Eagles (8-3) have only beaten the Cowboys (8-3) once in the past 2 seasons.
That is my storyline when I begin to debate rather the Cowboys will win on
Thanksgiving Day. The sole win was a 2 point victory to backup QB Kyle Orton.
That loss was a big loss because it knocked the Cowboys out of playoff
contention, BUT. It’s still just one win. It seems the Cowboys scout team have
the Eagles figured out.
However, both teams will enter into Thursday’s game not looking like the
same teams that faced off last December. The Eagles have no Desean Jackson, no
Nick Foles (out with injury), Mark Sanchez will get the start, and they’ve
added special teams firecracker Darren Sproles. The Cowboys…well the running
game is beyond better than then, Tony Romo is healthy, the OL is giving him
time to sit in the pocket and think about what he’s having for dinner, and the
most shocking of all…the defense is playing waaaaay beyond expectations. Ranked
17th compared to dead last when the season ended last year.
The key to winning this game for the Cowboys is simple…. Run the ball well.
And give our defense less time on the field by keeping the up-tempo Eagles
offense off the field. When the Cowboys defense is on the field for longer than
30 minutes in a game the Cowboys lose. The only exception was Sunday versus the
Giants whose time of possession was greater than The Cowboys at 45 minutes but
thanks to great play by Romo down the stretch they pulled it off. The Cowboys
defense was on the field for a season-high 74 plays Sunday night and it showed
as they looked gassed near the end. The Eagles average 72.7 plays a game. The
Cowboys defense has only been on the field for an average of 60.5 plays per
game.
This is what I’m telling myself (and you) to convince that the Cowboys will win…..
The Eagles are ranked really low (30th I think) in passing yards per
attempt defense, while the Cowboys are #2 in passing yards per attempt
offense. The Eagles are -8 in turnovers with 27 turnovers and 19 takeaways. The
Cowboys are -1 with 19 turnovers and 18 takeaways. I would be doing you an
injustice if I didn’t mentioned that Mark Sanchez has turned the ball over this
year 8 times in his 4 starts. Romo…6 times in 10 starts. DeMarcco Murray is
averaging about 5 yards per carry… the Eagles are giving up an average of 3.9
yards per rushing attempt. Houston averages 3.9 given up per rushing attempt
and Seattle averages 3.5 rushing yards given up per attempt. How did they do
against the Cowboys?
My only concern going into this game for the Cowboys is that although they
are undefeated on the road….they are 3-3 at home. They have to show and show
whose house it is. Represent the Star and send the Eagles home with their wings
tucked between their legs.
Let’s get ready to rumble jive turkeys!
Follow me @beautyofsports
