Wednesday, January 06, 2010

Cowboys Must Come Through Saturday To Make Last Week's Win Meaningful.

by Derek Major Derek Major

The Cowboys did a great job on Sunday. With their 24-0 thrashing of the Eagles, they simultaneously broke their nine game season finale losing streak, recorded back-to-back shutouts for the first time ever, and avenged their 44-6 loss to the Philadelphia last season with the playoffs on the line.

However, all of that means nothing if the Cowboys don't beat the Philadelphia Eagles on Saturday night.

The Cowboys need to stay focused; they're a sexy pick in the NFC right now, with the Vikings losing two in a row before beating a defeated Giants team, and the Saints losing their last three games of the season.

Head coach Wade Phillips has to make sure his team doesn't caught up in the hype like in years past. He also has to get them ready for a more intense Philly team. Donovan McNabb called Sunday's game a "humbling experience" and you can bet they'll make some changes in game planning and personnel.

However with a short week the Cowboys have an advantage. They were able to stop everything the Eagles were doing on both sides of the ball; that undoubtedly put the 'Boys ahead of the curve on the game planning for this week.

Meanwhile, the Eagles have to figure out why their plan was unsuccessful and try to develop a different game plan that can penetrate the Cowboys suddenly stifling defense.

Right now the 'Boys are saying all the right things about Saturday's game. Wide receiver Roy Williams wants to make an impact after not recording a catch in last week's game.

"The big plays are still going to be there,'' Williams said. "I just have to be ready when it comes."

Linebacker Keith Brooking has the defense preparing for the rematch; "I know what this locker room's about and you're gonna get our best shot this week...we've got some guys that have been in some big time games and it starts to pay huge dividends for you when you get in these big time players when you have smart players that are very talented."

For the Cowboys to snap their 13-year playoff winless streak they'll need to come out and play better than they did last week.

The Eagles are going to come out hungry. What's more, in the Andy Reid era they've never lost in the first round of the playoffs—so they know how to prepare themselves.

For the 'Boys this is it; this is the year they have no excuses. It's just win, there is nothing else.