Eagles ready to unleash new receiver Golden Tate against Dallas
PHILADELPHIA >> Golden Tate might not be the Eagles’ savior, but it’s pretty clear he has the Cowboys number, and that’s a good thing as the Eagles could use a lift when the teams play Sunday night at Lincoln Financial Field (8:20 p.m., NBC, WIP 94.1-FM).
The Eagles (4-4) expect instant impact from Tate, who produced a season-high eight receptions for 132 yards and two touchdowns to lead the Detroit Lions to a 26-24 victory at Dallas earlier this season. They acquired Tate, one of just two players with 90 or more receptions in the past four seasons, for a thirdround draft pick just before the trade deadline. Antonio Brown is the other receiver in that exclusive 90-plus club.
Tate is an underneath weapon for quarterback Carson Wentz, whose biggest headache beyond the banged-up offensive line going forward could be how to divide the touches fairly.
“I think the idea of keeping everyone happy first and foremost stems from the culture we have in place,” Wentz said. “We realize one week it might be someone with 100 yards and a couple TDs and the next week it might be someone different. I’m really not worried about it. I know the play-calling will take care of itself. But that’s a luxury that we have. We can spread the ball out. We can find the mismatch each given week and take advantage of it.”
The Eagles aren’t 100 percent in front of Wentz as tackles Jason Peters and Lane Johnson are nursing multiple injuries. Cowboys defensive end Demarcus Lawrence (6.5 sacks) won’t mind.
The Cowboys (3-5), on the other hand, are under .500 at the midway point of a season for the first time in three years. They’re coming off a 28-14 defeat at home to the Tennessee Titans that was so hideous, Roger Staubach backed fellow Cowboys Hall of Fame quarterback Troy Aikman, who said the organization needs an overhaul from top to bottom.
“When you’re in Philly, that’s all you hear,” defensive end Brandon Graham said. “As long as you beat the Cowboys, (fans are) happy. Obviously, they want more than that and we do, too. But it’s Cowboys week, and if you can’t get up for this, you’re in the wrong spot.”
Quarterback Dak Prescott and the Cowboys hope to run the ball against the Eagles, as running back Zeke Elliott is their chief threat. The Cowboys added wide receiver Amari Cooper, who has deep speed. It cost them a first-round pick. The Eagles reportedly offered a second-rounder for Cooper.
The Eagles also are aware the Cowboys are upagainst-the-wall desperate.
“I’ve heard what Troy says, that they need to go all the way upstairs with it,” Graham said. “That’s their problem at the end of the day. But I do know that they’re going to come in here trying to get a win. We’ve got to stop Zeke Elliott. You’ve got to make sure you stop their run because he’s the engine in their offense. You get him going and that helps out Dak a lot.”