Over his final seven games with the New York Giants, Barkley averaged just 46.3 yards per game and never surpassed 81 yards in any of those matchups. However, his situation has changed significantly since joining the Philadelphia Eagles, and it’s clear that the move has rejuvenated his career. The Cowboys’ run defense has struggled this season, giving up an average of 147.8 yards per game, ranking as the third-worst in the league. Containing Barkley will be a much more difficult task this time around.
4. A NEW OPPORTUNITY FOR LANCE
With Dak Prescott sidelined, Cooper Rush steps in as the starting quarterback, and Trey Lance will be active for the first time as a Cowboy. The team might not need an injury to bring Lance into the game—if Rush falters or if the game situation demands it, Lance could see time under center. The Cowboys might also design specific plays for Lance. This will likely be the case in every game moving forward during Prescott’s absence. Given that the Cowboys used a fourth-round pick to acquire Lance, they’ll want to give him a chance to show what he can do before he enters free agency next offseason.
In another fourth-round move, the Cowboys recently acquired wide receiver Jonathan Mingo. It remains unclear how much Mingo will be involved, but fans will be eager to see what impact he can make after the trade deadline.
5. CONTAINING A.J. BROWN
While Saquon Barkley is the centerpiece of the Eagles’ offense, wide receiver A.J. Brown is a key component, serving as the engine that drives their passing attack. The Eagles are undefeated this season when Brown plays, but they are 1-2 without him. His presence makes a significant difference, with quarterback Jalen Hurts being notably more efficient when targeting Brown. According to NextGenStats, Hurts averages 7.0 yards per attempt with Brown in the lineup but only 4.5 without him. Additionally, Hurts has an explosive play rate of 23.6% when Brown is on the field, compared to just 14.7% without him.
The Cowboys’ cornerback situation has been unstable due to injuries, making it uncertain who will be tasked with covering Brown. Whether it’s a banged-up Trevon Diggs or rookie Caelen Carson (who is returning from injury), the Cowboys will face a tough challenge in trying to slow down Brown, a game-changing receiver.
