Five bold predictions ahead of Eagles’ season-defining matchup against Cowboys

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Well, here we are. The most important matchup of the 2019 season is upon us and the NFC East is on the line in many ways. The Eagles have to take care of business here to keep the dream alive, but can they rally one last time?

Record so far: 21-60

Finally turning the corner

The Eagles pass defense has been abysmal in recent weeks. They’ve allowed a single receiver to surpass 130+ yards and a touchdown in each of their last three games and now face a wideout in Amari Cooper who burned them badly last time out, and a deep threat in Michael Gallup who averages 16.3 yards per catch.

Schwartz has to adapt here. No overly complex schematic responsibilities for his corners, and no gaping holes over the top of a wounded Dak to exploit. It’s all-or-nothing for the Eagles and I think that as a result, Schwartz will make the necessary changes and help his corners out against some tricky assignments.

As a result, the defense will not surrender a 100+ yard game to a wide receiver and keep Cooper out fo the endzone.

Stopping Zeke

In his 5 matchups vs the Eagles, Ezekiel Elliot has over 500 rushing yards and +200 receiving yards to go with 2 touchdowns. He’s only been held to under 100 rushing yards once. The one time he was held to under 100, Elliott has 96 rushing yard which is nothing to be proud of.

Elliott already has 1,188 rushing yards and 11 touchdowns to his name this season to go with over 300 yards through the air. The Cowboys have the league’s sixth-best rushing offense going into this crucial week 16 matchup and the third-ranked Eagles run defense will aim to neutralize that threat.

This has to be the game of a lifetime from the likes of Fletcher Cox, Brandon Graham, and a linebacking corps that misses a worrying amount of tackles.

My second bold prediction is for the Eagles to hold Zeke to under 100 total scrimmage yards.

WardSZN

After his fourth-quarter breakout one week ago, all eyes are on the former dual-threat quarterback. The Eagles receiving corps has been underwhelming to say the least and they’ve struggled to find much production at all. But if Greg Ward Jr. can steal the show again and give Wentz a nice checkdown option over the middle, it might just be enough to spark the offense.

I’m predicting Greg Ward Jr to receive for 65 yards and another touchdown in tonight’s clash.

Wentz shines under the lights

Carson Wentz has had the odd wobble this year, but has been absolutely surgical in the last two fourth-quarters. Now, at home in front of a roaring Lincoln Financial Field, Wentz will be asked to deliver another night of magic.

The Dallas defense could cause problems for a depleted receiving corps, but with a recent emphasis on extending plays and designed rollouts etc, asking Wentz for one more iconic drive might already be the expectation. But I don’t think it will come to that.

Penultimately, I’m predicting that Wentz will throw for 300+ yards, 2+ TD’s and 0 INT’s, en-route to a needed win.

Taking care of business

The Eagles are 2-5 against the Cowboys in the Doug Pederson era, but that record of poor form has to come to an end today. The locker room is galvanized and high on confidence after two wins in clutch situations and that should be enough to overthrow a flailing Dallas team.

The last prediction is simple. Win, Eagles. Win.

Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports