Ken Hamlin (26) and the Cowboys defense have held DeSean Jackson (10) and the Eagles offense largely in-check in two meetings this season. Will Dallas' success continue? (AP Photo/Waco Tribune Herald, Jose Yau)They say defense wins championships.
Well, the Dallas Cowboys have held the 5th best scoring offense in the league (26.8 points per game) to two of their three lowest scoring totals of the season (16 and 0) and are coming off the first shutout of an Eagles offense since Dec. 5, 2005. The Cowboys held the Eagles to an average of eight points per game in these meetings.
A big reason for the Cowboys success is the way they have limited the Eagles big plays. Philadelphia Pro-Bowl receiver DeSean Jackson ended the season second in the NFL in yards-per-reception (18.5) and tied for eighth in yards-per-game (77.8). Against Dallas, Jackson had averaged only 15.1 yards-per-catch and has totaled only 76 receiving yards in the two games.
In order for Dallas to come away with their first playoff victory in 13 years, they are going to have to continue to stop the big-play - even if it means giving up some yards to Eagles tight-end Brent Celek on dink-and-dunk passes. Celek has 135 yards and a touchdown against the Cowboys this season.
"Obviously you gain confidence from the success we've had," said Keith Brooking, who had five solo tackles in the shutout win last week and who has been the heart of the Cowboys' defense this season."But that's over. This is a new season for us and we're looking at it that way. Obviously everything is at stake right now."
The Cowboys' offense hasn't been too shabby, either, as Tony Romo has picked apart the Eagles' defense in both meetings this season.
Romo passed for over 300 yards both games for a total of 618 yards and had three touchdowns and two interceptions. Miles Austin and Patrick Crayton have been primary targets for Romo, Austin has eight recpeionts for 139 yards and a touchdown against the Eagles while Crayton has six for 173 and a touchdown - a 30.5 yard average per reception.
Dallas has averaged 22 points a game so far this season against Philly. The Eagles allowed 21.1 points a game for the season.
"This is when it all needs to come into place and unfold for us," said Pro-Bowler Jason Witten, who finished with over 1,000 yards receiving for the second time in the last three years. "All that other stuff is great...But I really believe that we know what's at stake and this [is] when we need to play big."
Observations
- Eagles coach Andy Reid has never lost his team's opening playoff game (Wild Card Round or Divisional) in his career (7-0).
- Cowboys coach Wade Phillips has never won a playoff game (0-4).
- The Eagles have never won a playoff game at Dallas (0-2) and are 1-2 all-time vs the Cowboys in the playoffs.
- Since 1970, a team has gone 2-0 against another team 19 times and faced them in the playoffs. These teams were 12-7 in the third meeting.
- Dallas has never beaten a team three times in a season. You might recall 13-3 two-years ago and losing to the N.Y. Giants in the playoffs after beating them twice in the regular season. N.Y. won the Super Bowl that year.
Cowboys: Demarcus Ware, Marion Barber, Tashard Choice, Marc Columbo and Terence Newman are all listed as probable but expected to play.
Pat Watkins is listed at questionable, but is also expected to play.
Eagles: Michael Vick is listed as probable but is also expected to play and be the number two quarterback.
Prediction
You have to believe that Philadelphia is going to put up some points in this one. It's hard to keep an offense of this caliber down for three games in one season - no matter how good your defense is - so Dallas is going to have to put up some points.
The good news is that the Eagle's defense is vulnerable and can be scored upon, as the Cowboys have proved in their two meeting this season.
I see Tony Romo having another great game - no turnovers - and for this game to go right down to the wire as Donovan McNabb and the Eagles offense throws everything as the Cowboys defense. I expect Vick to get a good amount of time on the field and to see some plays that we haven't seen all season from Philly.
Dallas rallies late and pulls out a victory at home thanks to a Jason Witten late game TD reception.
Cowboys 30
Eagles 27
(Portions of this article were taken from The Associated Press)
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