(Video/Slideshow) Five keys to the Eagles beating the Cowboys

Mark Sanchez leads the Eagles into Dallas for a Thanksgiving dinner showdown. Mandatory Credit: Derik Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports

Mark Sanchez needs to get rid of the ball quicker

Part of what turned some eyes in Mark Sanchez’s performances against the Texans and Panthers, was that the offense seemed to be moving quicker and even more efficiently than it was with Nick Foles at the helm. A big reason for that was Mark Sanchez was getting the ball out of his hands quicker than Foles was, and allowing his receivers to make plays after the catch. What he was doing through those two games was the definition of taking what the defense gave him. And really, the Eagles are probably best served with him doing that, and then occasionally hitting someone who is wide-open downfield. You may not win a championship like that, but you at least hold things over and allow your elite running-game to win the game for you.

The past two games, Sanchez has began to hold the ball more. As I highlighted in my

Analyzing the Sanchize article

, Sanchez’s second pick was a product of him holding onto the ball too long, getting pressured and trying to force a throw against his body, which he ultimately sailed into the arms of Daimion Stafford. Fortunately, the Eagles were playing a Titans team that will be picking in the top five of next year’s draft. But if Sanchez throws two picks against Dallas, the Eagles are extremely unlikely to avoid getting blown-out, let alone win the game. Sanchez can avoid those picks by getting rid of the ball quicker and cutting his losses and just taking a sack when he doesn’t, rather than forcing a throw.