(Video/Slideshow) Five keys to the Eagles beating the Cowboys
By Tim Kelly
Can the Eagles force Tyron Smith into mistakes? Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports
The Eagles defensive line needs to get pressure on Tony Romo
Partly due to his health and partly due to the fact that DeMarco Murray has taken some of the pressure off of him, Tony Romo hasn’t been as impressive in 2014 as he was in 2013. Still, he helped lead a game-winning drive against the Giants when the Cowboys needed him to, because he had forever in the pocket. That can’t happen this game.
The Eagles defensive-line, led by Fletcher Cox’s breakout season, has been a surprisingly effective unit this year. Their biggest slip-up came two weeks ago in Lambeau Field, when they didn’t get pressure on Aaron Rodgers, who shredded the rest of their defense, specifically on third-down. Their most impressive game, granted Eli Manning isn’t Aaron Rodgers, came in their Sunday Night Football 27-0 win over the Giants earlier this year, when Eli Manning was under distress nearly every play. The defensive-line isn’t going to ‘expose’ the Cowboys offensive line the way that they did to the Giants, but putting Romo under pressure and potentially forcing a turnover or two, could sway the results of this game.