NFL Week 17: Dallas Cowboys vs. Philadelphia Eagles

The NFL Playoffs are on the line as the Dallas Cowboys travel to the hostile home of the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 17.

Cowboys vs. Eagles Overview:
Fans with Dallas Cowboys tickets hoped to see their team finish off the long history of Texas Stadium with a win and a sure playoff berth. Instead the Baltimore Ravens’ thundering defense crushed QB Tony Romo in a tough loss. The Philadelphia Eagles suffered a similar fate thanks to the Washington Redskins. These NFC East and historic rivals meet in Philadelphia to decide who will make it to the postseason and who will be left at home with a bag of popcorn. Fans with Dallas Cowboys tickets are hoping for a late Christmas present on Sunday.

Dallas Cowboys Offense:
Running-back duo Marion Barber and Tashard Choice has arrived as one of the better combinations in the NFL. Marion Barber runs with reckless abandon, and his kamikaze style puts a hurting on himself and opposing defenses alike. Fans with Dallas Cowboys tickets have also come to love speedy back Tashard Choice. The Dallas Cowboys offensive line is big enough to have its own gravitational pull, and their power rules the running game. QB Tony Romo, WR Terrell Owens, and TE Jason Witten are the next version of the “Triplets” in Dallas Cowboys history.

Dallas Cowboys Defense:
The Dallas Cowboys defense leads the NFL in sacks, and the 3-4 scheme has become almost unstoppable against most offensive lines. Dallas Cowboys tickets will feature OLB DeMarcus Ware, who has 20 sacks on the year and wants nothing more than to break the record against Donovan McNabb. OLBs Greg Ellis and Anthony Spencer also fly off the edge on passing downs. NT Jay Ratliff is going to the Pro Bowl because of his total rule of the line of scrimmage. ILBs Bradie James and Zach Thomas have combined for 200 total tackles. CBs Terrence Newman, Pacman Jones, and Anthony Henry are a solid secondary unit that fans with Dallas Cowboys tickets love to watch.

Philadelphia Eagles Offense:
Except for Adrian Peterson, no running back carries their team more than the Philadelphia Eagles’ Brian Westbrook. An excellent balance of speed and hands, no RB is more dangerous on the screen than Brian Westbrook. QB Donovan McNabb is one of the best in the NFL but really needs his WRs like Kevin Curtis and DeSean Jackson to help him make plays. OTs Jon Runyan and William Thomas form a solid tackle tandem that protects Donavan McNabb from the outside rush. The total package comes together to make the Philadelphia Eagles an incredibly balanced offense.

Philadelphia Eagles Defense:
The No. 3 overall defense of the Philadelphia Eagles excels at defending the pass and crushing the QB. Defensive coordinator Jim Johnson dials up blitzes from all levels of the defense and brings the house on any down or situation. DEs Trent Cole and Darren Howard get the lion’s share of the sacks, but pressure comes from the outside and the inside with great regularity. DTs Broderick Bunkley and Mike Patterson are a powerful combination in the middle and make the whole thing work. Asante Samuel, Quintin Mikell, Brian Dawkins, and Sheldon Brown are the best secondary in the NFL.

Dallas Cowboys Keys to Victory:

The Dallas Cowboys defeated the Philadelphia Eagles earlier in the year thanks to their passing game, and with Marion Barber nicked up, they will look to do the same. Fans with Dallas Cowboys tickets know that the key will be protecting Tony Romo from the blitz, especially after he got splattered in the game against the Baltimore Ravens. TE Jason Witten came up big in the first game and his ability to school safeties and linebackers will make blitzes harder for the Philadelphia Eagles. WR Terrell Owens will want nothing more than to destroy the Philadelphia Eagles’ playoff chances in their own home stadium.

Brian Westbrook hung three touchdowns on the Dallas Cowboys in their first meeting, and as the epicenter of the Philadelphia Eagles offense, stopping him will be a top priority. The Dallas Cowboys may have to tone down their blitzes from the outside to make sure Brian Westbrook does not beat them on the screen. Inside pressure will then need to be stepped up, especially against the porous Gs in the middle of the line. In order to stop the speed at the outside, the Dallas CBs need to jam the WRs at the line of scrimmage, and fans with Dallas Cowboys tickets are well aware of this.

Philadelphia Eagles Keys to Victory:
Fans with Dallas Cowboys tickets are used to their defense winning games with blitzes, but the heavy pressure could be the team’s undoing against the Philadelphia Eagles. The screen pass to Brian Westbrook will take perfect advantage of the commitment up field and will turn it against the Dallas Cowboys. If the Dallas Cowboys back off their blitzers, then Brian Westbrook can get a good amount of yards on the ground. A strong screen attack that slows down the rush will also give Donovan McNabb time in the pocket. The Philadelphia Eagles WRs have to cut down on their drops.

The Philadelphia Eagles defense did not register a sack on Tony Romo in their first meeting, and the lack of real pressure was a big reason that the Dallas Cowboys walked away with a win. Knowing that and seeing how the Baltimore Ravens were able to consistently get after Tony Romo, the Philadelphia Eagles will look to bring an increased variety of camouflaged blitzes in order to keep the high-powered Dallas Cowboys offense under control. The injury to Marion Barber also means that the defense will be spared some of the punishment he usually inflicts on the front seven.

Cowboys vs. Eagles Outlook:
Tensions are always high and both teams are chippy when the Dallas Cowboys meet the Philadelphia Eagles. The added stress of a playoff shot will make the game that much more intense. Terrell Owens returning to Philadelphia always elicits a powerful reaction from the crowd. Fans with Philadelphia Eagles vs. Dallas Cowboys tickets will be a part of one of the most vibrant crowds in the NFL.

In spite of the crowd and the frigid weather, the Dallas Cowboys have a slight advantage going into Lincoln Financial Field. Consistency is key, especially in the passing game. Donovan McNabb is a great QB, but his WRs have constantly let him down all season, and there is no reason this should change. Tony Romo on the other hand has multiple targets to hit, all of which have proven their ability in the clutch. The last meeting was a 41-37 shootout, and fans with Philadelphia Eagles vs. Dallas Cowboys tickets should expect another barnburner in favor of America’s Team.