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By Gary Horton
Scouts Inc.
Philadelphia at Dallas
When: 8:00 PM ET
Watch: NBC
Preview
More scouting reports: Week 1
Scouts Inc. Position Advantage
QB RB WR OL DL LB DB ST Coach
After breaking down film of both teams, Scouts Inc. offers 10 things to watch in this week's Eagles-Cowboys matchup.
1. Can the Eagles rebound? The Eagles had everything to play for in Week 17, including a first-round bye, yet they fell flat in Dallas. The Cowboys earned a big win, and now their confidence level is off the charts, especially because they have beaten Philadelphia twice already this season. The Eagles will no doubt make adjustments, but they also must find a way to restore their confidence.
2. The Eagles' blitz will be back: In the teams' first meeting in Week 8, the Eagles went after Cowboys QB Tony Romo with a lot of blitzes and he responded with reasonable success. However, last Sunday the Eagles chose to sit back and play coverage schemes with mostly four-man rushes and it surprised everybody, including Romo. The lack of pressure allowed Romo to pick apart the Eagles and Dallas' offense was able to get into an excellent flow. You can bet this week that defensive coordinator Sean McDermott will dial up every blitz that he has as the Eagles try to rattle Romo. However, that can be a risk-reward defensive philosophy because it also gives Romo good one-on-one matchups if he has time to read the blitz and get rid of the ball.
3. Can the Eagles' defense match the physicality of Dallas' offense? Even though we see a lot of screens and draw plays in run situations, there is no question Dallas' offense can be a very physical. The Cowboys are capable of pounding the ball with multiple backs, especially Marion Barber, against an Eagles defense that prides itself on being physical and excelling on third down. If the Cowboys choose to pound the ball, it will force Philadelphia to bring its safeties into the box. If the Eagles increase their run blitzes, Romo will have more play-action opportunities.
4. Eagles must protect QB Donovan McNabb: The Cowboys have an excellent defensive line led by underrated NT Jay Ratliff, but the real pressure comes from outside linebackers DeMarcus Ware and Anthony Spencer. Eagles coach Andy Reid must figure out a way to handle the Cowboys' pass rush and hope McNabb can find some favorable matchups. Tight end Brent Celek is usually a great passing option, but he may have to chip block before he releases and the Eagles' running backs may also be forced pass block more than usual.
5. Can the Eagles establish the run? Offensive balance could be a huge factor in this game, and Philadelphia doesn't have it. You can't depend on Brian Westbrook pounding the ball, FB Leonard Weaver is not creative or fast inside, and rookie LeSean McCoy has leveled off. If the Eagles can't at least establish the threat of the run, they will be in trouble because Dallas will have the luxury of playing basic schemes with marginal run blitzes and coverage-heavy alignments. That will take away play-action opportunities for McNabb.
6. Dallas' screens, draws and Romo's feet: Dallas' offense has the personnel to be a physical, smash-mouth unit, but its identity is more finesse. The Dallas draw play is the best in the league and Romo does a great job of selling it, sometimes with a pump fake, and all three backs run it well. The Cowboys are also really good at setting up the perimeter screen play against aggressive "attack" defenses (which Philadelphia is), and all of their backs are good in space. The other element to this offense is Romo's ability to extend the play with his feet; he can run his way out of a lot of trouble. The Eagles need to play aggressive but disciplined on defense because if they overpursue or get sloppy in their gap discipline, it could lead to big Dallas plays.
7. Will the Cowboys attack or play it safe on defense? This is a challenging game plan for Cowboys coach Wade Phillips because of all the explosive weapons the Eagles have on offense. Do the Cowboys sit back in man off or zone schemes and try to get to McNabb with a three- or four-man rush? Or do they come with a blitz-heavy package and leave their good cover corners on an island? In all likelihood, we will see Phillips call some linebacker blitzes and stunts, but keep his defensive backs in some Cover 2/Cover 3 schemes designed to force the Eagles to drive the length of the field instead of hitting on big plays.
8. Romo must make the right reads: Romo is fully aware that he probably will see every blitz in the book and the Eagles will try to get to him before he can identify his matchups. This is a big film study week for Romo because he will have excellent one-on-one matchups if he can get to them, but that requires good pass protection and blitz pickup. If the Cowboys choose to utilize a lot of two-tight end sets and also keep their backs in to block, it may hinder their passing game. However, Romo should still get some single matchups on the perimeter, and tight end Jason Witten will be an excellent target, even if he chips before releasing on a route.
9. The Cowboys will attack the middle of the field with the passing game: The Eagles' defense could struggle in the middle of the field. First of all, Philly's linebackers really have problems covering tight ends, and Dallas has one of the best in the business in Witten, for whom Philadelphia has no answer. Secondly, with the safeties cheating up to stop the run, the linebackers are forced to stay in close and that opens up crossing routes and slants for WRs Patrick Crayton and Miles Austin, especially off play-action. If the Eagles' defense wants to get off the field, it must take away a lot of those plays between the hashes.
10. Matchup to watch: Philadelphia C Nick Cole versus Ratliff: Eagles starting center Jamaal Jackson is injured, and Cole's move from guard to center is a tough one. Not only does Cole have to block the quicker Ratliff, but Cole must also make line calls and adjustments before the snap, something he is not used to. Ratliff has one-gap penetrating quickness and Cole will require help from a guard. When that happens, it opens up a gap where one of the Cowboys' ILBs can attack. This is not a good matchup for Philadelphia.
Prediction
Philadelphia 23
Dallas 27
Scouts Inc.
Philadelphia at Dallas
When: 8:00 PM ET
Watch: NBC
Preview
More scouting reports: Week 1
Scouts Inc. Position Advantage
QB RB WR OL DL LB DB ST Coach
After breaking down film of both teams, Scouts Inc. offers 10 things to watch in this week's Eagles-Cowboys matchup.
1. Can the Eagles rebound? The Eagles had everything to play for in Week 17, including a first-round bye, yet they fell flat in Dallas. The Cowboys earned a big win, and now their confidence level is off the charts, especially because they have beaten Philadelphia twice already this season. The Eagles will no doubt make adjustments, but they also must find a way to restore their confidence.
2. The Eagles' blitz will be back: In the teams' first meeting in Week 8, the Eagles went after Cowboys QB Tony Romo with a lot of blitzes and he responded with reasonable success. However, last Sunday the Eagles chose to sit back and play coverage schemes with mostly four-man rushes and it surprised everybody, including Romo. The lack of pressure allowed Romo to pick apart the Eagles and Dallas' offense was able to get into an excellent flow. You can bet this week that defensive coordinator Sean McDermott will dial up every blitz that he has as the Eagles try to rattle Romo. However, that can be a risk-reward defensive philosophy because it also gives Romo good one-on-one matchups if he has time to read the blitz and get rid of the ball.
3. Can the Eagles' defense match the physicality of Dallas' offense? Even though we see a lot of screens and draw plays in run situations, there is no question Dallas' offense can be a very physical. The Cowboys are capable of pounding the ball with multiple backs, especially Marion Barber, against an Eagles defense that prides itself on being physical and excelling on third down. If the Cowboys choose to pound the ball, it will force Philadelphia to bring its safeties into the box. If the Eagles increase their run blitzes, Romo will have more play-action opportunities.
4. Eagles must protect QB Donovan McNabb: The Cowboys have an excellent defensive line led by underrated NT Jay Ratliff, but the real pressure comes from outside linebackers DeMarcus Ware and Anthony Spencer. Eagles coach Andy Reid must figure out a way to handle the Cowboys' pass rush and hope McNabb can find some favorable matchups. Tight end Brent Celek is usually a great passing option, but he may have to chip block before he releases and the Eagles' running backs may also be forced pass block more than usual.
5. Can the Eagles establish the run? Offensive balance could be a huge factor in this game, and Philadelphia doesn't have it. You can't depend on Brian Westbrook pounding the ball, FB Leonard Weaver is not creative or fast inside, and rookie LeSean McCoy has leveled off. If the Eagles can't at least establish the threat of the run, they will be in trouble because Dallas will have the luxury of playing basic schemes with marginal run blitzes and coverage-heavy alignments. That will take away play-action opportunities for McNabb.
6. Dallas' screens, draws and Romo's feet: Dallas' offense has the personnel to be a physical, smash-mouth unit, but its identity is more finesse. The Dallas draw play is the best in the league and Romo does a great job of selling it, sometimes with a pump fake, and all three backs run it well. The Cowboys are also really good at setting up the perimeter screen play against aggressive "attack" defenses (which Philadelphia is), and all of their backs are good in space. The other element to this offense is Romo's ability to extend the play with his feet; he can run his way out of a lot of trouble. The Eagles need to play aggressive but disciplined on defense because if they overpursue or get sloppy in their gap discipline, it could lead to big Dallas plays.
7. Will the Cowboys attack or play it safe on defense? This is a challenging game plan for Cowboys coach Wade Phillips because of all the explosive weapons the Eagles have on offense. Do the Cowboys sit back in man off or zone schemes and try to get to McNabb with a three- or four-man rush? Or do they come with a blitz-heavy package and leave their good cover corners on an island? In all likelihood, we will see Phillips call some linebacker blitzes and stunts, but keep his defensive backs in some Cover 2/Cover 3 schemes designed to force the Eagles to drive the length of the field instead of hitting on big plays.
8. Romo must make the right reads: Romo is fully aware that he probably will see every blitz in the book and the Eagles will try to get to him before he can identify his matchups. This is a big film study week for Romo because he will have excellent one-on-one matchups if he can get to them, but that requires good pass protection and blitz pickup. If the Cowboys choose to utilize a lot of two-tight end sets and also keep their backs in to block, it may hinder their passing game. However, Romo should still get some single matchups on the perimeter, and tight end Jason Witten will be an excellent target, even if he chips before releasing on a route.
9. The Cowboys will attack the middle of the field with the passing game: The Eagles' defense could struggle in the middle of the field. First of all, Philly's linebackers really have problems covering tight ends, and Dallas has one of the best in the business in Witten, for whom Philadelphia has no answer. Secondly, with the safeties cheating up to stop the run, the linebackers are forced to stay in close and that opens up crossing routes and slants for WRs Patrick Crayton and Miles Austin, especially off play-action. If the Eagles' defense wants to get off the field, it must take away a lot of those plays between the hashes.
10. Matchup to watch: Philadelphia C Nick Cole versus Ratliff: Eagles starting center Jamaal Jackson is injured, and Cole's move from guard to center is a tough one. Not only does Cole have to block the quicker Ratliff, but Cole must also make line calls and adjustments before the snap, something he is not used to. Ratliff has one-gap penetrating quickness and Cole will require help from a guard. When that happens, it opens up a gap where one of the Cowboys' ILBs can attack. This is not a good matchup for Philadelphia.
Prediction
Philadelphia 23
Dallas 27
