The Eagles face the dreaded Cowboys in Dallas tonight on Sunday Night Football. Injuries will still hamper the Birds, as DeSean Jackson and Darren Sproles are out. That dramatically reduces the speed on offense.
The secondary continues to be a concern. Jalan Mills and Ronald Darby are expected back. If Amari Cooper plays for the Cowboys, the shaky secondary will be in trouble. How effective will Cooper be even if he does play?
The 'Boys have their share on injuries as well, including their two right offensive tackles are out. Expect Dallas to rely on RB Zeke Elliot. Turnovers will also be key as well as penalties. The Birds have an edge in the kicking game.
Dallas cannot afford to lose their 4th game in a row and drop to 3-4.But it's also a big game for Philadelphia. The Eagles can drop to 3-4 as well, this the 2nd of 3 straight road games. They still have the bears, Patriots and Seahawks upcoming. December is relatively winnable for the Eagles but what good is December if they lose now?
Getting into the playoffs and earning a bye - with home field advantage- is the goal. That won't happen if the Eagles lose a division and conference game like tonight.
The Birds must get off to a fast start. It will be interesting to see what Head Coach Doug Pederson does if he wins the coin toss. Will he defer like usual or take the ball and try to get the early lead?
I am not totally confident in the Eagles after the big loss in Minnesota last week. But they have won 4 of the last 6 games in Big D. They game is prime time and it may be Carson Wentz' biggest game so far in his career.The Eagles need to control the ball and don't allow the Cowboys to make huge plays.
Eagles 30 Cowboys 23
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This is the week the Phillies should name their new manager. The candidates are Buck Showalter, Dusty Baker and Joe Gerardi. I like Gerardi but think they will ultimately hire Showalter.
That would be a mistake. Showalter is an old croanie from his Baltimore days with Andy MacPhail and Matt Klentek. He would do everything the front office wants. Plus if MacPhail and Klentek get fired at the end of 2020. then we are stuck with Showalter for several more years.
Gerardi is a baseball man who would use analytics as a tool but not allow it to overwhelm his gut Baseball sense.He would also be good in the clubhouse and be a disciplinarian if needed.
Baker would be okay. He is 70 years old and has the endorsement of Bryce Harper. Baker is a winner but wasn't able to get Washington into the World Series after winning NFC East two years in a row.
It should be the start of an active and interesting off-season.
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Houston finished off the Yankees 4 games to 2 in the American League Championship Series last night. The Astros move onto the World Series to face the red-hot Washington Nationals. Washington has won 17 of it's last 19 games, extending back to the regular season. But will they cool off after not playing for a week? Or did the rest do them good?
Meanwhile, the Astros come off a series where they handled the Yanks. Houston has been favorite to win the whole thing this season. Will the 'stros win their second world championship in 3 years?
An interesting aspect of this series is the great pitching. Garrit Cole and Justin Verlander vs Max Scherzer and Stephen Strasburg .
Usually the hot team wins in the end but Houston is a powerful squad. They had everything- power, speed, defense and, of course, pitching. They also have home field advantage.
Make it the Astros on 7 games.
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