The Dallas Cowboys emerged as the only NFC East team left without a loss following a thrilling victory over the New York Giants on Sunday. Tony Romo and the rest of the ‘Boys now take aim to roll over another division rival when they step out of Jerry World for the first time this season to meet the Philadelphia Eagles this coming Sunday. Will the Cowboys make it two in a row? Or will the Eagles break into the win column at the expense of Dallas?
Read on for more about this matchup. For more Week 2 game preview, you can click here for Cardinals vs. Bears and here for Rams vs. Redskins.
[sc:Football ]Dallas Cowboys vs. Philadelphia Eagles Preview
Where: Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia
When: Sunday, September 20, 4:25 PM ET
Line: Dallas Cowboys (+5.5) at Philadelphia Eagles (-5.5); total: 55.5 – view all NFL lines
TV Broadcast: Fox
Betting on the Dallas Cowboys
[sc:NFL240banner ]Dallas’ 27-26 win over the Giants last Sunday was a bittersweet one for the Cowboys. Yes, Tony Romo led the team into an improbable come-from-behind victory. Yes, tight end Jason Witten looked like he still has it. And yes, the Cowboys have avoided a repeat of last year’s Week 1 loss to the San Francisco 49ers. But with all that said, the Cowboys will find it tougher to move forward without Dez Bryant.
Bryant injured his foot against the Giants, and it was learned afterwards that the star wide receiver would have to sit out four to six weeks. Bryant’s absence means that Romo loses his best weapon for a significant amount of time. This development would likely result to increased targets to Witten, who caught for 60 yards and two touchdowns (including the game-winner) on eight receptions.
That said, Terrance Williams and Cole Beasley will have to pick up the slack for the receiving group. Both wideouts combined for 109 yards with no touchdowns in Week 1.
The Cowboys’ reliance on their passing game becomes more apparent after coming up with only 80 rushing yards against New York. Joseph Randle led the now DeMarco-Murray-less backfield with 65 rushing yards, while Darren McFadden only had 16 yards on six carries.
In the Cowboys’ last meeting with Philadelphia, Romo passed for 265 yards and three touchdowns without an interception in a 38-27 win in Lincoln Financial Field last December 15th. With the running game hardly looking as effective as it was a year ago, Romo will have to be at the top of his game to move the ball in Philly.
After throwing for 356 yards against the Giants, Romo should be able to do just that against an Eagles secondary that was burned for nearly 300 yards by the Falcons.
Dallas is 8-2 ATS in its last 10 road games.
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Betting on the Philadelphia Eagles
Philadelphia failed to do a Cowboy, so to speak. Down 20-3 at half time against Atlanta on Monday, Philadelphia mounted a ferocious comeback attempt in the second half but failed to complete it, as Chip Kelly and his crew suffered their first loss of the season, 26-24.
Just like last season, the Eagles’ defense played poorly against Atlanta. Philadelphia allowed the Falcons to tally 395 yards and its defense against the pass was especially bad, despite picking Matt Ryan’s pocket twice. The team’s secondary did an ugly job of containing Julio Jones, who repeatedly left cornerback Byron Maxwell in the dark on his way to having a 141-receiving-yard and two-touchdown night.
Containing a Pro-Bowl wideout in their next game, however, won’t be a problem for the Eagles with Dallas missing Dez Bryant. Philly must be able to put more pressure on Romo than they did on Matt Ryan, whom the Eagles sacked just once on Sunday. Taking away Romo would leave the Eagles to deal with the Dallas’ susceptible backfield—a more favorable scenario for the Philadelphia.
The Eagles’ offense should also be able to start fast. It took time for Sam Bradford and DeMarco Murray to heat up against Atlanta and it hurt Philly’s chances in making any progress early in the game.
Bradford threw for 336 yards and a touchdown with two interceptions against the Falcons, while Murray recorded two touchdowns (one rushing, one receiving) on just nine yards and eight carries. Darren Sproles, meanwhile, was effective in moving the chains, as the veteran running back led the team with 50 rushing yards on just five tries.
The Eagles are 4-2 ATS in their last six home games.
Writer’s Prediction
Philadelphia (-5.5) wins, 35-31.
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