3 Eagles Defenders That Need to Step up Against the Cowboys on Sunday Night Football

Despite Carson Wentz and the offense humming along at their usual elite pace, the Philadelphia Eagles find themselves mired in the doldrums of the NFC at 3-3 thanks to a well below-average defense. Their once feared pass rush is looking pretty toothless after Malik Jackson was placed on IR, and their patchwork secondary remains one of the worst in the league, if not the worst. Even a sliding Cowboys team will be a tough task in Dallas, and the Eagles will fold quickly unless these three defenders step up.

3. LB Duke Riley

A former third-round pick, Riley was traded from Atlanta to Philly after losing his starting spot and being relegated to special teams duty. Riley will likely be thrust into a starting role after the Eagles released Zach Brown for trash-talking Kirk Cousins before promptly getting lit up by the Vikings. Riley hasn't been a starter since last season, and his first challenge in Jim Schwartz's defense is to slow down Ezekiel Elliott. Good luck!

2. CB Jalen Mills

Mills often drew the ire of Eagles fans last year for getting burned on every other downfield shot, but Philly is welcoming him back with open arms after the horrendous play of Rasul Douglas and Sidney Jones. Even without Amari Cooper, the likes of Randall Cobb and Michael Gallup have proven to give Mills fits in the past, and could allow Dak Prescott to make some easy throws behind the defense once Mills gets beat on another double-move.

1. DT Fletcher Cox

Cox is a four-time Pro Bowler and four-time All-Pro, but he's been a non-factor through the first six weeks of the season. Cox has yet to record a sack or pile up more than five tackles in any one game so far. Simply put, the Eagles need their All-Pro to play like an All-Pro. Zack Martin and dominant Cowboys offensive line isn't the best team to try and get your momentum back against, but Cox will have to kick it into high gear sooner or later.