Semi-coherent Philadelphia Eagles vs. Dallas Cowboys preview: The one where the Eagles play on Thanksgiving!

When the NFL schedule was released, most Eagles fans were excited to learn that the Eagles would be playing the Cowboys on Thanksgiving. It’s always a big deal when the Eagles take on the Cowboys, and considering that this matchup hasn’t taken place on Thanksgiving in 25 years, it seemed like a really big deal.

When the game was first announced, I think most of us had different expectations for this game. The Cowboys weren’t expected to be good this season, so it was easy to envision watching the Eagles running up the score as we enjoyed our third helping of stuffing.

Instead, with the teams tied for first place, this game looms as a hugely important contest; one that will go a long way towards determining who wins the NFC East.

Dallas Cowboys

Record: 8-3 (3-3 home)

Head coach: Jason Garrett (37-30 career record)

Last week: Defeated New York Giants 31-28

The last time they met

The 2013 week 17 game between these teams served as the “NFC East Championship Game.” The winner would win the East and earn a spot in the NFL playoffs, while the loser would go home.

Dec 29, 2013; Arlington, TX, USA; Philadelphia Eagles cornerback

(22) celebrates with his teammates on the field after making an interception in the fourth quarter against the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium. The Eagle beat the Cowboys 24-22. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports

The Cowboys were missing starting quarterback Tony Romo, but despite his absence, they didn’t simply roll over. Backup Kyle Orton played well and kept the Cowboys in the game.

Late in the fourth quarter, Dez Bryant caught a touchdown pass to get the game within two points. When the Eagles were unable to run out the clock, the Cowboys had enough time to mount a final drive.

That drive didn’t last very long. On the very first play, Brandon Boykin intercepted the ball, propelling the Eagles into the playoffs, and giving the Cowboys their third consecutive 8-8 finish.

What’s the deal with the Cowboys

As mentioned earlier, the Cowboys have been one of the major surprises in the NFL this season. Thanks to one of the best offensive lines in the league, the Cowboys are second in the NFL in rushing yards.

Nov 23, 2014; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; Dallas Cowboys quarterback

(9) gestures against the New York Giants during the second quarter at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports

Meanwhile, quarterback Tony Romo is having one of his best seasons. After he suffered a back injury in 2013, many people wondered if Romo was near the end of his career. But with 22 touchdown passes and only six interceptions, he’s looked as healthy as ever.

It has probably helped that he hasn’t had to carry the offense as much as in past seasons. Romo has traditionally put up big numbers, but when too much of the offensive burden falls on his shoulders, his decision-making tends to decline.

The strong rushing game has also helped limit the exposure of the defense. Most people thought that after losing Sean Lee and DeMarcus Ware from last year’s team, the Cowboys wouldn’t be able to stop anyone.

And while nobody is going to start mentioning them among the top defensive units in the league, they’ve been far from a disaster. They’ve had a habit of simply giving up fewer points than their offense can score.

Featured Cowboys player: DeMarco Murray

It wasn’t that long ago that DeMarco Murray‘s production this season would have had him in line for a massive pay day. The NFL used to be a running-back centric league, and a workhorse back like Murray would be poised to receive a lucrative contract offer.

Nov 2, 2014; Arlington, TX, USA; Dallas Cowboys running back DeMarco Murray (29) runs with the ball against Arizona Cardinals defensive tackle

(72) at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports

But in the modern NFL where passing is king, Murray’s future is in doubt. Teams rarely pay big money to running backs these days, and Murray’s prolific season might actually be working against him.

Teams may be wary that he’s had too heavy of a workload this season, and his best days are behind him. So why pay big money for Murray, when they can probably get a similar level of production from a mid-round draft pick?

Regardless of his future, Murray is having a superb season. With 1,354 yards, Murray is more than 400 yards ahead of the next highest competitor for the rushing title.

If the Cowboys reach the playoffs, Murray might be a dark horse candidate for league MVP.

Reason to hate the Cowboys

You mean aside from the fact that their fans are mostly delusional idiots who think that people still care that the team won Super Bowls twenty years ago?

Just check out this tweet:

Sadly, this guy is pretty representative of the Cowboys’ fan base.

Key Eagles storyline: Pressuring Romo

History has shown that if Tony Romo gets off to a good start, he tends to play well through the entire game. Therefore, it is imperative that the Eagles get pressure on him early.

In their last road game, the Eagles generated almost no pass rush, and the result was a huge game from Aaron Rodgers. They’ll need to do a better job against the Cowboys.

If Romo is given ample time and can settle into a groove, we might have to watch Bradley Fletcher attempt to follow Dez Bryant around the field. And that’s a matchup that likely won’t go the Eagles’ way.

Remembering the Bounty Bowl

The Eagles played on Thanksgiving night just six years ago, so the concept of the Eagles playing on Thanksgiving isn’t a complete novelty. But many fans may not remember the last time they went against the Cowboys on turkey day.

. Image Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Honestly, I wasn’t paying much attention to the game at the time. Due to my youth, I didn’t care all that much about football back then, but I do remember my father and uncle being excited about it.

As you’ve probably heard, that game was made famous because Eagles coach Buddy Ryan supposedly put a bounty out on Cowboys kicker Luis Zendejas, a former Eagle who had rubbed Ryan the wrong way.

Sure enough, Eagles linebacker Jessie Small leveled Zendejas on a kickoff return, giving the kicker a concussion. (Can you imagine if this happened today? There would be SO many fines.)

Afterwards, Cowboys coach Jimmy Johnson complained bitterly, but maybe he should have been happy. As Ryan happily pointed out, Zendejas was struggling, so his absence might have helped the Cowboys.

Plus, it distracted everyone from how much the Eagles dominated the Cowboys in that game. The end result was a 27-0 shellacking where the outcome was never in doubt.

Disney song that relates to this week’s game

Depending on when you traditionally eat your Thanksgiving meal, you might be finished with dinner by the time the game starts. But if your family starts dinner on the later side, you might be feeling a bit “Rumbly in my Tumbly” at kickoff time.

Sanchez vs. Foles

Mark Sanchez just can’t seem to help himself.

It will seem like he’s running the Eagles offense to perfection. The offense will be moving efficiently down the field. Along the way, Sanchez will make a few beautiful throws that make you understand why he was a high draft pick at one point.

And then he’ll follow it up with a “what the heck was that?” throw that make you question how this guy has lasted this long in the NFL.

Prediction

Had the Cowboys lost to the Giants on Sunday night (and they came close), this game would have been an absolute must-win for them. But even though their victory on Sunday gives them some breathing room, I think that if the Cowboys want to win the NFC East, they need to win this game.

The Cowboys offense has looked good this season. If the Eagles still had DeMeco Ryans, I’d feel confident in the Eagles ability to slow them down. But after seeing what Aaron Rodgers and the Packers did two weeks ago, the Cowboys will likely be able to score a lot of points.

In theory, the Eagles should be able to score some points of their own. LeSean McCoy could have a big day, and Mark Sanchez has shown he can drive the offense down the field if he can limit his mistakes.

Unfortunately, I don’t think this is the week when Sanchez learns to limit his mistakes. With the Eagles needing every point they can muster, one of those mistakes will cost them.

Cowboys 38 – Eagles 33