Eagles-Cowboys: Playoffs or No Playoffs, This Game Still Has Meaning

Before last weekend's game against the Washington Redskins, the Philadelphia Eagles seemed like they would be in the perfect situation to control their own playoff destiny.

After the San Diego Chargers defeated the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the Eagles would secure a wild card spot as long as they won their final two games of the regular season against the Redskins and the Cowboys.

Unfortunately, the Eagle's offense struggled all afternoon as the Redskins snapped a three game losing streak, defeating the Eagles 10-3.

With the loss to the Redskins, the Eagles need a Christmas miracle to make it to the postseason. Not only do they need a win on Sunday against the Cowboys, but they need losses from the Buccaneers and Vikings as well.

As an Eagles fan, the situation is frustrating. With the way the Eagles have played over the last couple of games, it almost seemed like this week's match up against the Cowboys would determine who gets to play in January.

This is still the situation for the Cowboys. If they win, they're in. It's simple as that. Or is it?

Before I go on, I just want to say how I have all of the hope in the world when it comes to the Eagles making the playoffs. On any given Sunday, any team has an opportunity to shock the rest of the NFL. Which is why on Sunday, I am hoping that the struggling Raiders can find some sort of way to beat the Buccaneers on the road.

Not to mention it would be great if the Giants decided to keep their starters in against the Vikings, despite the fact they have already clinched home-field advantage throughout the playoffs.

On paper, the chances of the Eagles making the playoffs does not look good. The Raiders are playing a Buccaneers defense that is ranked at the top of the league when it comes to total yards given up per game.

So if the Buccaneers win Sunday against the Raiders, does the game against the Cowboys even mean anything? Of course it does!

Whether we are playing for the playoffs or not, this is the Dallas Cowboys we are talking about here. Ever since the departure of Terrell Owens, the Cowboys visit to Lincoln Financial Field each of the last three years has been a good one.

In 2006, Terrell Owens returned to Philadelphia for the first time since his release from the Eagles. Fans wanted nothing more than to beat Owens and the Cowboys after everything that happened in 2005. The Eagles ended up winning 38-24 after Lito Sheppard returned Drew Bledsoe's interception 102 yards for the game-clinching touchdown.

In 2007, Owen's visit to Philadelphia was different the second time around. This time, Owens and the Cowboys embarrassed the Eagles in a nationally televised game in Philadelphia 38-17. Owens finished with 10 receptions for 174 yards and a touchdown.

If the Buccaneers or Vikings win on Sunday, great for them. The Eagles have no one to blame but themselves for being in the situation they are currently in. We can sit here and think of each individual game the Eagles should have won that may have gotten them into the playoffs.

Or, we can think of the possible outcome of Sunday's game. If the Eagles fall short of the playoffs, I'm sure their fans would love nothing more than to be the ones who prevent Owens and the Cowboys from playing in January.

There are many questions to be answered this upcoming Sunday. Will the Eagles offense show up this time around? Will Tony Romo continue his late season slump that he has built a reputation around over the last three seasons?

The rivalry that has established over the last couple of years between the Eagles and Cowboys may be more important to the Eagles and their fans. The reasoning behind this may be because of everything in the past that happened with Terrell Owens. No matter what the reasoning, this time around promises to be another classic showdown between these two teams.

I would say you better get your popcorn ready, but I'm pretty sure there are many Eagles fans who would not be too happy with me.