NFL
By: Greg Rector
CAN WE WIN THE NFC LEAST?
Anyone who has read my articles in the past knows how much I emphasize turnovers as such a vital part of winning football games. The victory against the San Francisco 49’ers was a perfect example as the Dallas Cowboys scored 24 points off of turnovers to help defeat the Niner’s 41-33. The win gave Dallas its first consecutive wins since weeks 7 and 9 in 2019. In this weirdest of seasons, the Cowboys seem to have found themselves as a group. The positives are led by the improved play of the younger Cowboys, especially on the offensive line. The tanking crowd (Myself amongst them) saw the Cowboys fall down from the 4th draft pick in 2021 down to 8th. With the losses suffered by the other 3 division rivals, the Cowboys now sit in 2nd place in the NFC Least at 5 and 9. Yes with two wins and some help the Cowboys can actually win the division.
THE DIVISION RIVAL
Dallas will face the Philadelphia Eagles Sunday in the final home game of the season. Both teams have their backup quarterbacks starting, both have at times been utterly dysfunctional, and both at times have looked good, Dallas with Andy Dalton, and the Eagles with rookie Jalen Hurts. Here’s the difference for me in this game. Dalton the veteran has been here before and has far more weapons on his side, whereas Hurts is doing a lot on his own. It will paramount for the Cowboys defense to be as aggressive as they were against the 49’ers. Contain Hurts and make the Eagles one-dimensional. Simple right? Of course, these are the Cowboys, you know a team that starts believing in their press clippings and has a horrible habit of playing down to opponents.
Offensive Keys:
Tony Pollard was very effective against San Francisco, as Ezekiel Elliott missed the game. Of course, this led the “Fanatics<” faction on social media to call for Elliott to be traded to the NY Jets or other teams. Hey, dummies, any of you watched the Cleveland Browns duo of Chubb and Hunt? See how they use both backs? Yes, Elliott has struggled this season for a variety of reasons, however, both backs can still be effective in different ways. The Eagles defensive line is still a dangerous group and having one or both backs be options for Dalton is going to be important. Production from both backs will make life easier for Schultz and the wide receivers to attack the Eagles secondary. The line needs to be stout or Fletcher Cox and company will be in the Cowboys backfield in an instant. The most important thing to me will be to start fast, put the pressure on Philadelphia, don’t let them hang around.
Defensive Keys:
Don’t get cute on defense, the Cowboys defense still isn’t good enough to do anything but what they did to beat San Francisco. No exotic schemes, simply attack the rookie quarterback. It’s going to be vital that Lawrence and the other defensive ends set the edge against Hurts and the Eagles running backs, keeping Hurts from running amok as he’s done in his first two starts. Forcing the Eagles offense into 3rd and long situations means Hurts will have to beat the Cowboys as a passer. Search and destroy the ball carrier when they do try to run. Punch and claw the ball carrier whenever possible. Contain that aspect of the game and the Cowboys can have a good afternoon. On passing downs apply pressure against a very weak Eagles offensive line. In other words, be in ATTACK mode from the first snap.
Intangibles:
The Cowboys must START fast on both sides of the football. Play tenaciously, and do not allow the Eagles to stay close. The Cowboys offense can put up the points, and it’s even easier when the defense gives them extra possessions. If they do start fast it’s up to McCarthy and his coaches to prevent the team from letting up in any way. Play for 60 minutes as I always talk about. If not even though they are on paper a better team they will not succeed if the bad habits (mostly mental) show up. The players have rallied around each other and must keep that mindset. Despite adversity, they need to keep in mind that the playoffs are very reachable for them.
Prediction:
Any given Sunday if you’re not prepared for 60 minutes of football a loss is a likely outcome, right Rams fans? That said I see this group is finally playing somewhat up to their potential, if that remains the case and I hope it does, the Dallas Cowboys should beat the Philadelphia Eagles 34 to 24.
