Two bitter rivals will face off in the final contest of the NFL's Week 7, both sporting losing streaks they’re hoping to break. The Dallas Cowboys and Philadelphia Eagles will play the all-disappointment bowl on Monday Night Football. Lose this game, and the seats get even hotter for both head coaches.
A third-straight defeat will send Cowboys Nation into an even more frenzied state, especially on the heels of two consecutive embarrassing weeks of football. That’s what’s staring the Cowboys in the face as they prepare to play on the road against another desperate team. Here are three reasons to hate playing the Eagles in Week 7.
Nick Sirianni
Sirianni has the most punchable face in the NFL, and it doesn’t help that he routinely acts like a clown on the sideline. From wearing a ‘Beat Dallas’ t-shirt at a press conference, to yelling at his own fans, Sirianni is one of the more hated coaches in the league, and he easily feels like the most hated for Cowboys fans in recent memory.
There is zero love for Sirianni, and beating his team is one of the highlights for the Cowboys’ fan base every year. The only thing that makes it better is when Jalen Hurts is the quarterback when Cowboys win this matchup, but that won’t be happening this year so fans will settle for beating Sirianni and his smug face.
Saquon Barkley's return
Once again, a star player who is hurt will be returning to play against the Cowboys. Barkley has missed the last two games with a hamstring injury but is expected to be ready to play in Week 7.
#Eagles RB Saquon Barkley is expected to return to practice today and is in line to play Monday against the #Cowboys, sources say. A lift for the team’s offense with a banged-up backfield and Jalen Hurts on the mend. pic.twitter.com/pRpndoEPcQ
— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) October 22, 2026
It hasn’t been a great start to the season for Barkley, but he’s still a top runner in the league. The veteran running back has rushed for only 45.5 yards a game and has yet to find the end zone, but he does average over five yards a carry. Injuries and a banged up offensive line haven’t stopped him from being able to be effective when called on.
It would be a mistake to believe Barkley’s washed up, especially after having a few weeks of rest before this matchup. Barkley can still make a defense look silly.
Life, death, taxes, and a team’s best guys suiting up to play the Cowboys, an American tradition.
Defensive studs
Philadelphia’s defense hasn’t been the same as it’s been in the last few years, but it’s not because they lack talent. Vic Fangio’s unit is stacked with All-Pro and Pro Bowl players who can slow down the Cowboys’ offense if they’re on their game.
Defensive tackles Jalen Carter and Jordan Davis make up the best interior duo in the league, and even with Davis’ banged-up ankle. Davis is likely to play and Carter is a second-team All-Pro who’s already on pace for a career high in sacks.
At linebacker, Zack Baun is versatile chess piece who’s made the last two Pro Bowls and leads the defense in tackles for a loss.
In the secondary, the Eagles boast another strong one-two punch with Cooper DeJean and Quinyon Mitchell, who were both first-team All -Pros last season. The tandem leads their defense in passes defensed and each player has an interception through six weeks.
There are other strong pieces on the defense as well. LB Jihad Campbell was a first-round pick, while starting safety Andrew Mukuba was a Day 2 selection in 2025, and Riq Woolen is another Pro Bowl cornerback whom the team brought in during the offseason as well.
That’s load of defensive talent who hasn’t hit their stride yet, but they have the players who can keep the Cowboys struggling on offense.
This article originally appeared on Cowboys Wire: 3 things the Cowboys should hate about the Eagles in Week 7