The Dallas Cowboys will travel to Philadelphia to take on the Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field for a chance to close the gap in the NFC East.
Philadelphia enters the game with an NFL best 7-1 record, while the Cowboys roll in with a 5-2 record, and winners of their last two games.
Let’s take our blue tinted glasses off for a moment and realize that although it may be the Eagles and we hate to admit it, they look like the better team this season.
I would not be surprised at all to wake up Monday morning with the Eagles sitting at 8-1 and the Cowboys falling to 5-3 on the year.
We just need to be prepared for the fact that Philadelphia is favored in this game, and it’s for a reason.
That team is no slouch, and it will take some bold play from Cowboys players to pull off a win.
I’ve come up with three bold predictions for this game that may seem far fetched, but are still in the realm of possibility.
Dak Prescott Throws For 400 Yards
This might be the most realistic of my bold predictions for this week.
The Eagles’ secondary has not been good this season, and their starting cornerbacks, Darius Slay and James Bradberry, have seen their efficiency diminish compared to last year.
I don’t believe we have seen the full potential of the Cowboys’ pass offense yet, and this game would be a great place to show it in full.
Dak Prescott is on a tear over his past two games, both victories.
At the Los Angeles Chargers and at home versus the Los Angeles Rams, Prescott has compiled 46 completions for 576 yards, six total touchdowns, and a 75.3% completion percentage.
Prescott’s play is on the rise, and my bold prediction is that it all comes to a head versus a bad Eagles’ secondary.
This same secondary allowed 316 yards to Mac Jones, 364 yards to Kirk Cousins, and 290 and 397 yards to Sam Howell.
Dak will record a season high in passing yards for the third straight game, this time eclipsing 400 yards while maintaining 70% completions.
Jalen Hurts Will Commit 3 Turnovers
Ok maybe this isn’t super bold because Jalen Hurts has already coughed up the football 11 times in eight games this year.
By comparison, Hurts only had eight total regular season turnovers in his MVP hopeful season of 2022.
Hurts is a first read quarterback, meaning the Eagles’ offense has been simplified for him, and he doesn’t go through as many progressions as other quarterbacks.
Most passing plays, the play will break down if his first two reads are not open.
This puts him in a compromising situation where he is forced to leave the pocket, putting him on the run.
Hurts has not been the rushing quarterback we have seen the past two seasons, as he’s averaging only 35 yards a game.
He instead has elected to force passes downfield, which has directly led to an increase in interceptions.
My bold prediction is that the Dallas defense will force Jalen Hurts into three turnovers, finishing with two interceptions and one fumble lost.
AJ Brown Will Not Eclipse 75 Yards
This bold prediction is only bold when you realize that AJ Brown has accumulated at least 125 yards receiving in an NFL record six straight games.
Brown has been an absolute beast on the other end of Hurts’ passes.
In those six games, Brown has recorded 49 receptions for 831 yards and five touchdowns.
Brown is playing the best football of his career, and it will take a collective effort from the Dallas defense to slow him down.
Whether it’s DaRon Bland or Stephon Gilmore in coverage, they will do their best to be physical at the line to disrupt his routes.
My bold prediction is that a team effort will hold Brown under 75 yards for the first time since Week 2.