The 2015 home opener is against the division rival Dallas Cowboys, a perfect opportunity to erase the burden of defeat from the Falcons game. The last time these teams met up, Dez Bryant and Tony Romo connected for three touchdowns, completely embarrassing the Eagles on their home field and on national television.
A lot has changed since last season, the former Dallas Cowboys running back DeMarco Murray is now a Philadelphia Eagle and Dez Bryant won’t be on the field Sunday after breaking his foot week one against the Giants. There is no secret to the magnitude of what this game represents. The Philadelphia Eagles don’t want to start the season 0-2. Most consider the NFC East a two team race, and with Dez Bryant set to miss a significant amount of time with the injury, many are prematurely handing the division to the Eagles on a silver platter.
Dallas
On offense the Cowboys still have a very talented quarterback in Tony Romo who looks to stand tall behind one of the best offensive lines in the entire NFL. Jason Witten is a savvy veteran who undeniably will be the guy that Romo looks for early and often, especially in the red-zone. It’s a running back by committee approach with Dallas, with Randle likely to lead the team in touches, but possesses very average talent. Terrence Williams is a big body wide receiver who will be asked to step up his game, but he is a player not likely to win 1:1 matchups, rather someone who benefits from finding space when other playmakers are creating it. Two players that could cause damage on Sunday are wide receiver Cole Beasley and tight-end Gavin Escobar. Beasley is that pesky smaller receiver that has enough energy to run all day, while Escobar is a terrific athlete that is trying to erase some of the stigma that he was a wasted second round pick.
One of the underlying issues the Cowboys offense presents for the Eagles is the pace in which they run their offense. It’s a slow, methodical pace, they want to control the clock and sustain long drives. This presents a big challenge for the Eagles defense, especially with the secondary that unlike the front seven, don’t have the depth to rotate players.
On defense, the Cowboys have a good system in place, but their talent across the board is nothing all too impressive. They play well as a unit, try to minimize mental errors, avoid taking bad penalties and giving up the big play. The loss of rookie Gregory reduces the pass rush, but second year defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence was a player I liked for the Eagles to draft, and someone who I think has the athleticism to give the Eagles offensive guards issues if he stunts to the inside. The return of Sean Lee was big for the linebacker core, but the loss of Orlando Scandrick was huge to the continuity of the secondary.
Philadelphia
The Eagles were unable to generate a rushing attack week one, and had to rely heavily on the pass as the game went on and with being down in the scoring column. With how the Cowboys run their offense, the Eagles can’t afford three and outs and must keep the clock moving by establishing and effectively collecting first downs with running the football.
Demarco Murray won’t come out and say it, he lets his actions speak, but I’m sure he wants nothing more but to have a big day against his former team. Ryan Mathews and Sproles should also be a big part of the game plan on Sunday as the Eagles try to work out the timing pattern with Bradford and the receivers.
Minus Jordan Matthews, there was very little contribution from the rest of the receiving core against the Falcons, some had to do with the timing, but I also see a lack of depth. Agholor is ready to make an impact, and he should be targeted more against the Cowboys as he is likely to have plenty of space with Dallas looking to stop the run. Ertz, Jordan Matthews and Nelson Agholor should be the trio of receivers the Eagles rely this Sunday, mixing in plenty of Sproles in the slot and out of the backfield.
On defense the Eagles “must” get pressure on Romo, when he gets knocked around, he becomes turnover prone. The Eagles defense is a bend but don’t break unit that relies on forcing turnovers and sacking the quarterback. Even with the loss of Dez Bryant, there are enough weapons for Romo to be successful if the Eagles allow him time to stay in the pocket and go over his reads. It will be essential for the Eagles defensive line to shut down the run game and force Romo to try and makes throws.
Prediction
I expect a win on Sunday. The Eagles are a better team than the Cowboys, and the game is in Philadelphia.
I don’t expect the Eagles to shut down the Cowboys offense, but I expect them to limit the big plays and force a pair of turnovers. I do expect the Eagles to look much like the team that played in the second half of the Falcons game, and also showcase the rushing attack that was absent week one.
Eagles 38 Cowboys 27
Key Matchups
When Eagles are on Offense
RG Gardner vs Cowboy DT Tyson Crawford
LT Jason Peters vs DE D Lawrence & G Mincey
TE Ertz/Burton Vs the Cowboys LB’s/Safeties
WR Agholor vs CB Morris Claiborne
RB D Sproles Vs Cowboys LB’s/Safeties
RB D Murray Vs Cowboys MLB Sean Lee
HC Chip Kelly VS DC R Marinelli
When Eagles are on Defense
Eagles LB’s VS theCowboys OL 7
Pass-Rushers Graham, Barwin & Curry VS LT T Smith
LB Kendrick’s & Alonso VS TE’s Witten & Escobar
Eagles Nickel Backs VS WR Beasley
CB Maxwell VS WR T Williams
EaglesLB’s/Safeties VS RB’s Dunbar & Randle coming out of Backfield in the passing game
DC BillyDavis VS Cowboys OC Scott Linehan
Special Teams and the Kicking Game will be huge
Turnovers and whichever Team can Rush the Ball better and theTeam who can rush the QB better will Win
Both Secondaries are vulnerable but theCowboys have the better Deep Ball QB in Romo who also can make plays with his feet when in trouble
Sam Bradford doesn’t have a deep threat WR or escapability
Cowboys 33 – Eagles 24 in a Wild One
No Way, With this Bradford led offense it’s a loss, I guarantee it, this guy is the biggest stiff to ever qb the eagles, and Kelly is the other most overrated component here
Cowboys win suckers
Eagles should win this one.
But I don’t think by that big a margin.
31 – 27 Eagles.
YOU guys are nuts! We WILL win this game in a route coming off a heartbreaker of a loss against the Falcons, in front of our angry, pissed off fans. Eagles 38 – Cowboys 21
“Angry, pissed off fans” is an albatross, not a strength. Shouldn’t be “celebrated” as it has been an albatross for a long time.
How much leeway do you think the fans will award Sunday if things start going wrong? What if that have another “slow” opening half??
BOOOOOOO!!!!!
I think the Eagles fans are “on the edge” right now….unsure whether all these changes were good or a disaster. Struggle against Dallas and the team is going to hear about it and early.
Team psyche fragile as it is even without that possibility. Can a team play effectively knowing that the first mistake will lead to a cavalcade of boos?
I write what I want and I stand by what I said, as I’m sure you’ll do the same. Opinions are fun.. let’s not ruin mine tryna sound like a smart guy smh.
It’s COWBOYS Week!!!! We the fans are gonna be angry as are our birds!
CamdensOwn…pay no mind to Vinniedaloser…nothing would please him more than an Eagles lost..even to the hated Cowboys…the trade of Nick Foles has turned him against the team. The real Eagles fans will be stoked up, angry and putting the pressure on the Cowboys. Our offense with Bradford leading the way will score…the biggest question is can the defense get off the field and keep the Cowboys from long time consuming drives
Wow nothing would please him more than a Eagles LOST????
You don’t know the difference between loss and lost?
Not trying to ruin yours….just think the Linc can be a bit toxic for the home team.
How’s about this for a whacky theory….I think the Eagles have a much better night-time record at home because thousands of season ticket holders sell their tickets (don’t like drive home at 2:00 am that kind of thing) to “new” and out of town Eagles fans who bring more positive energy into the building than more jaded long time season ticket holders who are quick to Booo……
That should get some discussion going……
I will be at the game tomorrow. I am sure the crowd will be hyped up and ready to see some good Eagle football. That is the expectation…I will post how the crowd is at halftime
.
Man this damn lsu running back is a monster
If for some reason Bradford does not workout this season I hope Chip has an eye on Cal QB Jared Goff.
If this 2015 Season doesn’t wor out for Chip, then he better think about returning to the College Game and Owner Lurie better getter his Jet serviced and ready for a new search..
I just don’t get the doom and gloom approach you give off Paulman. We’re only 2 games going into this season and you’re already writing off our coach. Forget where Chip might end up and maybe start worrying about beating Dallas. Come on man it’s Dallas week!
The Chipper will land on his feet if terminated but I personally don’t see him like going back to college. This guy is in Heaven in the NFL free from the time constraints that limit College player involvement.
Let’s focus on one game at a time. The negative approach that some of you guys take wears on people, especially me. I may be a new poster but I’ve been reading this blog and you guys comments for the past 2 years. Let’s BEAT DALLAS!!! Stop trying to fire our coach after 1 loss, smh.
Kelly won’t get Fired for Owner Lurie doesn’t do that, Kelly will leave on his own after the 2016 Season ..
Smh, I give up with you bruh.
What would it take to have you consider hanging it up? Your non stop rambling is ridiculous. It’s game 2 for crying out loud. Man philly needs a site for knowledgeable fans. Bleeding green has amazing articles and gcobb.com does too but the comment section is filled with guys who just want to be gm’s. It’s Dallas week and you are talking about our coach going back to college. Urggg.
For the birds to win today they need a balanced attack. It’s starts with the pass in my opinion. Expose this weak secondary and have them puffing hard early. Dallas does not practice hard and they are more show and less disciplined. Make them pay for that. I’d go 3 wide out of shotgun with the room running slants all day. This would cause Lbs to either cover the center of the field and open up the run game… Or… Risk having that little pass kill them all day.
THANK YOU STEVO!!!!
× rook.
Ole Miss was pushing Alabama around yesterday. Those guys are big, strong and fast. One of my NCAA playoff teams just got knocked off and Ohio State and UCLA almost did too. Preseason I had OSU, Alabama, Baylor and UCLA with Notre Dame settling in at the 5th spot. But Ole Miss just crashed the party.
TIME TO FUCK SOME COWGIRLS UP……E.A.G.L.E.S. fuck anybody ranting about last fucking week
Izell where you going for game man im gonna be in rockville
Cowboys are without Starters Dez Bryant, Guard R Leary
DE Randy Gregory, CB Scandrick & Back-Up TE J Hanna…
Eagles at Full Stength and Home Opener …
This Game on Paper should not even be close if the Eagles were clicking and devasting if they lose at Home to the short-handed Cowboys
Ya’ll are still arguing eh?
Look Dallas is too beat up for the Eagles to lose this game. I think it will be close, cause I think Romo can keep it close, but ultimately the Eagles should win.
Joe Buck rolling with the scrubby beard….lumberjack chic…Aikman must have a semi.
Eagles WRs stink. Chips offense needs more creativity.
Billy David how long are you going to keep Demeco Ryans in the fucking game. lol
Same old, same old, Eagles getting dominated along both line of scrimmage..
CB B Maxwell is a $65 Million Bust
LB DeMeco Ryans should be Inactive until Healthy
Nothing New with this 2015 Chip Kelly Team…
Eagles Interior OL stinks…
Eagles are going nowhere my friends..
Bennie Logan owns Collins… Also, don’t write Ryan’s out
Good D Ryan’s!!!
It bothers me because I think there is talent on this D.
But they should be playing a 4-3. Did you read the article about why they play the system they use? All to stop the run – don’t care about pass….but stop the run…..not for yards….but for time. Stop other teams from eating clock so the O can get maximum possessions.
Nice D stand though.
C’mon offense…we gotta get something going…we dodged a bullet there
One first down through a Q…nd that by penalty. 3 mins of possession. Can;t run, and every throw is to a contested WR.
Koolidiot will say all wrs are covered….but tape will show otherwise. There is an open wr on almost every play in every NFL game.
Finding them is the issue.
Every run to the right and Gardner is 4 yards in the backfield
Catch the DAMMM balll!!!!!!!
I seem to remember you praising the Austin signing Koolidiot.
Austin sucks and shouldn’t be on the team.
I guarantee you however there was a different wr more open than he was….but he was probably more than 15 yrds downfield, so he wouldn;t have been seen by our qb.
Our wr’s are really garbage. Nobody is scared of them. Miles has to make that catch
To come out for 2 weeks in a row and not be able to get a 1st down and your head coach is suppose to be a offensive guru.. That’s unacceptable. Are you kidding me?
This isn’t good… Gardner blows
Defense is actually ok..
The defense stinks. The defensive calls stink.
The Eagles worry about stopping the run in a fucking passing league.
Why didn’t Thorton clean Romos clock?
The defense doesn’t stink…the play calling does
Reporting that Dez now out for 12 weeks.
I told you this would be the case over a week ago.
Eagles hired an “offensive genius”. He chose “his” players.
They can’t move the ball.
How hard is it to defend the pass against the Eagles when all you have to do is sit every defender within 15 yrds of the LOS?????
Absolutely no fear of a ball flying over your head at all, because everyone knows it will never happen with SB at QB.
the offense is horrid!!
pass at los
and here come the booooooos.
told you this would happen
now an 8 yrd corssing pattern
I really can’t believe the offense is this bad
short short short short short short handoff short short short short handoff short short short.
I mean right now this is the simplest O in the world to defend.
One safety “deep” (at about 15 yrds, evryeone else fill that little 10 yrd box and swarm.
Who cares about boos… They deserve boos… God damn throw the ball more than 3 yards… This is bullshit
Throw it to who down field? Miles Austin? Riley Cooper?
the offensive line is not getting any push at all…this is embarrassing…we need special teams or a turnover to bail the offense out like they use to bail Foles out last year
He’s got time you excuse making POS. You just cannot accept what your eyes see. There are guys going deep (and by that I mean 10 yards) but h won’t throw it.
Fuck you hot air?.. Fuck you! If you think Bradford is playing better than Foles you are delusional
Hac who is he suppose to throw it to down the field?
All I hear is now in Philly Bradford has weapons, in St. Louis he had no weapons… Throw the fucking ball
All I see is 10 yard crossing routes. lol The play calls for throwing it to the crossing routes. Whats Bradford suppose to make some shit up? Chip is calling them 10 yard passes’.
Because our tv only shows 10 yards.
The Eagles ARE NOT just ending every single WR on 5 yrd corssing patterns. SOmeone is running a post. SOmeone is running a fly. SOmeone is running a wheel.
Bradford won;t throw it to them.
Bradford hasn;t thrown a deep ball for 5 years, and he isn;t going to start now.
Defensive teams are laughing their asses off as to how easy this is.
Bradford doesn’t like to throw the ball deep.
This isn’t news.
But it’s early.
So stop panicking.
WR screens those are called plays
I get that.
I just mean in general.
He’s a lot like Alex Smith in that regard.
Folk need to just accept that and stop thinking it will change.
Last week u on and on about the D.
Well the D is not the issue. Despite being on the field all game, they have given up 3 pts.
3rd and 21….throw a 2 yrd pass.
Wow.
They should only give up 3 points Dallas has nobody on offense. They don’t get a gold star for playing a Dallas team coming off a emotional division win, on the road, the Eagles home opener, with its star player out for 12 weeks. Bravo great job. Dallas came in here expecting to give this one away.
This offense is looking so bad right now it’s damn near comical. Strong first half from the defense. Right now the offense is the problem!
They only say we have weapons because of the scheme but Kelly isn’t being aggressive with his play calling so we look pedestrian as hell
Is this shit on billy Davis? No! This is chip and fucking Bradford!
Fools!! Vinniedafool still doesn’t know a damm thing …you got to have some one open deep to throw it deep..the big problem is the damm offensive line is not giving us anything. Bradford is playing it smart…dont chuck the ball up deep when you dont have any receivers open and your offfensive line is not playing worth a damm…Stay in the game dont make stupid desperate moves…
Yeah Bradford is playing like an mvp
STFU you blind excuse making putz.
Its 3rd and 21….no different throwing a 50 yard pick or a 50 yard punt.
Bradford…with no one close to him….dumps it 2 yards.
Defenses are laughing at how easy this is.
What is the defensive call on the other side….”Everyone attack!!”
I can see all the D coaches on the Dallas sideline waving their arms….forward…forward….move up, move up! He’ll never throw it over you…move UP!!!”
Don’t want to hear about not having any weapons on offense. who’s fault is that. Chip! Cooper bum as still on this team meanwhile we let real playmakers leave via free agency or trade. Bullshit!
BINGO!!!!