Walker Minot
The Cowboys have enjoyed a season that is typical of their work the last six years. They are a team with great talent, but for a variety of reasons they have not been able to put it together into a consistent string of wins throughout the season and the playoffs. Steadiness and continuity have been lacking. This year five of Dallas' six losses were by six points or less. The much maligned Cowboy quarterback Tony Romo blew two games against the New York Jets and Detroit Lions with crucial interceptions, and the defense/special teams blew games against the New England Patriots, Arizona Cardinals, and last week against the New York Giants with opposing teams putting together game-winning drives, and the field goal unit botching kicks.
Despite all this, the Cowboys have an excellent chance at making the playoffs. They are currently leading the NFC East and their fate is in their hands with this game against the Eagles, and the regular season finale against the Giants. If the Cowboys make the playoffs they will have earned it, but if they don't, they will have thoroughly blown it.
The Philadelphia Eagles have experienced a season similar in its lack of consistency, but much worse in its potential outcome. Predicted by many to be the 2012 Super Bowl champions, they have felt the sting of fanatical Philly fan criticism and a satirical skewering by The Onion. Barring an incredible finish, they are out of playoff contention and their beautifully moustached coach, Andy Reid, is in trouble. On the field the Eagles are having a Cowboyish season. They have incredible talent at many positions, but have lacked consistency and focus. The most tantalizing game of the year was the 34-7 beatdown they gave the Cowboys in Week 8 (the only Cowboy loss this season by over six points). Anyone who watched that game was lucky enough to have seen football at its finest; the Eagles were firing on all cylinders. Michael Vick was a fantasy owners' dream, LeSean McCoy found holes with every run, and the defense stuffed the Cowboys absolutely. Playing like they did on that night, the Eagles could have beaten anyone in the league.
The fact is, the Eagles have not played like that all year, if they had they would be still be the favorite to win it all. Vick has had painful rib injuries, causing him to miss games and making him noticeably slower than previous years. The team has not been able to put all their talent together, and at this point, it is most likely too late.
Despite Tony Romo's failings, he is a good quarterback. He holds the Cowboys single season record for passing yards in a season, and is having a career year. His passer rating this season sits at 102.6, fourth behind such Super Bowl QBs as Aaron Rodgers, Drew Brees, and Tom Brady. Romo also has skilled receivers Miles Austin, Dez Bryant, Laurent Robinson, and tight end Jason Witten to throw to. The Eagles defense will not be able to stand up, on the road, to this offense gunning for a playoff spot. When the Cowboys have lost this season, almost always it has been due to lapses in the secondary. The Eagles' offensive style trends more towards the ground (the Cowboys' strength) and is less suited to exploit the Cowboys' secondary weaknesses via the pass. QB Michael Vick and running back LeSean McCoy will come out hard, but the Cowboys have a good run defense that will prevent them from getting too far running the ball.
Both teams will score plenty of points, but the Cowboys' offense, even without starting running back DeMarco Murray and possibly backup Felix Jones, is better. Vick will be chased around by an angry DeMarcus Ware (whose two penalties helped blow last weeks' game), and McCoy will be contained by a defense determined to make up for the embarrassment of the last Cowboy-Eagle game.
Cowboys: 34
Eagles: 24
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