Eagels lose fifth straight to Cowboys, 38-21

The Philadelphia Eagles fell to the Dallas Cowboys 38-21 on Monday night in a game that extended their losing streak to five. The defeat marks the first time since 2016 that the franchise has dropped five consecutive games. That previous streak occurred during Doug Pederson's first year as head coach.

Head coach Nick Sirianni has been with the team since 2021. His tenure includes two Super Bowl appearances, but the team has struggled to maintain consistency. The Eagles' defense, which has ranked last by Pro Football Focus this season, allowed the Cowboys to dominate. The Cowboys entered the game with only two wins on the season.

The offensive line, a key part of Sirianni's system, has faced recent changes. Lane Johnson, the team's best offensive lineman, retired after playing just three games this season. Offensive line coach Jeff Stoutland retired this winter after being demoted by Sirianni and former coordinator Kevin Patullo during the 2025 season. The Eagles hired 34-year-old Sean Mannion to lead the line unit after Stoutland's departure.

Quarterback Jalen Hurts is likely out for the season due to blood clots in his lungs. He missed the previous game in London, where time management and strategy were criticized. Running back Saquon Barkley returned from a hamstring injury for a first-quarter touchdown but left the game with a back injury. Wide receivers and an edge rusher also missed Monday's contest due to injuries.

Sirianni addressed the media after the loss. He acknowledged the team's struggles and compared the current situation to the 2021 season, when the Eagles started 2-5 before finishing strong. "I think back on the 2021 season, the way we finished that year propelled us into the Eagles we’ve been the last four years," Sirianni said. Left tackle Jordan Mailata, who has never lost five straight games, noted the familiarity of the situation. "I feel like I’ve been here before," Mailata said.

The Eagles have a salary structure that places a high financial burden on the coaching staff. Sirianni earns $17 million per year, and defensive coordinator Vic Fangio earns $6 million. General manager Howie Roseman is widely considered the best in the business. Despite these resources, the team has shown deficiencies in preparation and organization.

The next scheduled game for the Eagles will determine if the five-game losing streak ends or continues. The team will look to stabilize its defense and manage its remaining healthy players. The outcome of upcoming fixtures will likely influence discussions about Sirianni's future with the franchise.