The rivalry renews on Monday night with a national audience, a Hall of Fame induction at halftime, and two teams in need of a victory in a wide-open NFC East. The Cowboys and Eagles kick off at 8:15 PM for Monday Night Football (ESPN/ABC/NFL Network/SportsRadio 94WIP) and the stakes, as usual, are high.

With a division that has yet to define any kind of order, both Dallas and Philadelphia have work to do. With that, a whole lot of storylines to consider for the first of three consecutive NFC East games for the Eagles ...

1. Tanner McKee, start No. 2

This is McKee's time and the Eagles are looking to him for next steps after last week's 2026 debut against Carolina. McKee talked about his goals earlier in the week and he intends to spread the football around, make good decisions, and settle in quickly against a Dallas defense searching for its own answers this season. What is the scheme Dallas will employ? It is similar to what the Eagles run under Vic Fangio, as Defensive Coordinator Christian Parker spent important development seasons in Philadelphia. But Dallas will have its wrinkles and could very well look to send pressure at McKee early in the game to test the fourth-year signal-caller. The Eagles must have great communication and answers for whatever the Cowboys are doing. McKee has had a full week of work and should have more comfort in the operation as he gains more experience. It is, of course, a full-offense challenge, which leads to ...

2. Can the Eagles get the running game going?

Running back Saquon Barkley is still, at this point, hopeful of returning to the lineup and that would certainly be a plus. The offensive line has personnel question marks, a theme of this season. How much emphasis on the ground attack will Offensive Coordinator Sean Mannion have on establishing the running attack from the start of the game? You have to take what the defense gives you, right? So what if the Cowboys are stacking the box? The Eagles have to win in the passing game. That's the way football works. Certainly, making this running game a success is a priority, so let's see how the Eagles reach that goal.

3. Eagles defense against the Dallas offense

In every way, the Cowboys are lethal offensively. They haven't quite put it all together this season, but there are signs. If quarterback Dak Prescott has time, he can throw to a great group of wide receivers led by CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens, as well as a very good group of tight ends. Javonte Williams is a high-level running back and the offensive line is solid, despite some injuries. Fangio has seen all of this before and he understands the task. Philadelphia's defense continues to be tested and this week is no different.

4. Predicting the unpredictability of Eagles-Cowboys

This is an emotional stage with two teams that clearly understand the moment, so you can expect something out of the ordinary to happen. It does quite frequently in this rivalry. A weird bounce. A disputed call. Something after the whistle. Coaching decisions. Cool heads must prevail here and that is no doubt something that both head coaches are talking about throughout the week. Neither team expected to be 2-4 at this point, but that's the reality. And the NFC East without question did not appear to be a division in such a struggle through the first six weeks of the season, but that is where it stands. This game could be a jumpstart for both teams, and you are going to see a highly physical game, great intensity, and urgent football. A lot is at stake here. The team that makes the fewest mistakes – physical, mental, in-game, after the whistle, from the coaches – wins the game.

5. Hate to keep repeating, but these are the big statistics

If you don't turn the football over, you give yourself a chance to win the game. If you are better in the red zone on both offense and defense, same thing. The special teams are huge here, as Dallas often turns games with its return teams and kicking game. Penalties, oh yes, are enormous in this one. Something that Head Coach Nick Sirianni talks about often is important, too, and that's the explosive plays category. The Dallas passing game brings that kind of pressure on defenses, as the Eagles know. Philadelphia has had success pushing the ball down the field at times this year, too.

6. The halftime Hall of Fame moment

This won't factor on the scoreboard, but it is a special moment for all Eagles fans to celebrate. Owner Jeffrey Lurie is officially inducted into the Philadelphia Eagles Hall of Fame at halftime, recognition of the franchise he has built with World Championships and 20 playoff appearances in 32 seasons on the field and an off-the-field commitment with the Eagles Youth Partnership and then the Eagles Autism Foundation along with daily community work to help the underserved in the region. He is truly one of the greatest and most accomplished Owners in all of sports and this will be a great moment for Eagles fans to pay tribute to Jeffrey Lurie and the franchise he has built.