NFC East Rivals Meet Again Sunday In Philly
Will Parchman
DallasCowboys.com Staff Writer (& DCFU Member)
October 6, 2006 6:29 PM
GAME SET
WHAT: Dallas Cowboys (2-1) vs. Philadelphia Eagles (3-1)
WHEN: Sunday, 3:15 p.m. (CDT)
WHERE: Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia
TELEVISION: Fox (Joe Buck and Troy Aikman)
Big Issue
Cowboys: Terrell Owens' return to Philadelphia was one of the earliest markers on the Cowboys' schedule. Owens will be returning to the place he called home for two years of his football life, making a name for himself and an even bigger reputation. It will be Owens' impact on the field, however, that interests the Cowboys. Owens appears to be the healthiest he's been since straining his hamstring in training camp, and that could mean bad news for the NFL's 28th-ranked pass defense.
Eagles: The Eagles were bitten hard by the injury bug in 2005, and it appears it could be an issue yet again in Week 5 against the Cowboys. Two of the Eagles' biggest offensive producers, running back Brian Westbrook and wide receiver Donte Stallworth, have not practiced all week. Stallworth is the Eagles' leading receiver and Westbrook their leading rusher and the NFL's leading scorer among non-kickers. Even if Westbrook and Stallworth find their way onto the field Sunday, they likely won't be 100 percent, which benefits the Cowboys' athletic defense.
The Numbers Game
Dallas: The Cowboys' inconsistent rushing game from a year ago appears to have disappeared so far this season. The Cowboys have the fifth-ranked rushing offense in the NFL with 147.7 yards per game, quite an improvement from the 81.4 they were averaging this time last year. With Marion Barber successfully complementing Julius Jones' quickness and the offensive line's dependability so far, the running game is turning into a viable threat.
Philadelphia: The Eagles are second in the league with 16 sacks, but 13 of those sacks came in the first two games with defensive end Jevon Kearse on the field. But since Kearse's season-ending knee injury, the Eagles have been limited to just three sacks in the past two games, all three against San Francisco. And while the Eagles have these big sack numbers, they also are giving up huge passing yards, their 244 yards a game ranking 28th in the league. Second-year defensive end Trent Cole leads the team with five sacks, but only has one since Kearse went down.
One On One
Solid linebackers have been a lynchpin of Bill Parcells' defenses of the past, and it appears the 2006 Cowboys are not lacking in this department either. However, they will face their toughest challenge at quarterback in Donovan McNabb. Cowboys inside linebacker Bradie James, the emergent leader of the Cowboys' linebacking corps, is second on the team in tackles and will have to play an integral role in slowing down McNabb, especially on the ground. McNabb has rushed for 86 yards in four games this year, 31 more than he rushed for all of last year's injury-riddled season. James, along with fellow inside backer Akin Ayodele, must make sure McNabb doesn't have room to roam.
In the Eagles' first game against the Cowboys in 2005, also a Week 5 match-up, Eagles 2004 Pro Bowl corner Lito Sheppard was locked up most of the game in man coverage on Cowboys wide receiver Terry Glenn. But Glenn has seven receptions for 117 yards and two touchdowns on Sheppard. Now Sheppard has been out with a badly sprained ankle, and has not played since the opener. If the Eagles choose to double Owens, then chances are they will again try to lock up Glenn with Sheppard.
Supporting Role
Teams playing a 3-4 defensive certainly need depth up front, and the guy supplying that in multiple roles has been 2005 seventh-round draft pick Jay Ratliff. The 6-foot-4, 305-pound defensive lineman actually leads the team with two sacks. Ratliff plays a little backup defensive end and then comes in on the team's four-man front nickel defense as one of the pass-rushing defensive tackles. The Cowboys rank eighth in sacks per play with nine, and being able to rotate in several defensive linemen throughout the course of the game has been invaluable to the NFL's fifth-ranked defense.
With the exception of rolling the dice two years ago on Terrell Owens, the Eagles have relied on lesser-known receivers who don't necessarily break the bank, and this year seems to be no exception. Reggie Brown and Greg Lewis have had serviceable careers in Philadelphia, but likely will be counted on for bigger roles against the Cowboys with Stallworth listed as doubtful to play in this game and Westbrook still listed as questionable. Lewis certainly stepped up this past Monday night, catching touchdown passes of 45 and 30 yards. If Stallworth can't play, Lewis instantly becomes the Eagles' deep threat.
Headset Games
Cowboys: While most everyone will be concentrating on what Owens does, the Cowboys' ability to run the ball on the Eagles just might be the deciding factor in this year. Last year in the Week 5 game, Cowboys running back Julius Jones rushed for 72 yards, finishing with a 4.5-yard average before leaving early with a high ankle sprain. The Cowboys won the game, 33-10. But the second time around, with Jones' ankle injury lingering, he gained just 16 yards on eight carries and backfield mate Marion Barber didn't fare much better, rushing for 46 yards on 13 carries. The Cowboys needed a late-game interception return for a touchdown by Roy Williams to survive, 21-20. When the Eagles disrupted the Cowboys' running, they had success getting to Bledsoe (no sacks in Week 5, two in Week 10). No doubt the Cowboys will want to establish their running game.
Eagles: Only one thing is certain in defensive coordinator Jim Johnson's dangerously unpredictable defense: He is going to blitz and blitz some more. Johnson's defenses are infamous for bringing plenty of stunts and edge blitzes from his linebackers, corners and nickel backs in the slot. This will be a big test for the Cowboys' seemingly improved offensive line. The Eagles know they can't allow Bledsoe to sit in the pocket all day, and likely will be forcing the issue with their patented array of blitzes.
Health Watch
Cowboys: Andre Gurode, listed as questionable, returned to practice Thursday and Friday after suffering the multiple facial lacerations thanks to Titans defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth ripping off his helmet and stomping on his head. Parcells said he expects Gurode to resume his starting role at center after missing just Wednesday's practice, and Gurode said on Friday he is good to go.
Eagles: Much like the Titans last week, the Eagles have a fairly full injury report. Cornerback Rod Hood (heel) and Stallworth (hamstring) are both doubtful and have failed to practice all week. Sheppard (ankle) and Westbrook (knee) have been listed as questionable all week, and while Sheppard has practiced all week, Westbrook has not practiced once. Brown (shoulder and quad) has been moved from questionable to probable. Also listed as probable are wide receiver Hank Baskett (shoulder), safety Sean Considine (hip and shoulder), running back Reno Mahe (ankle), linebacker Matt McCoy (stinger) and tight end L.J. Smith (shoulder).
DallasCowboys.com Staff Writer (& DCFU Member)
October 6, 2006 6:29 PM
GAME SET
WHAT: Dallas Cowboys (2-1) vs. Philadelphia Eagles (3-1)
WHEN: Sunday, 3:15 p.m. (CDT)
WHERE: Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia
TELEVISION: Fox (Joe Buck and Troy Aikman)
Big Issue
Cowboys: Terrell Owens' return to Philadelphia was one of the earliest markers on the Cowboys' schedule. Owens will be returning to the place he called home for two years of his football life, making a name for himself and an even bigger reputation. It will be Owens' impact on the field, however, that interests the Cowboys. Owens appears to be the healthiest he's been since straining his hamstring in training camp, and that could mean bad news for the NFL's 28th-ranked pass defense.
Eagles: The Eagles were bitten hard by the injury bug in 2005, and it appears it could be an issue yet again in Week 5 against the Cowboys. Two of the Eagles' biggest offensive producers, running back Brian Westbrook and wide receiver Donte Stallworth, have not practiced all week. Stallworth is the Eagles' leading receiver and Westbrook their leading rusher and the NFL's leading scorer among non-kickers. Even if Westbrook and Stallworth find their way onto the field Sunday, they likely won't be 100 percent, which benefits the Cowboys' athletic defense.
The Numbers Game
Dallas: The Cowboys' inconsistent rushing game from a year ago appears to have disappeared so far this season. The Cowboys have the fifth-ranked rushing offense in the NFL with 147.7 yards per game, quite an improvement from the 81.4 they were averaging this time last year. With Marion Barber successfully complementing Julius Jones' quickness and the offensive line's dependability so far, the running game is turning into a viable threat.
Philadelphia: The Eagles are second in the league with 16 sacks, but 13 of those sacks came in the first two games with defensive end Jevon Kearse on the field. But since Kearse's season-ending knee injury, the Eagles have been limited to just three sacks in the past two games, all three against San Francisco. And while the Eagles have these big sack numbers, they also are giving up huge passing yards, their 244 yards a game ranking 28th in the league. Second-year defensive end Trent Cole leads the team with five sacks, but only has one since Kearse went down.
One On One
Solid linebackers have been a lynchpin of Bill Parcells' defenses of the past, and it appears the 2006 Cowboys are not lacking in this department either. However, they will face their toughest challenge at quarterback in Donovan McNabb. Cowboys inside linebacker Bradie James, the emergent leader of the Cowboys' linebacking corps, is second on the team in tackles and will have to play an integral role in slowing down McNabb, especially on the ground. McNabb has rushed for 86 yards in four games this year, 31 more than he rushed for all of last year's injury-riddled season. James, along with fellow inside backer Akin Ayodele, must make sure McNabb doesn't have room to roam.
In the Eagles' first game against the Cowboys in 2005, also a Week 5 match-up, Eagles 2004 Pro Bowl corner Lito Sheppard was locked up most of the game in man coverage on Cowboys wide receiver Terry Glenn. But Glenn has seven receptions for 117 yards and two touchdowns on Sheppard. Now Sheppard has been out with a badly sprained ankle, and has not played since the opener. If the Eagles choose to double Owens, then chances are they will again try to lock up Glenn with Sheppard.
Supporting Role
Teams playing a 3-4 defensive certainly need depth up front, and the guy supplying that in multiple roles has been 2005 seventh-round draft pick Jay Ratliff. The 6-foot-4, 305-pound defensive lineman actually leads the team with two sacks. Ratliff plays a little backup defensive end and then comes in on the team's four-man front nickel defense as one of the pass-rushing defensive tackles. The Cowboys rank eighth in sacks per play with nine, and being able to rotate in several defensive linemen throughout the course of the game has been invaluable to the NFL's fifth-ranked defense.
With the exception of rolling the dice two years ago on Terrell Owens, the Eagles have relied on lesser-known receivers who don't necessarily break the bank, and this year seems to be no exception. Reggie Brown and Greg Lewis have had serviceable careers in Philadelphia, but likely will be counted on for bigger roles against the Cowboys with Stallworth listed as doubtful to play in this game and Westbrook still listed as questionable. Lewis certainly stepped up this past Monday night, catching touchdown passes of 45 and 30 yards. If Stallworth can't play, Lewis instantly becomes the Eagles' deep threat.
Headset Games
Cowboys: While most everyone will be concentrating on what Owens does, the Cowboys' ability to run the ball on the Eagles just might be the deciding factor in this year. Last year in the Week 5 game, Cowboys running back Julius Jones rushed for 72 yards, finishing with a 4.5-yard average before leaving early with a high ankle sprain. The Cowboys won the game, 33-10. But the second time around, with Jones' ankle injury lingering, he gained just 16 yards on eight carries and backfield mate Marion Barber didn't fare much better, rushing for 46 yards on 13 carries. The Cowboys needed a late-game interception return for a touchdown by Roy Williams to survive, 21-20. When the Eagles disrupted the Cowboys' running, they had success getting to Bledsoe (no sacks in Week 5, two in Week 10). No doubt the Cowboys will want to establish their running game.
Eagles: Only one thing is certain in defensive coordinator Jim Johnson's dangerously unpredictable defense: He is going to blitz and blitz some more. Johnson's defenses are infamous for bringing plenty of stunts and edge blitzes from his linebackers, corners and nickel backs in the slot. This will be a big test for the Cowboys' seemingly improved offensive line. The Eagles know they can't allow Bledsoe to sit in the pocket all day, and likely will be forcing the issue with their patented array of blitzes.
Health Watch
Cowboys: Andre Gurode, listed as questionable, returned to practice Thursday and Friday after suffering the multiple facial lacerations thanks to Titans defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth ripping off his helmet and stomping on his head. Parcells said he expects Gurode to resume his starting role at center after missing just Wednesday's practice, and Gurode said on Friday he is good to go.
Eagles: Much like the Titans last week, the Eagles have a fairly full injury report. Cornerback Rod Hood (heel) and Stallworth (hamstring) are both doubtful and have failed to practice all week. Sheppard (ankle) and Westbrook (knee) have been listed as questionable all week, and while Sheppard has practiced all week, Westbrook has not practiced once. Brown (shoulder and quad) has been moved from questionable to probable. Also listed as probable are wide receiver Hank Baskett (shoulder), safety Sean Considine (hip and shoulder), running back Reno Mahe (ankle), linebacker Matt McCoy (stinger) and tight end L.J. Smith (shoulder).
posted by The Gryphon at 10:43 AM
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