San Antonio Express-News (Sunday)
Rivalry bigger than the NFC East
There are several games a year that players, coaches and fans will circle the moment the NFL schedule drops.
This is one of them.
The Cowboys and Eagles have been going at each other for quite some time. This will be the 125th meeting, as a matter of fact. It’s one of the league’s most intense rivalries.
Sunday afternoon’s game at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia not only carries weight in the NFC East, but in the conference standings. It will serve as the final word as to which team is the best until the rematch in five weeks.
Here are five, final thoughts heading into the Cowboys first of two meetings against the Eagles.
A measuring stick?
The game against San Francisco in Week 5 was described as a measuring stick.
You may remember the Cowboys didn’t measure up.
Well, this is another test to see where Dallas stands. Does the epic 32-point flop against the 49ers place an even greater premium on the outcome of Sunday’s game?
“It’s got enough meaning in the sense of who they are,” quarterback Dak Prescott said. “Them being in the division, having the success they’ve had over the past couple of years, being a great team, being great on offense and defense, and yeah, that makes them a Super Bowl contender.
“This rivalry has enough. Even when these two teams aren’t playing this well, this game is still one people look forward to. I damn sure do."
In the aftermath of the loss to the Niners, members of the Dallas organization conceded they may have built that game up too much, making the fall all the harder. They vow that won’t hap
pen again with the Eagles.
Atone for what happened against San Francisco?
“Not even part of my thinking,” head coach Mike McCarthy said. “I think this game speaks for itself.
“It’s the Dallas Cowboys vs. the Philadelphia Eagles. To me, that’s as far as it needs to go. We’ll be ready to go."
Squeaky wheel theory
Those who complain or call attention to an issue are more likely to have it addressed. That’s the rationale behind the saying that the squeaky wheel gets the grease.
Example one: Philadelphia receiver A.J. Brown was clearly frustrated with his minimal role in the offense early in the season and displayed that on the sideline in the fourth quarter of a win over Minnesota.
In the last six games, Brown has 49 receptions for 831 yards and five touchdowns.
Example two: Dallas receiver CeeDee Lamb was visibly upset during the team’s loss to the Niners and acknowledged his frustration with the media afterward.
He’s caught 19 passes for 275 yards and two touchdowns in the last two games.
“I feel like that’s the mentality we have that’s similar," Lamb said of him and Brown. “We feel the need to touch the ball in the game and be impactful. It’s been history ever since.
“I understand what I bring to the table as far as a teammate, a brother and a friend. Knowing how much I can impact and how much more explosiveness … it happens early in the year, trying to figure yourself out.
“After that, you’ve got to hit the ground running."
Turning up the heat
Slowing Brown is one of the defensive focal points for Dallas going into this game. His ability to make contested catches, in the words of McCarthy, “jump off the chart.”
The best way to combat that advantage? Don’t give Jalen Hurts time to throw the ball down the field.
“As explosive as their receivers have been, we better find a way to pressure the quarterback," defensive coordinator Dan Quinn said. “That will be no different this week."
Dallas had 54 sacks last season to finish tied for third in the league. The Cowboys are a bit behind that pace this season, but their pressure applied has still been strong.
The unit’s 117 quarterback pressures ranks sixth in the NFL, according to Pro Football Focus.
Consistent pressure also leads to forcing turnovers, another Dallas strength this season.
And Philadelphia? As good as Hurts has been, he’s thrown eight interceptions and lost three fumbles.
“If you’re being protected, everybody is calm,” safety Jayron Kearse said of Hurts’ overall demeanor. “But if you’re back there and you’re getting hit, you lose some of that.
“It’s our job to make sure he’s not calm through that game. We just have to go out there and do that.”
First impression
The Cowboys are at their best when they get off to a fast start.
Dallas has outscored opponents by 61 points in the first half of its seven games.
Philadelphia also has an edge, but not nearly as much. They are a plus-19 at the half through eight games. The Eagles have trailed at the half of several games.
Philadelphia does respond in the second half to take care of business. But there’s a difference in overcoming a six- to 10-point deficit as opposed to 14 points, 17 points or more.
Those are the kinds of cushions the Cowboys have created this season with their early feeding frenzies. Getting off to a quick start will be a key for them again Sunday.
Travel issues
The Cowboys did win their last road game.
Before that? Dallas lost to San Francisco by 32 and Arizona by 12. They were outscored 70-26 in those two games.
Whatever team appears this weekend, Philadelphia fans are sure to give them a warm welcome.
Prescott loves the atmosphere. Compares it to games he played in the SEC in college, where you feel the intensity and animosity the closer you get to the stadium.
“Philly fans are serious,” Prescott said. “They love their team. They’re ruthless to the other guys and if their team isn’t doing well, they let them know that, too. You know what I mean?”
Any examples Prescott can share?
“Not anything that is PG-13, to be honest with you,” Prescott said. “Whether it’s language or whether it’s driving into the stadium and seeing how the fans give you different signs, even show body parts at times, or their back end.”
Has anyone flashed the Cowboys the peace sign on the way to the stadium?
“Yeah, (if you) move one of the fingers," the quarterback said. “That’s their sign to us."