Eagles Cowboys Preview

There are more than a handful of people worried about the upcoming football game this Sunday night.

Whether it’s how the Eagles looked week 14 compared to the show the Cowboys offense put on or how badly we beat Dallas on Thanksgiving, the number of doubters is growing. Dallas is undefeated on the road this season, including winning in Seattle. How much that actually means more to some than others, it’s not really scaring me.

We are a better team in the trenches, where the game is often won.

OFFENSE

Romo didn’t look so hot the first time he saw the Eagles defense. Romo elected to sit down and avoid hits rather than throw touchdown passes. Murray had a very solid game, but not to the standards and statistical collection that he had been putting together all season long. Dez lost his cool/focus on the sideline a few times, as did Witten, and one of the best offensive lines in the NFL looked average for the most part.

This meeting I expect more touches for Murray. Will he approach the 40 mark like he did against the Bears? He certainly may if that’s what it takes for them to win the football game. I envision an increase in down field attempts to Dez and using the middle of the field more with the Escobar and Beasely as Witten is going to need to help block the blitzes being dialed up by Davis. I expect the Eagles secondary to do what they did last time with Dez, play 1:1, have help in certain situations and do their best to cripple him in the “mental” part of the game.

The Eagles will gladly welcome the defense of the Cowboys after what they faced last week. McCoy will have every opportunity to match the production of Murray, maybe not with the touches, but certainly with total yards and touchdowns. The Eagles were able to attack with a lot of moving pieces when these teams matched up a few weeks back, however they struggled once in the red-zone. Their offensive approach once in close became too “obvious” with the run selections, and they couldn’t capitalize after turnovers by punching it in for six. They were able to get away with field goals the first meeting; they may not be as lucky this time around if the opportunity comes up.

DEFENSE

The Cowboys have a few guys that have the ability to makes plays. They rely more on where their players are positioned, minimizing giving up that big play and not commit foolish penalties. They have faded from being considered a decent defense in the early part of the season, to one more towards the bottom third in the league.

The Eagles defense played great on Thanksgiving, Fletcher Cox was in the backfield non-stop, the stunts/twists by the front seven was creating pressure on Romo, and even Nate Allen had a respectable football game. The key is getting pressure on Romo, and once in the backfield not letting him buy time with his legs or make those improvisational throws that he has been successful with over the course of his career.

PREDICTION

The Eagles have looked good this season when the games have started once the kids have been tucked in for bed. Some teams struggle during the night games, the Eagles especially at home against the Giants and Panthers have had dominating performances.

I like the Eagles to win by a touchdown after a later score by Murray and failed onside kick makes the game feel a lot closer than it actually was.

EAGLES 34 COWBOYS 27