TV: Ch. 8
Radio: KLUV-FM (98.7), KFLC-AM (1270, Spanish)
Line: Eagles by 3
The Cowboys will win if ...
They follow the same formula they did in the last meeting: take an early lead and force the one-dimensional Eagles to abandon their running game even earlier than usual, because Donovan McNabb is not good enough this year to put a team on his back and win.
The Cowboys will lose if ...
They fail to handle the emotion from a raucous Monday Night Football crowd and allow the Eagles to seize control of the game early. Or if the Cowboys give up big plays that allow the Eagles to have short scoring drives, because Philadelphia isn't good enough to consistently drive the ball the length of the field.
The Eagles will win if ...
Rookie Reggie Brown, suspended receiver Terrell Owens' replacement, can provide the same imitation he did last week, when he caught five passes for 96 yards and a touchdown. Brown, a second-round pick, has the speed, size and athleticism to be a difference-maker.
The Eagles will lose if ...
Coach Andy Reid doesn't try to run the ball. The Eagles have to have the threat of the run to slow the Cowboys' pass rush and to make their linebackers hold for an instant on play-action. With no running threat, the Cowboys' defense will suffocate the Eagles' offense.
Drew Bledsoe's snap count
The last time these teams played, Drew Bledsoe threw 35 passes without being sacked. Bledsoe had been sacked 140 times over the previous three seasons and has been sacked at least three times on five occasions this season. The Eagles like to blitz, but the Cowboys kept them from getting a rhythm by varying Bledsoe's snap count. Several times, Bledsoe held the snap count for several seconds while he was under center to disrupt the Eagles' timing. Instead of running up to the line of scrimmage at the last second and blitzing from a running start, the Eagles were standing still at the snap, giving Bledsoe the extra time he needed.
Philadelphia's Reggie Brown
Reggie Brown has one of the toughest jobs in the NFL: He must replace Terrell Owens, one of the NFL's best players. Owens has been suspended for conduct detrimental to the team. Brown did an admirable job last week with 96 yards receiving and a touchdown. He has excellent speed and outstanding jumping ability, which is why the Eagles took him in the second round. He's the most talented receiver on the roster, and if he can give the Eagles a little of the explosiveness they miss without Owens, they might be able to make the playoffs. If not, they have no chance because the offense isn't going to produce enough.
Yards after contact
Rookie running back Marion Barber scored two touchdowns on leg-churning, tackle-breaking runs in the Cowboys' 34-13 win over Arizona two weeks ago. Keyshawn Johnson is a physical runner after he catches the ball, and receiver Terry Glenn is an elusive ball-carrier. In their last game, safety Brian Dawkins said the Eagles didn't tackle well because they weren't physical enough. He said that's a trend that must stop this week because the Cowboys' runners and receivers do a good job of gaining yards after contact. Barber, who has 222 yards in the last two games, has done a good job of finishing his runs and punishing defenders who tackle him.
Donovan McNabb's completion percentage
In the West Coast offense, the quarterback is supposed to complete about 65 percent of his passes, because many of the throws are short passes on three- and five-step drops designed to set up manageable third-down situations. This year, Eagles quarterback Donovan McNabb is completing only 59.4 percent of his passes. The Cowboys have been excellent in pass defense this season, in part because cornerbacks Anthony Henry, Terence Newman and Aaron Glenn allow them to easily match up against three-receiver formations. Opposing quarterbacks have completed only 54 percent of their passes – the best in the league. If McNabb doesn't hit 60 percent of his passes, the Eagles won't be able to sustain their offense.
Julius Jones
Last year, Julius Jones came off a broken shoulder to average 114.7 yards per game and score seven touchdowns. In the process, he invigorated the Cowboys' offense and was anointed one of the league's young stars. Coach Bill Parcells is hoping he can have a similar impact on the Cowboys' offense this year. Parcells has declined to say whether he'll start, but Jones will get at least 15 carries, and the Cowboys hope he can team with Marion Barber to give Dallas a dominant running game. The Cowboys need Jones because he gives the offense big-play ability; he can score from anywhere on the field.
WHEN THE COWBOYS RUN
Dallas is averaging 35.1 carries per game. If the Cowboys hit that figure tonight, they will win. Dallas ranks 13th in the NFL in rushing (122.4) but leads the league in time of possession (34:03). Philadelphia allows 4.0 yards per carry.
WHEN THE COWBOYS PASS
In their last meeting, Drew Bledsoe passed for 289 yards and three touchdowns. As long as Dallas protects Bledsoe, the Eagles are going to have trouble covering Dallas' receivers. Philadelphia allows 229.9 passing yards per game (24th in the NFL).
WHEN THE EAGLES RUN
Brian Westbrook had 24 yards on 17 carries last week, one reason coach Andy Reid doesn't call many running plays. Dallas has contained better runners – LaDainian Tomlinson, Shaun Alexander, Clinton Portis and Tiki Barber – than Westbrook.
WHEN THE EAGLES PASS
Donovan McNabb directs the NFL's most potent passing attack, but without suspended receiver Terrell Owens, McNabb has to rely more on rookie Reggie Brown. The Cowboys have allowed less than 200 yards passing in three of their last four games.
SPECIAL TEAMS
Kick returner Tyson Thompson has been a valuable weapon, and the coverage units are getting better each week. Shaun Suisham will kick off grass and in a pressure-filled environment for the first time as a pro. Philadelphia's David Akers is one of the NFL's best kickers, but punter Reggie Hodges has been average at best.
INTANGIBLES
Dallas is trying to deliver a knockout blow to a proud franchise that has been to four consecutive NFC title games. The fans know how important a victory is, because a three-game losing streak at this point of the season could spell doom, so they will be excited. Philadelphia is 3-0 at home.
Cowboys C Al Johnson vs. Philadelphia MLB Jeremiah Trotter
Philadelphia middle linebacker Jeremiah Trotter is the key to the Eagles' run defense.
The Eagles align him in a two-point stance over the center with a pair of beefy defensive tackles on each side. At the snap, he tries to run through the center and disrupt the play.
It's an effective strategy, especially with an undersized center like Al Johnson (310 pounds). But it didn't help the Eagles in the last meeting between the teams.
Dallas ran for a season-high 167 yards on 46 carries while keeping the ball for 40:43. Coach Bill Parcells said he doesn't expect to have the same success in this game.
"He's a physical player, and he runs their defense," Parcells said of Trotter. "I don't think we'll be able to do exactly what we did the last time, because we loosened them up early by throwing the ball."
For Dallas to have any success on the ground, Johnson must control Trotter with help from guards Larry Allen and Marco Rivera.
EDGE: Johnson
