subsequent licks failed to make it into the End Zone and were all returned. From there, the Eagles Kick Coverage team on average let the Commanders get to the 37-yard line. The Commanders game-winning drive was made that much easier because they got to start at the 43-yard line.

  Remember, that drive ended with just 6 seconds left on the clock. If it started at the 30 like usual, perhaps the Commanders don’t have time to score that TD, and the Eagles win. Special Teams Coach Michael Clay blamed the lack of Touchbacks on the cold weather. Well, it is not going to get any warmer. If Mann can’t kick it out of the end zone in the cold, this will be a recurring problem.

  This week they will face the best return man in the league, Kavonte Turpin, who averages 34.4 yards per return. Mann needs to find a way to keep the ball out of his hands. If he can’t do that, the kickoff team needs to keep him contained.

  Dave Zangaro on X (formerly Twitter): ""We didn't play well enough, special teams wise, especially in the coverage phase, primarily on kickoff coverage. We put our defense in terrible situations." -- Eagles ST coordinator Michael Clay on the Commanders game / X"

  "We didn't play well enough, special teams wise, especially in the coverage phase, primarily on kickoff coverage. We put our defense in terrible situations." -- Eagles ST coordinator Michael Clay on the Commanders game

• Kenny Pickett

  This one is obvious. The Commanders completely sold out to stop the run after Saquon’s 60-yard TD. Pickett still couldn’t beat them. That can’t happen again. Pickett needs to present enough of a threat where they at least show him respect. If he can’t, it will not only hurt the Eagles passing game, it will hurt the run game.

  Saquon Barkley averaged less than 2 yards per carry after the long TD run. He had no chance and was often getting hit before he got to the LOS. A big change for a RB who led the league in yards before contact before that game. There were more defenders than they had blockers.

  That is on Pickett. If they are going to disrespect him that much, he needs to make them pay. The Cowboys will likely have a similar approach. Pickett needs to be better if they are going to force the Cowboys to respect the passing game.

  He doesn’t need to be a hero, but he needs to make the simple throws. Take what the defense gives you. Like he did here. if he can consistently do this, they should be in good shape.

  Shane Haff on X (formerly Twitter): "That's a really nice throw by Kenny Pickett. That's all he needs to be able to do today. Just do enough to make Washington consider taking a guy out of the box from time to time. pic.twitter.com/Q8404ss8wi / X"

  That's a really nice throw by Kenny Pickett. That's all he needs to be able to do today. Just do enough to make Washington consider taking a guy out of the box from time to time. pic.twitter.com/Q8404ss8wi

• Saquon Barkley

  Even if Pickett is better, the Eagles will still need to lean on the run game. As mentioned earlier, Barkley was completely shut down after his long TD run. It is hard to blame him, given how the Commanders were playing defense. But regardless of what Pickett does, Barkley needs to find a way to be more productive.

  Asking that may not be fair. But if Pickett is going to play the way he did last Sunday, it is what the Eagles will need. He will have to go back to his roots with the Giants where he had to carry the team because he was playing with Daniel Jones.

  NFL on X (formerly Twitter): "SAQUON BARKLEY IS GONE. 68-YARD TD.📺: #PHIvsWAS on FOX📱: https://t.co/waVpO909ge pic.twitter.com/lhBWLZclYZ / X"

  SAQUON BARKLEY IS GONE. 68-YARD TD.📺: #PHIvsWAS on FOX📱: https://t.co/waVpO909ge pic.twitter.com/lhBWLZclYZ

• Lane Johnson and Jordan Mailata

  The last time the Eagles played the Cowboys, Micah Parsons had 2 sacks. But he was going up against Fred Johnson, who filled in admirably for Jordan Mailata, but he was out of his depth. This time the Eagles will have Mailata.

  The Cowboys move Parsons around a bit. He mostly rushes from the Left side of the D-Line, meaning the Right Side of the O-Line. But they will move him to the right if they like the matchup better. But with the Eagles, neither matchup is ideal. The Eagles have two tackles playing like All-Pros. You imagine they would prefer Mailata, just because Lane Johnson is an All-Time great who recently outdueled TJ Watt, but Mailata is no pushover either.

  Whatever side he does rush from though, it will be on those guys. Shut him down, it completely changes the Cowboys’ defense. he is very much the engine that makes their car go.

  PFF on X (formerly Twitter): "The only OT with multiple games recording a 90+ grade this seasonJordan Mailata 🦅 pic.twitter.com/9MuL7RxrxB / X"

  The only OT with multiple games recording a 90+ grade this seasonJordan Mailata 🦅 pic.twitter.com/9MuL7RxrxB

• Grant Calcaterra

  Calcaterra has been fine as a pass catcher. He isnt a world breaker, but he has made some good plays. He has killed them as a blocker though. Both in the run game and the passing game. The Commanders’ game was specifically bad.

  He simply needs to be better. There were plays where he alone ruined the Eagles game plan. Especially if the Cowboys follow the Commanders lead and stack the box, he is going to need to help block. If he fails again, it is going to be hard for the Eagles to execute. He either needs to block better, or the Eagles need to sacrifice the little they get from him as a pass catcher and just use someone else.

Sign Up For The Fanatic MVP Insider Newsletter

Get the info you need on the Philly Sports landscape, events you need to know about, exclusive contests, and more.

Email *

Subscribe

By clicking "Subscribe" I agree to the website's terms of Service and Privacy Policy. I understand I can unsubscribe at any time.