Eagles-Cowboys scouting report

Recent history: The teams split last season, with each team winning on the road. Dallas leads the series, 59-45.

OFFENSE

Eagles: 441.7 yards per game (3rd)

Cowboys: 415.5 yards per game (6th)

Quarterback

Eagles: While Michael Vick's overall passing numbers - besides his eight picks - are pretty good, his situational play must improve. He's completed just 17 of 31 passes and thrown two INTs in the red zone, has been ineffective when facing six or seven rushers, and is 25th in the league in third-down passing.

Cowboys: Cowboys have won five of the last seven games Tony Romo has started vs. Eagles. He has a 111.7 passer rating in the wins, 39.7 in the losses. Romo has an above-average arm and can be deadly accurate if given time. But pressure often turns him stupid, as it did vs. Lions in Week 4 when he threw three picks.

Pick: Even

Running back

Eagles: LeSean McCoy had a career-high 28 carries vs. the Redskins 2 weeks ago. Twenty-seven of his 105 carries have gained 8 yards or more. But look for McCoy to be utilized more as a receiver against a Dallas defense that is first in the NFL against the run.

Cowboys: With Felix Jones still on the shelf with a high ankle sprain, Cowboys will rely mainly on rookie DeMarco Murray. While Murray rushed for 253 yards vs. Rams, Cowboys had averaged just 84.8 rushing yards per game in their first five contests. Murray and Tashard Choice both are good receivers.

Pick: Eagles

Receiving

Eagles: Eagles went with short routes and quick throws to counter the Redskins' pass rush 2 weeks ago and may do the same vs. Cowboys' blitz. Jeremy Maclin is the only wideout who's been a factor in the red zone (six catches, two TDs). DeSean Jackson and Jason Avant have combined for just three red-zone receptions and one TD.

Cowboys: The Eagles continue to have problems defending TEs, and Jason Witten is one of the best. He's got a TD catch in each of the last three games. Miles Austin is Tony Romo's favorite downfield receiver, but has just nine catches for 90 yards in two games since returning from a hamstring injury.

Pick: Eagles

Offensive line

Eagles: Eagles have given up just nine sacks, but need to reduce the hits on Michael Vick. They are getting Pro Bowl LT Jason Peters back just in time to deal with DeMarcus Ware and defensive coordinator Rob Ryan's plethora of blitz packages. Ryan has been moving Ware around, making it difficult to get a read on him.

Cowboys: Cowboys traded experience for youth, ditching veteran C Andre Gurode and RG Leonard Davis and going with second-year man Phil Costa at center and first-round rookie Tyron Smith at RT. Both have had their ups and downs. Smith and LT Doug Free will have their hands full vs. Eagles' wide-nine pass rush.

Pick: Eagles

DEFENSE

Eagles: 341.2 yards per game (13th)

Cowboys: 300.5 yards per game (7th)

Defensive line

Eagles: Eagles cut back on wide-nine fronts vs. Washington and it made a difference stopping the run. With the return of Trent Cole, they'll be able to go back to a four-man rotation at the end spots, which should be a benefit in the fourth quarter. Since Week 1, Eagles have had just one sack in the final 12 minutes of games.

Cowboys: Jay Ratliff isn't your typical fire-hydrant nose tackle. He's 6-4 and weighs just 287, but has the power to hold the point of attack against the run and the quickness to split the gap and pressure the QB. Kenyon Coleman and Marcus Spears both are block-occupying, 3-4 ends who keep o-linemen off their LBs.

Pick: Eagles

Linebacker

Eagles: This unit played much better against the run vs. Washington, holding the Redskins to 1.8 yards per carry on first down after giving up 5.6 per first-down carry in the first five games. But they must get better in coverage. Eagles have given up 58 catches for 675 yards and six TDs to opposing TEs and RBs.

Cowboys: DeMarcus Ware is one of the league's premier pass rushers. He's had 11 or more sacks five straight seasons and is well on his way to a sixth with eight. Sean Lee, who has replaced Keith Brookings at WLB, is a smart, instinctive player who has a team-high three interceptions.

Pick: Cowboys

Secondary

Eagles: Juan Castillo still seems to be struggling to figure out how best to use his three stud corners. Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie hasn't been very comfortable in the slot and it's shown in his play. The return to pre-injury form of safety Nate Allen has provided a big boost to this unit, both vs. run and pass.

Cowboys: With slot corner Orlando Scandrick healthy again, Cowboys have a solid trio of cover corners. Terence Newman is a tough, complete corner with good instincts. Mike Jenkins is a bit more athletic and physical, but also more prone to mistakes. Scandrick held Patriots' Wes Welker to 45 receiving yards in Week 6.

Pick: Eagles

Special teams

Eagles: PK Alex Henery has just one FG attempt longer than 39 yards and that was a 63-yard Hail Mary. Eagles are ranked 22nd in kickoff coverage. Return game has been non-existent. KR Dion Lewis is averaging just 21.1 yards per return, and PR DeSean Jackson is averaging just 6.4.

Cowboys: Dez Bryant has rare size for a PR to go with blazing speed. He averaged 14.3 yards per return as a rookie last season. PK Dan Bailey has made 17 of 18 FG attempts, including his last 14. P Matt McBriar has a 49.8 yard gross average, but has had 14 of his 22 attempts returned.

Pick: Cowboys

KEY MATCHUPS

1. Eagles LT Jason Peters vs. Cowboys LB DeMarcus Ware: Both are perennial Pro Bowlers. Peters is coming off a hamstring injury. Ware will line up in different spots, but Peters will be matched up vs. him the most. Advantage: Even

2. Eagles WRs Jeremy Maclin, DeSean Jackson and Jason Avant vs. Cowboys CBs Terence Newman, Mike Jenkins and Orlando Scandrick: Maclin and Jackson both are on 1,200-yard receiving paces. Scandrick shut down Wes Welker 2 weeks ago. Advantage: Eagles

3. Eagles LB Moise Fokou and CB Nnamdi Asomugha vs. Cowboys TE Jason Witten. Witten's unique combination of size, strength and athleticism makes him tough to stop. He has been targeted 20 times in last three games and has caught 17 of those passes. Advantage: Cowboys

HOT AND NOT

HOT

Eagles: S Kurt Coleman. Became just the third player in the last 10 years to intercept three or more passes in win at Washington.

Cowboys: RB DeMarco Murray. The rookie had the ninth-best rushing performance in NFL history vs. Rams, rushing for 253 yards.

NOT

Eagles: RB Ronnie Brown. Has just 13 rushing attempts in six games and is averaging 2.9 yards per carry.

Cowboys: WR Miles Austin. Has just nine catches for 90 yards in two games since returning from hamstring injury.

DOMO'S PICK: EAGLES 31, COWBOYS 27