Well, I just wrote a whole article and something messed up when I tried to post it and I lost it. I'll try my best to duplicate what I had. Note to self, save a backup.
All week I've been kicking around playoff possibilities with friends, family, and members of this site. I've had people tell me The Cowboys should lose so they draw an ailing Minnesota or Cardinals team. I'll admit I hate the possibility of facing Philly for a third time and in back to back weeks, but the only thing you can do at this point is win and let the chips fall where they may. Clear the first hurdle which is winning the game and then hope the Giants beat the Vikings or the many other scenarios (Which I can't get straight there are so many) kick in. I know it hurts you to pull for The Giants but a bye would be fantastic based on where expectations were a couple of weeks ago. Looking ahead to this week, there are several things about this Defense and specifically the matchup with The Eagles offense I like.
I want you to close your eyes real quick and take yourself back in time to opening night of Cowboys stadium. The Defense couldn't pass rush, couldn't tackle, and couldn't cover and the offense wasn't looking much better. A lot of people started seeing the writing on the wall. Well now open your eyes and know for a fact the best defense in the league is currently being played by Your Dallas Cowboys. Say what you want about Wade but that guy can flat out coach a defense. Remember when DeMarcus Ware had a terrible start to the season? Remember when the secondary couldn't cover anyone? Remember when everyone (myself included) questioned getting rid of Greg Ellis for Anthony Spencer? Now Mike Jenkins has emerged as a top 10 corner in the league and has a good chance of limiting DeSean Jackson this week. Anthony Spencer has become very good and now with DeMarcus Ware The Cowboys have SCARY talent coming off of both edges. The Eagles are also breaking in a new center this week and he will have to face Jay Ratliff. That's not a good thing for a lot of centers, but it's certainly not for a guy making his first start. You know the names of the Eagles offense, McNabb, Jackson, Maclin, Celek, McCoy and you know that they put up a lot of points. Watching them though, they aren't a team that puts together a lot of long drives. The Eagles lead the NFL in plays of over 40 yards which means they live by the big play. If you live by the big play you will die by the big play. The Cowboys defense has shown against teams this year they can limit the big play and I think they will. I actually really like a lot of matchups the defense has against Philly, but I hate facing any team three times in a year and twice in back to back weeks.
On offense I do have some worries. I worry about the offensive line because they have been inconsistent. I worry about Marion Barber and the fact they can't get a yard when they need one. The one thing I don't worry about though is Tony Romo and you can consider me a full fledged Romo believer. I never have been all the way, but he's convinced me this season. The last few weeks he's limited turnovers, made great decisions, and has thrown with razor sharp accuracy. The Eagles will bring a lot of blitzes and mixed looks to try to fluster Romo and they will game plan to stop Miles Austin. For the most part they did the last time they played. Roy Williams needs to be a player in this game to help out Austin on the other side. The good thing is, last time Roy played very well against The Eagles and has had a pretty salty career against them.
Prediction: Bottom line, I'm a believer in the Cowboys defense. The Eagles are going to get their points but i like a cowboys win 20-17.
NFC East up for Grabs in Dallas