We may as well call it week 17 part 2. After the dust has settled, the NFL playoff schedule is set, and three of the four wild card match ups have week 17 foes calling for a redo, namely the Philadelphia Eagles remaining in Dallas to exact revenge on a Cowboys team that simply shut down everything that was thrown at them.
Philadelphia looked nothing like the team that, in the previous six weeks, had averaged 31.2 points per game while going 6-0. Instead, miscues in critical situations left the Eagles befuddled and scoreless in their season closing game. Though the Eagles could only muster 37 rushing yards, it was the unsteady performance of Donovan McNabb that ultimately did the Eagles in. From a botched snap turnover in the red zone, to a number of inaccurate throws to his prime receivers, McNabb seemed to be rattled by a Cowboys team that has turned it on at precisely the right time.
The Cowboys may just be the team of destiny this post season. Finding themselves at 8-5 in week 14, the Cowboys playoff hopes were at stake with a formidable final three opponents remaining on their schedule. However, the Cowboys have locked in and rattled off three straight victories, outscoring their opponents by a combined 65-17. Dallas’ victory was also a landmark as it capped off consecutive shutouts for the first time in team history, its 2nd division titles in 3 seasons, and also propelled Tony Romo into Cowboys history again as he eclipsed his own record set in 2007 by ending the season with 4,483 passing yards.
Obviously, the match up to watch in this game will be the Romo vs. McNabb. The advantage of playing a team two straight weeks, a division foe at that, is familiarity and adjustment potential. The Eagles are in need of “going back to the drawing board” as Andy Reid put it during post game. While the defense of the Cowboys was indeed strong, it was the self inflicted mistakes that cost the Eagles the 2nd seed in the playoffs. Should McNabb be able to refocus and execute, this Eagles team will be very tough to survive against, and “do-over” against a divisional foe may just be the key to his success. As far as Dallas is concerned, it’s not broke, so there’s no need to fix. In their final four games, the Dallas D has held the NFL’s top 3 offenses to their fewest point totals of the season. Tony Romos production, most impressively his TD/Int. ratio (26/9), has spread the opposition’s defense and allowed running backs Marion Barber and Felix Jones to fire on all cylinders.
The smart money is on the Cowboys to get it done on their home field, and while this NFL playoff scenario could be considered an advantage for the Eagles, it won’t be enough to eclipse this Dallas team that appears to be unbeatable.
Final Score: 27-21 Cowboys
Matt Sweet
[...] Not a lot mention of the Sanchise factor. Rookie QB's have a history of getting the "ips" in their postseason debuts. Think Sanchez will keep his head, or will he pull a Romo? [...]