For the second time this season, and the first since Week 4, the dallas cowboys (3-5) will compete against an NFC East opponent this Sunday when they host the Philadelphia Eagles (6-2) in Week 10.

Dallas is currently 1-0 in the NFC East this season, having defeated the New York Giants 20-15 in Week 4.

FURTHER: Cowboys vs Eagles, NFL Week 10: Start time, live stream, TV channel

Can the Cowboys break their three-game losing streak? Their current streak, their longest since 2020 following a 27-21 loss in Week 9 to the Atlanta Falcons, threatens to extend to a demoralizing four games, a mark they haven’t reached since that same year.

Meanwhile, the Eagles are flying high, extending their winning streak to four games after a close 28-23 victory against the Jacksonville Jaguars. Nick Sirianni and company are in a fight with the Washington Commanders for the NFC East title, and it’s shaping up to be an exciting race to the finish.

Sunday’s matchup in Arlington, TX will mark the 130th meeting of all time between these two historic franchises. Both teams split the season series in 2023, with the Cowboys ultimately winning the division title.

Dallas has won five of the last eight meetings and will desperately need to come out victorious in this game to have any hope of salvaging what is increasingly becoming a lost season.

Here are three keys to the Cowboys’ victory in Week 10.

Quarterback Cooper Rush takes charge as Dak Prescott’s hamstring injury will keep him out for the next four games after the veteran quarterback was placed on injured reserve earlier this week.

Rush, who has a 5-1 career record, is preparing to make his seventh career start and first since Week 6 of 2022 against the Philadelphia Eagles.

In six career startsThe former 2017 undrafted free agent threw for 1,281 yards, seven touchdowns and four interceptions.

“Cooper Rush is as respected a backup quarterback as I’ve had since Rich Gannon,” head coach Mike McCarthy told reporters Monday. “He has that kind of credibility. he is a great companion. He’s someone you can see young people lean on.”

The game plan for Rush is simple: run the offense, make big plays when necessary and protect the ball, something Dallas experienced two seasons ago. McCarthy recognized the veteran’s abilities in leading the offense.

“He is tremendously intelligent, instinctive. He does a great job when he leads the team. He just does everything the right way. Excellent professional. “There will be a lot of confidence in him.”

With the deep passing threat of AJ Brown, the precise route running of DeVonta Smith, and the elusive running style of Saquon Barkley, this offense is loaded with game-changing talent capable of making big plays.

The Eagles’ offense has been the highlight through nine weeks, with 26 plays gaining 20 or more yards and a league-best eight plays of more than 40 yards. This explosive playmaking ability has been a key factor in his success.

Dallas will need to rely on a secondary that is still working to get healthy and limit big plays on the field. In contrast, the Cowboys have struggled with explosive plays, having allowed seven plays of 40 yards or more; only the New Orleans Saints have allowed more, making it the second-highest total in the league.

Speaking of Saquon Barkley, the running back may have made the most amazing play of the season.

Early in the second quarter against the Jaguars last Sunday, the Eagles led 7-0 when quarterback Jalen Hurts found Barkley on a third-and-six pass play. The All-Pro made a series of dazzling moves, including a no-look hurdle over Jags cornerback Jarrian Jones for a 14-yard gain.

Aside from the play that set the football world on fire, Dallas will face another top running back this week, despite its difficult run defense.

Philadelphia ranks second in rushing offense, averaging 174.8 yards per game and is tied for second with 14 rushing touchdowns.

In his first season as an Eagle, Barkley has been a key driving force for the team’s 6-2 start. The two-time Pro Bowl running back has rushed for 925 yards, the second-highest total behind Baltimore’s Derrick Henry. Barkley also scored six touchdowns on the ground and contributed through the air with 20 receptions for 146 yards and two receiving touchdowns.

After Sunday’s loss to the Falcons, Dallas’ run defense has now allowed 100 rushing yards or more in five games this season and has allowed 147.8 rushing yards per game, which is third most in the league.

Easier said than done, but stopping Barkley increases the chances of limiting the overall offense. In the two games the Eagles lost this season, Barkley was held to fewer than 100 rushing yards.

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