Cowboys vs. Eagles: Division tiebreaker on the line

Must-win is a recurring theme in Frisco, TX these days. Despite recent success, the upstart Dallas Cowboys are now facing a can’t lose matchup.

Four straight wins. Knocked off the vaunted Saints offense. Dallas Cowboys fans are feeling good as they should be. Except with a loss to the Philadelphia Eagles this weekend. Let’s paint a bleak scenario…

Philadelphia wins on Sunday. Let’s say they even lose a game down the stretch at the Rams a week later. Folks, the first tiebreaker is division record and nothing else matters.

As strange as it sounds, with a win on Sunday the Eagles will own a 4-1 division record. Match that against the 3-2 Cowboys division record and it’s tough luck if there’s a tie.

Take a look at the records. Assuming the Eagles redeem themselves Sunday, then win two of their last three, and the Cowboys fall a win short from perfect from then on.

PHILADELPHIA 9-7 (5-1 NFC East)

DALLAS 9-7 (4-2 NFC East)

The sad truth is Philadelphia won’t lose their last division game to the Mark Sanchez led Redskins.  The only team that can shut them down is the Dallas Cowboys.

The second-ranked defense in the NFL has to own this show at home. Linebackers Leighton Vander Esch, Jaylon Smith and heck even cornerback Anthony Brown have got to keep it up for one more crucial game. 9-7 the right way was not a joke.

This is the postseason, this game means everything, we rest on Monday with a win. Or we’ll be sitting on our hands two weeks from now just hoping those Texans across the state can do the job we failed to do this Sunday.

No one expected this Cowboys team to come alive this season. It’s time to ground the Eagles on Sunday and serve notice we are here to win and not just show up for a photo-op. Cowboy Up!