Game Preview: Eagles vs. Cowboys
Entering the season, Dallas was the trendy pick to challenge the Eagles for supremacy in the NFC East but, so far at least, that hasn’t happened. Instead, the Redskins have risen to the top of the division (though that won’t last) and the Giants have emerged as the Eagles’ true challenger while the Cowboys find themselves in last place with a 2-2 record.
When the Eagles have the ball:
Dallas brought in several new defensive starters to aid in their transition to the 3-4 defense. On paper, this unit was supposed to be a strength, but they haven’t been. The pass defense has given up too many big plays while the defense line has not freed kept blockers off the linebackers, allowing opposing running backs to break into the secondary. Meanwhile, the Eagles offense continues to be explosive in the passing game, while under utilizing that running game.
The Eagles shouldn’t have trouble scoring points today. Donovan McNabb will look to Terrell Owens deep early and often and TO should have a monster day. Meanwhile, look for Westbrook and Lamar Gordon to get a few more carries and have success running the ball, especially if Dallas’ leading tackler Dat Nguyen is forced to miss the game with a neck injury.
When the Cowboys have the ball:
The Cowboys’ offense has been a tale of two surprises; one pleasant, one not so pleasant.
The Cowboys offense was supposed to center around the running of Julius Jones, who was excellent during the second half of last year. But Jones has not been able to get untracked, averaging only 3.5 ypc. Meanwhile, newly acquired Drew Bledsoe was supposed to come in and merely provided stability and competence. Instead, Bledsoe has thrown the ball like he did ten years ago when he broke into the league with the Patriots. Bledsoe has had success throwing to Keyshawn Johnson, Patrick Crayton and especially Terry Glenn, who has averaged 25 ypc. Of course, he also has talented TE Jason Witten, who always give the Eagles fits. Bledsoe’s 96.2 passer rating this year is a full 10 pointes better than his career best.
One weakness in Dallas’ passing game has been rookie 6th round pick Rob Petitti. The massive RT out of Pittsburgh has potentially and is solid in the running game, but is not quick enough to handle good speed rushers. Last week former Eagle Derrick Burgess dominated Petitti, sacking Bledsoe twice.
Jevon Kearse should have a good day against Petitti, especially with the extra incentive of trying to match or beat his old teammate. Look for Jimmy Johnson to help Kearse by bringing blitzes on the edges and forcing the immobile Bledsoe to get rid of the ball quickly.
Prediction:
The Cowboys offense is good enough to score some points against the Eagles, but not enough to make it close. McNabb and Owens should both post big games against a weak Dallas secondary and Westbrook will finally break through with a big game on the ground.
Eagles win easily: 34-17
When the Eagles have the ball:
Dallas brought in several new defensive starters to aid in their transition to the 3-4 defense. On paper, this unit was supposed to be a strength, but they haven’t been. The pass defense has given up too many big plays while the defense line has not freed kept blockers off the linebackers, allowing opposing running backs to break into the secondary. Meanwhile, the Eagles offense continues to be explosive in the passing game, while under utilizing that running game.
The Eagles shouldn’t have trouble scoring points today. Donovan McNabb will look to Terrell Owens deep early and often and TO should have a monster day. Meanwhile, look for Westbrook and Lamar Gordon to get a few more carries and have success running the ball, especially if Dallas’ leading tackler Dat Nguyen is forced to miss the game with a neck injury.
When the Cowboys have the ball:
The Cowboys’ offense has been a tale of two surprises; one pleasant, one not so pleasant.
The Cowboys offense was supposed to center around the running of Julius Jones, who was excellent during the second half of last year. But Jones has not been able to get untracked, averaging only 3.5 ypc. Meanwhile, newly acquired Drew Bledsoe was supposed to come in and merely provided stability and competence. Instead, Bledsoe has thrown the ball like he did ten years ago when he broke into the league with the Patriots. Bledsoe has had success throwing to Keyshawn Johnson, Patrick Crayton and especially Terry Glenn, who has averaged 25 ypc. Of course, he also has talented TE Jason Witten, who always give the Eagles fits. Bledsoe’s 96.2 passer rating this year is a full 10 pointes better than his career best.
One weakness in Dallas’ passing game has been rookie 6th round pick Rob Petitti. The massive RT out of Pittsburgh has potentially and is solid in the running game, but is not quick enough to handle good speed rushers. Last week former Eagle Derrick Burgess dominated Petitti, sacking Bledsoe twice.
Jevon Kearse should have a good day against Petitti, especially with the extra incentive of trying to match or beat his old teammate. Look for Jimmy Johnson to help Kearse by bringing blitzes on the edges and forcing the immobile Bledsoe to get rid of the ball quickly.
Prediction:
The Cowboys offense is good enough to score some points against the Eagles, but not enough to make it close. McNabb and Owens should both post big games against a weak Dallas secondary and Westbrook will finally break through with a big game on the ground.
Eagles win easily: 34-17
posted by ahb at 1:24 PM
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