FuzzyLumpkins
The Boognish
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I have a fair amount of optimism that we can win this game. Here is why:
We are playing at home. So far we are 5-2 at home with the two losses being vs DEN and GB. We had our best offensive performance vs the Broncos and we played well against GB but for the coaching.
Speaking of coaching. Orton playing over Romo will allow us to play more to our strengths. We have the capacity to run the ball against anyone in the league and from Jerry Jones on down there will be less pressure to have a pass heavy game plan and gameday execution. I see 3 straight passes from Orton a lot less likely than what we have seen all year until now.
The Eagles do not have a lot of tape on Orton. He has only played a handful of games these past 4 years. This will be his first start as a Cowboy. We have watched DC bait traps in coverage all season. They can plan for the system but Orton's tendencies aren't even set yet. This will be the second week this year that Orton has looked at Eagles tape while the Eagles will be scrambling to figure what Orton tape is meaningful.
The Philadelphia pass defense is pretty bad mediocre pass rush for all the names in the front 7, give up a lot of YPA (7.3) and TD (23). They have gotten a good amount on INT but if we can avoid those throws we will be in great shape. This again speaks to the previous point.
The Eagles are middle of the road from a kick return average perspective but they have given up plenty of big runs. We are one of the best in the league in getting big returns. Dwayne Harris having a good day on the field would go a long way towards a W. On the flip side, the Eagles do not fare particularly well in returning kicks. They are mediocre to bad in the various return stats.
Demarcus Ware is getting better week by week. In the first half @Was, he was getting his first step before Williams could get his hands on him. As he took a pounding he was less of a factor in the second half as the skins kept running the ball but if he continues to get better. If Ware can generate a rush, I think we win.
Our LB core is better than it has been. Wilber has been a revelation, Carter's play has improved and Holloman is infinitely better than the Sims and Laurence's of the world. It's not ideal but we have had to watch Sims AND Laurence on the field at the same time. Holloman has a better chance of reacting quicker to outside runs than Sims does choosing the right gap to fill or Laurence in taking on blocks.
Morris Claiborne will play vs Eagles. That is a tremendous upgrade over Moore who has been picked on repeatedly these past weeks.
Our young safeties are playing better. Outside of Wilcox's brain fart he was tackling much better. Heath made a couple of big plays. With Claiborne putting less onus on them than Moore, it's a much better picture moving forward for our secondary.
We are playing at home. So far we are 5-2 at home with the two losses being vs DEN and GB. We had our best offensive performance vs the Broncos and we played well against GB but for the coaching.
Speaking of coaching. Orton playing over Romo will allow us to play more to our strengths. We have the capacity to run the ball against anyone in the league and from Jerry Jones on down there will be less pressure to have a pass heavy game plan and gameday execution. I see 3 straight passes from Orton a lot less likely than what we have seen all year until now.
The Eagles do not have a lot of tape on Orton. He has only played a handful of games these past 4 years. This will be his first start as a Cowboy. We have watched DC bait traps in coverage all season. They can plan for the system but Orton's tendencies aren't even set yet. This will be the second week this year that Orton has looked at Eagles tape while the Eagles will be scrambling to figure what Orton tape is meaningful.
The Philadelphia pass defense is pretty bad mediocre pass rush for all the names in the front 7, give up a lot of YPA (7.3) and TD (23). They have gotten a good amount on INT but if we can avoid those throws we will be in great shape. This again speaks to the previous point.
The Eagles are middle of the road from a kick return average perspective but they have given up plenty of big runs. We are one of the best in the league in getting big returns. Dwayne Harris having a good day on the field would go a long way towards a W. On the flip side, the Eagles do not fare particularly well in returning kicks. They are mediocre to bad in the various return stats.
Demarcus Ware is getting better week by week. In the first half @Was, he was getting his first step before Williams could get his hands on him. As he took a pounding he was less of a factor in the second half as the skins kept running the ball but if he continues to get better. If Ware can generate a rush, I think we win.
Our LB core is better than it has been. Wilber has been a revelation, Carter's play has improved and Holloman is infinitely better than the Sims and Laurence's of the world. It's not ideal but we have had to watch Sims AND Laurence on the field at the same time. Holloman has a better chance of reacting quicker to outside runs than Sims does choosing the right gap to fill or Laurence in taking on blocks.
Morris Claiborne will play vs Eagles. That is a tremendous upgrade over Moore who has been picked on repeatedly these past weeks.
Our young safeties are playing better. Outside of Wilcox's brain fart he was tackling much better. Heath made a couple of big plays. With Claiborne putting less onus on them than Moore, it's a much better picture moving forward for our secondary.
