The Eagles season is truly on the line this Sunday night. If the Birds lose to the Cowboys, especially if it's an ugly loss, it will probably mark the end of the Eagles season and the end of the Donovan McNabb era.
The Eagles front office will be able to step up the coordinated attack on Donovan McNabb by continuing to leak negative things about him out of the Nova Care Complex. They can blame every loss, failed drive and incomplete pass that occurs on McNabb. The Eagles do everything in unison so you know they're signaling that they're getting ready to move McNabb and go to Kolb.
Donovan must have a big day against the Cowboys. He needs to pull a few fabulous big plays out of his hat, yet avoid committing costly turnovers. The Eagles offense will need to score often and those scores will have to be touchdowns and not field goals. He needs production out of tight end L.J. Smith. Smith needs to have a big day in the red zone.
You know Brian Westbrook will be targeted by the Cowboys defense. He must still be productive and will probably be utilized in the Eagles running game and on screen plays.
One of the keys to the game will be the health of Cowboys cornerback Anthony Henry. With both Henry and Terrence Newman healthy and at the top of their game, you can believe they'll be playing man to man in press technique. Can Eagles receviers Kevin Curtis and Reggie Brown get off the line of scrimmage and beat the coverage? Andy and Marty will utilize motion and stacked formations to get these guys off the line.
Despite the strategy, they will probably struggle versus the coverage and that's another reason the Birds need a big game out of L.J. Smith. Smith will have opposing coaches and the nation watching. He can achieve the one goal which dominates his mind, convince somebody in the NFL that he deserves a new big contract.
William Thomas and Jon Runyan must do a solid job blocking the Cowboys outside linebackers, DeMarcus Ware and Greg Ellis. I think Thomas and Runyan will be up to the task but I'm concerned about times the Eagles ask their tight ends to block these big time pass rushers.
