Eagles vs. Cowboys: 5 Keys to the Game for Dallas

The Dallas Cowboys still have the slightest hope of making the playoffs in 2012. To do that, they need to take care of business at home against arch rival Philadelphia.

In order to keep pace in the clustered NFC East, Dallas has to take down the troubled Eagles. Here are the five best ways for the team to do just that in Week 13.

Rattle Nick Foles

It's not exactly hard to do. The first time Nick Foles and the Cowboys met a few weeks back, the Eagles quarterback was hurried, sacked and intercepted in less than a full game of work.

Since taking over for the still-injured Michael Vick, Foles has seen little success against other opponents like Washington and Carolina.

The Redskins held him to 21 completions out of 46 attempts and just a little over 200 yards with two interceptions. The Panthers allowed Foles to throw less than 125 yards and no touchdown passes.

Cowboys defensive coordinator Rob Ryan shouldn't have a problem creating a flustered Foles under center for the Eagles, but regardless, it is something that needs to happen.

Dallas just got torched by Robert Griffin III a week ago and saw just how deadly it can be to let one player take over a contest. DeMarcus Ware and Co. need to keep Foles more acquainted with the Cowboys Stadium turf than his receivers to ensure a victory.

Put Up Points Early

Despite all the on-paper talent the Dallas Cowboys possess on the offensive side of the ball, they have been a team struggling to score points early in games.

This needs to change if this squad wants to find its way into the postseason, and the best chance to do that is against the lowly Eagles.

Philadelphia is just the 15th-ranked passing defense and No. 18 against the run. Dallas needs to show that spark it has had in the second half of many games this year right off the bat.

Against teams like Cleveland and Washington, the Cowboys dragged their feet on offense early on, only to produce in the second half. You can't just go through the motions for one half of football games and expect to rally back and win games.

Tony Romo's unit needs to get some confidence going early with two or more scores early on and then continue to pour on the points. It's never sportsmanlike to run up the score, but this team needs to start believing it can score when it needs to.

Get Miles Austin Involved

Miles Austin has been nagged with injuries once again in 2012, but even when healthy, Tony Romo hasn't gotten him involved.

The Monmouth alum has just two games with more than 100 receiving yards this year and none in the past five games. While Romo has utilized Austin in more of a possession receiver role this year, that doesn't mean he still can't stretch the field.

That may be Dez Bryant's job these days in Big D, but Austin has shown in the past his ability to outrun defenders on long touchdown receptions.

The games with four or five catches for 60 or so yards are helpful for the offense, but Austin can do so much more than move the chains.

The Cowboys really need to showcase the full abilities of their star-studded offense this week. One of the best ways to accomplish that is to have a heavy dose of both Austin and Bryant in the passing game.

Shut Down Jeremy Maclin

The Eagles are not without an explosive receiver of their own, however, and his name is Jeremy Maclin. It's a name the Cowboys should know well, considering what happened the last time these two met.

Maclin posted one of his three best games of the season a few weeks back against Dallas when he went off for 93 yards on eight catches. Just to note, he also caught one of those eight balls in the end zone.

With DeSean Jackson's 2012 season over, the Eagles now have just one of their two dynamic receivers to throw to. That means that Foles will be relying on Maclin early and often in this contest.

If No. 18's seven targets last week is any indication for the future, the Cowboys need to have either Brandon Carr or Morris Claiborne on him at all times.

Foles is bound to look Maclin's way a whole lot which could lead to some solid takeaways if Rob Ryan plays his cards right.

Run the Football

For the first time in what feels like forever in Dallas, DeMarco Murray will likely suit up and start for his team.

Since Murray went down to injury earlier this year, the Cowboys have been unable to establish much of a run game. While both Murray and Felix Jones are both listed as questionable, this is the game to show what a healthy Dallas backfield can do.

Head coach Jason Garrett didn't fair too well abandoning the run in Murray's absence, so let's see if he utilizes the second-year back come Sunday night.

This is the same back who had a historic game against St. Louis just a year ago and 93 yards against the Ravens in the last game he played.

It's simple Garrett, just stay committed to the run, set up some play-action and march down the field. With Murray back in the backfield, there will be no excuses for not pounding the rock in this game.