Helmet to Helmet: Wild Card Playoffs
Dallas Cowboys vs. Philadelphia Eagles
Cowboys Aim to Soar Past Eagles
Though one may not be able to tell by the way things have gone for the Dallas Cowboys this season, it is a tall order for any team in the National Football League to sweep a division foe. This season, the Cowboys fell to the New York Giants both in the season home opener at Cowboys Stadium in Arlington and in their second meeting in the Meadowlands. Conversely, America’s team was able to defeat both the Washington Redskins and the Philadelphia Eagles in both regular season meetings this year.
The Cowboys’ burst of productivity late in the season, which first became apparent with a convincing win over Drew Brees and the then undefeated New Orleans Saints, provided the momentum which eventually led the Cowboys to their 22nd NFC East title. Along with that title and third seed in the NFC playoffs, the Cowboys will have to return to Cowboys Stadium this Saturday night to face the very opponent they so convincingly defeated to obtain the division crown. Can the Dallas Cowboys defeat the Eagles who have won only 2 of the last 5 meetings with the Cowboys?
In a word, Yes. It is very possible that the Cowboys could beat the Philadelphia Eagles for a third time this season, but it will be far from easy.
Don’t be fooled by the lop-sided 24-O victory over Philly last weekend. The Eagles, specifically on defense are sure to make adjustments that could cause disruption in the Cowboys high octane offense.
Tony Romo became the Cowboys first and only quarterback to take every snap for the season after last weeks win. Throwing only one interception in the game, Romo also became the only quarterback in franchise history to conclude a season with fewer than 10 INT’s. One of the most obvious reasons Romo was able to achieve that feat was that the Eagles blitzed far fewer times than usual. Look for the Eagles to throw everything but the kitchen sink at Romo and the Cowboys offensive line, in an effort reminiscent of the late Jim Johnson era. Though the Dallas offensive line did an impressive job picking up would be blitzers, the Eagles are sure to turn the pressure up on Dallas’ front five forcing Romo to make good decisions outside of the pocket and on the move. Romo, who first used his feet to gain the admiration of Cowboy faithful, should again have a number of options downfield against an Eagle secondary who has been plagued with injury.
As a group, Cowboys fans couldn’t possibly want more from their receiving corp. Tight end Jason Witten, Receivers Miles Austin and Patrick Crayton had great games, making key plays in the Cowboys shut out of the Eagles, but it has been the relative non-existent play of 54 million dollar receiver Roy Williams that must change if the Cowboys expect to defeat Philadelphia for a third time. There has been much speculation that Williams and Romo have had difficulty getting in sync this season, but the few glimpses of harmony between the two have resulted in 7 touchdowns in critical games. Williams must keep his hands on the ball if the Cowboys are to keep Donavan McNabb and the Eagles speedy offense off of the field.
Cowboys rushing game seemed to be back in full affect for the second time this season. Though running back Tishard Choice did not play last week due to a concussion, Choice and Cowboys head coach Wade Phillips expect Choice to be ready for this weeks match up. If all three backs see playing time and are able to make the kind of plays we’ve come to expect from them, the Eagles who have suffered serious injuries on offense will have little time to set up their big play offense by establishing their running game.
Defensively, the Cowboys seemed to play some of their best football all season. In the last meeting between the two teams, the Cowboys defense was able to keep veteran quarterback Donavan McNabb from comfort in the pocket, sacking McNabb four times, intercepting him one time, and causing him to fumble on a key third down. Expect to see double teams against Pro Bowler DeMarcus Ware and stunt blocking to keep the Cowboys defense off center. If the Eagles are to have any chance at all of winning this game, they will need for running backs Michael Westbrook and LeSean McCoy in the flat. The Cowboys defensive line and linebackers to over-pursue McNabb to open up the field
Eagles wide-outs Corey Maclin and DeSean Jackson displayed their speed which has earned them the respect of many around the league, but were relatively ineffective due to the pressure applied by the Cowboys defensive line. Tight end Brad Celek seemed to be the Eagles only means of advancing the field, but was held to fewer than 100 yards in the teams last meeting. Cornerbacks Terrence Newman and Mike Jenkins played very well against the world class speed of the Eagles wide receivers, but will need to tighten their coverage if they hope Philadelphia shut out again.
Defeating any team three times in a single season is a difficult task. Getting a win in any playoff atmosphere can be considered difficult. The Cowboys, though inconsistent at many points this season, have played with the swagger of a super bowl contender when their backs have been against the wall. The Cowboys should be able to make the almost impossible a reality provided they maintain the energy they have played with in the last four games of the regular season. Unless the Eagles are able to overcome their many shortcomings, the Cowboys should win their first playoff game since 1996, but don’t expect another shut out. As we all know, the Philadelphia Eagles have enough hatred for the Cowboys to step up their efforts and present the Cowboys with real problems on both sides of the ball. The difference should be much smaller, but all signs seem to point the Cowboys toward the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome and a divisional playoff game against the Minnesota Vikings, but before the Cowboys gas up the charter plane to Minneapolis, they must first meet the Philadelphia Eagles for a third time Helmet to Helmet.
