This Year Vs Philly Will be No Different than the last few years

[JBS]

Something that I noticed last year against the Eagles is that we seem to fare much, MUCH better against them during the first meeting of the season. The Eagles seem to do a much, MUCH better job of making adjustments coming into the 2nd meeting. Let's take a look at the last 2 years, and yes, I know that 2 years is not that much of a sample size but it is all I will go by because it is the only 2 years Romo has started both games.

2007
First meeting in Philly - Dallas 38 Philly 17
2nd meeting in Dallas - Philly 10 Dallas 6

2008
First meeting in Dallas - Dallas 41 Philly 37
2nd meeting in Philly - Philly 44 Dallas 6

It is just an observation, but I caught onto it last year, but it seems to me that Jason Garrett and the offense do a tremendous job vs philly during the 1st meeting of the season. However, the Eagles and their defense seem to make great adjustments for that 2nd game and really seem to shut us down. Even if you go back 3 years ago, when Bledsoe started game 1 and Romo game 2, our offense fared much better in the 1st meeting.

With all of this being said, I am glad for the immediate future that we will play well on sunday, but I am a wee bit worried that if the last game of the season has any meaning at all, it may not bode well. I know many people are going to think none of this makes any sense and that I am over thinking things and to be honest I probably agree with that. However, this post is more about me being worried that this trend is indeed true than actually believing it is.

Here is my prediction for Sunday

Cowboys 31
Eagles 27

 

[Eldorado]

Yikes. I mean, I hope you're right, and I love the optimism: but 2 years do not a trend make. It's not as if they prepare better for us the second time around, or something silly like that. It's like the whole "We can beat team's if their QB's name is Matt" stat.. it's a stat made because of previous occurances, which had nothing to do with eachother.

 

[skinsscalper]

Yikes. I mean, I hope you're right, and I love the optimism: but 2 years do not a trend make. It's not as if they prepare better for us the second time around, or something silly like that. It's like the whole "We can beat team's if their QB's name is Matt" stat.. it's a stat made because of previous occurances, which had nothing to do with eachother.

Actually there's been a trend that's been in force since Andy Reid took over the helm at Philthy: The Eagles hand us our lunch more often than not.

That's not to say that we never have success against them. We do. But on the big stage (nationally televised games, games with playoff implications, etc.), the Eagles have, typically, had the last laugh more often than not.

 

[theebs]

in the last two years we had a number of assorted injuries in the second meeting.

We should not have lost that game in 07, romo had missed some open plays early and then we had guys dropping the ball to boot.

Looked like we exhaled after the detroit win in 07 and it bit us in the rear.

Last year we were a beaten team before we even got there and it showed.

 

[JerryFan]

Actually there's been a trend that's been in force since Andy Reid took over the helm at Philthy: The Eagles hand us our lunch more often than not.

That's not to say that we never have success against them. We do. But on the big stage (nationally televised games, games with playoff implications, etc.), the Eagles have, typically, had the last laugh more often than not.

I agree. We haven't played very well in most of those game, but a lot of crazy unfortunate plays have happened also. I know historically Dallas has gotten the better of Philly, but for the last 10+ years Philly has played their best against us. Tons of pick 6's, fumbles for TD's, and pretty much anything you can think of. It's time we get some luck verse these guys in prime time. I knew we were going to lose the game last year, but didn't think it would be 44-6. This is a different year and a different Cowboys team. Win or lose it's going to be a battle, but I think Dallas is going to pull a big win out in the end.

 

[BotchedLobotomy]

Tecmo Kid has got to stick with the running game or we are in trouble.

 

[noletime95]

A certain defensive coordinator probably had something to do with this, god rest his soul.

 

[theogt]

in the last two years we had a number of assorted injuries in the second meeting.

We should not have lost that game in 07, romo had missed some open plays early and then we had guys dropping the ball to boot.

Looked like we exhaled after the detroit win in 07 and it bit us in the rear.

Last year we were a beaten team before we even got there and it showed.

Also, they had a habit of shutting down NFC East opponents in their second outting due in large part to Jim Johnson.

 

[CF74]

Something that I noticed last year against the Eagles is that we seem to fare much, MUCH better against them during the first meeting of the season. The Eagles seem to do a much, MUCH better job of making adjustments coming into the 2nd meeting. Let's take a look at the last 2 years, and yes, I know that 2 years is not that much of a sample size but it is all I will go by because it is the only 2 years Romo has started both games.

2007
First meeting in Philly - Dallas 38 Philly 17
2nd meeting in Dallas - Philly 10 Dallas 6

2008
First meeting in Dallas - Dallas 41 Philly 37
2nd meeting in Philly - Philly 44 Dallas 6

It is just an observation, but I caught onto it last year, but it seems to me that Jason Garrett and the offense do a tremendous job vs philly during the 1st meeting of the season. However, the Eagles and their defense seem to make great adjustments for that 2nd game and really seem to shut us down. Even if you go back 3 years ago, when Bledsoe started game 1 and Romo game 2, our offense fared much better in the 1st meeting.

With all of this being said, I am glad for the immediate future that we will play well on sunday, but I am a wee bit worried that if the last game of the season has any meaning at all, it may not bode well. I know many people are going to think none of this makes any sense and that I am over thinking things and to be honest I probably agree with that. However, this post is more about me being worried that this trend is indeed true than actually believing it is.

Here is my prediction for Sunday

Cowboys 31
Eagles 27

I've had similar thoughts and the one constant that I will add to this is that we succeed early in the season with our passing game and then down the stretch we fail. I attribute this to not running the ball more, not running more screens, and to many deep balls. We rely to much on the big play that it bites us in the dookus later on. Austin has brought some hope in that regard though that maybe we will get bye...

 

[theebs]

Also, they had a habit of shutting down NFC East opponents in their second outting due in large part to Jim Johnson.

there is no doubt, they play and have played great defense. Thats a tribute to jim johnson and the organization bringing in players who will excel in jim johnson's defense.

SHould be interesting this week to see how mcdermot decides to attack us. Bill Sheridan stayed back all day and we ran all over them. Yesterday seattle showed romo no respect and decided to stop the run.

SHould be fun.

 

[craig71]

I think that when it comes to Dallas playing a divisonal rivalry you can expect the unexpected.

Craig

 

[skinsscalper]

A certain defensive coordinator probably had something to do with this, god rest his soul.

This is also VERY true. Johnson was a master at dialing up the pressure when he needed it most and got the most out of his players. He rarely put a guy in position to fail.

I wish death on no man and I have the utmost respect for Jim Johnson. I will say that, though, that I'm glad we don't face him anymore. I just wish it were under different circumstances.

 

[big dog cowboy]

I think that when it comes to Dallas playing a divisonal rivalry you can expect the unexpected.

Craig

I expect that every game.

 

[ThreeSportStar80]

I think this game will come down to line protection... Dallas must be able to recognize the blitz and get the ball out. If Dallas can pick up the Philly blitz they can get some big plays down the field.

 

[utrunner07]

A 2 year sample. Very substantial evidence.

 

[theebs]

A 2 year sample. Very substantial evidence.

Its because, that is how long the coaching staff has been here.

Using anymore examples really wouldnt apply.

For instance, saying we swept them in 05 and they swept us in 06 doesnt really add anything considering the coaching and player changes.