This is a rivalry game where the Cowboys and the Eagles can just about do anything, or in fact, they can do nothing, whatever, and it will still be talked about toward the end of the season. The Eagles and 'Boys are both 1-0, but the Cowboys showed up a quality team. The Eagles just showed up. Granted, a 38-3 win shouldn't be taken too lightly, but they were playing a lousy team, so it was just about expected.This is a Monday night game, so it will also have more than just a rivalry buzz to it. It should be a whole lot more, but this rivalry has been gaining national attention for awhile.
Last season the Cowboys and Eagles had to wait until Nov. 4 to face each other. Not this time. The two bitter NFC East rivals will meet the second game of the season in the first of two consecutive night games for the Cowboys, who must go to Green Bay for a Sunday night game six days later. This will be the earliest the two teams have faced each other since the 2000 sweaty season opener at Texas Stadium when the Eagles defeated Dallas, 41-14.
After a disappointing loss in the 1980 NFC Championship game (played on Jan. 11, 1981), the Cowboys didn't get another chance at the Eagles in the playoffs until the 1992 season. But the Cowboys cashed in on the opportunity more than 10 years later. The Cowboys scored early in the NFC divisional round playoff game, busting the game open with a 10-point surge just before halftime to take a 17-3 lead into halftime. The Cowboys would finish off the Eagles, 34-10, and go on to defeat San Francisco in the NFC Championship game and the Buffalo Bills in Super Bowl XXVII for their first title since 1977.
Dallas (1-0) is coming off an impressive 28-10 road win over the Cleveland Browns. Running backs Marion Barber (16 carries for 80 yards) and rookie Felix Jones (nine carries for 62 yards) combined for three rushing touchdowns and quarterback Tony Romo was 24-of-32 for 320 yards and a score in the win. Barber injured his ribs against the Browns, but is expected to play on Monday night.
Donovan McNabb looked stellar against St. Louis, connecting with seven different receivers while completing 21-of-33 passes for 361 yards and three touchdowns. Rookie wideout DeSean Jackson led all Eagles' receivers with six catches for 106 yards. He also added 97 yards on punt returns. Defensively, the Eagles held the Rams to just 36 yards rushing.
Dallas entered the season with Super Bowl aspirations and its performance against Cleveland did nothing to dispel that. But the Eagles have high expectations of their own and this game will be used as a measuring stick to see just how good these teams really are.
The key things to this game come down to just one real matchup: Cowboys defense vs. the Eagles offense. I can simply hand the Cowboys a cool 21 points for the offense attack (that is, if there are no injuries to TO, Marion Barber, Jason Whitten and Tony Romo). If the defense can help put another 10 points on the board with turn-overs and just holding the Eagles at bay, then the Cowboys win.
The defense has to hold the Eagles down. That is the key. The Cowboys have to get to McNabb. DeSean Jackson has to be a non-factor. Westbrook has to stay under 100 yards, as well, for the Cowboys defense to really stand up.
The last time these two played, the Cowboys only scored 6 points tot he Eagles 10. It was a real yawner with nothing going on for the offense. This game should be plenty different.
Forecast: This will definitely be a measuring stick for the early part of the season for these two teams. The Cowboys are the better team. That is really just a fact. This is also a rivalry game between the two. I believe there will be a lot of scoring between these two teams. It will be like to fine boxers exchanging slugs in the middle of the ring... with what I believe to be a Cowboys victory. Score: 38-31.
0 Random Thoughts:
Post a Comment