(Editor's Note: Each Tuesday, the staff of DallasCowboys.com will present "The Big Picture" for the upcoming game, presenting an overall update for each team as they head into the upcoming contest. This week, the Cowboys go on the road for the first time this season in a Week 2 matchup at Philadelphia.)
WHAT: Dallas Cowboys at Philadelphia Eagles
WHEN: Sunday, 3:25 p.m. (Central Time)
WHERE: Lincoln Financial Field; Philadelphia
TELEVISION: FOX
Dallas Cowboys
In erasing a 10-point fourth-quarter deficit Sunday against the Giants, the Cowboys (1-0) showed the fight and resiliency Jason Garrett preaches daily. But the head coach has plenty of improvement areas to point out following their 27-26 comeback victory.
The Cowboys committed three turnovers that led to 17 Giants points, and they'll enter Sunday potentially missing three key players who suffered injuries in Week 1. All-Pro wide receiver Dez Bryant (foot) and rookie defensive end Randy Gregory (ankle) are expected to miss several weeks, and starting left guard Ronald Leary is day-to-day with a groin injury.
Mackenzy Bernadeau replaced Leary against the Giants in the second half and would likely start if needed. With Bryant and Gregory sidelined, the Cowboys will be without one of the league's most dynamic receivers and a promising young pass rusher who has helped fill in for suspended defensive end Greg Hardy. The team must call on their depth at both positions.
The Cowboys and Eagles have split their last four meetings since 2013. Dallas will try to continue its success on the road from 2014 after posting a perfect 8-0 regular-season record last season.
To do so, the Cowboys will have to contain Philadelphia's high-powered offense. The defense played well Sunday, holding the Giants to four field goals and one touchdown and limiting quarterback Eli Manning to 193 passing yards.
Philadelphia Eagles
The Eagles (0-1) at least have the benefit of playing at home on a short week after dropping their season opener at Atlanta, 26-24, on Monday Night Football.
The biggest storyline this Sunday? Shocker: It's DeMarco Murray facing his former team for the first time since signing a five-year, $42 million contract with the Eagles two months after he set a Cowboys single-season franchise record with 1,845 rushing yards.
Murray is the now lead back in a three-man rotation featuring Ryan Mathews and Darren Sproles. The trio combined for only 16 carries and 63 yards against the Falcons, due in part to the Eagles falling behind 20-3 early and playing catch-up until they took their first lead of the game with 8:12 remaining. A 44-yard field goal fell short that would've put the Eagles ahead with 2:32 left.
Murray scored twice in 12 touches (eight carries, four catches) and figures to be more involved Sunday. But the Cowboys' secondary will also be tested by third-year head coach Chip Kelly's up-tempo passing attack.
Quarterback Sam Bradford, traded to Philadelphia from St. Louis in the offseason, had a whopping 52 pass attempts against the Falcons, completing 36 for 336 yards and one touchdown with two interceptions. He completed passes to 10 different receivers, including former Cowboy Miles Austin twice for 22 yards.
Defensively, the Eagles sacked Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan once and intercepted him twice. Pressuring quarterback Tony Romo is sure to be a priority, and it's worth noting the Philadelphia defense tied for second in the league last season with 49 sacks, led by outside linebacker Connor Barwin's 14.5.
