Game ball, three stars and snap count analysis: Week 7, Eagles vs. Cowboys

In their Week 7 loss to the Dallas Cowboys, the Philadelphia Eagles played 66 snaps on offense and 68 on defense. Let’s get straight to the number of shots, some notes and some special recognition.

Strategist

• 66 shots: Tanner McKee

Notes: McKee made a really bad decision and it resulted in a DeMarvion Overshown INT, but for the most part I thought he played a pretty decent save level game.

Run back

• 42 shots: Dameon Pierce

• 14 shots: Elijah Mitchell

• 10 shots: Saquon Barkley

Notes: Barkley had 7 carries for 62 yards and a TD. He also had 2 catches for 9 yards. He got the ball nine times in his 10 snaps. He played through hamstring and back injuries, and was clearly in pain after almost every snap. However, when he was running, he was also very clearly still the Eagles’ best player, by far. I think he showed a lot of heart and gave everything he had to a team that would have been easy to leave.

Wide receiver

• 61 shots: Darius Cooper

• 60 photos: Makai Citron

• 36 photos: Hollywood Brown

• 22 shots: Elijah Moore

Notes: DeVonta Smith (hamstring) and Dontayvion Wicks (ankle) both missed this game due to injuries.

Lemon had 7 catches on 8 targets for 67 yards and a TD. I cut out these targets:

It was Lemon’s best game so far this season, and he scored his first-ever NFL TD. I thought he did a good job making catches and then absorbing contact. He also ran decent routes and gave McKee open looks. Perhaps he can become a useful and serious chain mover from the slot as part of an effective offense. However, I don’t see much explosiveness, and I think his ceiling is capped by the combination of that and his lack of size.

Tight end

• 48 shots: Dallas Goedert

• 16 photos: Johnny Mundt

• 12 photos: Eli Stowers

• 8 photos: Grant Calcaterra

Notes: Stowers made his NFL debut and played 12 snaps. He scored a target on a play in which he slowed down after his break when he turned toward the quarterback. SPRINT! OPEN YOURSELF!

Stowers has elite athleticism, but that won’t matter if he doesn’t actually use it.

Zach Ertz remains on the practice squad. He saw guys like Mundt, Stowers and Calcaterra suit up for a must-win game. He probably won’t get on the field unless Goedert is traded, which seems like a decent possibility.

Offensive line

• 66 shots each: Jordan Mailata, Landon Dickerson, Drew Kendall, Tyler Steen, Markel Bell

• 1 shot: Fred Johnson

Notes: Dickerson returned to the lineup and had a rough outing. There was a two-play sequence in the fourth quarter where Quinnen Williams beat him for a pressure that almost led to a sack (McKee gained a yard), and on the next play Williams beat Dickerson for a sack.

Following that series, Dickerson hit himself in the head several times while leaving the field. He then sat on the bench and hit himself in the head again until his helmet came off. I think he understands that the end could be near.

Edge defenders

• 48 photos: Arnold Ebiketie

• 29 shots each: Jonathan Greenard, AJ Epenesa

• 25 shots: Jalyx Hunt

• 5 photos: Keyshawn James-Newby

Notes: It didn’t help that Nolan Smith was out and Hunt/Greenard were both playing due to injuries, but the Eagles had absolutely no pass rush, and certainly not from the edge.

No surprise there 👆.

Interior defensive line

• 59 shots: Jalen Carter

• 44 shots: Jordan Davis

• 35 photos: Moro Ojomo

• 26 shots: Byron Young

• 5 shots: Ty Robinson

Notes: Carter had a great game this season against the Jaguars. Otherwise it was a huge disappointment. Monday night, he looked like a regular backup lineman.

After the game, for the second week in a row, Carter refused to speak to reporters. Note: I don’t need players to talk to me to do my job. Honestly, I don’t use a lot of quotes. But I think there’s something to be said for guys who stand up and take responsibility after losses.

Linebacker

• 68 shots: Zack Baun

• 37 shots: Jihaad Campbell

• 24 photos: Jérémie Trotter

Notes: Last week the Campbell/Trotter field was 48-28 in favor of Campbell. This disparity remained similar against the Cowboys. Once again, Trotter was more productive. He made 5 tackles; Campbell had 2.

Cornerback and safety

• 68 shots each: Cooper DeJean, Andrew Mukuba

• 67 snaps: Riq Woolen

• 64 shots: Quinyon Mitchell

• 44 shots: Kenny Moore

• 4 shots: Jonathan Jones

Notes: DeJean, Mukuba and Woolen were all beaten for touchdowns. The secondary in general – aside from Mitchell – did not have a good game. Of course, they are directly affected by the complete lack of a pass rush.

Three stars 🤩

⭐⭐⭐: Saquon Barkley

🌟🌟: Makai Lemon

✨: Quinyon Mitchell

Ball game 🏈

Saquon Barkley

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