Eagles-Dallas: What we're watching (Week 17)
The Philadelphia Daily News - Eagletarian
Eagles-Dallas: What we're watching (Week 17)
Paul Domowitch, Daily News NFL Columnist
Daily News football writer Paul Domowitch tells you what he will be keeping an eye on during the Eagles-Cowboys game Sunday:
1. Stopping Witten: The Eagles continue to have problems defending the tight end in the passing game. Opposing tight ends have 72 catches and 10 TDs vs. Eagles. Two of those 10 scores were by Jason Witten in Week 14. With inexperienced Stephen McGee expected to start for the Cowboys on Sunday, Witten likely will be his go-to receiver. Witten has four TD catches in the last thee games and has been targeted 23 times (18 catches) the last two weeks.
2. Eagles’ passing game: Kevin Kolb likely will be starting in place of banged-up Michael Vick and will be going against a Cowboys pass defense that has given up a league-high 32 touchdown passes. He needs to make hay. Opponents have a 65.5 completion percentage and 96.7 passer rating against the Cowboys.
3. Getting DeSean involved: Looking for something that the Eagles’ five losses all have in common? How about little or no production from Pro Bowler DeSean Jackson? Jackson missed one of those five losses (Tennessee). In the other four, he was targeted 35 times, but caught just 11 passes for 107 yards and no touchdowns. That’s the bad news. The good news: He had a career-high 210 receiving yards 3 weeks ago against the Cowboys.
4. Another mobile quarterback: With Jon Kitna nursing an abdominal injury, second-year quarterback Stephen McGee is expected to get his first NFL start Sunday. Like the Vikings’ Joe Webb, McGee can run, and the Eagles need to do a better job of keeping him in the pocket than they did Webb, who completed 17 of 26 passes against them and ran for a 9-yard touchdown.
5. Third-down defense: The Eagles have a lot of disturbing defensive numbers. Here’s a really big one: in their last two games, they’ve allowed opponents to convert 14 of 30 third-down opportunities. In those two games, opposing quarterbacks have completed 13 of 23 third-down passes for 179 yards and 12 – count ’em, 12 – first downs. Opponent third-down passer rating in last two games: 92.5. In first 13 games: 48.3.
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if mcdermott couldnt figure out a rookie receiver/quarterback, then were really in big trouble against a second year backup!— Geno D
Comment removed.- To tyell you the truth, Paul, Philly fans were hoping for a Tom Brady, a Drwew Breesq, a Payton Manning. What we got was a Donovan McNabb clone. The football graveyard is filled with coaches who fell in love with running quarterbacks.— marioP
- I think that was the air banjo. Most awkward entrance ever, and I liked #5.— hallux
- The Eagles and Vick were doing great until we got the Obama jinx. We finally get rid of the McNabb jinx and now were stuck with Obama rooting for us.— Larry Byrd
- I'm really not worried about week 17. I am concerned about the D and it's he inability to get off the field on 3rd Down. If they hold on that 3rd and 11 in the 4th, they might have actually pulled out a really ugly one on Tuesday.— flyigglesfly
- I'm really not worried about week 17. I am concerned about the D and it's he inability to get off the field on 3rd Down. If they hold on that 3rd and 11 in the 4th, they might have actually pulled out a really ugly one on Tuesday.— flyigglesfly
- The O lin has to hold up under pressure. Vick may be taking the weekend off but the problem of his protection in the pocket remains my chief offensive side concern. Our wide recievers could also use the practise at catching key passes. The defence? Let's just say that w really need the on field time to work out some of the kinks o put it kindly.— unbelieveable!
