Philly does have some weapons. McNabb, with his legs, can cause problems for a defense. Westbrook is dangerous as a reciever out of the backfield, and their WR's aren't as bad as many make them out to be without TO.
They can definatley win the game.
However, there are matchup problems for the Eagles.
They're light at DE and can be had in the running game. Same goes for inside at DT too. Dallas ran on them in Dallas, and I think they'll do it again in Philly. Actually, the Dallas running game has been picking up steam as the season has progressed, so we may run better the second time around. That matchup favors Dallas.
One of the staples of a Jim Johnson defense is their blitz package and one of our strengths is picking up the blitz and getting the ball out quickly. We did that the first time around and I'd expect them to be successful Monday night too. Bledsoe is too experienced and Parcells put too much emphasis on blitz pickup for it to hurt us too much. When we played the Commanders (hack... spit), Williams tried blitzing a couple of times and pulled completely off that strategy because we picked it up perfectly and gained yards each time.
We have been strong all year stopping the run and we're only getting better each game. The Eagle running game has been, um, less than stellar, and it should be very difficult for Philly to get much on the ground.
Clearly the passing game has been Phily's strength for the past few years, and it has killed Dallas in the past. However, this is a different Cowboy defense than you've seen the last few years as well. They cover... and they do it real well. Newman, Henry and Glenn are a teriffic trio of corners and they're a huge reason the Dallas defense is playing so well. The problems we had in the first few games with the big pass seems to have been fixed. Keith Davis/Willie Pile at FS has been more than adequate and the combination of our FS's and our CB's has allowed Roy Lee to stay near the line of scrimmage and cover the backs and TE's underneath which is a strength and keeps him out of deep coverage. So many times this year I've watch opposing QB's look... look... look and not find anyone open. The coverage is light years ahead of where it has been... including 2003 when we were ranked #1 defensively. The Philly WR's have been discussed a lot, so I'll just leave it at they don't really scare anyone although they aren't terrible.
Our passrush isn't like you've seen either... really since Charles Haley roamed in Dallas. Frankly, I'll take this year's pass rush over the Haley years because it comes from so many different players. Like ABQ said, if McNabb moves around well, we could have dome problems. If he stand in the pocket though, I really do think it'll get ugly for Philly.
Look at it this way. What has changed since our first game against you guys?
*McNabb might be more healthy.
*You don't have TO.
*The location of the game.
*All of Dallas' young players have more experience.
*Dallas has more experience with it's new defensive scheme.
*The free agents we picked up have more experience in the system.
*We should have Julius Jones for the whole game instead of just a half.
*We have discovered that Marion Barber is a very good RB.
*We have Peerless Price instead of Patrick Crayton.
*The Eagles are more desperate.
*Dallas is coming off of a bye and is rested.
*Apparently, the weather should be wet for the game.
Now, looking at that, ask yourself if you think the outcome should be significantly different than the first time around.
Honestly, I don't expect Dallas to blow out Philly and I think we very well could lose the game. Will we? I don't know. However, the game worries me from the standpoint that Philly will be looking for revenge and that it's at their field. Also, getting rid of TO will be a mental boost, even if it is a talent drain.
It should be an interesting game.
