A Philadelphia Eagles Fan’s Perspective On Game Against Dallas Cowboys

I asked Kyle over at Bleeding Green to provide Dallas Cowboys fans with some insight into the Philadelphia Eagles as we approach the huge Sunday night game against the Dallas Cowboys. Here it is:

Inside The Eagles

Anyone who knows anything about football realizes that the Eagles-Cowboys rivalry is the best in the business. Every time these two teams meet, you can guarantee a great, hard-nosed football game. With both teams battling for sole possession of first place in the NFC East, the first of two meetings between these two teams is going to be a fantastic game.

As a Philadelphia Eagles blogger at Bleed Green, I come here to give you my perspective of the Eagles. Most of you know that the Eagles have had an explosive offense (besides the Oakland Raiders game), and the defense has been solid in recent weeks. The offense is led by longtime Quarterback Donovan McNabb, who has found success in his two young wideouts.

The leading receiver is DeSean Jackson, and I’m sure all you Cowboy fans are familiar with him. He leads the league in big plays, with 6 plays of over 40+ yards. Along with Jackson is the rising rookie, Jeremy Maclin. He has quickly stepped in for the injury plagued Kevin Curtis, and has provided the Eagles with another speedy playmaker.

(The Landry Hat note: I think Maclin has a chance to win rookie of the year)

The Eagles will look to get Jackson and Maclin on deep crossing routes against a weak secondary in Dallas, and if those two are covered, McNabb will drop it off to their Tight End, Brent Celek.

(The Landry Hat note: I wouldn’t necessarily call our secondary “weak.” It’s actually a decent, above average secondary that can cause problems for a pass-happy Eagles team.)

The offense has revolved around a pass-heavy style, with occasional runs mixed in. Brian Westbrook will hopefully suit up against Dallas this weekend. If Westbrook is held out, then the Eagles will turn to their other rookie, LeSean McCoy. Overall, the Eagles’ offense is built on young, talented playmakers, and if the Cowboys can prevent the big plays that the Eagles rely on, then this game will come down to the defense.

Moving across the line of scrimmage, I will now breakdown the Eagles’ defense. Under new Defensive Coordinator Sean McDermott, the Eagles’ D has played pretty well as of lately. The new acquisition of former Rams Linebacker Will Witherspoon has paid off greatly. He is a great player, and is fitting in nicely at the Middle Linebacker position. Alongside Witherspoon is Akeem Jordan, Omar Gaither, and Chris Gocong.

Unfortunately, Gocong is suffering from a quad injury, and if he is unavailable to go, rookie Moise Fokou will fill in for him. The Linebackers will need to be able to contain the playmakers at Running Back for Dallas (Marion Barber, Felix Jones, and Tashard Choice). Tight End Jason Witten is probably salivating with this weekend’s matchup, as the Eagles have allowed for Tight Ends to have huge days. Up front, the Eagles have a solid defensive line. Led by Trent Cole, who has 6.5 sacks already, the Eagles will need their two big tackles to clog the middle, Mike Patterson and Broderick Bunkley. Similar to Jim Johnson’s defense, McDermott will look to disguise the blitz packages, and force Tony Romo into bad throws. The players who are hoping to benefit from Romo’s mistakes are the cornerbacks, Asante Samuel and Sheldon Brown.

Samuel is one of the league’s best ball hawks, but he is a very poor tackler. Brown is a great cover corner, and a terrific open field tackler (just ask Reggie Bush). The Eagles have incorporated a new variation in the secondary, using Quentin Demps as a “centerfielder”, in hopes of eliminating the deep ball that Romo has loved to throw to Miles Austin. The defense will have to get pressure on Tony Romo, as well as contain Jason Witten and Felix Jones.
The game will be a great watch for any NFL fan. I hope you all enjoyed my insight on the Eagles, and I hate to say it, but I am glad to help out “The Landry Hat”. Feel free to come check out the Eagles blog I am associated with, like they say, “Keep your friends close, but your enemies closer.”