Philadelphia Eagles-Dallas Cowboys: Predictions for 2009

(Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)

Overview:

Most fans are marking their calenders for November 8, and January 3. This truly is rivalry football at its best. Dating back to the days of the NFC Capitol division.

But since then both teams have developed heavily and thoroughly, and both are Super Bowl candidates for the 2009 season.

But who will win when they meet in yet another grudge match this year? Who has the better team?

Offense:

The Offensive Line—Eagles.

The Cowboys' Robert Brewster, Travis Bright, and Andrew Gurode are all solid players playing for a solid offensive line, but the Eagles' offensive line was retooled this offseason.

Shawn and Stacey Andrews give the Eagles the lead here. Shawn Andrews is a P.P.B. (Perennial Pro Bowler) and acquiring Stacey Andrews in the offseason only helps the Eagles.

QB—Eagles.

The Eagles have an asset in Donovan McNabb; he is a leader. People will be quick to remind any Eagles fan that he was benched, he played below average in a Super Bowl (throwing three interceptions), and he doesn't have the legs he used to.

But despite this, he has the experience and confidence that Tony Romo lacks. Although without Terrell Owens in his ear all game, Romo may surpass expectations.

WR—Cowboys.

I wrote an article stating my predictions for the Eagles' receiving core this year, you can read it here, but that hasn't been proven as of yet.

The Cowboys' receiving has taken a shot to the heart with the loss of an "elite receiver" Terrell Owens, but they should be able to rebound from the "loss" with Roy Williams stepping up to becoming Romo's No. 1 receiver.

RB—Tied

The Eagles have Westbrook, and yes he is old, and yes he has ankle problems, but he also has amazing hands and speed. These days you need a back that can go out on the flat for a dump pass, or even slant across the middle for a quick pass. Then there's LeSean McCoy.

The rookie, and eventual heir to Westbrook's throne, has more of a West Coast offense swag about him. He is reported to have good hands and great speed.

Don't forget that the Eagles don't use their running backs to run the ball as much as the Cowboys do.

On to the Cowboys. Marion Barber is a good, strong runner, and Felix Jones is a quick, elusive back. If the Cowboys run their Razorback, Felix Jones could be getting a huge amount of carries and breaking big runs left and right.


That is, if the offensive line can hold their blocks (not too much of a doubt), and the receivers can threaten deep.

TE—Cowboys

Witten, Witten, Witten. Cowboys tight end Jason Witten is arguably the best in the league. He is good and another P.P.B., he can burn linebackers at the drop of a hat, and he can deliver punishing blocks when it matters, he has talent.

Brent Celek on the other hand, was tossed into the starting position when L.J. Smith departed. He is a solid TE, but to be brutally honest, he isn't a Jason Witten.

So it's two-all as we cruise on over to the defensive analysis:

Defense

Safeties—Eagles

This might come as a surprise to some because of the loss of Brian Dawkins during the offseason, but from what I've seen, Quintin Mikell can, and will, step into B-Dawk's humongous shoes. And they will fit.

He has shown small examples of how incredible he can be, like the fourth down stop for a loss, and eventual win against Dallas in '06. Or the  interception over Jeremy Shockey in the end zone to secure yet another win.

But that was then, and this is now. Mikell has stepped up before when he needed to, and he should be able to step up now. What the defense needs is a leader.

The Cowboys shouldn't be overlooked though. They have Ken Hamlin, who looks fantastic this year. He is a hard hitter and has the awarenessto adjust the defense to adapt to opponents' offensive plays. This could shut down the Eagles using screen plays that take full advantage of the speed they have at WR.

DE—Eagles

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