FanPost

5 Burning Questions About Eagles @ Cowboys

1. Can the Cowboys Offense score more than 14 points in this game?

No. In the second game played by the Eagles and the Cowboys in every season from 2000 on, the Cowboys offense has never scored more than 14 points. The Cowboys offense has scored 13, 3, 3, 10, 7, 14, 7, 6, and 6 points over those years in the second meeting between the teams. The Cowboys have only scored over 14 points in the second meeting of the two teams one time since 1996 - in 1999, when they got 20. They have not scored over 21 points in the second match-up since 1994, prior to Jeffrey Lurie purchasing the Eagles.

2. Can the Cowboys Offense avoid making multiple turnovers and allowing 3 or more sacks?

No. In the second game played by the Eagles and the Cowboys in every season from 2000 on, the Cowboys offense has turned the ball over at least 2 times excepting only 2005. In the second game from 2000 on, the Cowboys have comitted 2, 4, 3, 2, 2, 1, 3, 3, and 5 turnovers in those games, and those turnovers have been critical to Dallas' lack of success in these games (1-8 record vs. Eagles in the second match-up). Dallas gave up points to the Philadelphia Defense in about half of the second games: in 2001 (two interception returns), 2002 (interception return), 2003 (safety), 2008 (two fumble returns). Dallas gave up 3, 3, 7, 3, 3, 2, 3, 4, and 4 sacks in those games. Again the only outlier is 2005. When you fail to score over 14 points on offense for 9 games in a row, there is a generally a reason.

3. Can the Cowboys Defense hold the Eagles to less than 16 points?

No. The Cowboys Defense has only held the Eagles to under 16 points 3 times in the second match-up since 1993. In 1998, the Eagles were held to 9 points, in 1999 to 10 points, and in 2004 to 12 points. In 2007, the Eagles voluntarily did not score a touchdown at the end of regulation to run out the game clock. I would only count that as holding down the Eagles scoring if you attribute Brian Westbrook's taking a knee to the devious mind powers of Wade Phillips and the Cowboys Defense.

4. If the Cowboys Offense cannot score over 14 points against the Eagles, and the Cowboys Defense cannot hold the Eagles to less than 16 points, can Dallas win the game?

Only if the Eagles give up points on offensive turnovers or special teams, or if Rich Kotite (Mr. 0-4 in second match-ups vs. the Cowboys) suddenly returns to coach the Eagles this week. There is a reason that Dallas is 1-8 vs. the Eagles since 2000 and 3-11 vs. the Eagles since 1995 in the second game of the season.

5. Okay, but can the Cowboys win in Dallas against the Eagles in a late season game with playoff implications?

No. The Cowboys have not won in Dallas in December against the Eagles since 1999. They lost in 2002, 2006, 2007 at home in Dallas to the Eagles in December. The Cowboys also blew it in December at the Eagles in 2003, 2004, and 2008. The Cowboys blew a shot in the playoffs in the game in 2008, nearly blew the #1 seed in 2007, blew the division title in 2006, and blew the division title in 2003. That's a lot of choking for such a short period of time.