ByRainer Sabin / Reporter
rsabin@dallasnews.com | Bio
12:00 PM on Sat., Oct. 29, 2011 | Permalink
The Cowboys face the Eagles on Sunday night in Philadelphia. Here is a look at how the two NFC East rivals match up:
When the Cowboys run
As rookie DeMarco Murray ran his way into the record books, rushing for 253 yards against St. Louis last Sunday, he helped revive the Cowboys' sagging ground game. Murray's breathtaking performance wowed observers, but made them also wonder if he was capable of repeating it. This week, he will get the chance for an encore against a Philadelphia defense that has surrendered an average of 123.8 rushing yards per game and has allowed 100 or more yards on the ground to three running backs this season. The Eagles' record in those games? 0-3.
Edge: Cowboys
When the Cowboys pass
Last week, Tony Romo threw only 24 times, accumulating the fewest passing attempts in a game he started and finished since October 2008. But Romo remains the driving force of an offense that ranks fourth in passing yards, averaging 295.8 per game. Expect him to challenge Philadelphia's star-studded secondary that has underwhelmed so far but has yet to allow a quarterback to throw for more than 300 yards in game.
Edge: Cowboys
When the Eagles run
While Philadelphia has proven to be a flawed team, its rushing offense has been incredibly proficient. Led by tailback LeSean McCoy, the Eagles produce 170 yards per game on the ground, the highest average in the NFL. They also have a knack for the big play, collecting an NFL-best 40 runs of 10 yards or more. But this week they will face their biggest challenge yet. The Cowboys' have yielded 69.7 rushing yards per game, the lowest average in the league. And they have done so while shutting down accomplished backs such as Frank Gore, Steven Jackson and BenJarvus Green-Ellis.
Edge: Cowboys
When the Eagles pass
Michael Vick has taken a beating this season and his performance has suffered as a result. His passer rating has dipped to 84.4 and he has thrown eight interceptions, the fifth-highest total in the league. The Eagles' woeful pass protection has been the offense's greatest weakness. Yet Vick and Eagles' offensive line won't get a reprieve this week. The Cowboys, led by blitz-happy defensive coordinator Rob Ryan, have recorded 17 sacks, the eighth-highest total in the NFL.
Edge: Eagles
Special teams
The Eagles took a gamble when they replaced veteran kicker David Akers with rookie Alex Henery. So far it hasn't paid dividends. Henery has made only 78.6 percent of his field-goal tries and has missed his lone attempt beyond 40 yards. Even worse, his touchback percentage of 37.5 is 24th-best in the NFL. Henery has disappointed along Chas Henry, whose net punting average is ninth-worst in the NFL. Meanwhile, DeSean Jackson, who is averaging 6.4 yards per punt return, has yet to be a threat this year. The Cowboys, on the other hand, continue to receive positive returns from punter Mat McBriar and kicker Dan Bailey, who has made 16 consecutive field goals. Meanwhile, receiver Dez Bryant, who is handling punts once again, has the potential to make an impact each time he touches the ball.
Edge: Cowboys
Intangibles
Since Jason Garrett rejoined the Cowboys as an assistant in 2007, Dallas has gone 3-1 at Lincoln Financial Field and has averaged 19.5 points per game. The Cowboys will try to improve that record against a Philadelphia team that has had two weeks to prepare for Dallas and is 12-0 after bye weeks since 1999. Both clubs know a lot is riding on this game.
Edge: Eagles
rsabin@dallasnews.com | Bio
12:00 PM on Sat., Oct. 29, 2011 | Permalink
The Cowboys face the Eagles on Sunday night in Philadelphia. Here is a look at how the two NFC East rivals match up:
When the Cowboys run
As rookie DeMarco Murray ran his way into the record books, rushing for 253 yards against St. Louis last Sunday, he helped revive the Cowboys' sagging ground game. Murray's breathtaking performance wowed observers, but made them also wonder if he was capable of repeating it. This week, he will get the chance for an encore against a Philadelphia defense that has surrendered an average of 123.8 rushing yards per game and has allowed 100 or more yards on the ground to three running backs this season. The Eagles' record in those games? 0-3.
Edge: Cowboys
When the Cowboys pass
Last week, Tony Romo threw only 24 times, accumulating the fewest passing attempts in a game he started and finished since October 2008. But Romo remains the driving force of an offense that ranks fourth in passing yards, averaging 295.8 per game. Expect him to challenge Philadelphia's star-studded secondary that has underwhelmed so far but has yet to allow a quarterback to throw for more than 300 yards in game.
Edge: Cowboys
When the Eagles run
While Philadelphia has proven to be a flawed team, its rushing offense has been incredibly proficient. Led by tailback LeSean McCoy, the Eagles produce 170 yards per game on the ground, the highest average in the NFL. They also have a knack for the big play, collecting an NFL-best 40 runs of 10 yards or more. But this week they will face their biggest challenge yet. The Cowboys' have yielded 69.7 rushing yards per game, the lowest average in the league. And they have done so while shutting down accomplished backs such as Frank Gore, Steven Jackson and BenJarvus Green-Ellis.
Edge: Cowboys
When the Eagles pass
Michael Vick has taken a beating this season and his performance has suffered as a result. His passer rating has dipped to 84.4 and he has thrown eight interceptions, the fifth-highest total in the league. The Eagles' woeful pass protection has been the offense's greatest weakness. Yet Vick and Eagles' offensive line won't get a reprieve this week. The Cowboys, led by blitz-happy defensive coordinator Rob Ryan, have recorded 17 sacks, the eighth-highest total in the NFL.
Edge: Eagles
Special teams
The Eagles took a gamble when they replaced veteran kicker David Akers with rookie Alex Henery. So far it hasn't paid dividends. Henery has made only 78.6 percent of his field-goal tries and has missed his lone attempt beyond 40 yards. Even worse, his touchback percentage of 37.5 is 24th-best in the NFL. Henery has disappointed along Chas Henry, whose net punting average is ninth-worst in the NFL. Meanwhile, DeSean Jackson, who is averaging 6.4 yards per punt return, has yet to be a threat this year. The Cowboys, on the other hand, continue to receive positive returns from punter Mat McBriar and kicker Dan Bailey, who has made 16 consecutive field goals. Meanwhile, receiver Dez Bryant, who is handling punts once again, has the potential to make an impact each time he touches the ball.
Edge: Cowboys
Intangibles
Since Jason Garrett rejoined the Cowboys as an assistant in 2007, Dallas has gone 3-1 at Lincoln Financial Field and has averaged 19.5 points per game. The Cowboys will try to improve that record against a Philadelphia team that has had two weeks to prepare for Dallas and is 12-0 after bye weeks since 1999. Both clubs know a lot is riding on this game.
Edge: Eagles
