Sole possession of first place in the NFC's East Division
will be on the line when the Dallas Cowboys and Philadelphia Eagles renew
their spirited rivalry with a Sunday night showdown at Lincoln Financial Field
to highlight the Week 9 schedule.
With both teams fresh off impressive wins and sporting identical 5-2 records,
not to mention a genuine dislike of one another, this pivotal midseason clash
didn't need any additional intrigue to draw the interest of the fans. There's
a good chance, however, that the Cowboys are viewing this game as something
more than simply an opportunity for bragging rights.
Dallas last visited the City of Brotherly Love in the 2008 regular-season
finale, needing a victory over Philadelphia to secure a spot in the NFC's
postseason parade. The Cowboys didn't come close in a 44-6 shellacking that
not only served as the team's most lopsided defeat since patriarch Jerry Jones
purchased the franchise 20 years ago, but vaulted the hated Eagles into the
playoffs as the conference's final Wild Card.
If recent results are any indication, the Cowboys seem to have put that
devastating loss in the rearview mirror. Dallas comes into Sunday's tilt on a
three-game winning streak, highlighted by a convincing 37-21 verdict over a
quality Atlanta squad in Week 7, and backed that strong effort up with last
weekend's 38-17 besting of the overmatched Seattle Seahawks.
Tony Romo has spearheaded the surge with a superb three-week stretch in which
the highly-scrutinized quarterback has amassed 918 passing yards and eight
touchdowns without an interception. The two-time Pro Bowl participant, who's
completed nearly 63 percent of his attempts over that span, delivered three
scoring strikes in last Sunday's rout of the Seahawks.
Romo's near-flawless play under center figures to be put to the test this
week, however, by an opportunistic Philadelphia defense that's racked up 21
takeaways through the team's first seven games. The group was at its havoc-
causing best in its last outing, forcing three turnovers that played a key
role in a 40-17 dismantling of the slumping New York Giants.
The offense did its part as well, with quarterback Donovan McNabb throwing for
240 yards and three touchdowns and a resurgent running game generating 180
yards despite the absence of standout back Brian Westbrook, who sat out the
contest with a concussion that isn't expected to keep him out of the lineup
for Sunday's matchup.
That win moved the Eagles to 2-0 against NFC East competition this season,
with the club having posted a 27-17 triumph over Washington the previous week.
Dallas is 0-1 thus far in divisional play, having dropped a 33-31 decision at
home to the Giants back in Week 2.
SERIES HISTORY
The Cowboys hold a 53-43 advantage in their all-time regular season series
with the Eagles, including a conventional split of last year's home-and-home.
Dallas won a 41-37 home thriller when the teams met in Week 2 of last season,
but as previously mentioned, were drilled by a 44-6 count with a playoff berth
on the line at Lincoln Financial Field in Week 17. Dallas last won in Philly
in 2007, coming up a 38-17 winner in a primetime game there.
In addition to their regular season advantage, the Cowboys have a 2-1 edge in
the postseason series. The Eagles were 20-7 winners in the 1980 NFC
Championship, while Dallas won NFC Divisional Playoff games over Philadelphia
following the 1992 and 1995 seasons.
Eagles head coach Andy Reid has a career record of 14-6 against the Cowboys.
Dallas' Wade Phillips is 3-2 all-time against both Philadelphia and Reid all-
time, with the first of those wins coming in the form of a 26-0 rout for
Phillips' Bills over the Eagles in 1999.
WHEN THE COWBOYS HAVE THE BALL
With Romo (1908 passing yards, 12 TD, 4 INT) playing arguably the best
football of his four-year tenure as a starter and a strong ground attack in
place to complement the triggerman's talents, Dallas enters this week's play
ranked second in the NFL in total yards (411.1 ypg). The sudden emergence of
Miles Austin (26 receptions, 563 yards, 6 TD) as a big-play receiver alongside
perennial Pro Bowl tight end Jason Witten (37 receptions, 1 TD) has also aided
the cause. Since being inserted as a starter in mid-October, Austin has
compiled an eye-popping 482 yards and five touchdowns on 23 catches over three
games. The Cowboys' sixth-rated rushing offense (147.6 ypg) is led by rugged
running back Marion Barber (397 rushing yards, 4 TD, 6 receptions), with the
speedy Felix Jones (288 rushing yards, 1 TD, 4 receptions) utilized as a
dangerous change-of-pace out of the backfield and on returns. Romo has thrown
120 straight passes without being intercepted, the longest stretch of his
career, and has been picked off only once over Dallas' last five games.
Romo will be taking on a Philadelphia defense that's recorded 14 interceptions
already this season, just one less than the team's entire 2008 total, and
possesses one of the league's premier ballhawks in two-time Pro Bowl honoree
Asante Samuel (20 tackles, 5 INT, 6 FD), who teams with the steady Sheldon
Brown (21 tackles, 3 INT, 7 FD) to form a high-caliber cornerback tandem. The
aggressive Eagles also excel at pressuring the passer, with disruptive end
Trent Cole (31 tackles, 6.5 sacks) the most accomplished member of a unit that
has produced 23 sacks so far, tied for second-most in the league. Middle
linebacker Will Witherspoon (47 tackles, 1 sack, 1 INT), acquired from St.
Louis at the October 20 trade deadline, has quickly proven to be a playmaker as
well, with the eighth-year pro garnering 14 tackles, an interception, a fumble
recovery and a touchdown in just two games with his new team. Philly could be
without strongside regular Chris Gocong (26 tackles, 1 sack) for Sunday's tilt
due to quad and hamstring injuries incurred in the Giants game. If he can't
go, rookie seventh-round pick Moise Fokou (6 tackles) would be in line for his
first career start.
WHEN THE EAGLES HAVE THE BALL
The Philadelphia offense has the ability to score from any point on the field,
which was evidenced in last Sunday's thrashing of the rival Giants. Running
back LeSean McCoy (294 rushing yards, 2 TD, 15 receptions) had a 66-yard
touchdown run, wide receiver DeSean Jackson (24 receptions, 501 yards, 6 total
TD) hauled in a 54-yard scoring bomb from McNabb (1008 passing yards, 9 TD, 1
INT) and seldom-used fullback Leonard Weaver (91 rushing yards, 1 TD, 7
receptions) got into the act with a 41-yard touchdown burst on the game's
opening drive. The Eagles lead the NFL with 12 plays of 40 yards or more, many
of which have been provided by the dazzling Jackson, who's averaging better
than 20 yards per catch as McNabb's primary target. Rookie receiver Jeremy
Maclin (22 receptions, 3 TD) has shown plenty of game-breaking potential as
well in his short stint, while third-year tight end Brent Celek (37
receptions, 447 yards, 3 TD) is beginning to blossom into one of the elite
performers at his position. Westbrook (197 rushing yards, 17 receptions, 2
total TD) should be back in the mix after being held out of last week's test
for precautionary reasons, giving the Cowboys another weapon to prepare for.
McNabb hasn't shown any ill effects from the broken rib that caused him to
miss a couple of games earlier in the year, as the 11th-year vet has tossed
seven touchdowns and no interceptions in four starts since returning from the
injury.
Expect the Eagles to attack a Dallas stop unit that ranks just 22nd in pass
defense (237.3 ypg) and has come up with only four interceptions in its seven
games. They'll have to keep a close eye on pass-rushing terror DeMarcus Ware
(26 tackles, 2 forced fumbles), who's back to his destructive ways following a
slow beginning to the season, however. The All-Pro outside linebacker, who
topped the NFL with 20 sacks a year ago, has gotten to the quarterback five
times over the course of this three-game winning streak, a big reason why the
Cowboys have five takeaways over the last two weeks. Dallas has also been
tough to run on as of late, with opponents averaging just 92.8 rushing yards
in the last five games against a defense that's been getting very good play
out of inside linebackers Keith Brooking (50 tackles, 2 sacks) and Bradie
James (49 tackles, 1 sack) and nose tackle Jay Ratliff (18 tackles, 2 sacks).
FANTASY FOCUS
With both teams having offenses capable of lighting up the scoreboard, there's
a wealth of tasty options on the menu in this matchup. Austin and Jackson have
been fantasy gold for their owners as of late, and there's no reason not to
keep riding the hot hand in a game with the potential of being a shootout.
Celek and Witten are two legitimate starters at the tight end position, with
Maclin and the Cowboys wideout Roy Williams (14 receptions, 2 TD) offering
some value as flex players. The Eagles will likely throw it a lot on Sunday,
which is good news for those with McNabb on their roster, but it's hard to
gauge how much Westbrook will contribute coming off a serious head injury,
although his track record says start him. Barber always gets enough touches
and goal-line looks to be a recommended choice on the Dallas side. Romo's been
excellent during Dallas' current run, but keep in mind that he'll be facing a
Philadelphia defense that's terrific at forcing the opposition into mistakes.
OVERALL ANALYSIS
Dallas comes in both confident and motivated to atone for last season's
disaster, but history says the Cowboys could be in for a rough ride. Dallas
has left with a loss in eight of its last 10 trips to Philadelphia, and the
Eagles have won easily in each of their last three home games. Add in the
theory that Romo's overdue to make a costly miscue or two after three almost
spotless games, and the Eagles are one of the best in the business at creating
pressure and inducing turnovers. That could be the difference in a contest
that should offer plenty of excitement and determined play from two fierce
rivals.
Sports Network Predicted Outcome: Eagles 30, Cowboys 21
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