With their confidence brimming and a 3-game win streak in hand, the Dallas Cowboys will be playing the 1st “biggest game” of the 2009 season. On Sunday night, Tony Romo and company head to Lincoln Financial Field to face a very formidable, and recently dominant looking Philadelphia Eagles team that is also sitting at 5-2. There’s no doubt that this game will certainly show the entire league how the latter half of the season could play out in terms of who comes out atop the NFC East after week 17.
Looking at the offensive numbers… this game has the makings of a high scoring affair. The Eagles are the third in scoring and Dallas brings the second ranked YPG averaging over 400 yards of offense. This is an extremely important point that goes to the heart of this matchup: the Eagles are 3-1 at home this year and in those 3 wins they scored more than thirty points; and in their only loss at home, they scored under thirty… a 48-22 loss to New Orleans in week 2.
The last few weeks Dallas has been able to put together a couple of impressive wins and wins are always a good thing in the NFL. However, Sunday night will have two key differences from the previous two weeks for this seemingly rejuvenated Cowboys squad. The first difference is that their opponent will be an Eagles team that is just as familiar with them as they are with it. The second difference is that they will be playing ON THE ROAD. Dallas is 2-1 on the road; but road wins against Tampa and KC (in overtime mind you) are not something to get too excited about.
Dallas would do well to keep this thought in mind: the New York Giants reminded you of what will be most important to this game, and all you have to do is go back to that forgettable season finale last year when Philadelphia absolutely destroyed Romo and crew. What am I trying to say you ask? Against the Cowboys last year and the Giants last Sunday, the Eagles took a BIG LEAD, and took it EARLY. Dallas must be sure not to let the Eagles get up on them quickly, if at all!
How does Dallas make sure to keep this from happening? The running game will be the key to victory on Sunday night. The “three-headed monster” will have to step up and the Cowboys must put together long drives, early in the game to make sure the Eagles aren’t all over the place having their way with the Defense. This is certainly within reason, considering the triple threat that Barber, Jones, and Choice make; and not to mention the Eagles have allowed slightly over 100 rushing YPG this season.
I think I speak for all Dallas fans when I say that I am optimistic about our chances for victory Sunday night. This is not a “David vs. Goliath” situation… the Eagles got beat by the Raiders only a few weeks ago! If Oakland can put together a game plan to stifle McNabb, Ware and the rest of the Defensive unit will certainly be up to the task. Combine that with a healthy dose of the run game…. and Dallas could quite possibly wake up Monday morning sitting at number one in the NFC East.
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Nice blog michi. I agree with you in some aspects, but also disagree with you in some keys to the Cowboys winning. In terms of a blue print on how to shut down the Eagle offense, the Cowboys need to repeat what da Raiders did: more zone coverages and blitzes; get to McNabb early and knock him down often. He's like Romo in the fact if you can knock him about early; he then has a tendency to carry that 'shaken, not stirred' inaptitude through the entire game.
I've got one specific area of what I think are the keys to either team winning, but you'll have to wait to read my blog to find out
On The Michael Irvin Show this afternoon, they talked about how Philly's rush numbers are WAY down, and the Cowboys defense can play the pass and just catch the run when it happens. This could be a major key to the game if Dallas doesn't have to focus on the run as a major threat.
Of course, If Brian Westbrook is healthy enough to play, those short wing passes are being used as the running game for Philly and present a unique set of challenges when combined with the deep threat in DeSean Jackson.
No doubt the “Westbrook” factor will impact the game plan for Dallas… I stick by my opinion that ball control will be the key. In fact, I will go out on a limb and say that IF Dallas has higher T-O-P, they win.
I like the “Time Of Prediction” michi alludes to for a success to victory. If Dallas does run the ball and run it well, it means the Defense is stopping the Eagles, and therefore the Cowboys are winning
I like the “Time Of Prediction” michi alludes to for a success to victory. If Dallas does run the ball and run it well, it means the Defense is stopping the Eagles, and therefore the Cowboys are winning
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