The Dallas Cowboys' defense has taken on two forms this season. With Sean Lee, they've stood their ground and helped the team rack up victories. Without him, they've been gashed to the tune of disappointing losses. Anthony Hitchens hopes to change that trend this weekend.

Lee will be out again this Sunday when the Cowboys take on the 8-1 Philadelphia Eagles, as well as on Thanksgiving when Dallas hosts the Los Angeles Chargers. The Cowboys have lost five straight games when Lee either doesn't play or comes out early with an injury. There's a chance Lee with also miss Dallas' Week 13 matchup with the Washington Redskins.

Insert Hitchens. The team's starting middle linebacker will shift over to weakside linebacker this week (per Kate Hairopoulos of the Dallas Morning News), the post Lee usually holds. He'll be in charge of signal-calling in addition to playing a new position. Jaylon Smith and Justin Durant will split time at middle linebacker in his place.

Hitchens discussed the adjustments he's making this week as he gets comfortable in his new, albeit temporary, role. From Hairopoulos:

“The difference is where your eyes are,” Hitchens said Tuesday from the Cowboys' locker room. “Every play you're keying a guy, you're keying a tight end, keying a running back. It's just different plays and different positions where your eyes are. Throughout the week, I've just got to work with Sean if he's not playing and ask him what does he see on this play or this formation.”

At 5-4, a victory over the Eagles is vital for the Cowboys in a packed NFC playoff race. They'll currently tied with the Atlanta Falcons, Detroit Lions, and Green Bay Packers for seventh in the conference. The two wild card spots are held by the 7-3 Carolina Panthers and the 6-3 Seattle Seahawks.