With Philly fears overcome, focus can turn to Giants
by Frank Luska
Knowing that the Dallas Cowboys are headed for Philadelphia always makes me wary and nervous on their behalf. I have reasons to be fearful because I've watched generations of Cowboys victimized there by weird events that don't happen anywhere else.
Such was my jittery mind-set before the Cowboys met the Eagles again Sunday night at Lincoln Financial Field. The site doesn't matter since the Cowboys have lost to lesser Philly teams since the '60s in cramped Franklin Field and dumpy Veterans Stadium.
The setup on Sunday night looked familiar. Cowboys were a rare 3-point favorite in a city where they sported a 1-6 record since 2000 and have lost 11 of 14 overall to the Eagles. The favorite's role was often a prelude for pro-Eagles events that go bump in the night, and as often in daylight. For example:
■ The Eagles once made five first downs and won anyway by returning two kickoffs and one punt for touchdowns. Tim Brown set an opponent record of 247 yards in combined kick returns against special teams that were not coached much longer by the same assistant.
■ Joe Lavender secured another opponent record – the longest fumble return (96 yards) that broke a fourth-quarter tie. A potential 7-point Dallas lead became a 7-point defeat.
■ Buddy Ryan ordered a fake kneel down and long pass to score a rub-it-in touchdown against already well-beaten Tom Landry. It was the equivalent of firing a machine gun on helpless lifeboats.
■ Troy Aikman survived 11 sacks, most ever by a Cowboys quarterback. Aikman did not buy Christmas presents for the offensive line that year.
■ Roger Staubach was a mysterious KO victim until post-game film revealed he'd been sucker-punched senseless by defensive end Mel Tom during an interception runback. Staubach said he'd like to duke it out privately with the 6-6 Tom, at least until his threat was published.
■ Jimmy Johnson was pelted with snowballs (batteries included) by Philly's marginally civilized fans. Johnson's hair stood firm against the assault.
Hence these memories reminded that something spooky intrudes when the Cowboys visit the Eagles. This time it didn't unless you wish to classify how the Cowboys played as eerily without much fault. A 38-17 romp kept them atop the NFC East with a 7-1 record.
Before revisiting details, a potentially season-defining test lies ahead. It's in New York next Sunday against the 6-2 Giants, streaking with a six-game winning streak.
Ah, yes, but against who and whom? Here it gets interesting because the same question can be applied to the Cowboys.
The Giants have beaten six teams who have a combined record of 13-36. That's an uninspiring winning percentage of .333. Of those six, only Washington at 5-3 is above .500. The others include 0-8 Miami, 2-6 San Francisco, 2-6 Atlanta (only because it beat the 49ers), 1-8 New York Jets and 3-5 Eagles.
Now to the Cowboys with seven victories over teams with a combined record of 19-37, a humble .339 winning percentage. The Giants are the only winners among victims, low-lighted by 0-8 twins Miami and St. Louis. The list of losers, a cut above those of the Giants, groups 3-5 Chicago, 4-4 Buffalo, and 3-5 Minnesota with the Eagles.
What to make of these numbers, a 45-35 home victory over the Giants in the season opener, and an unusually deep roster of bottom feeders?
First, the Giants have cuffed a collection of four stiffs (they're 5-28) for the last month, a run-up that may breed false security. Next, the Giants' pass rush has been lethal against low-echelon rivals but hasn't faced first-class resistance from an offensive line as strong as the Cowboys'. Third, as the Cowboys surely did against Philly, the Giants should profit from a bye week in terms of preparation and fresh legs. Fourth, I see Eli Manning more prone to an erratic, game-turning mistake than Tony Romo.
The Eagles' game was replete with Cowboy stars. Romo (20-for-25, 324 yards, three TDs) flirted with perfection and would've come closer without throwing one interception. He wasn't sacked, a tribute to his mobility and stout protection.
I can't remember the Cowboys so completely nullifying the Eagles' defense, normally a Rubik's Cube of confusing blitzes. Romo and Terrell Owens even spotted a flaw against a corner blitz, made silent adjustments and connected on a 45-yard touchdown.
"I don't know why they did it,'' said Owens of the Eagles' tactic, "but it didn't work.''
Owens broke out against one of his former teams (10 catches, 174 yards, one TD) and put his Cowboys-best performance in perfect context. "I'm doing what I'm supposed to do,'' he said.
The Cowboys were mentally sharp everywhere. They were guilty of only three penalties. The defense made Donovan McNabb appear older than his years. He's slowed by a mending knee surgery and half as dangerous without the ability to scramble. A cast of undistinguished receivers adds to problems he created with two turnovers.
Play of the game honors went to tight end Jason Witten during a career-long 53-yard completion from Romo. He covered roughly half that distance bareheaded after collisions with two defensive backs dislodged his helmet. It's an instant entry to the season highlight film.
Ditto every detail of the Giants game if the Cowboys win.
Knowing that the Dallas Cowboys are headed for Philadelphia always makes me wary and nervous on their behalf. I have reasons to be fearful because I've watched generations of Cowboys victimized there by weird events that don't happen anywhere else.
Such was my jittery mind-set before the Cowboys met the Eagles again Sunday night at Lincoln Financial Field. The site doesn't matter since the Cowboys have lost to lesser Philly teams since the '60s in cramped Franklin Field and dumpy Veterans Stadium.
The setup on Sunday night looked familiar. Cowboys were a rare 3-point favorite in a city where they sported a 1-6 record since 2000 and have lost 11 of 14 overall to the Eagles. The favorite's role was often a prelude for pro-Eagles events that go bump in the night, and as often in daylight. For example:
■ The Eagles once made five first downs and won anyway by returning two kickoffs and one punt for touchdowns. Tim Brown set an opponent record of 247 yards in combined kick returns against special teams that were not coached much longer by the same assistant.
■ Joe Lavender secured another opponent record – the longest fumble return (96 yards) that broke a fourth-quarter tie. A potential 7-point Dallas lead became a 7-point defeat.
■ Buddy Ryan ordered a fake kneel down and long pass to score a rub-it-in touchdown against already well-beaten Tom Landry. It was the equivalent of firing a machine gun on helpless lifeboats.
■ Troy Aikman survived 11 sacks, most ever by a Cowboys quarterback. Aikman did not buy Christmas presents for the offensive line that year.
■ Roger Staubach was a mysterious KO victim until post-game film revealed he'd been sucker-punched senseless by defensive end Mel Tom during an interception runback. Staubach said he'd like to duke it out privately with the 6-6 Tom, at least until his threat was published.
■ Jimmy Johnson was pelted with snowballs (batteries included) by Philly's marginally civilized fans. Johnson's hair stood firm against the assault.
Hence these memories reminded that something spooky intrudes when the Cowboys visit the Eagles. This time it didn't unless you wish to classify how the Cowboys played as eerily without much fault. A 38-17 romp kept them atop the NFC East with a 7-1 record.
Before revisiting details, a potentially season-defining test lies ahead. It's in New York next Sunday against the 6-2 Giants, streaking with a six-game winning streak.
Ah, yes, but against who and whom? Here it gets interesting because the same question can be applied to the Cowboys.
The Giants have beaten six teams who have a combined record of 13-36. That's an uninspiring winning percentage of .333. Of those six, only Washington at 5-3 is above .500. The others include 0-8 Miami, 2-6 San Francisco, 2-6 Atlanta (only because it beat the 49ers), 1-8 New York Jets and 3-5 Eagles.
Now to the Cowboys with seven victories over teams with a combined record of 19-37, a humble .339 winning percentage. The Giants are the only winners among victims, low-lighted by 0-8 twins Miami and St. Louis. The list of losers, a cut above those of the Giants, groups 3-5 Chicago, 4-4 Buffalo, and 3-5 Minnesota with the Eagles.
What to make of these numbers, a 45-35 home victory over the Giants in the season opener, and an unusually deep roster of bottom feeders?
First, the Giants have cuffed a collection of four stiffs (they're 5-28) for the last month, a run-up that may breed false security. Next, the Giants' pass rush has been lethal against low-echelon rivals but hasn't faced first-class resistance from an offensive line as strong as the Cowboys'. Third, as the Cowboys surely did against Philly, the Giants should profit from a bye week in terms of preparation and fresh legs. Fourth, I see Eli Manning more prone to an erratic, game-turning mistake than Tony Romo.
The Eagles' game was replete with Cowboy stars. Romo (20-for-25, 324 yards, three TDs) flirted with perfection and would've come closer without throwing one interception. He wasn't sacked, a tribute to his mobility and stout protection.
I can't remember the Cowboys so completely nullifying the Eagles' defense, normally a Rubik's Cube of confusing blitzes. Romo and Terrell Owens even spotted a flaw against a corner blitz, made silent adjustments and connected on a 45-yard touchdown.
"I don't know why they did it,'' said Owens of the Eagles' tactic, "but it didn't work.''
Owens broke out against one of his former teams (10 catches, 174 yards, one TD) and put his Cowboys-best performance in perfect context. "I'm doing what I'm supposed to do,'' he said.
The Cowboys were mentally sharp everywhere. They were guilty of only three penalties. The defense made Donovan McNabb appear older than his years. He's slowed by a mending knee surgery and half as dangerous without the ability to scramble. A cast of undistinguished receivers adds to problems he created with two turnovers.
Play of the game honors went to tight end Jason Witten during a career-long 53-yard completion from Romo. He covered roughly half that distance bareheaded after collisions with two defensive backs dislodged his helmet. It's an instant entry to the season highlight film.
Ditto every detail of the Giants game if the Cowboys win.
posted by The Gryphon at 8:58 PM
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