Eagles-Cowboys Preview
By: Steve Johnson
QB- Both Tony Romo and Mike Vick are coming off Wins in their last games, Romo vs St. Louis, and Vick vs Washington. Vick is coming off a much needed bye week to get his offensive line healthy. Vick has hardly been the issue for the last place Eagle, while Romo has been much of the blame for the Cowboys 3 losses. If either Quarterback is given time, they will have a big game, but if the pressure is on it's hit or miss for both. Vick has been the more consistent Quarterback this year, and is waiting to have a breakout game on national television.
Advantage: Eagles
RB- Demarco Murray broke Emmitt Smith's rushing record last week going for 253 yards against the Rams, but that doesn't make him Emmitt Smith. The 253 yards was against the worst rushing defense in the league. Not to say Murray won't be a good player, but he is no Shady McCoy. This year McCoy has proved to be one of the better running backs in the league. He has three 100 yard games and 8 total touchdowns, compared to Murrays 1 Touchdown and his solo over 40 yard game.
Advantage: Eagles
WR/TE- Dez Bryant has yet to have a 100 yard game but both him and Miles Austin both have 4 touchdowns on the year, while Jeremy Maclin and DeSean Jackson have a combined 5 touchdowns. With that being said the Eagles top two Receivers have outgained the Cowboys top 2 receivers 945 yards to 662 yards. Add in Eagles 3rd WR Jason Avant, who has more yards than both Cowboys receivers, and the Eagles have the advantage.The Eagles have consistently moved the ball down the field but turnovers have killed them all year, if they can cut down on turnovers they could torch the cowboys secondary. The Eagles can man up with the Cowboys Receivers, the problem is stopping Tight End Jason Witten, who has scored in 3 straight games and is clearly superior to Eagles Tight End Brent Celek.
Advantage: Push
OL- The Eagles offensive line has been banged up all year but has been exceeding expectations and playing much better as of late. Right Tackle Todd Herremans has been the most consistent and one of the best players on the team. Getting Left Tackle Jason Peters back is huge, especially having to line up opposite of DeMarcus Ware. The Cowboys line is young and inexperienced and really are the key to this game. If the Cowboys line can't slow down the Eagles pass rush, it could force Romo into making mistakes.
Advantage: Eagles
DL- Jay Ratliff is one of the best nose tackles in the league, and Defense Coordinator Rob Ryan has Ratliff and Ends Kenyon Coleman and Jason Hatcher playing great, but they do not have half the talent the Eagles ends have. The Eagles get back a healthy Trent Cole, arguably one of the best pass rushers in the game today. Defensive Line coach Jim Washburn made adjustments in tightening his wide 9 formation to help out the Eagles weak linebackers, and it clearly made a difference shutting down the Redskins run game. Jason Babin is 5th in the league in sacks with 7.
Advantage: Eagles
LB- This position isn't even close, the Cowboys have one of the best linebacker corps in the league. Demarcus Ware is 2nd in the league in sacks with 8, and he might not even be playing the best out of this group. Second year man Sean Lee has been playing great, causing turnovers and shutting down opponents run game. The Eagles are inexperienced and don't have the awareness you expect from the linebacking position. Rookie Brian Rolle has played better than expected, and is an upgrade over Casey Matthews.
Advantage: Cowboys
DB- Everybody knows about the moves the Eagles made this offseason, but it's the moves the Cowboys didn't make that could make an impact in this game. The Cowboys needed help in the secondary and didn't make any moves. The Eagles however, signed two pro bowl caliber corners, capable of playing man coverage vs the Cowboys Receivers. The Eagles safeties have been playing better since benching Page. Kurt Coleman is coming off a 3 interception game, don't expect another one, but it did give this group and team loads of confidence.
Advantage: Eagles
Special Teams- The Cowboys have yet to find a permanent kick returner and the Eagles have yet to make a big play from theirs. Where the Cowboys have the advantage is in the kicking game. Dan Bailey has been automatic, Eagles kicker Alex Henrey has not. Dallas Punter Mat McBriar is a pro bowl caliber Punter, Eagles Punter Chas Henry is not.
Advantage: Cowboys
Prediction: Eagles 31, Cowboys 23
It's the Eagles vs Cowboys, on Sunday Night Football, on Halloween Eve, after a snowfall...in October. Expect strange things to occur.
