Semi-coherent Philadelphia Eagles vs. Dallas Cowboys preview: The one where they try to sweep the Cowboys

Last week’s loss to the Seahawks showed that the Eagles have some work to do before they can be considered among the elite of the NFL.

But that’s a concern for another day. The Eagles can’t worry about how they match up against the best in the league. They need to worry about just making the playoffs.

Fortunately, their path to the playoffs is clear: They have three games remaining on the schedule. All three are against divisional opponents who they’ve already beaten. If they beat them again, the NFC East title is theirs.

Of course, beating a team once doesn’t necessarily mean they’ll beat them again. So just because the Eagles had their way with the Cowboys in the first meeting, it doesn’t mean that this week’s game will be easy.

Dallas Cowboys

Record: 9-4 (6-0 road)

Head coach: Jason Garrett (38-31 with Cowboys)

Last week: Defeated Bears 41-28

The last time they met

You don’t remember? It was only two weeks ago!

Nov 27, 2014; Arlington, TX, USA; Philadelphia Eagles running back LeSean McCoy (25) runs with the ball for a third quarter touchdown against the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports

On Thanksgiving, the Eagles took the ball on the opening drive and ran it right down the Cowboys’ throats. The Cowboys looked unable to stop LeSean McCoy or Darren Sproles, and that allowed Mark Sanchez to succeed in more of a “game manager” role.

As good as the offense looked, The Eagles’ defense was possibly more impressive. Their pass rush was ferocious, and they didn’t allow the Cowboys to get much of anything going.

As decisive as the 33-10 score sounds, the Eagles actually squandered a bunch of potential points. They had several drives die in the red zone and had to settle for field goals.

What’s new with the Cowboys

Playing their second consecutive Thursday game, the Cowboys quickly rebounded from the Thanksgiving loss. They easily defeated the Bears by a score of 41-28.

Dec 4, 2014; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bears defensive tackle Brandon Dunn (98) tries to pull the ball from Dallas Cowboys running back DeMarco Murray (29) during the second half at Soldier Field. Dallas won 41-28. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports

This is not an impressive feat in itself as the Bears are a train wreck. On the other hand, it shows that the Cowboys didn’t get down on themselves after losing to the Eagles.

DeMarco Murray had another big game against the Bears, which raises the question: Did he just have a bad day against the Eagles, or is the Eagles’ run defense that good? Considering that other top backs (like Marshawn Lynch) have had tough games against the Eagles, I’m leaning towards the latter.

The Cowboys will enjoy the benefit of three extra days of rest for this game. For some reason, Cowboys fans claimed that the short rest hindered them in the first matchup. They’ll have no excuses this time around.

Featured Cowboys player: Tony Romo

Is Tony Romo a superstar, or is he an overpaid and overrated choke artist? You’d think that by this point in his career, we’d have a definitive answer to that question.

Dec 4, 2014; Chicago, IL, USA; Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo (9) throws a pass during the second quarter against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports

His history against the Eagles doesn’t provide much of an answer. He’s had huge games against them, but has also mixed in his share of stinkers.

The Thanksgiving game falls into the “stinker” category. Supposedly, the short week hindered him, as it didn’t give his injured back enough time to recover.

But the Eagles didn’t make things easy on him either. They hit him early and often, and on a couple of plays, Romo just sort of crumpled to the ground rather than take a hit.

With the extended rest, I expect Romo to look a little better this week. At the very least, he should show more of his usual elusiveness in the pocket.

Reason to hate the Cowboys

Apparently, Cowboys fans are convinced that the Thanksgiving game was a fluke. They’re convinced that despite the one-sidedness of that matchup, this week’s game will be much different.

It seems that a big win over a callow Bears team (combined with the Eagles’ loss to a Seahawks team that is playing very well) has allowed their fans to erase Thanksgiving from their memories.

Then again, it seems that most Cowboys fans think that the team’s past (and we’re starting to get WAY in the past) Super Bowl wins somehow give them an edge in all future matchups?

Key Eagles storyline: Hanging with Mr. Cooper?

Riley Cooper has been the recipient of a lot of criticism lately. And it’s tough to say that most of it isn’t merited.

The team chose to give him a sizable contract in the offseason, while cutting ties with the much more talented DeSean Jackson. Supposedly, a big part of that was because Cooper fits in with the Chip Kelly culture, while Jackson did not. (So isn’t it a bit curious that Cooper doesn’t seem to always get along with his teammates?)

Riley Cooper. Image Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Cooper is a skilled downfield blocker, but aside from that, he’s not a particularly good receiver. He had one excellent three-game stretch last season, but aside from that, he hasn’t put up the numbers you’d expect from a starting receiver.

If Cooper’s only real plus skill is blocking, wouldn’t it make sense to play Zach Ertz more? In theory, a tight end would be a better blocker, and it seems obvious that Ertz is a superior receiver.

While Cooper and Ertz aren’t interchangeable, perhaps they could use more two tight end sets, and play Jordan Matthews in Cooper’s place?

For whatever reason, the coaching staff seems to really like Cooper so this likely isn’t a change we’re going to see this season.

Foles vs. Sanchez

The Seahawks game should have confirmed that the Eagles will not be winning a Super Bowl with Sanchez at the helm. At some point during a playoff run, a team will need their quarterback to make plays against a good defense. I don’t know if Sanchez is capable of making those plays.

It’s not clear if Nick Foles can do so either, but if I had to pick one of them, I’d go with Foles.

What do the Eagles do if Foles is ready to come back in the next two weeks? My gut says they would make Foles the starter, although a big game from Sanchez this week could change my opinion.

The Week in Andy

Although Andy Reid is no longer the coach of the Eagles, I’m sure many fans miss the guy. Therefore, every so often, I’ll take a look at what “Big Red” is up to in Kansas City.

The scene: Chiefs General manager John Dorsey enters Reid’s office.

Dorsey: Hey, Andy. I gotta tell you, I’m feeling nervous.

Reid: Why’s that?

Dec 7, 2014; Glendale, AZ, USA; Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid reacts as he walks off the field following the game against the Arizona Cardinals at University of Phoenix Stadium. The Cardinals defeated the Chiefs 17-14. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Dorsey: Because we’re on a three game losing streak!

Reid: Are we?

Dorsey: (Stares silently for a few seconds) Yes. Last week’s loss to the Cardinals was our third loss in a row.

Reid: Huh. Didn’t seem like that many.

Dorsey: So do you have any ideas how to get our offense going this week?

Reid: You know my philosophy. We just gotta keep firing.

Dorsey: Don’t you think it might be time to readjust things a little?

Reid: Readjustments are for the offseason or bye weeks. We just gotta stay with what got us here.

Dorsey: What got us to a three-game losing streak?

Reid: Yep. Stay the course. That’s what I always say.

Dorsey: I appreciate your persistence, but don’t you feel maybe, just maybe a change is in store?

Reid: I have confidence the passing game is going to turn around soon.

Dorsey: I wish I shared your confidence. But our receivers are the worst in the league.

Reid: Hey now. There’s no room for those kind of judgements.

Dorsey: It’s not a judgement. It’s what the statistics say!

Reid: Well, you can use statistics to prove anything.

Dorsey: But have you seen these guys play? Dwayne Bowe and Jason Avant aren’t exactly striking fear into opposing defenses.

Reid: Obviously I have no idea who you’re talking about without consulting my binders. But I’m sure those guys will be fine.

Dorsey: Listen, Alex Smith is our quarterback and Jamaal Charles is our running back! There’s no way we should be a pass-based offense!

Reid: Heh. People used to say the same thing in Philly. (In whiny, mocking voice) Your receivers are awful! Stop passing so much!

Dorsey: Well they kind of had a point, didn’t they?

Reid: I don’t know. Didn’t we win a few Super Bowls or something?

Dorsey: No. No you didn’t.

Reid: Oh. Well, it seems like we probably should have.

Dorsey: You can say that again.

Disney song that relates to this week’s game

The Cowboys are much like the antagonist of Disney’s classic movie “Beauty and the Beast.” They’re both full of bluster, and have a lot of fans based on past accomplishments. Yet, it seems that whenever a tough situation arises, they shrink from the challenge.

Yes, the Cowboys bear more than a few similarities to “Gaston.”

Prediction

The Eagles looked like the far superior team on Thanksgiving, and I don’t see any reason why that won’t be the case again on Sunday.

The Cowboys still won’t be able to stop the Eagles’ running game, while the Eagles should be able to keep DeMarco Murray at bay.

I think Romo will play better than he did last time. But that still won’t be enough to win.

Eagles 34 – Cowboys 20