The start of the NFL common season is coming quickly. On September 4th, the Dallas Cowboys will go to the defending Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles. Whereas the Eagles will certainly have fun their second championship since 2017 earlier than the kickoff, the Cowboys can be in attendance and be an unwilling bystander for the celebration.
That mentioned, the Cowboys might spoil the social gathering by beating the Eagles in entrance of their house crowd and taking step one in what they hope can be a championship season of their very own. The Eagles boast a star-studded roster that options the likes of A.J. Brown, Saquon Barkley, and plenty of others. Nonetheless, the Eagles have lots of depth, and plenty of different gamers might affect the sport. In our first version of the opponent x-factor collection, right here’s a take a look at the Eagles gamers who might tip the scales on opening evening.
Cam Jurgens, Heart
Initially referred to as the substitute for Jason Kelce, Cam Jurgens has stepped out of the shadow of Kelce and carved out a fairly respectable title for himself. Jurgens took over because the Eagles’ beginning middle after Kelce introduced his retirement after the 2023 season. As anticipated, the Eagles continued utilizing the Tush Push after Kelce’s retirement and for Jurgens and the Eagles, it’s been enterprise as regular. It has been reported that last season, the Eagles transformed 39 of their 48 makes an attempt on the play for a hit price of 81.3%. After a strong marketing campaign final 12 months, Jurgens was named to the Pro Bowl and rewarded with a brand new 4-year, $68M contract.
To beat the Eagles, the Cowboys must be able to cease this play with Jurgens entrance and middle. That mentioned, Dallas additionally has to cease the Eagles from working the soccer on first and second down as effectively to discourage the Eagles from doing the Tush Push within the first place. Dallas understands their shortcomings with stopping the run and the way a lot their defensive tackles want to carry up in that space.
Per PFF, Jurgens graded out with a 68.5 run-blocking grade amongst facilities. Nonetheless, Jurgens isn’t practically as efficient as a cross blocker For Dallas to win, Jurgens must be disrupted and prevented from seeing success in what he does greatest, reaching the second stage of the protection. Jurgens remains to be a younger participant gaining enjoying expertise. We’ll see if Matt Eberflus calls some twists or stunts to attempt to confuse Jurgens in cross safety.
Grant Calcaterra, Tight finish
It’s those you least anticipate. Grant Calcaterra is much down the record of the kind of gamers you anticipate to be ready for when enjoying the Eagles. Once more, that speaks to their depth. The fourth-year tight finish brings a diversified skillset that might play an element if the Cowboys aren’t prepared for every thing they’ll throw at them. Calcaterra is arguably simply pretty much as good a blocker as beginning Eagles tight finish Dallas Goedert. Additionally, Calcaterra could make explosive performs when given house.
He’s received good velocity for his measurement and may get downfield shortly. Final season, he began 13 video games whereas Dallas Goedert battled accidents and the Eagles offense fared pretty effectively with Calcaterra within the beginning function. He made the most effective of his alternatives and caught 24 passes for 298 yards, along with his longest reception going for 34 yards in opposition to the Cleveland Browns. If the Cowboys present to be vulnerable to the misdirection early, don’t be shocked to see the Eagles look to Calcaterra to make a play later within the sport.
Azeez Ojulari, Edge rusher
At one time, Azeez Ojulari was considered an up-and-coming cross rush specialist for the New York Giants. Whereas there have been flashes, he by no means fairly reached his potential in New York, and through the years the Giants added extra edge rushers with increased ceilings making Ojulari expendable. He now finds himself with the Eagles who’ve two glorious defensive tackles inside to occupy blocks and afford Ojulari extra alternatives at one-on-one matchups. For the Cowboys’ younger offensive line, they’ll have their arms full versus Philadelphia.
It’s going to be all eyes on the offensive tackles particularly. Tyler Guyton seems to be stronger than he did as a rookie and has taken a workman-like mindset in constructing from his 2024 season. In the meantime, Terence Steele has confirmed to be a superb run blocker however cross blocking has been an space he has struggled in. If the Cowboys can keep away from being one-dimensional it takes away the affect Ojulari might have on the end result and likewise lets Guyton and Steele play ahead versus on their heels.
