Week 16 NFL Picks: Predicting Dallas Cowboys vs. Philadelphia Eagles

Tony Romo and the Dallas Cowboys enter the final two weeks of the regular season with a one-game lead ahead of the New York Giants in the NFC East.  The Cowboys finish with division games against the Philadelphia Eagles and the Giants.

The game on Saturday against the Eagles will carry a bit of emotion. 

The Eagles, riding a two-game winning streak, are fighting to keep their smoldering playoff hopes alive.  They need everything to go right in the last two weeks.  First, the Eagles must beat the Cowboys.  Next, they must win their finale against the Washington Redskins at home.

Then, they have to hope the Giants beat the Cowboys in Week 17.

Meanwhile, the Cowboys are looking to avenge the Week 8 shellacking at the hands of the Eagles.  LeSean McCoy ran all over the Cowboys for 185 yards and two touchdowns.  Romo had one of his less-proud days, completing only 18 of 35 passes for 205 yards for a touchdown and an interception. 

The Cowboys just snapped a two-game losing streak by beating the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 31-15.  Romo was efficient, completing 23 of 30 passes and scoring four touchdowns (three passing and one rushing).  Felix Jones had his second consecutive 100-yard rushing game for the first time in his career.

The Eagles' 45-19 win against the New York Jets on Sunday was blissful.  The Eagles forced four turnovers, and McCoy rushed for 102 yards and two touchdowns, rebounding from a 38-yard affair the week before.

The Cowboys will be watching DeMarcus Ware and Jay Ratliff once again.  Ware will wear a stiffer neck roll to ensure his head doesn't get jerked backwards to aggravate his stinger, according to ESPN Dallas-Fort Worth. 

Both were limited in practice on Wednesday.  Ware and Ratliff, who has a rib muscle strain, sat out much of the second half against the Bucs.

Several questions will help to determine whether the Cowboys will maintain their edge in the NFC East and knock the Eagles out of the playoff race.

Can Romo sustain his effective December play?  Will Jones have his third consecutive 100-yard rushing day?  Can the Cowboys contain McCoy?  Will Ware be significant in the pass-rush?  Who will catch the bulk of the passes for the Cowboys? 

Tony Romo

23-of-33, 250 yards, 2 TD, 2 rushes, 4 yards

Romo has been solid to start December. 

In each of his last three games, he collected passer ratings of 100 or better. 

He completed better than two-thirds of his passes in each of the last three games.

Against the Eagles, he'll remain solid.  Romo will hit a high percentage of his passes. 

With Asante Samuel returning from injury, the Eagles defense will be at full strength.  Thus, Romo will be careful passing the ball.  He'll keep the passes underneath for the most part.  Often, he'll dump to Jones and toss bubble-screen passes to receivers.

Still, he'll stretch the field periodically.  Romo will throw a few long balls to Witten and Robinson.  He'll connect with them a couple of times.

Felix Jones

20 rushes, 110 yards, TD, 6 receptions, 40 yards

Coming off his second consecutive 100-yard rushing game, Jones is flashing rushing prowess like people haven't seen from him since his rookie season.

Jones will continue his tear against the Eagles. 

Jones will break significant gains.  He'll hit 100 yards for the third straight time.  He'll break into the end zone.

Also, Jones will be active in the passing game. 

He'll catch some passes out of the backfield.  A couple of his passes will end up for first downs.

Miles Austin

5 receptions, 70 yards, TD

Austin is making a nice comeback from his hamstring injury. 

In two games since returning from injury, Austin has nine catches for 116 yards. 

Against the Bucs, he caught five passes for 53 yards and a touchdown.

Austin will continue his success against the Eagles.  He'll catch his share of passes. 

Austin will get one long pass for a touchdown.

Laurent Robinson

4 receptions, 40 yards

Laurent Robinson is coming off a fair game against the Bucs. 

He caught three passes for 29 yards and a touchdown. 

That was after a 137-yard game against the Giants.

He'll have a decent game against the Eagles.  Robinson will catch a few passes.  One will be for 20 yards, but the others will be short ones.

Dez Bryant

2 receptions, 25 yards

Dez Bryant will be quiet against the Eagles, as he has been in general for the last couple of weeks. 

He had four catches last week and one the week before.  In contrast to the Bucs game, he won't catch a touchdown pass. 

Bryant will only catch a couple of balls, one short pass and one deep post.

Jason Witten

6 receptions, 89 yards, TD

Witten was on his game against the Bucs. 

He caught four passes for 77 yards. 

He hasn't caught a touchdown pass since his 59-yard scamper against the Redskins five weeks ago.

Witten will have his biggest game in a while, collecting his highest yard total since 94 in Week 4 against the Lions. 

Witten will break up the seam and get open.  He'll catch a deep ball, along with a short cross for a touchdown.

DeMarcus Ware

2 tackles, 2 sacks, 1 pass deflection

Ware will be solid while playing most of the game. 

He'll play three-quarters of the snaps. 

Still, Jason Garrett will give him rest to ensure he's keeping safe.

Ware will be active in the Eagles' backfield.  He'll break through the weak Eagles offensive line and put pressure on Vick often.  He'll get another multi-sack game.

Also, he'll be significant in the rushing game.  He'll make a couple of tackles and help keep McCoy from breaking away.

Dan Bailey

2/2 PAT

Dan Bailey will be successful against the Eagles. 

He'll make the requisite extra points.

Prediction

Prediction:  Cowboys 20, Eagles 17

The Cowboys will take the win to continue their roll toward an NFC East Division Championship. 

They'll have a good roll on their way to what may or may not be the determining game against the Giants.

The Cowboys will do well offensively.  Romo will be accurate and efficient.  Jones will be strong on the run.

Defensively, the Cowboys will get the job done. 

Ware will bring pressure and get his share of sacks.  Also, other Cowboys players will bring pressure, unlike the last meeting with the Eagles. 

Anthony Spencer will get in Michael Vick's face.  LeSean McCoy will break a couple of eye-popping runs, but for the most part, the Cowboys will contain him, keeping him to fewer than 100 yards.

Sean Lee and Bradie James will maintain gap integrity and make sure McCoy doesn't break away.

Vick will find a fair amount of success.  He'll rack up a good amount of yards through the air.  He will be fairly accurate, too.  However, Vick won't get away on the run like he did in the last meeting, when he ran for 50 yards.

The Cowboys will leave the game prepared for what challenge may come in the Meadowlands from the Giants. 

They'll be self-assured that they can wrap up the division if the match sees the division title on the line.