- The Eagles had maybe their best week of the NFL season during their bye week. They're rested after they returned from a successful trip to London. They picked up wide receiver Golden Tate from the Lions. They saw all three division rivals, the Giants, Redskins and Cowboys, lose. And injured players, such as Sproles and Lane Johnson, have a good chance to play this week.
- True, Dallas needs to win Sunday night at the Linc to save their season, and maybe Had coach Jason Garrett's job. Dropping to 3-6 may be the end for Dallas. Fitting that the Eagles are wearing all black for the game?
But the Eagles need this game just as much. Winning brings the birds back above .500 at 5-4. Depending how Washington does earlier in the day against Tampa Bay, the Birds may have a shot for the lead in NFC East. Lose and the Eagles will have lost three straight home games, this one a division game, dropping the team to 4-5. The only hope Philly has for the playoffs is winning the division and getting a home playoff game. A defeat at the hands of hated Dallas would be another agonizing loss.
All signs point to an Eagle victory. The Birds had a week off to rest, whereas Dallas has a short week to play since they face Tennessee at home last Monday night. The Cowboys will be without LB Sean Lee again to injury, for 4-6 weeks. They have few weapons other than Elliot running the ball and now newly-acquired WR Cooper. The 'Boys are in upheaval.
I hate facing a Dallas team with their backs against the wall. They have upset Eagle teams at the Linc and Vet when Philadelphia was expected to win. The Birds better not be too over-confident, like they were in the 4th quarter of the Carolina game in which Philly blew a 17-point lead late. Kick the Cowboys while they are down but don't piss them off. Unfortunately, players have been talking smack this week in the papers and on the radio. Hopefully it's not bulletin board material for Dallas.
I can see a scenario where the cowboys want to pound the ball on offense, running Elliot 30 times, while their defense gets after Carson Wentz. Dallas would love to run time off the clock and make it a shorter game. Turnovers and penalties ,like usual, will be key. And it's a prime-time game, as Dallas plays the defending Super Bowl champs. All good reasons to give the Cowboys hope.
The Eagles need to come out and get off to a fat start, scoring early and feeding off the frenzied crowd. It is expected to be a cold, dry night in South Philly. Keeping the fans wild,e specially while on defense, is huge. Dallas hopes to hang in the game until late and take the fans out of the game.
I just think the Eagles have too much going for them to lose. ( Late note: Looks like Sproles will not play, as he apparently aggravated his hamstring in practice on Wednesday. Bad news for the offense and punt return game. DeAndre Carter was returning punts but was waivered and claimed by Houston).
The line is the Eagles are favored by 7 points,originally starting at 6 1/2 points. I think this will be a statement game for the Birds, in front of the country, saying we are the reigning world champions and we are not giving up our crown so easily. I think they get ahead of Dallas and make them surrender. They pile on and crush the Cowboys, sending the rest ofthe NFL a message.
Eagles 37 Cowboys 10
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