Cowboys-Eagles Preview

 

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• Cowboys In First Place After 20-16 Win

SCOUTING REPORT

Cowboys-Eagles: 10 observations After breaking down film of both teams, Scouts Inc. offers 10 things to watch in this week's Cowboys-Eagles matchup. 1. Dallas needs balance offensively: With a full complement of healthy backs and Tony Romo playing well, offensive coordinator Jason Garrett will have the option of attacking the Eagles' defense at all levels both on the ground and through the air. Look for Garrett to keep the Philadelphia defense guessing with a good fmixture of run and pass.

· Full Scouting Report

Matchup
	W-L	PF	PA	HOME	ROAD	DIV	CONF
DAL	7-3	231	175	4-1	3-2	2-1	6-2
PHI	6-4	266	204	3-2	3-2	2-1	5-2
· Complete Standings

Individual Leaders

Dallas Passing   CMP% YDS TD INT Romo 60.0 2624 15 7

Philadelphia Passing   CMP% YDS TD INT McNabb 61.6 1929 14 5 Kolb 64.6 741 4 3

Dallas Rushing   CAR YDS AVG TD Barber 123 572 4.7 4 Jones 54 353 6.5 1

Philadelphia Rushing   CAR YDS AVG TD McCoy 106 452 4.3 3 Westbr... 47 225 4.8 1

Dallas Receiving   REC YDS AVG TD Austin 35 679 19.4 7 Witten 54 481 8.9 1

Philadelphia Receiving   REC YDS AVG TD Jackso... 42 728 17.3 5 Celek 50 568 11.4 5

Full Player Stats: Dallas | Philadelphia

TEAM AVERAGES & NFL RANKS
TEAM OFFENSE	TEAM	PER GAME AVERAGE
Total Yards	DAL	382.0
	PHI	355.0
Yards Passing	DAL	249.6
	PHI	247.1
Yards Rushing	DAL	132.3
	PHI	107.6
TEAM DEFENSE	TEAM	PER GAME AVERAGE
Yards Allowed	DAL	329.9
	PHI	305.1
Pass Yds Allowed	DAL	229.3
	PHI	200.8
Rush Yds Allowed	DAL	100.6
	PHI	104.3

HEAD TO HEAD MATCHUPS (SINCE 2001)
Philadelphia leads 11-6
Dec 28, 2008	DAL 6, PHI 44
Sep 15, 2008	DAL 41, @PHI 37
Dec 16, 2007	DAL 6, @PHI 10
Nov 4, 2007	DAL 38, PHI 17
Dec 25, 2006	DAL 7, @PHI 23
Oct 8, 2006	DAL 24, PHI 38
Nov 14, 2005	DAL 21, PHI 20
Oct 9, 2005	DAL 33, @PHI 10
Dec 19, 2004	DAL 7, PHI 12
Nov 15, 2004	DAL 21, @PHI 49
Dec 7, 2003	DAL 10, PHI 36
Oct 12, 2003	DAL 23, @PHI 21
Dec 21, 2002	DAL 3, @PHI 27
Sep 22, 2002	DAL 13, PHI 44
Nov 18, 2001	DAL 3, @PHI 36
Sep 30, 2001	DAL 18, PHI 40

This matchup between the Dallas Cowboys and Philadelphia Eagles isn't nearly as big as the last one. Still, it always seems meaningful when these archrivals play, and the 100th meeting is certainly no different.

A few weeks after both teams seemed headed in the wrong direction, the Cowboys and Eagles have gotten back on track but only one will leave Lincoln Financial Field on Sunday night alone atop the NFC East.

A wild-card playoff berth was at stake when Dallas visited Philadelphia to close the 2008 regular season, and the Cowboys trailed by 24 at halftime en route to a 44-6 loss. While the Eagles had little chance to make the playoffs when the day began but got the help they needed, Dallas entered only needing a win but had five turnovers -- three by Tony Romo -- and Philadelphia had fumble returns for touchdowns of 73 and 96 yards.

"We just flat out got our tail whooped, man. No excuse or anything like that," receiver Patrick Crayton told the Cowboys' official Web site. "We went home and had to sulk and had to deal with that for the whole offseason."

It was their most lopsided loss in the history of this series, which the Cowboys (5-2) lead 55-44 including playoffs.

"I think we all remember so much -- I know I do and so many players on this team remember -- how we left Philadelphia last year," owner Jerry Jones said.

The hangover appeared to carry into this season as Dallas opened 2-2. The two victories came against winless teams and the Cowboys beat another one -- Kansas City -- in Week 5 but needed overtime to do it.

A bye week followed and they've responded with two impressive wins, defeating Atlanta 37-21 before last Sunday's 38-17 rout of Seattle.

"Ever since their bye week, they've been playing well, too, so it's going to be a challenge for us no matter what," Donovan McNabb said.

A healthier McNabb has helped Philadelphia (5-2) recover from an embarrassing 13-9 loss at Oakland on Oct. 18. McNabb was sacked six times in that game, his second after missing two contests with a rib injury, but has since received better protection and more help from the running game in wins over Washington and the New York Giants.

Arguably his best performance of the season came in last Sunday's 40-17 victory over the Giants, who had been in first place, as he went 17 of 23 for 240 yards with three touchdowns and no interceptions. Even without Brian Westbrook (concussion), who is likely to return this week, Philadelphia ran for 180 yards.

"The challenge is everybody kind of has a big head and you know just bouncing around like it's going to be like that every week," McNabb said. "You have to make sure everybody calms down."

His biggest concern may be staying on his feet because the Eagles have been jumbling their offensive line much of the season and now face a Dallas defense which has 17 sacks in the past 18 quarters. DeMarcus Ware has five sacks in the last three games -- he had none in the first four -- after leading the NFL with 20 last year.

"Defensively, they're flying around," Eagles coach Andy Reid said. "They're blitzing from all over the place."

That's what the Eagles defense is known for. That unit is tied for second in the league with 23 sacks and third in interceptions (14), having allowed more than 17 points once all season.

Romo hasn't thrown an interception in a career-high three straight games while passing for eight touchdowns.

"I'm seeing things. It's as simple as that," said Romo, who has won 12 consecutive November starts. "I'm not throwing and hoping."

He's been helped by the discovery of Miles Austin, whose 482 receiving yards in his first three starts are the most by any player since 1970. He's scored in each of those games, totaling five TD receptions.

DeSean Jackson continues to be the big-play guy for Philadelphia. He notched his sixth touchdown of 50 yards or more last Sunday, three shy of breaking the NFL single-season record.

"I've just been put in some great positions to score long touchdowns," Jackson said. "Whatever we need to do to make it work, that's what we're going to do. I want to keep winning, keep making plays and hopefully make it to the Super Bowl."

Cowboys can snap out of funk against Raiders

An inconsistent Cowboys offense can snap out of its funk against the Raiders.

Outsiders: Week 12 previews

Football Outsiders analyzes Week 12 in the NFL. Ideas: Oakland isn't THAT bad; Reggie Bush is poised for a big game vs. New England; Pittsburgh needs to play better in the second half; David Garrard gets knocked around too much and a plan for Houston.

Good sign: Witten on Cowboys' practice field

Cowboys tight end Jason Witten was on the field for the start of practice Wednesday, a potentially good sign for his chances of playing against Oakland on Thursday.

Clayton: Pressure falls on Pats in Monday night showdown

The Saints have the burden of protecting a perfect record, but the Patriots will be feeling the most pressure on Monday night, writes John Clayton.

Greg Ellis officially an ex-Cowboy

As expected, the Cowboys weren't able to find a team willing to trade for Greg Ellis, so they released him today.

Already interest in Greg Ellis

When news broke of the Cowboys' release of Greg Ellis earlier today, the phone of Ellis' agent, James D. Williams, started to ring from interested parties.

Money is no longer flowing for Dallas Cowboys

I don't mean GM broke. Or Michael Vick broke. Or even Tom Hicks broke. But it certainly appears as though Jerry is paying more attention to the bottom line when it comes to the Cowboys than he's ever done in the past.

Kitna knows his job with Dallas Cowboys is be ready if Romo isn't

By MAC ENGEL CARROLLTON - Jerry Jones was just kidding, but the sad part of what he said a few days before the 2009 NFL Draft was true.'Last year we had one quarterback who was hurt and another quarterback who was playing like he was hurt,' Jones said.The comment drew uncomfortable laughter, and Jones immediately recognized what he had just ...

Dallas Cowboys have plenty to prove in 2009

Jean-Jacques Taylor has been at the DMN for 16 years. He covered the Rangers and Cowboys before becoming a columnist.

Eagles' Sheldon Brown Skips Workout

Cornerback Sheldon Brown was a no-show and running back Brian Westbrook was a non-participant because of injury today when the Philadelphia Eagles began eight days of workouts that, while voluntary, are generally regarded as "full-roster" in nature.

Jon Runyan contemplates future

Life is different for Jon Runyan these days, and it has nothing to do with the fact that he spent yesterday afternoon on a two-hour road trip to pick up his pet pig.

Ankle injury sidelines Westbrook

In a lighter moment at camp, the Birds' quarterback duo of Kevin Kolb and Donovan McNabb united in laughter yesterday during the almost-full-squad workout at the team's NovaCare Complex.

Jim Johnson situation a new one for Eagles

Sheldon Brown wasn't there, which is just kind of pointless. Brian Westbrook wasn't there, which is just kind of troubling.

Birds' Eye View: Donovan speaks -- sort of

With the Eagles set to open a full-squad passing camp tomorrow at the NovaCare Complex, Donovan McNabb's team of publicists sent out a release today pitching the 10-year anniversary of the quarterback's charitable foundation.