3 Keys to Victory in Week 10

For only the second time this season and the first time since week four Dallas Cowboys (3-5) will take on NFC East rivals this Sunday, hosting the Philadelphia Eagles (6-2) in Week 10.

Dallas currently leads 1-0 in the NFC East this season, having defeated the New York Giants 20-15 in Week 4.

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

Meanwhile, the Eagles are on a hot streak, extending their winning streak to four games after beating the Jacksonville Jaguars 28-23. Nick Sirianni and company are in a dogfight with the Washington Commanders for the NFC East title in what promises to be an exciting race to the finish.

Sunday’s matchup in Arlington, Texas, will be the 130th all-time meeting between these two legendary teams. The two teams split the season series in 2023, with the Cowboys ultimately coming out on top for the division title.

Dallas has won five of the last eight meetings and desperately needs to come out on top in this game to have any hope of salvaging a season that is increasingly looking like a lost cause.

Here are three keys to a Cowboys victory in Week 10.

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

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

IN six career startsa former undrafted free agent since 2017, he has passed for 1,281 yards, seven touchdowns and four interceptions.

“Cooper Rush is as respected a backup quarterback as I’ve worked with since Rich Gannon,” head coach Mike McCarthy told reporters Monday. “He has such authority. He’s a great teammate. He’s someone the young guys seem to lean on.”

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

“He’s damn smart, instinctive. He does a great job leading the team. He just does everything right. Great pro. There will be a lot of trust in him.”

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

The Eagles’ offense has been a highlight through nine weeks, with 26 plays of 20 or more yards receiving and a league-best eight games of 40+ yards. This explosive playmaking ability has been a key factor in their success.

Dallas will have to rely on the secondary, who is still working to get back to full health, to limit the big plays on the field. In contrast, the Cowboys struggled with explosive play, allowing seven plays of 40 or more yards—only the New Orleans Saints allowed more, which tied them for the second-highest total in the league.

Speaking of Saquon Barkley, the running back may have had his most amazing performance of the season.

Early in the second quarter against the Jaguars last Sunday, the Eagles were leading 7-0 when quarterback Jalen Hurts found Barkley on a third-and-6 play. The All-Pro made a series of brilliant plays, including getting over Jags cornerback Jarrian Jones for a 14-yard gain.

In addition to the game that has the football world excited, Dallas will face another top-tier running back this week despite their struggling defense.

Philadelphia ranks second in rushing offense with an average of 174.8 yards per game and is tied for second with 14 rushing touchdowns.

In his first season as an Eagle, Barkley became a key driving force behind the team’s 6–2 start. The two-time Pro Bowl running back has rushed for 925 yards, second most to Baltimore’s Derrick Henry. Barkley 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 or more rushing yards in five games this season and has allowed 147.8 yards per game, third-highest in the league.

Easier said than done, but slowing down Barkley increases the chances of limiting the offense as a whole. In the two games the Eagles have lost this season, Barkley was held to under 100 rushing yards.

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