The Eagles can beat the Cowboys on Sunday night but they must play a near perfect game to get the “W”. I think the game will be decided in the red zone. The Eagles must force the Cowboys to kick field goals and find a way to score TD's themselves.
Dallas has a very good football team. Their offense is one of the best in the NFL and it’s balanced with a very explosive passing game and a physical running game. The Cowboys offense is unlike the Birds because they have many options at their disposal when they get in the red zone. The Eagles will have to deal with Owens, Witten and Crayton in addition to the powerful running game led by Barber.
Just like out in the open field, the Birds have to keep Tony Romo in the pocket. They can allow him to roll out and extend the play. I would take away the roll to his right and force him to take off to his left which would make the throw tougher.
The Birds will have to avoid dumb penalties especially in the red zone, where they lack the big physical receivers who can dominate in those situations. The running game which is built on BWest isn’t the type of powerful and physical attack which is most successful near the goalline.
I want to see the Eagles sell the fact that they can play power football by bringing in a offensive tackle at the tight end position, putting backup center Nick Cole at fullback and giving rookie Tony Hunt a chance to see if he can get the job done on the goal line. If they can run the football in a few times, then the play action pass game will open up.
They need to try Hank Baskett, who is 6'3" and a college high jumping champ, in goal line situations on some jump ball fade routes. Maybe tight end L.J. can win a jump ball situation. Andy and Marty have got to present something that will make opponents worry about a facet of their offense.
