Week 6 Preview: Philadelphia Eagles vs Dallas Cowboys

Two NFC East powerhouses will face off in Week 6 when the 5-0 Philadelphia Eagles host the 4-1 Dallas Cowboys on Sunday Night Football. The Cowboys swept the Eagles in 2021, outscoring their rival 92-47, but that was with their franchise quarterback Dak Prescott leading the charge. The Eagles will do battle with backup quarterback Cooper Rush this time around. Despite Rush's 4-0 starting record this season, the Eagles are 6.0-point favorites to remain undefeated.

Ya'll know what week it is😏#FlyEaglesFly pic.twitter.com/dAiPqbDzUr
— Philadelphia Eagles (@Eagles) October 12, 2022

The Eagles have been a juggernaut through the first five weeks of the season, and they have their third-year quarterback Jalen Hurts to thank. September's NFC Offensive Player of the Month has been sensational, tallying 1299 net passing yards and 266 rushing yards for the league's fifth-ranked scoring offense. He's had help from an elite set of skill-position players that includes pass catchers A.J. Brown, DeVonta Smith, and Dallas Goedert, who have each managed more than 65 receiving yards per game. With running back Miles Saunders also pitching in 414 rushing yards at 4.8 yards per carry, the Eagles have a deep and balanced offense that should take them far.

Even if the Eagles' offense should stumble, their defense is good enough to pick up the slack. They've allowed the fourth fewest yards in the league and have forced a league-leading 11 turnovers. Their pass defense has dominated opposing quarterbacks, nabbing six interceptions and allowing a minuscule 4.6 net yards per passing attempt. Perhaps the only weakness on the team is its mediocre run defense, which has allowed 5.0 yards per carry. Even that hasn't been damning; the Eagles have faced the second-fewest rushing attempts in the league. Running is a luxury the Eagles deny their opponents.

When the 🦁 feasts, the whole league takes notice. 👀

Congrats to @MicahhParsons11 for being the NFC Defensive Player of the Week!#DallasCowboys | @NFL pic.twitter.com/OtEM76I3Vr
— Dallas Cowboys (@dallascowboys) October 12, 2022

As for the Cowboys, their surprising 4-1 record despite the absence of franchise quarterback Dak Prescott can be attributed to the steady play of backup Cooper Rush. It's not like the offense has thrived under the fifth-year quarterback; the team ranks 27th in yards gained and he sports a mere 184.5 net passing yards per game across his four starts. But Rush has avoided critical mistakes, playing turnover-free football and complimenting a run game that has compiled 508 rushing yards over the past four weeks. The Cowboys won't be an elite offense so long as Rush is in control, but they'll limit possessions and protect their defense.

Meanwhile, the Cowboys defense doesn't need to change a thing. They rank third in points allowed this season thanks in large part to a stifling pass defense that has allowed the third-fewest net passing yards per attempt in the league. All-everything linebacker Micah Parsons has continued his ascent to superstardom, notching a league-leading 6.0 sacks and logging 13 quarterback hits. Interceptions haven't found cornerback Trevon Diggs at the same rate they did last year when he hauled in 11, but the All-Pro still leads all players in passes defended with 9. If the offense can eventually carry their end of the bargain, the Cowboys will be one of the NFC's truly elite squads.

The Dallas Cowboys visit the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday Night Football in Week 6.