MVN - Most Valuable Network

Eagles-Cowboys Preview

When Philadelphia fans first got a glimpse of the 2007 NFL schedule, Week 15 sure looked different than it does now.

The Eagles are in Dallas for a 4:15 showdown this Sunday for the teams’ 97th career meeting. A game that should have been so important to the NFC East’s playoff implications instead pits two teams on opposite sides of the spectrum.

I know it seems like it has been said way too many times throughout the year, but this week will make or break the Eagles season. For real this time. Let’s take a closer look at the matchup, shall we?

• L.J. Smith and Correll Buckhalter are both ruled out for the game. I’d love to say this matters much, but with Little John coming up small in the passing attack this year, it doesn’t. Also, perhaps Buckhalter’s absence will allow Tony Hunt to finally get back in the mix.
• For the Cowboys, cornerback Terence Newman injured his right knee and right foot last week against the Lions, and is listed as questionable. Should the Eagles get a break and see Newman miss the game, they would be in a good position to exploit backup cornerback Jacques Reeves the way they intended to last time.
• Brian Westbrook is going to do his thing no matter what. That is essentially the only consistent theme for the Eagles this season. Westbrook is on pace to eclipse his career bests in rushing yards, receiving yards, and touchdowns. He is also en route to 2,336 yards from scrimmage, which would be fifth best all-time. Had he not missed a game against the Giants earlier this year, he would have been on pace to break that record (set by Marshall Faulk in 1999 with 2,429 … I know you were wondering; that’s why I get paid the big bucks.)
• The agony that us die-hard Eagles fans were put through when we saw Terrell Owens run all over the place in that 38-17 throttling was indescribable. I beg of you, Lito Sheppard and Sheldon Brown, do whatever you have to do in order to make sure this does not happen again. If someone is going to beat the Eagles secondary deep, let it be anybody other than T.O. Let it be Jason Witten, let it be Michael Irvin coming out of retirement and shocking the world, let it be Wade Phillips waddling onto the field in confusion as to whether he’s a player or coach, just NOT T.O.
• The Cowboys offensive line has been great all year. They had a little snafu last week against the Lions, allowing three sacks, but have been dominant for the most part in 2007. The Eagles defense obviously has to capitalize on what the Lions were able to do last week if they are going to have any shot at stopping Tony Romo and this explosive offense. They failed miserably in the previous Dallas game at getting to quarterback, and although Romo is at his best on the run, he needs to get flushed out of that pocket early and often.
• Finally, Donovan McNabb has to show up. Wow, almost went an entire article without mentioning #5, let’s see how many Eagles writers can do that! I don’t mean to state the obvious, but good ol’ Donny is still the key to this team. If the O-line can find a way to stop the unholy force that is DeMarcus Ware and keep McNabb upright, he has a good shot at putting up some decent numbers against Dallas’ 20th ranked pass defense.

The Cowboys embarrassed the Eagles in their own house the last time these teams met. The game was on Sunday Night Football and the whole world got to see the different directions both teams were headed in. The second half of that game was boring, with the outcome decided early on. John Madden, left with little else to talk about besides the Cowboys brilliance, spent the half talking about just that. In Andy Reid’s pregame pep-talk before the New England game several weeks later (also on Sunday Night Football) he told the team that he didn’t want Madden talking about how great Tom Brady or the Patriots were in that same way. The Eagles responded by putting on a very solid performance. They need to use the whole cliche underdog thing to their advantage and come out offended that they let Dallas do what they did back in Philly.

While a win may not propel the Eagles back in to the playoff hunt, it would be oh-so sweet to see them get back at the Cowboys. Dallas is supposed to be America’s team, right? Not here in Philly they aren’t.

This entry was posted on Friday, December 14th, 2007 at 5:00 pm and is filed under Game Preview. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.