Eagles – Cowboys Preview: Eagles Defense Vs Cowboys Offense:
Assuming Jessica Simpson is not a curse on Dallas Cowboys QB Tony Romo, let’s take a peak at how the Eagles Defense matches up against one of the NFL’s most potent offenses, The Dallas Cowboys:
When given time in the pocket, Tony Romo is just as good as any other starter in the NFL. He has nice mobility and can step up and move around in the pocket, throwing the ball with nice emphasis, down field. Since this game is not a play-off game, we will give Romo the benefit of the doubt that he will perform up to his capable abilities. I expect Romo to have more than some success unless the Eagles Pass Rush can get to Romo and frustrate him, often and early.
A tangible that will relate directly to Romo’s success or lack of it is how the Eagles trio of Cornerbacks (Samuel, Brown, and Sheppard) does on locking down Cowboys weapons Terrell Owens, Patrick Crayton, and Jason Witten. The Eagles must rattle Romo’s confidence often and early which will then take Owens, Crayton, and Witten out of the game more times than not. For whatever the reason of the Eagles not trading Lito Sheppard now has its benefits. There is no better example of the importance of having three stud Cornerbacks than this game. The outcome of holding onto Lito will now put the Eagles Defense in a better position in dealing with teams who have multiple threats such as the Dallas Cowboys.
The match-up of the Dallas Offensive Line versus the Eagles Defensive Line looks to be a push to me. Both teams have talented linemen. Dallas has a huge offensive line, where the five starters average over 320 pounds. This massive line has the potential to cause issues for the Eagles, but I see Defensive Coordinator Jim Johnson using his rotation of Ends and Tackles to deal with the size factor. Additionally, I think Johnson will time the blitzes accordingly to help the D-Line. The Eagles will need good run support from the Linebackers and Safeties in order to contain RBs Marion Barber and Felix Jones. If the Eagles Defensive Line does not get good run support from the back seven, the Cowboys will chew up the clock and run the ball successfully all game long.
A concern I have that is keeping me up at night is how the Eagles will try to stop Tight End Jason Witten. Hopefully Jim Johnson will come up with a scheme to shut Witten down such as putting one of the 3 CBs on him. If the Eagles try to cover Witten with Gaither or GoCong, it will be a very nice day for Witten and a long day for us Die Hard Eagles Fans as I have no confidence either of these two can cover him consistently. I do not want a Safety on Witten either as that will hurt the run support, as well as the CBs covering Owens and Crayton.
The bottom line is this; the Cowboys will definitely get their opportunities and score some points. How many points they score depends on how the Eagles do scheming, preparing, and matching up against the Cowboys. If the Eagles are successful in supporting each other, pressuring Romo continuously, and keeping the Dallas weapons in front of them, then there is a good chance the Eagles can make this a game and really make a statement to the entire NFL with a competitive game or even dare I say a road win against the hated Dallas Cowboys.
With that said, “E-A-G-L-E-S!! EAGLES!!”
