The Philadelphia Eagles will be playing an important game against the Dallas Cowboys, and head coach Doug Pederson is making a daring move: he's starting rookie offensive lineman Andre Dillard. While there are questions as to whether he's actually ready for prime time, veteran left tackle Jason Peters will make sure that the rookie will be in top shape come game-time.

The rookie is understandably excited to play his first start for the team, but he's more thankful than anything that Peters helped him improve as a player in the first six weeks of his NFL career. He credits his contribution to his improvement to NBC Sports' Dave Zangaro.

“He’s been a great teacher, mentor, big brother figure for me,” Dillard said. “Since I got here, I’ve learned so much as a player just from being around him and talking to him all the time and picking his brain here or there. Just a lot of useful things that I’ve learned as a player and as a person.”

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Even Pederson saw the impact of the 16-year vet's mentoring of Dillard. He appreciates that he took the time in spite of his injury to mentor the 24-year-old Washington State product.

 “I saw it last week in practice when J.P. missed some time in practice last week, he's coaching up Andre; he's coaching up Andre this week. What a great resource to have right there by your side, someone that's an All-Pro, is going to be a Hall of Fame left tackle, who can really give you some insight probably more so than us as coaches.

Peters won't be playing the game due to his injured knee, but Dillard will do everything in his power to make sure his spirit's there. If everything goes well, the line will be as strong as if Peters was there himself.