The first thing to say here is, congratulations! Congratulations to the Cowboys players and coaching staff for making the post-season. Congratulations to the team for winning some important games in December that has given them a shot at not only the Division, bet even a first round bye if the right teams lose this Sunday!
Now, all congratulatory praise aside, there is still one final game to be played in the 2009 regular season. There is a great deal at stake on Sunday late afternoon, and the Cowboys really could not have asked for more. They are playing a familiar foe; an opponent whom they have already beaten this season; and they get to play them at home. The fact that Dallas will be hosting Phili is a tremendous advantage, especially because it will be a hell of a return after two major ROAD WINS over the last few weeks (NO and WAS).
They welcome a Philadelphia Eagles squad, which has won six straight, including divisional games against the Giants and Redskins; and a squeaker against Denver last Sunday. The Eagles offense is firing on all cylinders and they will have a full compliment of playmakers at their disposal, including Brian Westbrook who missed several games before returning to action last week against the Denver Broncos.
The Cowboys return home with a playoff birth, and a signature win against a previously unbeaten team on the road. Tony Romo snapped a 3-game no interception streak, but still looked great against the Redskins in Sunday night’s victory. The run game has come alive and Marion Barber has been looking like his old self making tough runs and extending drives for Dallas throughout four quarters of play.
The matchup in November between these two teams contained a few stats that are of note. McNabb was sacked a total of four times by the defense, and he also threw two interceptions. The Eagles averaged 29ppg, but Dallas managed to hold them to just 16 total. Finally, the Eagles were a mere 4-12 on third down conversions; and were stopped on a fourth and short in Dallas territory in the final quarter of play. Simply put, the defense will most likely be most critical aspect to the outcome of this game.
The Cowboys must distract and distress the offensive line so they can get to McNabb early, allowing him any more time than he may usually have is a recipe for disaster. There is absolutely no room for error this Sunday on either side of the ball. If Tony Romo is able to play the way he has been playing for most of the month, throwing seven touchdowns and just one interception, coupled with a Defensive performance similar to that of the New Orleans game… Dallas could be looking at an NFC East Title, a playoff game at home, and dare I say it maybe even a first-round bye.
