The Philadelphia defense had its hands full against the Dallas Cowboys, and it was not only because of all the injuries, though they did not help. Moro Ojomo, Adoree’ Jackson, Reed Blankenship, and Drew Mukuba all left the field, and those guys are not just bodies missing; they are starters and key rotational pieces. Give the Cowboys credit for wasting no time in targeting the weak links.
But most of those injuries occurred late in the game, and while it was a big factor, there were far more problems than just losing them.
Amid the chaos and injuries, it went unnoticed to some that Cooper DeJean found himself pushed outside at corner, and into a heavier responsibility than anyone had planned for. Eagles fans are used to seeing him thrive as a nickel corner, but it was a learning experience for him playing outside in Dallas, and he didn’t hide from it afterward.
“I haven’t played out there a whole lot. I just had to be ready for that. I knew it was coming. I have to play those routes better.”
That’s accountability, but it’s also a reminder of where this secondary was by the end of the night. They were a thin unit, stretched, and relying on contingency plans they hoped they wouldn’t need. Once Adoree went out with a head injury, the backend communication was challenged and exposed. The Cowboys hunted those mismatches with success.
Dak Prescott carved the Eagles up on play-action. Per Next Gen Stats, Prescott completed 9 of 11 passes for 174 yards on play-action, the second-most of his career. Dak and the Dallas offense weaponized the look with hard play fakes and deep crossers designed to trigger and confuse a banged-up secondary, and it worked. The linebackers also bit hard all night because Dallas sold it with conviction.
This wasn’t an example of a bend-don’t-break defense. This was bend, break, bend, and break again, leading to an eventual collapse.
The defense that opened the game, forcing mistakes and seeming well prepared, found itself holding on for dear life, unable to counter at the end. The Cowboys had 211 yards and 7 points at halftime and finished with 473 yards, 24 points, and most importantly, a win.
The Eagles allowed 17 second-half points. While everyone will agree that the Eagles' offense stalled and is a major problem, the defense must be held accountable as well. The defense has bailed out the offense all season, and it is unfair to expect them to play an “A” game every week, but one late stop would have made the difference as Dallas closed out the contest on a 24–0 run.
Moving on to Chicago on Friday, figuring out who your starting safeties will be — yes, plural — if Reed can not play, is going to be critical. Mukuba is out with a fractured ankle. They will also need to determine who is starting opposite Quinyon at the outside corner position if Adoore can’t go.
There are a lot of moving parts and pieces on such a short week, but Fangio is a veteran coach who has faced bigger obstacles over his career. If anyone can mask the deficiencies for one game as they head into a mini bye to correct the problems long-term, it is Vic.
After a tough loss, it feels necessary to end on a positive note.
The Birds need to re-sign Nakobe Dean. It’s as simple as that. He was a difference-maker in 2024, and he’s been a difference-maker again in 2025. Dean changes run fits and brings confidence to the defensive players around him. There aren’t many linebackers in this league you lock up after you select a linebacker in the first round, who many thought would be his replacement, but he’s one you do.
As always, thank you for reading!
Follow me on X @DavidNeiszPHL
