Eagles vs. Cowboys Preview: Tanner McKee and a gutted offense face Dallas on Monday Night Football

The Eagles host the Cowboys tonight at Lincoln Financial Field, and neither team arrives in good shape. Both sit at 2-4. Kickoff is 8:15 p.m. ET on ESPN.

This was supposed to be one of the better Monday night games on the schedule. Instead, the Eagles are on a four-game losing streak and Dallas has dropped two straight.

Eagles Offense Is Down to the Bare Minimum

Eagles ruled out WR DeVonta Smith for Monday night’s game vs. Dallas.

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) October 24, 2026

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Jalen Hurts is on injured reserve with blood clots, so Tanner McKee starts for the second straight game. The Eagles lost 25-14 to the Carolina Panthers at the Linc last time out. They finished with 222 total yards, 187 through the air and 35 on the ground.

The Birds receiver room is worse. DeVonta Smith (hamstring) and Dontayvion Wicks (ankle) are both ruled out. Saquon Barkley is questionable with a hamstring injury, and running backs Tank Bigsby and Will Shipley are on IR. If Barkley can’t go, McKee has almost nothing to work with.

The offensive line is thin too. Guard Landon Dickerson (knee/pectoral) is questionable. Covers lists Lane Johnson’s retirement and Cam Jurgens’ trade to Baltimore among the losses up front. Tight end Dallas Goedert is the one clear positive. He has no injury designation after returning to full practice Saturday.

Cowboys Arrive Struggling Too

Dallas is coming off losses to Tampa Bay and Green Bay. Across those two games, the Cowboys turned the ball over five times and scored four touchdowns. Dak Prescott and CeeDee Lamb are still the reason this offense can hurt anyone, but the giveaways have wrecked it.

The betting market reflects the state of the Birds. Dallas is a 4.5-point favorite with the total around 44. The Cowboys are priced between -218 and -233 on the moneyline, with the Eagles between +180 and +190. The look-ahead line was Dallas -3 before the Hurts news.

What the Eagles Need From McKee and the Defense

The Birds offense can’t be counted on to carry this game. The defense has to. Dallas has been careless with the football, so the Eagles need takeaways and short fields.

CBS notes the Cowboys don’t rush the passer particularly well, which helps McKee on paper. The Eagles offensive line issues make that hard to bank on. The Birds defense is banged up as well. Nolan Smith (concussion) and Michael Carter II (abdomen) are out. Jonathan Greenard, Jalyx Hunt, Jakorian Bennett and Jordan Davis are all questionable.

McKee can’t force throws into a depleted receiver group. He needs to protect the ball, take what Dallas gives him and hand it to Barkley if he’s available.

Eagles vs. Cowboys Prediction

Cowboys 23, Eagles 20. Dallas has the healthier skill group and the better odds. The Eagles have home field, a defense capable of forcing mistakes and an opponent that has been giving the ball away. That keeps it close. It likely isn’t enough to win with this offense.

The Eagles have lost four straight. Tonight shows whether the defense can end it without help.