What to make of the Cowboys?

by captainmike011 on Nov 5, 2009 11:42 AM EST

So Dallas comes to town this weekend riding a three game win streak against the likes of K.C.( in overtime), Atlanta, and Seattle. I know that wins are still wins, but that doesn't really impress me. Even though Atlanta isn't awful, they have the 29th ranked defense in the league, so it was kind of expected that the Cowboys offense would be able to inflate their stats against them. So at this point, I'm not sure what to make of the Cowboys.

Tony Romo has played well, Miles Austin is playing bigger than himself, Witten is still Witten, and Roy Williams is an unhappy camper who is currently the league's highest paid for decoy (in draft picks and in salary). The Cowboys are good on offense, but not unstoppable. Samuel and Mikell are having Pro Bowl type seasons in the Eagles secondary, so I'm expecting them to help keep Dallas under control. Once again, Patterson, Bunkley, and Cole are playing well and should be able to contain the running game.

The Cowboys currently have the 22nd ranked defense in the league but have played better as of late. So how will they fare against our Eagles? The Cowboys are yet to play a receiving corps as explosive as the Eagles, and there is not a defender in the league right now that can neutralize DJack by himself. He is the game's most explosive player, and he has company with Celek and Maclin. Across the board, these receivers are a touchdown waiting to happen. Then you add Westbrook, Weaver, and McCoy, and the Cowboys defense has its hands full.

This should be a fun matchup. I'm not expecting another 44-6 blowup, but I think the Eagles explosive offense will make the big plays that will propel us to sole possession of 1st in the NFC East.

Eagles 31, Cowboys 17

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idk bout mikell havin a probowl type season, hes playing solid but solid doesnt get you to the probowl, i agree with asante and i also think trent cole is

by footballfreak20 on Nov 5, 2009 12:07 PM EST reply actions

I would have Sheldon and a safety covering Austin the entire game. We need good tacklers on him. Miles breaks tackles and RAC like a maniac. Take him out of the game and we are basically facing the same team(besides Felix) we beat 44-6. The only players I’m worried about are Austin and Witten. They have a great running game but we have a tremendous defensive line and run stopping linebackers. Prediction 27-17

World Series- check
NBA Title- check
Stanley Cup- check
Superbowl- In progress...

by Route36 on Nov 5, 2009 1:00 PM EST reply actions

Plus

healthy O-line (two starters were out that game, and Flo played hurt all year), Felix, Austin as a starter, healthy Barber, no TO to cause problems. I don’t see this as the same team at all. I don’t think you are the same team either, but this is far from what you saw in December of 08.

by sduncan24 on Nov 5, 2009 1:56 PM EST up reply actions

yeah

now you have Roy Williams for that

Let's get it.

by homestar2281 on Nov 5, 2009 2:22 PM EST up reply actions

Far from 44-6 is, what? 31-17?

Oh wait, that’s what he predicted.

Smart kid.

by cwel87 on Nov 5, 2009 8:28 PM EST up reply actions

I would dump the "We are healthy" arguement on this game...

Last time they met is was the end of the season EVERYONE was hurt.

by IgglesFanDeployd on Nov 6, 2009 2:57 AM EST up reply actions

I was simply pointing out that this is not the same team

not even close when it comes to all the role players

by sduncan24 on Nov 6, 2009 8:54 AM EST up reply actions

Wrong

Miles is not the only addition to the team. On defense alone, we have 5 new starters, and many different role players then we did last year. Throw in the offense, and this team is not the same one from week 17 of last season. Sorry.

by Zach22 on Nov 5, 2009 2:00 PM EST up reply actions

Don't forget our Probowl Punter

and Special teams make-over.

by CowboyCurtis on Nov 5, 2009 2:14 PM EST up reply actions

Mikell

All I heard last year was about how mikell was going to be a pro-bowler and a force on defense. This year he hasn’t really stood out to me in any way special (dropping those two for sure picks last week didn’t help either. Is he a special talent? Or was it just the fact that any pair of shoes playing opposite Dawkins can shine?

by Bo Jangles on Nov 5, 2009 1:22 PM EST reply actions

gosh don’t remind me of those two clear picks he wasn’t able to come up with! I was screaming at the TV!

In life, as in a football game, the principle to follow is: Hit the line hard.
-Theodore Roosevelt

by Eaglesgrl5 on Nov 5, 2009 1:34 PM EST up reply actions

My thing is, I don’t know what to make of the Cowboys. They are 22nd in Defense by yards, but like, 11th by points. Obviously you can march up and down the field on them, but they keep you out of the end zone.

I will be perfectly honest: the Cowboys are a lot better than I thought they’d be and I thought we’d be fighting for 2nd place in the division at this point. Not for the lead. Eli has been playing like bad Eli and we need to make Romo play like December Romo. Don’t know what to expect from this one.

Let the beasting begin.

by TransplantedFan on Nov 5, 2009 2:28 PM EST reply actions

we need to do 2 things

a) get pressure on romo, force him into being…Romo

b) keep donovans jersey clean.

and voila…6-2

E-A-G-L-E-S EAGLES!!!

by Joe_D on Nov 5, 2009 2:30 PM EST reply actions

we need to contain demarcus

if ware has the kind of day he’s capable of having mcnabb’s gonna end up in the dirt. we need to give him a lot of attention and i’m sure we will.
also, with the problem we’ve had covering the t.e position, witten could have a field day. that scares me because a field day for jason witten does a hell of a lot more damage than a field day for fred davis, zach miller, or kevin boss.

by Q27 on Nov 5, 2009 3:23 PM EST reply actions

neutralize ware with the run, and playaction

plus to be honest with you, the dallas rbs scare me more than witten and austin, i’m not sure why

Weapon X eats babies for breakfast.

by immynimmy on Nov 5, 2009 5:03 PM EST up reply actions

although he probably should, austin doesn’t really worry me for some reason. the dallas backs are definately good, but witten is the biggest problem because of our failure to cover tight ends with half his talent.

by Q27 on Nov 5, 2009 5:14 PM EST up reply actions

Witten has been off, true

And you guys have some great corners but I would think about shading the safety over Austin… After all you won’t need that safety on Roy’s side.

McGruber!

by Mojoness on Nov 5, 2009 7:04 PM EST up reply actions

Actually

Ware has been good but not all world lately. He has a niggling injury (stress fractures?) that I think has been holding him back a little.

Truthfully? Spencer opposite linebacker has been playing almost as well. He doesn’t get the sacks because he plays the LOLB but he can get pressure. Also a shout out to Ratliff. He is an outstanding pass rushing nose tackle.

If you can negate those three you only would have to worry about the odd blitz pick up.

McGruber!

by Mojoness on Nov 5, 2009 7:00 PM EST up reply actions

I disagree about Mikell

He is playing solid right now but the clear cut probowlers in our secondary are at corner. Sheldon is shutdown like always but also has 3 picks added this year so far. Asante has 5 picks and cant stop throwing his shoulder at people. Sheldon just seems so much better to me but fans and the media love them picks I guess.

by IgglesFanDeployd on Nov 5, 2009 3:57 PM EST reply actions

I've always liked Sheldon Brown more then most

But I feel like his play is a big reason why people are still throwing at Asante. He’s been that good.

by cwel87 on Nov 5, 2009 8:31 PM EST up reply actions

Your eyes do not deceive you - Passer rating against Brown is 2.7

That is not a misprint. 2.7.

Article where someone had done QB ratings against each CB – I would post the link but I can’t remember where I saw it. A good CB may typically have a rating under 90 (remembering that when measured against a CB you are not taking into account passes thrown away, blocked etc – so ratings will be higher than the qb would average overall).

QB’s averaging 2.7 against a CB – they are barely completing a pass – unless its too Brown himself. Ashante’ if I recall was in the 80’s – so very good – but he does gamble and while he makes plays he also can get burned.

There is an argument that Brown is currently playing the best of any CB in the NFL. (and I’m a Cowboys fan).

"Where's Woody? - We need another Darren Woodson

by BoyfromOz on Nov 5, 2009 9:58 PM EST up reply actions

Ya honestly the Eagles won't play just one CB on Austin...

JJ always had is CBs on defined sides of the field and McDermott follows the same philosophy. Samuel will play one side all game and Sheldon will play the other. If I could chose one to stay with Ausin all day though it would be Sheldon just because I know he is going to wrap him up and stop him from making the big play after the catch.

by IgglesFanDeployd on Nov 6, 2009 2:59 AM EST up reply actions