Never without some excitement to keep us reeling, the NFC East is going postseason this year. We just watched the Eagles fall on their face in Dallas as the Cowboys went on to a historical win and the top of the division, and now we get to look forward to a grudge match like only the rivalries of the NFC East can supply.
Their records are identical, they have the same wins and losses at home, on the road, and in the division – you couldn’t find a more evenly matched game if you hand picked the teams.
They’ve got similar sacks, similar touchdowns, similar passing and rushing yards, so where is the difference in this matchup that’s going to be a difference maker? Points!
The Eagles are riding high atop their best point total in franchise history at 429, which is the exact number of points they had before last week’s game. The Cowboys are at a more modest 363 points through the first 16 games. That’s the difference.
The Cowboys have only allowed an average of 15.6 points per game this season and have really been cracking down on that seemingly high number as of late. Riding a three-game winning streak, the ‘Boys have only given up 17 points in that span, and that was to the New Orleans Saints – a far cry from the Eagles by any perspective.
What’s more is that this Eagles offense is preparing to be the unit that wins the game. Through the air or on the ground doesn’t matter, but you don’t expect to win with defense when you’re offense has been the real heater during the year. The problem that just might throw a huge kink into their plans is that their offense, rated highly among all experts and most game logs, hasn’t been able to produce against the Cowboys this year.
Add to the mix the Eagles average points allowed per game at 21.1 and the fact that they are 664 yards behind Dallas in total offense this year, and you get what should be a slugfest. The normally high scoring Philly offense Vs. the new Dallas Doomsday Defense – a matchup that should fall the way of the plains in a Dallas victory.
I’ll let the averages do the pick for me.
Cowboys 21 – Eagles 7
Now let’s give it up Cowboys fans. The team has asked us two weeks in a row to pump up the volume and put some meaning behind home-field-advantage this year. Get up. Get loud.
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