It's been a gloomy week in Cowboys Nation, but the match-up we have all been waiting for is finally here. The (10-4) Dallas Cowboys are set to take on the (13-1) Philadelphia Eagles tomorrow on Christmas Eve.
Let's dive into the over/under reactions headed into this showdown.
OVERREACTION
The Cowboys' defense will be a nightmare before Christmas.
The argument has been the focal point of the media all week long, whether QB Dak Prescott or WR Noah Brown was the reason for the Cowboys' late interception that cost them the game against the Jacksonville Jaguars. What not many people are talking about is the Cowboys' defense surrendering more than 500 yards and allowing the Jaguars to claw back and take the lead late in the game.
This Cowboys' defense is not the defense we have seen the majority of the season, and it's a fair assessment to say that injuries have played a part in their lack of success. However, this defense still employs LB Micah Parsons and CB Trevon Diggs who have been awfully quiet over the last few games. With the Eagles missing their MVP-frontrunner, QB Jalen Hurts for this game, there should be plenty of opportunities for Micah Parsons and this defense to re-discover their game-wrecking tendencies.
Emotions will be flying high for this game, and the Cowboys will want to make a statement now that they have their starting QB in the lineup this time around. Look for the Cowboys' defense to come out hot and give Eagles' QB Gardner Minshew a nightmare before Christmas.
UNDERREACTION
Cowboys WR T.Y. Hilton will make an impact for this offense.
The Cowboys absolutely needed newly signed WR T.Y. Hilton to be available last Sunday against the Jaguars. This week, he should be ready to go and make an immediate impact on this offense. Hilton, known for his speed, has the capability to be a deep ball threat and help spread out this offense to give the other receivers more opportunities to make plays.
WR Michael Gallup has yet to flourish this season as the clear WR2 since returning from his injury sustained earlier this year. While the Cowboys do need to get Gallup more involved, it seems as if he is struggling to get open and become a reliable target for Dak Prescott. With the Eagles not having much film to rely on as to how to cover T.Y. Hilton in this Cowboys offense, I expect Hilton to make a few explosive plays down the field that will help this offense get rolling.
Hilton just might be an early Christmas present delivered to the Cowboys right in time for the playoffs.
