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Four Eagles facing pressure to rebound Monday against Dallas
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- Four Eagles facing pressure to rebound Monday against Dallas
Despite everything that has happened and the dark clouds hanging over the Jefferson Health Training Complex, the Philadelphia Eagles still have an opportunity to turn their season around. At 2-4, they have plenty of ground to make up, but the NFC East still hasn't established itself as a dominant division. As Eagles Wire's Glenn Erby has already stated , the next three weeks offer a chance to gain momentum before the Week 10 bye.
The coming stretch begins with a divisional matchup against the Dallas Cowboys . A turnaround will require more than a few standout performances.
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Philadelphia needs contributions across the roster, especially from players whose recent struggles have put extra pressure on their teammates. Those issues have surfaced across the roster, from pass protection to coverage, and the Eagles cannot afford to let them continue as they try to climb back into contention.
The challenge against Dallas gives several Eagles a chance to respond. Four players, in particular, need to show that their recent performances do not have to define the rest of their regular seasons.
Worth mentioning: Jake Majors, center
Had the Eagles' season ended after Week 6, Jake Majors' campaign might be remembered for the bad snap that killed a potential go-ahead drive before it could start. That mistake was damaging enough, but his overall performance against the Carolina Panthers raised additional concerns about what he brings to Philadelphia's front-seven protection.
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Pro Football Focus assigned Majors a 41.2 overall score , the lowest offensive grade among Eagles players in Week 6 after he allowed four pressures on 52 pass-blocking snaps, including three quarterback hits and a hurry. He has surrendered eight pressures over the past two weeks, making his response against Dallas especially important if he plays.
Philadelphia needs more stability up front, as another disruptive performance could make life difficult for the quarterback and the offense.
Johnny Mundt, tight end
Johnny Mundt wasn't brought to Philadelphia to be a major part of the passing game, so his four catches for 16 yards this season aren't necessarily a problem on their own. The bigger concern is whether he is delivering the blocking the Eagles expected when they brought him in. If he is not making a consistent impact in that role, his struggles become harder to overlook.
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Mundt was credited with allowing a sack in Week 6 and has committed three penalties this season. That raises a reasonable question: would Philadelphia benefit from a tight end who offers more as a receiving threat? The Eagles need to make their offense harder to defend, and a player who can contribute in the passing game could offer another option.
Jihaad Campbell, linebacker
Jihaad Campbell has not been a complete liability, but Philadelphia needs more consistency from him, particularly when he is asked to cover opposing receivers. His coverage production has left too much room for improvement, and those shortcomings can put additional stress on the defense when opponents find favorable matchups.
PFF has credited Campbell with allowing 19 receptions on 26 targets for 230 yards and a touchdown this season . He has yet to record a pass breakup or interception, leaving little evidence that he doesn't throw when quarterbacks target his coverage. Against Dallas, Caeds needs to show better awareness and execution in coverage while continuing to contribute elsewhere. The Eagles need him to become a more dependable presence rather than a player opponents can target to move the chains.
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Andrew Mukuba, safety
Andrew Mukuba entered the NFL with questions about his tackling and coverage, and his early performances have done little to quiet those concerns. A safety must finish plays in the open field and limit opportunities for receivers after the catch. Mukuba has struggled to provide that reliability consistently.
PFF credits him with nine missed tackles this season , while opposing quarterbacks have completed all 10 passes thrown his way. Those completions have resulted in 176 receiving yards and a touchdown allowed. Mukuba has an interception, but that play hasn't erased broader concerns about his consistency.
He needs to tackle more reliably and make it harder for receivers to turn routine completions into meaningful gains. Philadelphia still has time to change its season's direction, but that opportunity will mean little if the same individual problems keep surfacing. Majors, Mundt, Campbell, and Mukuba each have a different issue to address against Dallas, and better execution from all three would help the Eagles build a more complete performance when they need one most.
This article originally appeared on Eagles Wire: Four Eagles facing pressure to rebound Monday against Dallas
