Who isn’t excited for the showdown on Sunday night?
The Dallas Cowboys and Philadelphia Eagles are two franchises that despise one another, which always makes for quality television, as well as a good game too. Yet, let’s not forget the last time these two teams met in December of 2008, which was a complete blowout and hardly a game Cowboys fans want to remember.
Losing to their most hated rival 44-6 on the final weekend of the season clearly was not a happy ending or cherry on top of a topsy-turvy 2008 season. For the Cowboys that game has been erased from their minds and currently the squad focused on the 3-game winning streak that has them at the top of the NFC East standings.
Ever since Tony Romo as been at the helm, the Cowboys are 11-1 in November, which includes a win against the Eagles in Philadelphia in 2007. This game means more for to the ‘Boys than the Eagles, especially with all the hype that surrounded this team last season and the scrutiny they continue to receive on a weekly basis.
Sunday Night Football
Dallas Cowboys (5-2) at Philadelphia Eagles (5-2)
- Dallas-Philadelphia Date: Sunday, Nov 8th
- Dallas-Philadelphia Kickoff Time: 8:20 pm
- Dallas-Philadelphia TV Network: NBC
- Dallas-Philadelphia Announcers: Al Michaels and Cris Collinsworth
- Dallas-Philadelphia Point Spread: Eagles -3 (as of Saturday morning)
- Dallas-Philadelphia Over-Under: 50.5 (as of Saturday morning)
- Dallas-Philadelphia Spread Pick by Jerod: What a terrific game this should be. Philadelphia has rebounded from their Oakland loss to beat Washington despite playing an uneven game and then beating the Giants in a rout. Dallas, meanwhile, has quietly reasserted itself as a team to be reckoned with. The Cowboys, I believe, have actually been playing more consistent football than Philadelphia, and I think they will be out to avenge to last season’s shellacking at the end of the regular season. I think Dallas has a great chance to win this game outright, and I think they at least cover the three. Cowboys-Eagles free pick: Cowboys +3
- Dallas Sports Fans: Cowboys-Eagles Preview
4th and Short NFL Picks Podcast
Jerod and Myles discuss Week 9 of the 2009 NFL schedule
[Note: All MSF podcasts are available for free at iTunes. Intro and outro music provided by Indy's own Henry French and the Shameless.]
As for the Eagles, their win last week against the New York Giants was clearly a message sent to the entire league of how scary they can be when all cylinders are working.
Having Donovan McNabb behind center, a healthy Brian Westbrook, as well as a great receiving corps featuring DeSean Jackson, Brent Celek, and Jeremy Maclin, will certainly make things tough on the Dallas D. Putting pressure on McNabb is something the Cowboys must continue to do, which has been an ongoing theme that occurred against the Kansas City Chiefs, Atlanta Falcons, and Seattle Seahawks.
However, don’t sleep on this Eagles defense that has sacked their opponents quarterback 23 times, forced 8 fumbles, and has intercepted 14 passes.
This game should clearly live up to the hype, as well as feature some great plays, with both offenses stretching the field. Conversely, we should also see some terrific defense too.
Playing at home with a great home crowd will come in handy for the Eagles, which is why I believe the Eagles should indeed capture this contest, as well as take control of the NFC East. The Cowboys, however, will put up a good fight, with the only two question marks being whether or not Romo and the defense bring their A-game.
If so, then this game belongs to the Cowboys. And I think that’s what we will see.
Dallas-Philadelphia Prediction: Dallas Cowboys 31 – Philadelphia Eagles 26
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* – Tony Romo photo credit: Silent Archimedes
* – Donovan McNabb photo credit: ReceivingMe.com
