The Dallas Cowboys are looking to pull off a major surprise on the road as the Philadelphia Eagles unveil their new Super Bowl banner ahead of the rivalry clash. Dallas will attempt to do so without two players who were surprisingly made inactive against the Eagles.
The Cowboys will be without former first-round defender Mazi Smith and rookie running back Jaydon Blue who headlined the team’s inactive players against the Eagles. Dak Prescott and company are pushing to play spoiler to their NFC East rival despite being an underdog by more than a touchdown.
Blue may be a bigger surprise than Smith given the rookie has been one of the standouts during training camp. The following players will join Smith and Blue on the Cowboys’ inactive list: linebacker Shemar James, tackle Ajani Cornelius, tackle Hakeem Adeniji, tackle Trevor Keegan and defensive tackle Perrion Winfrey.
Here’s what you need to know as the Cowboys take on the Eagles in Week 1.
Lane Johnson on Cowboys vs. Eagles: ‘It’s Just One of the Best Rivalries in Sports’
Ahead of the NFL season opener, Heavy Sports had an exclusive interview with Eagles 6-time Pro Bowler Lane Johnson. The Texas-native is very familiar with the Cowboys-Eagles feud labeling it “one of the best rivalries in sports.”
“It’s just one of the best rivalries in sports,” Johnson told Heavy Sports. “Two totally different cultures.
“But yeah, the thing they do share is that they’re both extremely passionate. I think that’s why you see the rivalry that you do is that you have so many people that care. Yeah man, as you play and the years add up, it becomes just another game.”
What Does the Post-Micah Parsons Era Look Like for the Cowboys?
Just one week before the showdown versus Philly, Dallas made a big gamble that the team’s Super Bowl aspirations stand a better chance without Micah Parsons. Not only is this the season opener for the Cowboys, but it marks the first game in the post-Micah Parsons era.
Dallas is banking on the addition of defensive tackle Kenny Clark allowing the unit to finally stop the run. In terms of pass rushers, it remains to be seen if any of the Cowboys defenders on the roster can help fill the massive void left by trading Parsons to the Green Bay Packers.
The Cowboys Are 8.5-Point Underdogs vs. Eagles
The Cowboys enter the Week 1 matchup as sizable 8.5-point underdogs versus the Eagles, per FanDuel. Dallas is hoping to fare better than the Vegas odds under new head coach Brian Schottenheimer.
There are no shortage of questions about how the Cowboys will look under Schottenheimer. A major question mark for Cowboys fans and fantasy owners alike is how the team will handle the running back carries.
Javonte Williams is listed as the starter and is expected to get the majority of the workload with Blue as a Week 1 scratch. Former Eagles running back Miles Sanders is also a wild card Dallas could use against Philly to spell Williams.
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