5 Bold Predictions for Philadelphia Eagles' Week 2 Matchup
The Philadelphia Eagles never need extra motivation when the Dallas Cowboys are coming to town. That being said, they'll have it this Sunday, as this is as pivotal of a Week 2 matchup you'll see.
An Eagles victory would mean they draw even with Dallas for first place in the NFC East, not to mention own an all-important win over a division opponent. An Eagles loss, however, would give the Cowboys a commanding two-game lead and drop Philly to 0-2, both losses coming at the hands of conference opponents.
It's a long season, so to call this a must-win game would be a stretch. However, a lot would have to happen for the Eagles to have a shot at overtaking the Cowboys, and even their chances at a playoff spot as a wild card would take a hit.
So bold prediction No. 1, the Eagles win on Sunday, if only because they have to. For what it's worth, Dallas is shorthanded, with All-Pro wide receiver Dez Bryant and a host of others out this week. The Cowboys are still tough, though, and predicting a victory is rarely easy.
Now for five more bold forecasts.
DeMarco Murray Rushes for 100 Yards, 2 Touchdowns
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The Eagles had some trouble getting the ground attack going in Week 1, but regardless of what DeMarco Murray says, this game means a lot to him. Murray led the NFL in rushing as a member of the Cowboys last season, which by the time he was said and done, he had touched the ball roughly 500 times including playoffs.
So you can understand why Murray, arguably the team's most valuable player, felt disrespected when the Cowboys didn't show him the money this offseason. As free agency progressed, the Eagles swooped in and signed the All-Pro back, adding some real juice to the rivalry.
Murray carried eight times for just nine yards last week, but blame the offensive line, which couldn't get out of its own way in the first half. The unit gained some momentum in the third and fourth quarters as the Eagles rallied and believe that will carry over into Week 2. If it does, Murray is going for a bill and getting into the end zone twice against his old mates.
Miles Austin Comes Up with a Big Catch
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Murray isn't the only one going against his former squad. Miles Austin made his name as a member of the Cowboys as well, although injuries and natural decline caught up with him. He spent 2014 with the Cleveland Browns, an uninspiring season on a bad team.
Now that Austin is in Philadelphia, he's only expected to be a role player rather than a feature receiver, which the two-time Pro Bowler is better suited for in his career at this point. Even as a part-time player, opportunities are there. Last week, Austin had two receptions for 22 yards, and Sam Bradford just missed him on a huge pass—a potential touchdown even—down the seam.
Nobody is suggesting the 31-year-old wideout is going to explode for 100 yards and multiple scores on the Cowboys on Sunday, but Austin will be involved. Whether it's a critical third-down conversion, a big catch deep down the field or a score, he's going to make something happen in this game.
Eagles Sack Tony Romo 4 Times
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As bold claims go, this isn't the most outlandish. In two meetings last season, the Eagles got to Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo a total of seven times, four of those in the 33-10 victory on Thanksgiving Day. There's no reason to think they can't do it again.
Except Philadelphia's pass rush was invisible in a Week 1 loss to the Falcons. A big reason for that is Atlanta sat in max protection all game, while the Eagles were content to send only four or five defenders. Then again, what's to prevent Dallas from carrying out a similar game plan this week?
Chances are the Cowboys and Romo trust their offensive line a lot more, and there will be more five- and six-man protections this week. If that's the case, expect the Eagles to get there, with or without blitzing—especially with. Let's go with sacks for Fletcher Cox, Connor Barwin...and two for Vinny Curry.
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Sam Bradford Completes 70 Percent
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Last week, we had Sam Bradford going for over 400 yards against the Falcons, and if it wasn't for such a flat start, he would've got there. Bradford was clearly rusty playing in his first meaningful NFL game in nearly two years, but once he came out of the locker room for the second half, he was on fire.
Bradford's final numbers aren't all that impressive—36-of-52 for 336 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions. However, in quarters three and four alone, he completed 84 percent of his passes, and his final attempt clanged off the hands of wideout Jordan Matthews and wound up going for an interception.
Let's take yards out of the equation this time, because production can rely too much on game script, and we have Murray going for 100. Instead, let's focus on the one thing Bradford can control—accuracy, and he was phenomenal in that second half against the Falcons. There's no reason that momentum shouldn't carry over against the Cowboys, and with so many quick passes designed to get the ball out of his hands, a 70 percent completion day or better seems well within reach.
Cody Parkey Makes All of His Kicks
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Kickers are fickle. They go through slumps. Cody Parkey is mired in one for the Eagles right now. It's led to a lot of questions. You have to wonder where the second-year player's confidence level is at right now.
Except the one thing Parkey has going for him is the head coach has his back. Chip Kelly has insisted through the summer and even after Monday's missed 44-yard field goal that he has total faith in his kicker. That's good, because Kelly is ultimately the person who will make the decision whether to cut the cord here.
Kelly has said time and time again now is not the time to hit the panic button, and with that level of faith, Parkey has to feel good. Feeling good should allow him to focus on making his kicks, which barring any attempts of 55 or more, he'll do all day long this Sunday.
Of course, if he doesn't, Parkey might be one step closer to hitting the bread line.
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