Early Look Into The Next NFC East Battle: Cowboys at Eagles

If you could go back two weeks in time, after that ridiculous Eagles loss to the Raiders; would you have predicted such an upset in the Eagles vs Giants battle?

Or, after that last-minute-luck-o-the-Irish play to Miles Austin which basically saved the Cowboys from losing to Kansas City would you have thought the Jerry-ites would be tied with the Eagles for first in the NFC East?? I sure as heck didn't! I think very few would have.

For the 700th season it goes to show you can't predict what will happen in the best division in football. That being said here's my prediction!

Tony Romo has struggled the last few years late in the season. Everyone knows that the September-October Romo is much better than the November-December Romo. So come on out of hiding winterized-Tony! Let's see your throwing arm freeze and your agile feet slip, you wouldn't want to disappoint all your eagerly awaiting fans. I hope we'll see the emergence of that Romo this week, heck maybe, with a little luck, he'd be so bad that they throw Kitna in... no I'd better not get my hopes up too high.

In all seriousness, Romo has been better lately than at the start of the season. It can't be the opponents, that excuse was there the first few weeks of the season with the exception of the Giants. Part of it has been the late blossoming of WR Miles Austin all starting with that fateful OT winning catch vs the Chiefs. They started him the following week and he has been sensational.

The Eagles will hopefully have an answer for him. I vote McDermott will take all CB's put them on Austin, Crayton and Witten. But wouldn't that leave Roy Williams open? Like I said, all CB's on those three, Williams will guard himself...

Witten will be a big target for Romo this Sunday. The Eagles have been less than stellar pass-covering TE's and Witten is one of the best. I believe Tony will be a little less apt to throw in Samuel and Brown's direction so the Eagles D needs to keep Very close tabs on Jason Witten to shut down the quick pass play. 

Who votes Eagles new massive defensive tackle Antonio Dixon plants on Marion Barber and injures him somehow?? We could only hope so (not a serious injury of course), because Dallas' running backs are a deadly trio. The Eagles have done a great job stopping the run, but they need to bring their speed defenders to keep tabs on Felix Jones, who will burn you if he gets open in the flat. 

McNabb is coming off one of his best games of the season, and it couldn't have come at a better time. When Phillips sits down at the buffet table with the Eagles game tape, he is going to see how the Eagles scored with 5 different offensive weapons. He won't dare just stack up on Jackson, though he'll definitely try to prepare against him. McNabb, keep spreading the ball around, as well as exposing the crap out of defenses and we should be alright. 

Last week, I said the Giants/Eagles game would come down to the running game. I wasn't 100% right, though the Eagles two big running touchdowns surprised a lot of people. Even me! The Eagles are not known for running, but for passing the deep ball. I hope we'll see more on-the-ground action Sunday, and if the offensive line can open it up like they did this week it will be successful!

That brings me to my last point, the Eagles offensive line did a great job versus the Giants dominant defense. One example: in the long TD pass to Jackson, McNabb could have re-tied his shoes, twice. In the same article above, I feared the Giants would sack D-Mac 3 or more times. They did sack him twice, but considering the six sacks from the Raiders I'll take the progress. They will need to be progressively better, because if there's one thing all teams in the NFC East have a plethora of, it's good pass rushers... and players with De- as a prefix in their name. DeMarcus Ware had a crappy first four games, but has since had at least one sack in each game.

Final Score? I don't do scores, but I take the Eagles at home to hurt the Cowboys short-lived pride. Sunday Night you can't come soon enough! Go Eagles!!