In a matter of hours, we’ll know if the Eagles playoff hopes are still alive.
You know the scenario all too well by now: The Jets MUST defeat the Giants at 1 pm on Saturday, and the Birds MUST defeat Dallas at 4:15. If those things happen, the final week of the season will determine who wins the NFC East and proceeds to the playoffs.
Many have said that the Eagles will know by kick off if the matchup with the Cowboys “means” anything. I am here to tell you that, regardless of what happens in the Jets-Giants game, an Eagles-Cowboys battle always means something. It’s the fiercest of divisional rivalries, and Philadelphia always plays to beat–nay, to humiliate–Dallas.
The Birds handed the Cowboys a resounding 34-7 defeat in their first meeting of the season. But that was then. The Eagles playoff hopes and drive to avoid a losing season are what matter now.
The Eagles squad that has shown up the past two weeks–the improved play by Vick, the always amazing running plays of LeSean McCoy, and the efficient and effect defense– must appear once again in Dallas.
The Cowboys biggest threats? The Eagles D must contain the many weapons of the Cowboys on offense. Philadelphia gets a break (hopefully) with minimizing Dallas’ running game with RB DeMarco Murray being out and Felix Jones having hamstring issues. Tony Romo has only thrown 2 picks in the past 7 games, and he’s got Dez Bryant, and Jason Witten, and Miles Austin…
On Dallas’ defense, the Eagles offensive line has to handle DeMarcus Ware, who has 16 sacks so far this season.
Asante Samuel (hamstring) is out for the Birds so Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie needs to step up his game for the Eagles’ secondary. DT Trevor Laws is questionable (knee).
While the Eagles will need some help from one Ryan brother (Rex) to defeat the other (Rob), the Cowboys control their fate in the NFC East. This is going to be an intense, hard fought, and close game. Regardless of what happens with the Eagles playoff hopes, let’s make things harder for the Cowboys by handing them a defeat on Christmas Eve.
It’s all any Eagles fan wants for Christmas.
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