Two Eastern rivalries light up the marquee
Sunday Playbook /By Milt Northrop
Week Two seems way too early for an NFL rivalry game, but the Monday night clash between the Philadelphia Eagles and the Dallas Cowboys at Texas Stadium is just that. It also figures to be a key to determining the outcome of pro football’s toughest and most competitive division — the NFC East.
Philadelphia-Dallas is one of only three games on the schedule matching teams that won Week One games. Dallas is the favorite to represent the NFC in the Super Bowl, but the Cowboys must get out of a division that includes the defending champion New York Giants and the Eagles, who most every NFL observer seems wary of, as well as the Washington Redskins, a playoff team last season.
The Eagles missed the playoffs last year, but were 5-3 down the stretch in 2007, including a 10-6 throttling of the Cowboys in Irving, Texas, in December.
Most intriguing of today’s games again involves Brett Favre and the New York Jets, who will be playing their home opener against the New England Patriots minus quarterback Tom Brady. It will provide the first indication of how effective or ineffective the Pats will be with inexperienced journeyman Matt Cassel at quarterback.
Game of the day
Eagles (1-0) at Cowboys (1-0)
TV: ESPN, Monday, 8:30 p. m.
The line: Cowboys (-7). The scoop: In December win at Texas Stadium the Eagles had four sacks and three interceptions. . . . Andy Reid is 13-5 against Dallas as Eagles coach. . . . Cowboys QB Tony Romo had almost free rein against ineffective Browns pass rush in Cleveland last week.
Outlook: Eagles won’t fold against ’Boys like Browns did. Dallas, 20-17.
Week Two seems way too early for an NFL rivalry game, but the Monday night clash between the Philadelphia Eagles and the Dallas Cowboys at Texas Stadium is just that. It also figures to be a key to determining the outcome of pro football’s toughest and most competitive division — the NFC East.
Philadelphia-Dallas is one of only three games on the schedule matching teams that won Week One games. Dallas is the favorite to represent the NFC in the Super Bowl, but the Cowboys must get out of a division that includes the defending champion New York Giants and the Eagles, who most every NFL observer seems wary of, as well as the Washington Redskins, a playoff team last season.
The Eagles missed the playoffs last year, but were 5-3 down the stretch in 2007, including a 10-6 throttling of the Cowboys in Irving, Texas, in December.
Most intriguing of today’s games again involves Brett Favre and the New York Jets, who will be playing their home opener against the New England Patriots minus quarterback Tom Brady. It will provide the first indication of how effective or ineffective the Pats will be with inexperienced journeyman Matt Cassel at quarterback.
Game of the day
Eagles (1-0) at Cowboys (1-0)
TV: ESPN, Monday, 8:30 p. m.
The line: Cowboys (-7). The scoop: In December win at Texas Stadium the Eagles had four sacks and three interceptions. . . . Andy Reid is 13-5 against Dallas as Eagles coach. . . . Cowboys QB Tony Romo had almost free rein against ineffective Browns pass rush in Cleveland last week.
Outlook: Eagles won’t fold against ’Boys like Browns did. Dallas, 20-17.
posted by The Gryphon at 9:18 AM
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