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Eagles-Cowboys predictions

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16 comments

Eagles-Cowboys predictions

POSTED: Thursday, December 22, 2011, 11:53 PM

JEFF MCLANE
Record, 5-9

You know you've hit the ocean bottom when you're prediction record is worse than the Eagles'. I promised myself I wouldn't pick against an Eagles opponent after the Seattle loss and I'm sticking to it, my reputation (or what's left of it) be damned.

Honestly, I like the Cowboys in this game for the simple fact that I think it's going to be hard for the Eagles - a schizo team - to win both ends of a home and away. Plus, isn't it about time the Eagles let everyone down again? It may not get to that point if the Giants beat the Jets in the earlier game and knock the Eagles out of playoff contention.

Between the lines, Dallas seems to have put that 34-7 October embarrassment at the Eagles behind them. Tony Romo is playing at a high level, his four top receivers are as good as any foursome in the league right now and a healthy Felix Jones complements that passing attack. Jones won't be 100 percent because of a tender hamstring but as long as he can hit some early holes and establish the run Dallas' offense should be better off this time around.

That is, if Rob Ryan's defense doesn't fold like an old lawn chair, which is possible, considering the first game. But I just don't see the defensive coordinator that confounded Tom Brady earlier this season not getting to Michael Vick in at least one of two meetings. So there's that. Cowboys, 31-28.

What goes right: I keep predicting a DeSean Jackson big play touchdown and he has yet to deliver. He hits a home run here.

What goes wrong: Much of the progress Juan Castillo's defense has made the last two weeks is lost in Dallas.

JONATHAN TAMARI
Record, 4-10

There are a lot of reasons to like the Eagles in this match up. For one thing, there is the memory of the 34-7 beatdown the Eagles put on earlier this year, and the fact that Dallas’ weak secondary plays right into one of Philly’s biggest strengths. The Cowboys offense, and particularly Tony Romo, has gotten hot, but Jason Babin is playing at a level that can wreck any game plan.

The Cowboys, though, shouldn’t be counted out. Romo has a deep group of targets in Dez Bryant, Miles Austin, Laurent Robinson and Jason Witten. But Felix Jones' health is critical, because Dallas' best bet at stopping the Eagles seems to lie in ball control.

Which makes the early part of this game very important. In the first meeting the Eagles jumped ahead so fast the Cowboys had to abandon the run, and when Philly's pass rush can attack with abandon, they can be lethal. If the game is close, though, we’ve all seen what can happen late to the Eagles.

The wild card here is the early Jets-Giants game. If the Giants win, I have to believe a lot of air goes out of the eliminated Eagles, no matter how much they say they are going to play hard no matter what. A Giants loss gives both teams added motivation: a potential playoff shot for the Eagles, and a chance to clinch the division for Dallas.

I’m torn, but I’m going back to the big picture. I don’t think the Eagles team that went 4-8 to open the year is suddenly so different that they’re about to go on a four game winning streak. So, facing decent opposition with a quarterback who is playing well, I’ll take Dallas in a close game decided late. Cowboys, 30-24.

What goes right: The Eagles receivers find room against a shaky secondary.

What goes wrong: The turnover bug pops up again for the Eagles and costs them points.

16 comments
Comments  (16)
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 12:23 AM, 12/23/2011
    Eagles win in a typical NFC East showdown.
    adipaolo
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 12:26 AM, 12/23/2011
    Thanks for nothin'........
    Mark1npt
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 1:18 AM, 12/23/2011
    I predict that the Giants lose earlier in the day so that the Eagles have a real chance. They go up by 21 points in the first half and it finally looks like the season is turning around. They then blow it and lose by a field goal in the second half making this the single most painful season in history. At the end of the game it is then announced that Reid has been given a contract extension of ten more years. Drunken enraged Eagles fans pour out onto the Betsy Ross bridge and collectively jump off sending a tidal wave crashing into the city.
    Larry Byrd
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 6:50 AM, 12/23/2011
    1agree thanks for nothing
    john morrissey
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 6:56 AM, 12/23/2011
    Did you notice these two guys prediction records? Looks good for the birds!
    davidr831
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 7:32 AM, 12/23/2011
    All depends on M.Vick's turnovers....simple as that
    lagunners
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 7:39 AM, 12/23/2011
    Tell Ashley Fox I said Hi! I bet she is not posting lousy picks the Friday before x-mas.
    Die Hard Fan
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 7:47 AM, 12/23/2011
    Here's hoping you two bozos go 5-10 & 4-11
    dwilly
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 7:49 AM, 12/23/2011
    Birds 27 Dallas 17...wolf.
    wolf 4
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 9:09 AM, 12/23/2011
    31-27 Da Birds! And that's after the Jets smoke the Gints! C'mon Santa!
    Ho Ho H2O
    Dave Kane
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 9:42 AM, 12/23/2011
    Hey! A coin flip is as accurate as you guys have been. What a year to have to predict the Birds.
    johnny eagle
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 10:27 AM, 12/23/2011
    I see, so we are supposed to trust predictions from 2 guys who's record is somehow WORSE than the Eagles? Whatever these guys predict we should assume won't actually happen.
    superguysteve
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 10:46 AM, 12/23/2011
    McClane 5-9
    Tamari 4-10
    Wiff 1-2 [one correct in 2 years that is]

    Do I have to say any more?
    tpizza
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 11:13 AM, 12/23/2011
    Okay, Birds beat cowgirls, and then beat the redskins next week,who will be mailing it it.....and yes the jets will beat the giants, BUT THE PROBLEM IS, Will the giants have enough pride to come out and punch the cowgirls or will they mail it in....
    nuggett
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 11:23 AM, 12/23/2011
    Of course both of these bozos predictions are predicated on a healthy Felix Jones......perhaps neither know that he won't be anywhere near 100% and the Cowgirls may rely on Sammy Morris...hahahaha. Boids 45 - America's Most Hated Team 13
    IdahoMoose


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