Intriguing Game- Week 11
Philadelphia Eagles at Dallas Cowboys
Eagles: Seven wins in a row and counting. That’s where they stand right now. When they last lost a game, it was to the Kansas City Chiefs in week two and since then, they’ve been rolling. Early on in the winning streak, I was still trying to buy into them and I was sold after they beat up on Carolina and intercepted Cam Newton three times. What’s not to like about this football team? From an offensive standpoint, they can run it and have a nice two-headed monster in LeGarrette Blount and Jay Ajayi who was acquired from the Dolphins and he should fit in perfectly, they have a nice receiving core in Torrey Smith, Alshon Jeffery, Nelson Agholor and I can’t forget the guy that really makes this engine run in Zach Ertz and more people are starting to take notice of him. I think he’s a top-five tight end and he’s a reliable target for the quarterback. Now, let’s talk about Carson Wentz, the guy that has been so impressive this year and has the Eagles inching closer to a division title for the first time since 2013. This kid plays with a lot of toughness both physical and mental and makes everyone around him better. When I say this is a complete Eagles team I’ve seen in quite some time, they’re getting the job done on both sides of the football. I love their front seven and how they’re able to rush the passer, stop the run, make a team one dimensional and the secondary is improved. With a win on Sunday night, they will be the first team to reach nine wins this season.
Cowboys: Everything that could go wrong did indeed happen last Sunday in Atlanta. They’re missing some key players. We all know about Ezekiel Elliott and his off the field issues. He won’t be back until mid-December as he’s suspended, Sean Lee was out with an injury which hurt them defensively because he makes all the difference when he’s on the field. A middle linebacker is the often considered to be the “quarterback of the defense” and they looked extremely lost and out of sync without him and they were also without Tyron Smith who’s battling a groin injury and when I look at all three of these players, Tyron maybe the most important of the three. The Cowboys have the best offensive line in the NFL today. They definitely didn’t look like that last week especially after giving up eight sacks in one game and six sacks to one guy in Adrian Clayborn. Tyron is their best offensive linemen and clearly their best pass protector. Their offense in general just couldn’t get anything going. Now, let’s talk about the positives. I’ve been so impressed with Dak Prescott and he has shown that he can make plays with the football in his hands and he’s definitely shown that he doesn’t have to rely on a running game to take pressure off of him and manage the game. As long as the Cowboys have him on the field, they are still in good shape. Prior to the loss last week to the Falcons, I was really impressed with their defense and the aggression they showed to make stops and get off the field on third down. It’s definitely been a much different year for Dallas in 2017, they’ve surpassed their loss total from 2016, but they are still in the race for the playoffs in the NFC and this is a big game for them with a surging Eagles team coming to town for a primetime battle at JerryWorld.
Eagles Player To Watch: Lane Johnson– When I watched their game against Denver two weeks ago, he was lined up against Von Miller and he handled his business against him. Tomorrow night, he will be facing DeMarcus Lawrence, the league leader in sacks with 11.5. This is definitely a battle worth watching.
Cowboys Player To Watch: Alfred Morris– Even with Zeke out, they still have to find a way to run the football and his number will be called early and often. He doesn’t have to try to be Elliott, he simply needs to be himself and get those yards to open up the passing game for Prescott and company.
Final Analysis: NFC East football is always special especially when it’s in primetime and that’s exactly what we’ll get on Sunday night. The Eagles simply need to play the football that’s won them eight games in a row and that’s showing the balance on offense, spreading the ball around to your receivers and the front seven being active early and often. The keys to the game for the Cowboys are to scheme things on your offensive line. Whoever is replacing Tyron Smith, help him out! Put a tight end or an additional offensive lineman on his side to help him because he won’t be able to block any of this Philly defenders by himself. It will be key for the Cowboys to stop Ajayi and Blount and bring the heat on Wentz with pressures and exotic blitzes.
Prediction: Eagles 34 Cowboys 24
