NFL
By: Greg Rector
Dallas Cowboys (11-5) at Philadelphia Eagles (9-7)
For the umpteenth time it seems in the last 26 years the Dallas Cowboys lost a game they needed to have. In a situation where they could have silenced the critics, they came up short again. This ongoing issue isn’t part of any “Jimmy Johnson Curse,” and despite the protestations from the players after the game, it’ wasn’t the official’s fault either. The Cowboys as a team failed to find a way to win. The Cardinals earned the 25 to 22 win, plain and simple. Dallas made too many mistakes on both sides of the ball, the running game was non-existent (17 carries 45 yards) while the defense gave up too many big plays and allowed the Cardinals too many opportunities thanks to penalties and poor coverage. Add in missed points from Zuerlein yet again, (In three losses by a combined 8 points, he’s missed kicks totaling 14 points) not a good statistic. In summation, they stank out ATT&T Stadium, and as I have often written it was due to a horrific start. As I have often said there’s too much comfort being a Dallas Cowboy. To me, this was the week the coaches should have locked the team together in the Omni Hotel, next to the Star at Frisco. Now before the PC crowd gets riled up hear me out. Hockey teams have done this for years with great success in the NHL playoffs. No wives, no kids, girlfriends, and no outside distractions. This week should have been treated like going to an opponent on the road in the playoffs. Now they can forget about being the top seed or even second seed for that matter, and the playoff road got a whole lot bumpier. To make matters worse, it appears likely Michael Gallup suffered a torn ACL and will be lost for the rest of the year. Hate to see any injury, but this one hurts, Gallup is headed for free agency and this will not help his cause one bit. I have a group of folks that tweet with one another during games and this was my response after the game. Cowboys Nation, this is all too familiar for the last 26 seasons.
Game over. https://t.co/y6zlp9htVQ#DallasCowboys theme for 26 years.
It's A Heartache – Bonnie Tyler.— CowboysFanGreg (@GregCowboys) January 3, 2022
Let’s look ahead to the last game of the regular season against the Eagles. The Dallas Cowboys have an opportunity to sweep the NFC East games.
Dallas Cowboys Offense vs Philadelphia Eagles Defense
Much like last year’s run to the division title for Washington, the Eagles defense has faced less than stellar opposing quarterbacks during their current 4 games winning streak. Dak Prescott was merely serviceable against the Cardinals and despite 3 TD passes, his completion percentage and yardage totals were pedestrian at best. The offense is in disarray, to say the least, and if they can’t establish a ground game or exploit what is a less than great Eagles defense this is going to be another struggle. The offensive line has been horrid for going on three months. I won’t use the injuries/Covid as an excuse. They simply are losing the battle in the trenches routinely. Combine that with the lack of imaginative plays and you can win some games against weaker opponents, but you won’t win when it matters. If the typical road woes we’ve seen from Dallas (28th in red zone success on the road) this is going to be a very tough game. Outside of the Washington massacre game, there are just too many things going wrong to feel confident about the Cowboys’ offense. Against the Cardinals, too many drives were killed with third-down penalties. So much for the hype about this group, the season started with, they haven’t lived up to it. Another factor will be yet again going up north into a less than ideal weather situation most likely. Let’s just say there’s a lot of question marks for this game that the Cowboy’s offense needs to find the answers for.
Philadelphia Offense versus the Dallas Cowboys Defense
It was the feast or famine story again for the Cowboy’s defense against Arizona. This time famine won out. The defense didn’t get any turnovers against Arizona. They did a fairly decent job of containing Murray, he still managed 44 yards on 9 carries, however, they were horrendous when it came to the big plays. Malik Hooker did get his hand on one TD pass but it didn’t affect the outcome. Kearse also had an interception chance in the end zone I’m sure he would like back. The Dallas defense simply gave up too many plays, and as their friends on the offensive line kept Cardinal drives alive with too many penalties of their own. Gregory and Lawrence jumping offsides and the pass interference calls hurt them. Well on Saturday they are going to have to be much better against the run. The Eagles since week eight are the NFL leaders in rushing yards. Unlike Kyler Murray who since his injury isn’t doing a lot of designed running, the Eagles with Jalen Hurts certainly are designing their running attack with their mobile quarterback in mind. Even without Miles Sanders, they managed over 120 rushing yards against the No Names. Another big plus for the Eagles is they are deep at the position. Boston Scott and Jordan Howard are doing their part on the ground. Throw in enough contributions in the passing attack from Dallas Goedert, Davonta Smith, and those same running backs and you get the wins that the Eagles have been getting. The Cowboys entered the Cardinals game ranked number one in defense and need to get back to that immediately. The 3rd down efficiency must return to their season long-form and the turnovers will be needed. In three of the 5 losses, it has been the nail in the coffin for Dallas.
Intangibles and Prediction
Can the Cowboys rebound from another disappointing home game? They better get over it in a hurry. Lincoln Financial Field is going to be a very inhospitable environment and not simply due to whatever weather is present on Saturday night. The Eagles faithful are primed for revenge after the week three drubbing the Cowboys gave their team. You know they desperately won’t want a Dallas team to get the NFC East sweep. On the other side, the Cowboys need to use that as motivation to be able to say to the rivals that this division in 2021-2022 is indeed owned by the Cowboys. It’s also necessary for any hope at this point of having momentum for the playoffs. As mentioned the January weather could be a factor although up until now it’s been unseasonably mild for Philadelphia. I could play the eternal optimist here but I am not going to. One other factor in the Eagle’s favor? They play for a full 60 minutes far more consistently. Therefore in a close game because the Cowboys haven’t found the answers when needed the most I am going with Philadelphia 23 Dallas 20. I hope the Cowboys prove can prove me wrong, but the Cowboys simply make too many errors for me to have them winning this game.
As always you can find me on Twitter @GregCowboys
