Eagles-Cowboys: A Win Is More Important for McNabb Than Philadelphia

For the second time in less than a week, Philadelphia Eagles take on the Dallas Cowboys at Cowboys Stadium">the Philadelphia Eagles take on the Dallas Cowboys at Cowboys Stadium.

The only difference this time is the game is do-or-die for both teams, as the winner advances to the divisional round of the playoffs, while the loser begins their 2010 offseason.

If either of the two teams should be worried, it should be Philadelphia, considering Dallas has won both matchups this season–including a 24-0 victory last Sunday to clinch their second NFC East title in three years. The Cowboys’ defense has also held the Eagles to just one touchdown this season.

Saturday’s game between the Eagles and Cowboys should be an intense battle, despite everything that happened last weekend in Dallas. Everything that happened over the last 17 weeks means nothing now, as both teams get a fresh start in a new season. The only factor that matters now is which of the 12 teams in the postseason ends the year on a winning streak.

Both teams are in need of a big win Saturday. Not only is Dallas looking to get the monkey off their back by winning their first playoff game since 1996, but Tony Romo would like to earn his first postseason win and rid himself of the reputation of a quarterback who can’t perform late in the season.

As far as Philadelphia is concerned, it’s no secret that they’ve arguably been the best NFC team in the last decade, even without a Super Bowl victory.

Five NFC East titles. Five NFC Championship appearances. One appearance in the Super Bowl. A 10-7 record in the postseason, including seven straight wins in playoff openers.

Despite all of the success, none of it has the same significance as a Super Bowl victory, and no player has taken more criticism for the Eagles' inability to win the big game than quarterback Donovan McNabb–which is why the pressure is on him more than ever Saturday night.

The future of McNabb as the quarterback for the Eagles has been a debatable topic throughout the 2009 season. His extension in the offseason was seen by some as a last chance to bring the city of Philadelphia their first Super Bowl.

If McNabb can carry this team to the Super Bowl–or at least the NFC Championship–then his job should be secure for next season. The one thing that seems to be uncertain is what his future holds if the Eagles lose in the opening round to the Cowboys.

The numbers he’s posted throughout his career are Hall-of-Fame worthy.

32,873 passing yards. 216 touchdowns. A 9-6 record in the postseason. Five Pro Bowls.

However, the one factor that may determine whether or not he receives a ticket to Canton could be whether or not there’s a Super Bowl victory on his resume. There’s a lot on the line as the Eagles look for their first win against the Cowboys Saturday night.

As desperate as both teams are for a win, though, nobody needs it more for their team than McNabb, for the sake of his future.

Dan Parzych Is the Eagles Fan Voice for NFLTouchdown.com

He is also the founder of the new NFCEastFootball.com