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NFL Week Eight Preview: Philadelphia Eagles vs. Dallas Cowboys

By Eric Robinson

Oct 9, 2016; Detroit, MI, USA; Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Carson Wentz (11) prepares to snap the ball before the game against the Detroit Lions at Ford Field. Lions won 24-23. Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 9, 2016; Detroit, MI, USA; Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Carson Wentz (11) prepares to snap the ball before the game against the Detroit Lions at Ford Field. Lions won 24-23. Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports /
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Sep 11, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver Jordan Matthews (81) reacts after his touchdown against the Cleveland Browns during the first quarter at Lincoln Financial Field. The Philadelphia Eagles won 29-10. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 11, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver Jordan Matthews (81) reacts after his touchdown against the Cleveland Browns during the first quarter at Lincoln Financial Field. The Philadelphia Eagles won 29-10. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /

Philadelphia Eagles Summary 

The 2016 season changed dramatically for the Eagles with a trade of former starting quarterback Sam Bradford roughly a week before the season. The trade handed the job to the rookie Carson Wentz out of North Dakota State. Taken second overall this past April, Wentz has been impressive this season, playing mistake-free football during his time. Wentz has tossed for 1,324 yards and eight touchdowns with 63.8% of his passes completed. Under his direction, the Eagles are ninth in the league in scoring at 26 points per game.

Leading receiver Jordan Matthews has been the go-to target for the young QB. Matthews leads the team in catches (25), yards (354), and touchdowns (2) as well as targets with 41 but he is also 13th in the league in drops with three. Those misfortunes aside, Matthews has been the safety valve while the team has gotten production from receivers Nelson Agholor and Dorial Green-Beckham, who have combined for 31 catches on the season.

The run game has produced five games of over 100 yards with Ryan Mathews leading the team in rushing yards with 262 along with three scores.

Sep 11, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Eagles defensive end Fletcher Cox (91) celebrates with Philadelphia Eagles defensive end Brandon Graham (55) against the Cleveland Browns at Lincoln Financial Field. The Eagles defeated the Browns, 29-10. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 11, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Eagles defensive end Fletcher Cox (91) celebrates with Philadelphia Eagles defensive end Brandon Graham (55) against the Cleveland Browns at Lincoln Financial Field. The Eagles defeated the Browns, 29-10. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports /

The defense is arguably the bigger story on the team this season as the unit is fifth overall in the league in total defense and third in scoring defense as they only allow an average of 14.7 points per game. Free safety Rodney McLeod is tied for second in the league in interceptions with three and leads the team in tackles with 39. Defensive end Brandon Graham and defensive tackle Fletcher Cox are tied of the team lead in sacks with four apiece and their quality play has led the Eagles to placing fourth in the league in total sacks with 20.

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