News: Prisco: Clues to Philadelphia-Dallas

[WoodysGirl]

• Foles really struggled against the Cowboys. Wathcing the tape, it's hard to believe it's the same guy who has 25 touchdown passes and two interceptions and leads the league in passer rating.

• The right side of the Eagles' offensive line had a rough go of it. Guard Todd Herremans and tackle Lane Johnson struggled.

• The Eagles receivers didn't win outside much against a bad Dallas secondary.

• The Dallas defense, without DeMarcus Ware (injured), was able to limit LeSean McCoy, the league's leading rusher, to 55 yards on 18 carries and did a great job on McCoy in the passing game. His longest play of the day was 12 yards.

• The Cowboys, without DeMarco Murray, didn't do much on the ground and the Eagles came after Romo with a lot of blitzes. Joseph Randle ran for 65 yards but had a 3.4 average.

• Romo threw for 317 yards, but it took 28 completions and he had a passer rating of 69.2.

• Cowboys linebacker Sean Lee, who probably won't play this week because of injury, was all over the field. He had 11 tackles and an interception. He was key in stopping McCoy.

• The Dallas defense used a lot of 4-2-5 looks that helped limit the Eagles passing game and the spread runs. It also appeared that the defensive line wasn't attacking at the snap all the time, but rather using a softer "mush" rush to keep an eye for any zone-read plays. The Eagles actually ran more power runs in this game than they do now, rather than zone reads.

It was Foles that really caught my eye -- for negative reasons. He is currently the only quarterback in the NFL averaging more than nine yards per pass play, so how did the worst pass defense in the league, one of the worst all time, limit him to under three yards per attempt in the first meeting?

For starters: He was awful. He wasn't accurate. He missed when there were chances down the field and he never looked comfortable before being knocked from the game with a concussion. He entered the game with groin issues, but he moved around fine. That wasn't the excuse.

Read the rest: http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/writer...finding-clues-to-eagles-cowboys-packers-bears

 

[Hawkeye19]

We have actually played well against Foles every time we've seen him… I think one thing that gets brushed aside in all the "Philly is the hottest team in the NFL" chatter is the simple fact that these two teams know each other really, really well.

Throw out the records when division rivals meet. Carr looked horrible last week, but has absolutely shut down D Jack the last couple times they've played each other. Familiarity with personnel goes a long way into putting together a good game plan.

I think for that reason, Orton becomes an X factor on Sun night. Philly knows Romo well, but isn't as familiar with Orton's tendencies and style. Also-- finally getting a "win or go home" game in Dallas will be good medicine for this team.

I'm not saying Dallas wins this game-- but it will be a dog fight, and I think the Cowboys rise up and play tough, angry football for 60 minutes and give the Eagles all they can handle. We're 7.5 point dogs at home for this game-- wouldn't want it any other way…

 

[JPM]

We have actually played well against Foles every time we've seen him… I think one thing that gets brushed aside in all the "Philly is the hottest team in the NFL" chatter is the simple fact that these two teams know each other really, really well.

Throw out the records when division rivals meet. Carr looked horrible last week, but has absolutely shut down D Jack the last couple times they've played each other. Familiarity with personnel goes a long way into putting together a good game plan.

I think for that reason, Orton becomes an X factor on Sun night. Philly knows Romo well, but isn't as familiar with Orton's tendencies and style. Also-- finally getting a "win or go home" game in Dallas will be good medicine for this team.

I'm not saying Dallas wins this game-- but it will be a dog fight, and I think the Cowboys rise up and play tough, angry football for 60 minutes and give the Eagles all they can handle. We're 7.5 point dogs at home for this game-- wouldn't want it any other way…

They got spanked by a AP-less Vikings team just the week before, I don't get how they are the hottest team in the league..

 

[Ashwynn]

Foles seems a different QB than the one we faced so many weeks ago. Like hes learned pocket prescience and command. I dont think he will revert back to the inept greenhorn we saw the first time. I think we will get burned and go down in flames as he picks us apart in the secondary. I would wager McCoy has a better day also. They have receivers, TEs and RBs that catch the ball well and if Foles is the Foles he seems he has become we are in trouble. If our defense it the usual fare of final game of the year variety it would not matter if my grandmother is playing QB for them, we lose.

Its a compelling game. I'll be watching and rooting, wondering what Cowboys team shows up,"superbowl bound" or "How the hell did we win 8 games this year?" Its a crap shoot every sunday. Making the playoffs could be interesting or embarrassing.

Man what we have devolved into as a team with purebred championship pedigree.

 

[Bleu Star]

I've been keeping it to myself but I feel the need to say it now. Jay Cutler is class A garbage.... Hands down one of the worst QBs in the league. The worst thing Chicago did was take McCown off of the field. Every team rallies around a leader and McCown was filling that role for Chicago..

I wouldn't take much stock in what happened against Chicago last week. Look at the overall performance of the team of the course of the season. With all of our injuries that we have endured this season (and there are many however I also believe injuries to be part of the process..no excuses..), we are STILL just one game back from the perceived world beaters. If we stick to the plan of run game clock management supplemented by some screens and play action, we can get out of there Sunday night with the W. It's very achievable.

 

[TonyRomo17]

i dont see how dallas will win, that Philly D is really scary, playing like a top 10 defense

 

[TwoDeep3]

Assuming all things are static in the NFL is a trend on this board that i cannot fathom. What happened a month and a half ago - or whenever it was - does not mean it will happen again in Dallas.

That is not a negative position, but merely stating facts.

If you watch teams as they move toward the play-offs, you see some like the ravens last year who jelled at the right time.

All the arguments about this and that are thrown out the window because The eagles appear to be putting it together now.

I have no crystal ball and cannot predict this game. But if I were asked for my uneducated opinion, with or without Romo I believe the Eagles are tough enough mentally now to come into the Death Star and win handily.

I would really like to be wrong, but am afraid i am not.

 

[Denim Chicken]

Assuming all things are static in the NFL is a trend on this board that i cannot fathom. What happened a month and a half ago - or whenever it was - does not mean it will happen again in Dallas.

That is not a negative position, but merely stating facts.

If you watch teams as they move toward the play-offs, you see some like the ravens last year who jelled at the right time.

All the arguments about this and that are thrown out the window because The eagles appear to be putting it together now.

I have no crystal ball and cannot predict this game. But if I were asked for my uneducated opinion, with or without Romo I believe the Eagles are tough enough mentally now to come into the Death Star and win handily.

I would really like to be wrong, but am afraid i am not.

Understand your position, but I would counter that the second games against NFC East opponents so far have looked fairly similar to the first.

 

[TwoDeep3]

Understand your position, but I would counter that the second games against NFC East opponents so far have looked fairly similar to the first.

And yet i return to something I have repeated on this site many times over nearly a decade. One game does not have any link with any other game between two franchises. Each is an individual game that has an outcome not influenced by any other game played between the pair of teams.

I wish it weren't true, but don't see how that is possble.

 

[SportsGuru80]

I expect a shootout... Let's hope Dallas has enough bullets!

 

[bark]

I expect a shootout... Let's hope Dallas has enough bullets!

I think we have a better shot if it's a slug fest....Murray needs to match mc coy yd for yd rush/receiving....
But that said.... I'd take a shoot out win...

 

[rynochop]

i dont see how dallas will win, that Philly D is really scary, playing like a top 10 defense

Yeah, a horrid minny team put 48 on that scary defense just a couple games ago with a backup qb and no AP.
These teams are what they are, mediocre. No outcome will surprise me in this game really, a blowout either way, or OT, neither would shock me.

 

[Next Years Champ]

They got spanked by a AP-less Vikings team just the week before, I don't get how they are the hottest team in the league..

Becuz the Eastern media centers in Connecticut , New York, Boston and Philly run the sports shows.

 

[TOEaglesRule]

Come on, familiarity would of made since last year but the Eagles are totally different on both sides of the ball. Your coaches dont know this version of th Eagles and frankly our coaches dont know you...at least more than any other team....

In October Foles simply had a bad game - it happens - some say he suffered the concussion early in the 1st quarter, then aggrevated it in the 3rd quarter. http://gcobb.com/2013/10/24/maybe-nick-foles-suffered-concussion-earlier-thought/ Now i dont know that it is true, but he sure played like a guy who wasnt all there mentally.

In terms of the Eagles D, it is much better than people think, and much better than Dallas. You need to look deeper into the stats than simple yards per game and the Eagles dominate the cowboys in most meaningful categories - one of the effects of running an offensive play ever 20 seconds or so is that the game becomes 'longer'. Eagles opponents have the most offensive plays per game in the NFL at 72.3. (Cowboys at 68.5). Breaking it down further:
yards per play - Eagles D is 19th at 5.4...and it's been much better than that in the 2nd half of the season. Dallas is 29th at 6.1.
Rushing D - Eagles are 4th in the NFL in YPC at 3.8. Dallas is 30th at 4.8.
Passing D - Eagles are 20th in the NFL in YPA at 6.9. Dallas is 27th at 7.3.
Take aways - Eagles are 10th with 1.9 turnovers a game. Dallas is 12th with 1.8.

I am not some blind homer - I thought the Eagles would lose the infamous game where McNabb was dancing in that embarrasing tunnel shot of him with Vick/DJack behind....but this weekend's game should go to the Eagles in a big way - the only important statistical edge that the Cowboys have is red zone efficiency....and I am not sure how that translates over to a Romoless offense.

The Eagles and Panthers have been the best teams in the NFC the 2nd half of the season - 6 and 1. By comparison, Seahawks 5 and 2, Saints 4 and 3, 49ers 5 and 2.

The only thing I worry about is over confidence - the Eagles hanging a 50 burger on the Bears is probably the best thing that could of happened for the Cowboys.

Given the injuries you folks have had, getting this to a week 17 showdown is impressive. I think the much maigned Garrett has done a good job all things considered....but this weekend I think it is very likely that the Cowboys get blown out...but any given sunday...

We have actually played well against Foles every time we've seen him… I think one thing that gets brushed aside in all the "Philly is the hottest team in the NFL" chatter is the simple fact that these two teams know each other really, really well.

Throw out the records when division rivals meet. Carr looked horrible last week, but has absolutely shut down D Jack the last couple times they've played each other. Familiarity with personnel goes a long way into putting together a good game plan.

I think for that reason, Orton becomes an X factor on Sun night. Philly knows Romo well, but isn't as familiar with Orton's tendencies and style. Also-- finally getting a "win or go home" game in Dallas will be good medicine for this team.

I'm not saying Dallas wins this game-- but it will be a dog fight, and I think the Cowboys rise up and play tough, angry football for 60 minutes and give the Eagles all they can handle. We're 7.5 point dogs at home for this game-- wouldn't want it any other way…

 

[TOEaglesRule]

They got spanked by a AP-less Vikings team just the week before, I don't get how they are the hottest team in the league..

San Fran is the hottest team.

 

[TonyRomo17]

Cowboys 10
Bears 49

 

[jobberone]

Biggest keys to this game other that TOs is front seven play. We need pressure and the LBers have to cover and tackle McCoy who I think is the most dangerous back in football.

 

[Bleu Star]

Here's an even bigger bottom line. DeMarcus Ware will need to show up in a major way and be disruptive to give us that chance. I believe he still has plenty left in the tank and will be playing with a bit of a chip on his shoulder as I would be willing to bet he has heard some of the whispers of his demise.

Biggest keys to this game other that TOs is front seven play. We need pressure and the LBers have to cover and tackle McCoy who I think is the most dangerous back in football.

 

[Gameover]

• Romo threw for 317 yards, but it took 28 completions and he had a passer rating of 69.2.

Another example of Cowboys winning because of Romo magic.

/not

 

[jobberone]

Here's an even bigger bottom line. DeMarcus Ware will need to show up in a major way and be disruptive to give us that chance. I believe he still has plenty left in the tank and will be playing with a bit of a chip on his shoulder as I would be willing to bet he has heard some of the whispers of his demise.

Oh, I agree. 2-3 sacks would be great. You'd see a better Selvie and Hatcher if he steps his game up.