Eagles vs. Cowboys predictions: Our writers pick a winner for Week 7

A tight NFC East race and a key Monday night matchup between the Eagles and Cowboys? That was certainly a bankable expectation when the NFL schedule was released back in May. And it’s come true, but …

The two rivals stumbling into the last week of October with identical 2-4 records? That was less foreseeable, and adds a touch of additional tension to an always heated rivalry.

Both teams are undoubtedly viewing this as a must-win game, but who will walk away from the Linc with win number three? The Inquirer’s Eagles reporters weighed in:

In what feels like a season from hell for the Eagles, it’s a bit fitting that good injury news has to be accompanied by bad injury news.

Saquon Barkley and Landon Dickerson look like they’ll be back for Monday night’s game vs. Dallas, but it may be two in, two out — or worse — two in, three out for the Eagles. DeVonta Smith (hamstring) and Dontayvion Wicks (ankle) are trending toward not being available. Dallas Goedert (knee) also has missed the first two days of practice this week.

Can Tanner McKee lead a receiving corps featuring Makai Lemon, Hollywood Brown, Darius Cooper, Elijah Moore, and Britain Covey to victory?

Maybe Dallas’ defense is bad enough that it’s possible. Maybe Dickerson looks better than the Week 1 version of himself and the offensive line stabilizes a bit and rallies in front of Barkley. Maybe the Eagles make some major adjustments to the offense and tailor it to McKee. Maybe that’ll be enough to move the ball to the extent that the defense isn’t getting up off the bench four plays after sitting on it.

The Eagles have other concerns, though, too. Will Jonathan Greenard be ready to go? Will Jalyx Hunt? If it’s one or neither, will the Eagles have enough on the edges to impact the game? Will Dallas break out of its two-game slump and use its talented receiving corps to attack the middle of the field where the Eagles are struggling?

There are a lot of questions heading into this one, and the answers tilt enough in the Cowboys’ favor that I think the Eagles’ losing streak hits five games.

Prediction: Cowboys 24, Eagles 16

Ten years. That’s how long it’s been since the Eagles’ last five-game losing streak. If they want to avoid that, they’ll need to beat a Cowboys team that’s in the exact same position record-wise (2-4) on Monday Night Football.

This looks like a favorable matchup for the Eagles on paper.

The Cowboys defense is terrible. They have the fewest takeaways in the league with 3 and struggle against the run and pass. Their offense is explosive, but Vic Fangio’s defense has kept the Birds in games over the past few weeks, so that shouldn’t be much of an issue.

The real concern is whether the Eagles offense can take advantage of such a porous D. McKee showed glimpses last week, but his 2026 debut was mostly a dud. He turned heads with his 19-yard touchdown pass in the fourth quarter, but that was to Smith, who might not play due to a hamstring injury. Wicks — the Eagles’ No. 2 wide receiver — missed practice this week too.

Barkley is likely to return, which is a major plus, but can he return to form behind this patchwork Eagles O-line? It’s unlikely.

This feels like a get-right game for Dallas. Maybe McKee will string some impressive drives together and maybe a receiver like Lemon or Cooper will step up, while the defense balls out. But it’s just difficult to be confident with this team right now — especially after such a distraction-filled week.

Prediction: Cowboys 24, Eagles 14

At the outset of the week, I could talk myself into the possibility that the Eagles offense would stand to improve with the return of Barkley and with McKee earning his second consecutive start coming off a full week of preparation.

Then Smith and Wicks were absent from Wednesday’s practice, followed by Thursday’s practice. Goedert (knee) wasn’t present, either.

It’s hard to have confidence that the Eagles offense will find its identity in Week 7 with a depleted receiving corps. Even though the Cowboys defense has struggled to start the season, they made some improvements last Sunday night in their loss to the Green Bay Packers. They have some talented players, too, in cornerback Joey Porter Jr., defensive tackles Quinnen Williams and Kenny Clark, and edge rusher Rashan Gary.

The Eagles defense will have its hands full with the Cowboys offense. Dallas has had a down couple of weeks, but they still boast one of the top receiving tandems in the league in CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens. Dak Prescott typically fares well in the face of pressure, but regardless, the Eagles haven’t had much success in generating it this season. With Greenard (ankle) missing practice on Thursday and Nolan Smith Jr. still in the concussion protocol, that task will be all the more difficult up front.

Unless the offensive line suddenly opens up some holes in this Cowboys defense, which ranks last in the league in rushing yards against, and Barkley puts the team on his back, it’s hard to envision the Eagles coming out of this one with a win.

Prediction: Cowboys 27, Eagles 15

Listen to the latest episode

The Eagles seem reluctant to address the handling of the Jalen Hurts blood clots saga, but the key questions involved in the story aren’t going anywhere. Throughout the week, in the absence of remarks from general manager Howie Roseman or team medical personnel, head coach Nick Sirianni was peppered by reporters. He’s offered few details in return. After speaking with high-ranking medical officials currently or previously employed by NFL teams, The Inquirer’s Jeff McLane frames four central issues that remain unanswered, while also looking at what this situation means for Hurts’ future in Philadelphia. Listen here.

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