For only the second time this season and the first time since Week 4, Dallas Cowboys (3-5) will compete against their NFC East rival this Sunday as they host the Philadelphia Eagles (6-2) in Week 10.

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

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Can the Cowboys end their three-game losing streak? Their current slide, which is their longest since 2020 after a 27-21 loss to the Atlanta Falcons in Week 9, is in danger of stretching to a demoralizing four games, a goal they have failed to achieve since the same year.

Meanwhile, the Eagles were on the rise, extending their winning streak to four games with a 28-23 victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars. Nick Sirianni and crew are in a dogfight with the Washington Commanders for the NFC East title and it promises to be an exciting race to the finish.

Sunday’s matchup in Arlington, Texas, will be the 130th meeting of all time between these two storied franchises. Both teams split the season series in 2023, with the Cowboys ultimately coming out on top for the division title.

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

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

Quarterback Cooper Rush takes over Dak Prescott’s knee injury will keep him out of the next game four games After the veteran point guard was placed on injured reserve earlier this week.

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

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

“Cooper Rush has been respected as a backup quarterback since Rich Gannon (when I was around),” head coach Mike McCarthy told reporters Monday. “He carries that kind of credibility. He’s a great teammate. “He’s someone you can see young people trust.”

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

“He’s very smart and instinctive. He does a great job managing the team. He’s doing everything the right way. Consummate professional. Trust in him will increase.”

With AJ Brown’s deep ball threat, DeVonta Smith’s precision route running, and Saquon Barkley’s elusive running style, this offense is loaded with game-changing talent that can make big plays.

The Eagles’ offense has been a highlight through nine weeks; 26 plays gained 20 or more yards, and a league-best eight plays went for 40-plus yards. This explosive playmaking ability has been a key factor in their success.

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

Speaking of Saquon Barkley, the running back may have made the most jaw-dropping play of the season.

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

In addition to his play setting the football world on fire, Dallas will face a top-tier running back this week despite his tough struggles in run defense.

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

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

Following Sunday’s loss to the Falcons, Dallas’ run defense has given up 100 or more rushing yards in five games this season, allowing 147.8 rushing yards per game, the third-most in the league.

Easier said than done, but slowing down Barkley increases the chances of limiting the offense overall. Barkley has been held to under 100 yards in the two games the Eagles have lost this season.

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