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Underdog · 09-15-2008, 12:42 AM

Eagles vs. Cowboys
Cowboys Face Rough 'n' Tough Eagles On MNF

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GAME SET
WHAT: Philadelphia Eagles (1-0) at Dallas Cowboys (1-0)
WHEN: Monday, 7:30 p.m. (CDT)
WHERE: Texas Stadium, Irving, Texas
TELEVISION: ESPN (Mike Tirico, Ron Jaworski, and Tony Kornheiser)

BIG ISSUE: The Cowboys offense and defense seemed to be hitting on all cylinders in Week One against the Browns, and in order to beat the Eagles on Monday, they will have to again excel on both sides of the ball. While it's a little early to be talking about the division race, this game has taken on a lot of gravity despite it only being the second of the season. Since the Eagles seemed equally dominant, if not more so, in their season opening 38-3 victory over the St. Louis Rams, the winner of this game may end up being the favorite to win the division.

The Eagles still seem to be riding the wave of momentum they created at the end of last season, and are even Sports Illustrated's trendy pick to win the Super Bowl. Steamrolling the Rams, though, does not a champion make, as evidenced by the Cowboys doing the same exact thing last year. The Cowboys will provide a real test for the Eagles, but unless one team blows out the other, both teams may be facing the same situation later in the season when the two square off in Philadelphia, but then with more playoff implications.

NUMBERS, PLEASE: Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo must be judicious throwing the ball, because the Eagles certainly have been known to pick off a pass or three when facing Dallas. While starting corner Asante Samuel hasn't registered a pick in two games against the Cowboys, fellow starter Sheldon Brown and former-starter-turned-nickel-corner Lito Sheppard have had plenty to go around, 11 in total. Brown has three interceptions against the Cowboys, although none with Romo under center, but even more impressive is Sheppard's stat sheet, owning eight picks against the Cowboys in 10 games, five coming in the past four meetings between the two teams.

Since the Eagles had such a field day passing the ball against the Rams, three Eagles receivers gained more than 100 yards receiving, and that list didn't include running back Brian Westbrook. So to put that game in perspective, it makes sense to look at the last time the Eagles had such a productive passing day and Westbrook didn't take top honors for total yards. That day came against the Detroit Lions in Week Three of last season, when Eagles receiver Kevin Curtis gained 221 yards and three touchdowns. Westbrook actually tied Curtis for total yards, rushing for 110 and totaling 111 receiving. The Lions didn't qualify for the playoffs last year, and if first games mean anything, the Rams might not either this year. Maybe that's why Pacman Jones said what he did about the Eagles offensive output last Sunday.

ONE-ON-ONE: Every time the Cowboys and Eagles meet, the most dangerous weapon the Cowboys have to deal with is Eagles running back Brian Westbrook, who is less of a running back and more of a jack of all trades since he gains just as many yards receiving as he does running the ball on many occasions. While the Cowboys won't put a spy on Westbrook, they will account for him on every play, and more often than not, the person who will be assigned to him will be the Cowboys defender who flies around the field just as much as Westbrook does, linebacker Zach Thomas. Thomas won't cover Westbrook if he splits out wide, but anytime the running back gets the ball, whether by handoff or catching it out of the backfield, expect Thomas to be the first one to make contact most of the time.

While the national media seems to think the biggest one-on-one battle between these two teams will be Cowboys wide receiver Terrell Owens against former Eagles teammate, quarterback Donovan McNabb, those two will never actually be on the field at the same time. The man who will be lining up against Owens most often will be newly-signed cornerback Asante Samuel. The Eagles know better than to leave Owens one-on-one with any corner, though, so expect Philadelphia to shade to Owens side with safety Brian Dawkins, if not put him in double coverage all together. If Samuel is at some point left on an island with Owens, expect Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo to target the 34 year-old receiver, since Samuel has the reputation of jumping routes and taking chances, not necessarily being a shutdown corner.

SUPPORTING ROLE: While it's unknown whether Cowboys starting running back Marion Barber will be limited at all come Monday night - he hasn't been all week during practice - still expect a larger diet of touches for rookie running back Felix Jones. Cowboys head coach Wade Phillips and Eagles head coach Andy Reid have likened Jones to Westbrook due to his ability to line up anywhere on the field. The Cowboys will try to get Jones involved much earlier in the game than they did against Cleveland, where he came in late because Barber injured his ribs, and in many more ways than at running back. With the Eagles expected to blitz, Jones provides a unique weapon for the Cowboys, who will dump the ball to him in the flat and let his natural running-in-space skills take over.

The Eagles have their own rookie stud to target, second-round pick DeSean Jackson. Jackson, who caught six passes for 106 yards at wide receiver in Week One starting in place of injured Eagles receivers Reggie Brown and Kevin Curtis (both of whom are likely out for this game), is also a talented kick returner, an area where the Cowboys have been vulnerable in the past. Despite a strong showing at receiver against the Rams, Jackson will face a much more talented secondary against the Cowboys, even if starting corner Terence Newman can't play. The worst-case scenario in terms of covering Jackson for the Cowboys is not all that bad - they'll be covering Jackson, one of the best receivers in the college ranks last year, with either Anthony Henry, Pacman Jones, first-round pick Mike Jenkins, one of last year's best college corners, or Orlando Scandrick.

HEADSET GAMES: The Cowboys know that stopping Westbrook completely is a ridiculously tall order and nigh impossible, so they will focus on containing him and making the Eagles' inexperienced receiving corps beat them. Even if you could stonewall Westbrook, as Thomas pointed out earlier in the week, focusing so much energy on him would just leave you incredibly vulnerable to attack elsewhere. Still, the Cowboys will make sure they know where Westbrook is at all times, but don't expect them to spy him, having one player follow the running back around the field regardless of the situation. It's become trendy to say that all the Eagles ever do defensively is blitz, which is not completely true. Yes, they do blitz more than other teams, but they don't send the house every play, and getting to the quarterback is not going to be their top priority. Stopping the Cowboys running game, however, is. Blitzing is useless if the Cowboys can just run right by it, leaving nothing but open space and maybe a safety deep between the Cowboys' backs and the end zone. If the Eagles can force the Cowboys to pass by stuffing the run, though, they'll be able to rev up the blitzes and force Romo to correctly and quickly identify where the blitz is coming from and who is open as a result.

HEALTH WATCH:

Cowboys
The Cowboys have listed two players as out for Monday's game, and neither should be a surprise. Starting left guard Kyle Kosier continues to rehab a foot injury, so Cory Procter will again start in his place. Third receiver Sam Hurd is also listed as out as he has yet to fully recover from a high ankle sprain. Neither practiced all week. The Cowboys do have question marks next to three players who missed the season opener, though. Fourth receiver Miles Austin (knee), starting cornerback Terence Newman (groin), and backup outside linebacker Anthony Spencer (knee) are all listed as questionable after only having limited practices all week. Of the three, Phillips seems most optimistic about Austin playing on Monday, although he won't rule out Newman and Spencer. On the flipside, he won't guarantee Austin will play either. Two Cowboys are listed as probable, although they might as well be guaranteed to play after practicing all week. Wide receiver Isaiah Stanback (shoulder) continued to practice all week with a shoulder harness after playing against Cleveland, and starting running back Marion Barber (bruised ribs) hasn't even needed to wear a flak jacket while practicing fully all week.

Eagles
The Eagles have two starters who are likely to miss Monday's game, and both are at the same position. Wide receiver Kevin Curtis has already been ruled out with a sports hernia, and fellow starter Reggie Brown (hamstring) is listed as questionable after only limited practice all week. Brown, though, did go through his most extensive workout Saturday since straining the hamstring during the first series of the first preseason game, but said, "I didn't do too much." There is a chance the Eagles could keep Brown active to possibly use as a third receiver. Also out for the Eagles will be backup defensive end Victor Abiamiri (wrist). The only two other players on the Eagles' injury report figure to play since they are listed as probable - backup safety Sean Considine (hand) and backup defensive tackle Dan Klecko (hand).

09-15-2008, 12:42 AM	#1
Underdog Moderator Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: 41.21.1 Posts: 36,143	OFFICIAL GDT - COWBOYS vs EAGLES!!! Eagles vs. Cowboys Cowboys Face Rough 'n' Tough Eagles On MNF link GAME SET WHAT: Philadelphia Eagles (1-0) at Dallas Cowboys (1-0) WHEN: Monday, 7:30 p.m. (CDT) WHERE: Texas Stadium, Irving, Texas TELEVISION: ESPN (Mike Tirico, Ron Jaworski, and Tony Kornheiser) BIG ISSUE: The Cowboys offense and defense seemed to be hitting on all cylinders in Week One against the Browns, and in order to beat the Eagles on Monday, they will have to again excel on both sides of the ball. While it's a little early to be talking about the division race, this game has taken on a lot of gravity despite it only being the second of the season. Since the Eagles seemed equally dominant, if not more so, in their season opening 38-3 victory over the St. Louis Rams, the winner of this game may end up being the favorite to win the division. The Eagles still seem to be riding the wave of momentum they created at the end of last season, and are even Sports Illustrated's trendy pick to win the Super Bowl. Steamrolling the Rams, though, does not a champion make, as evidenced by the Cowboys doing the same exact thing last year. The Cowboys will provide a real test for the Eagles, but unless one team blows out the other, both teams may be facing the same situation later in the season when the two square off in Philadelphia, but then with more playoff implications. NUMBERS, PLEASE: Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo must be judicious throwing the ball, because the Eagles certainly have been known to pick off a pass or three when facing Dallas. While starting corner Asante Samuel hasn't registered a pick in two games against the Cowboys, fellow starter Sheldon Brown and former-starter-turned-nickel-corner Lito Sheppard have had plenty to go around, 11 in total. Brown has three interceptions against the Cowboys, although none with Romo under center, but even more impressive is Sheppard's stat sheet, owning eight picks against the Cowboys in 10 games, five coming in the past four meetings between the two teams. Since the Eagles had such a field day passing the ball against the Rams, three Eagles receivers gained more than 100 yards receiving, and that list didn't include running back Brian Westbrook. So to put that game in perspective, it makes sense to look at the last time the Eagles had such a productive passing day and Westbrook didn't take top honors for total yards. That day came against the Detroit Lions in Week Three of last season, when Eagles receiver Kevin Curtis gained 221 yards and three touchdowns. Westbrook actually tied Curtis for total yards, rushing for 110 and totaling 111 receiving. The Lions didn't qualify for the playoffs last year, and if first games mean anything, the Rams might not either this year. Maybe that's why Pacman Jones said what he did about the Eagles offensive output last Sunday. ONE-ON-ONE: Every time the Cowboys and Eagles meet, the most dangerous weapon the Cowboys have to deal with is Eagles running back Brian Westbrook, who is less of a running back and more of a jack of all trades since he gains just as many yards receiving as he does running the ball on many occasions. While the Cowboys won't put a spy on Westbrook, they will account for him on every play, and more often than not, the person who will be assigned to him will be the Cowboys defender who flies around the field just as much as Westbrook does, linebacker Zach Thomas. Thomas won't cover Westbrook if he splits out wide, but anytime the running back gets the ball, whether by handoff or catching it out of the backfield, expect Thomas to be the first one to make contact most of the time. While the national media seems to think the biggest one-on-one battle between these two teams will be Cowboys wide receiver Terrell Owens against former Eagles teammate, quarterback Donovan McNabb, those two will never actually be on the field at the same time. The man who will be lining up against Owens most often will be newly-signed cornerback Asante Samuel. The Eagles know better than to leave Owens one-on-one with any corner, though, so expect Philadelphia to shade to Owens side with safety Brian Dawkins, if not put him in double coverage all together. If Samuel is at some point left on an island with Owens, expect Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo to target the 34 year-old receiver, since Samuel has the reputation of jumping routes and taking chances, not necessarily being a shutdown corner. SUPPORTING ROLE: While it's unknown whether Cowboys starting running back Marion Barber will be limited at all come Monday night - he hasn't been all week during practice - still expect a larger diet of touches for rookie running back Felix Jones. Cowboys head coach Wade Phillips and Eagles head coach Andy Reid have likened Jones to Westbrook due to his ability to line up anywhere on the field. The Cowboys will try to get Jones involved much earlier in the game than they did against Cleveland, where he came in late because Barber injured his ribs, and in many more ways than at running back. With the Eagles expected to blitz, Jones provides a unique weapon for the Cowboys, who will dump the ball to him in the flat and let his natural running-in-space skills take over. The Eagles have their own rookie stud to target, second-round pick DeSean Jackson. Jackson, who caught six passes for 106 yards at wide receiver in Week One starting in place of injured Eagles receivers Reggie Brown and Kevin Curtis (both of whom are likely out for this game), is also a talented kick returner, an area where the Cowboys have been vulnerable in the past. Despite a strong showing at receiver against the Rams, Jackson will face a much more talented secondary against the Cowboys, even if starting corner Terence Newman can't play. The worst-case scenario in terms of covering Jackson for the Cowboys is not all that bad - they'll be covering Jackson, one of the best receivers in the college ranks last year, with either Anthony Henry, Pacman Jones, first-round pick Mike Jenkins, one of last year's best college corners, or Orlando Scandrick. HEADSET GAMES: The Cowboys know that stopping Westbrook completely is a ridiculously tall order and nigh impossible, so they will focus on containing him and making the Eagles' inexperienced receiving corps beat them. Even if you could stonewall Westbrook, as Thomas pointed out earlier in the week, focusing so much energy on him would just leave you incredibly vulnerable to attack elsewhere. Still, the Cowboys will make sure they know where Westbrook is at all times, but don't expect them to spy him, having one player follow the running back around the field regardless of the situation. It's become trendy to say that all the Eagles ever do defensively is blitz, which is not completely true. Yes, they do blitz more than other teams, but they don't send the house every play, and getting to the quarterback is not going to be their top priority. Stopping the Cowboys running game, however, is. Blitzing is useless if the Cowboys can just run right by it, leaving nothing but open space and maybe a safety deep between the Cowboys' backs and the end zone. If the Eagles can force the Cowboys to pass by stuffing the run, though, they'll be able to rev up the blitzes and force Romo to correctly and quickly identify where the blitz is coming from and who is open as a result. HEALTH WATCH: Cowboys The Cowboys have listed two players as out for Monday's game, and neither should be a surprise. Starting left guard Kyle Kosier continues to rehab a foot injury, so Cory Procter will again start in his place. Third receiver Sam Hurd is also listed as out as he has yet to fully recover from a high ankle sprain. Neither practiced all week. The Cowboys do have question marks next to three players who missed the season opener, though. Fourth receiver Miles Austin (knee), starting cornerback Terence Newman (groin), and backup outside linebacker Anthony Spencer (knee) are all listed as questionable after only having limited practices all week. Of the three, Phillips seems most optimistic about Austin playing on Monday, although he won't rule out Newman and Spencer. On the flipside, he won't guarantee Austin will play either. Two Cowboys are listed as probable, although they might as well be guaranteed to play after practicing all week. Wide receiver Isaiah Stanback (shoulder) continued to practice all week with a shoulder harness after playing against Cleveland, and starting running back Marion Barber (bruised ribs) hasn't even needed to wear a flak jacket while practicing fully all week. Eagles The Eagles have two starters who are likely to miss Monday's game, and both are at the same position. Wide receiver Kevin Curtis has already been ruled out with a sports hernia, and fellow starter Reggie Brown (hamstring) is listed as questionable after only limited practice all week. Brown, though, did go through his most extensive workout Saturday since straining the hamstring during the first series of the first preseason game, but said, "I didn't do too much." There is a chance the Eagles could keep Brown active to possibly use as a third receiver. Also out for the Eagles will be backup defensive end Victor Abiamiri (wrist). The only two other players on the Eagles' injury report figure to play since they are listed as probable - backup safety Sean Considine (hand) and backup defensive tackle Dan Klecko (hand). __________________ These days being a fan is a competition to see who can be the most upset when your team loses. That proves you love winning more. That's how it works.