Eagles-Cowboys keys

Someone told me I’ve been slacking on my blogging (that sounds familiar doesn’t it?) so I figured I once and for all best get my act together. And since this is my blog I have creative control over it and can write about pretty much anything I want. Eagles, Phillies, NASCAR, high school sports, ESU (no Penn State though…I have a blog for that ) You name it and I’ll probably write about it. And at least once a week. Promise (no, seriously, I really do).

The Eagles have a chance to do something I never would have thought possible after a pitiful loss to the Chargers seven weeks ago: win the NFC East and clinch a first-round bye in the playoffs. In that loss to San Diego, Brian Westbrook sustained his second concussion in as many games, the defense couldn’t get off the field and the offense couldn’t get out of its own way.

Now, Philly has won six straight and goes into Dallas today for the biggest regular-season game I can remember since I started rooting for the Eagles back in the late 80s. Going on the road might worry some Iggles fans, but not me. For some reason, the Birds actually play Dallas tougher in the stadium with an intentional hole in the roof (I know this one is new, but it still has a hole in it. One day they’ll learn how to build stadiums in Texas. One day.)

Obviously I’m an Eagles fan so I like the Eagles today. I just see the Cowboys thinking very highly of themselves and I’m not really sure why. Yes, they beat the Saints in New Orleans to end their unbeaten streak, but I watched that game and the Saints lost it more than the Cowboys won it. And wow, beating Washington last week. Now that’s an accomplishment.

So to today’s game. How does Dallas stop DeSean Jackson? And if they do, what about Brent Celek? Or LeSean McCoy? Or Jeremy Maclin? Or…well you get my drift. Who do the Eagles have to stop? Jason Witten, Miles Austin and, um, er, hmm, well, that’s it. Look, Tony Romo is a fine quarterback (a bit goofy as a person, but that’s for another time and another place) and DeMarcus Ware scares the bejeebers out of me. But who else does? Roy Williams? Terrance Newman? Nope and Nope.

The only way I see the Eagles losing is if the Eagles beat themselves. Stupid penalties. Bad turnovers (aren’t they all bad?). Awful play calling. Poor time management. All of those come into play with the Eagles. It’s a right of passage for them. All that considered, I still think the Eagles come out on top. Say 35-24 with a similar drive to the one Philly used to put away the Giants three weeks ago.