ByBrandon George
bgeorge@dallasnews.com | Bio
10:17 PM on Fri., Oct. 28, 2011
IRVING -- The Cowboys have had only one week to prepare for the Eagles' top-ranked rushing offense. Coming off a bye, Philadelphia has had two weeks to get ready for Dallas' No. 1 rushing defense.
So who will have the advantage Sunday night?
"It doesn't matter," Cowboys defensive coordinator Rob Ryan said. "We've probably done more work on them than they've done on us."
When Ryan put in his aggressive scheme during training, the thought process was that there would be more sacks and forced turnovers. But there's been more to Ryan's defense. The Cowboys have been stellar against the run, holding opponents to only 69.7 rushing yards per game, and have 19 tackles for loss.
Just last week the Cowboys had seven tackles for loss against St. Louis, led by safety Abram Elam with three.
"I can't remember the last time I've seen a defense that I've been on have so many tackles for loss," Cowboys defensive end Kenyon Coleman said. "Guys are pursuing the ball."
The Cowboys will have much to pursue against the Eagles. They're not just a pass-happy bunch anymore, averaging 170 rushing yards a game.
Eagles running back LeSean McCoy ranks seventh in the NFL with 569 rushing yards and six touchdowns. Philadelphia's ground game is obviously helped by fleet-footed quarterback Michael Vick, who ranks first in the league among non-running backs with 372 rushing yards.
Ryan said the Cowboys have to control Vick and McCoy.
"We try to pride ourselves on not giving up the big plays." Ryan said. "We're going to have to smash ... their running game or it's going to be a long day."
bgeorge@dallasnews.com | Bio
10:17 PM on Fri., Oct. 28, 2011
IRVING -- The Cowboys have had only one week to prepare for the Eagles' top-ranked rushing offense. Coming off a bye, Philadelphia has had two weeks to get ready for Dallas' No. 1 rushing defense.
So who will have the advantage Sunday night?
"It doesn't matter," Cowboys defensive coordinator Rob Ryan said. "We've probably done more work on them than they've done on us."
When Ryan put in his aggressive scheme during training, the thought process was that there would be more sacks and forced turnovers. But there's been more to Ryan's defense. The Cowboys have been stellar against the run, holding opponents to only 69.7 rushing yards per game, and have 19 tackles for loss.
Just last week the Cowboys had seven tackles for loss against St. Louis, led by safety Abram Elam with three.
"I can't remember the last time I've seen a defense that I've been on have so many tackles for loss," Cowboys defensive end Kenyon Coleman said. "Guys are pursuing the ball."
The Cowboys will have much to pursue against the Eagles. They're not just a pass-happy bunch anymore, averaging 170 rushing yards a game.
Eagles running back LeSean McCoy ranks seventh in the NFL with 569 rushing yards and six touchdowns. Philadelphia's ground game is obviously helped by fleet-footed quarterback Michael Vick, who ranks first in the league among non-running backs with 372 rushing yards.
Ryan said the Cowboys have to control Vick and McCoy.
"We try to pride ourselves on not giving up the big plays." Ryan said. "We're going to have to smash ... their running game or it's going to be a long day."