My Tony Romo Blog

I listened for about 5 minutes to the rekindled debate about Andy Reid and his kids this week. I have turned the channel when it has been the topic of conversation on 610 WIP, PTI or any other outlet. Only one aspect of the situation is relevant to me. Are the Eagles playing well? All of the other aspects of this sad situation belong to the Reid family, not to the audience at large, despite all of the media coverage.

I had been very optimistic about the Cowboys game Sunday night. The events of this week have tempered that enthusiasm. I do feel that Reid's ongoing family drama has been affecting his ability to lead the team to a certain degree, but I am no where near the camp calling for his job. I am more nervous about Sunday's outcome than I was before the latest flare-up.

I have felt for several weeks that Donovan McNabb has been playing himself back to form, week by week. He is moving much better, and his performances are improving as his knee strengthens. He will have to be able to move against the Cowboys. The Cowboy D is 6th in the NFC and 10th in the NFL in sacks with 18 in their 7 games. They have 10 INTs which puts them tied for 6th in the league. They are 10th in the league at 208.9 passing yards allowed per game. Those stats are not that bad, but they did have had the good fortune to face some less than formidable QBs. They got the Bills QB in his second start and the Vikings' Tavaris Jackson is in his first season. The Dolphins Trent Green is at the end of his career and Rex Grossman was leading the Bears when they played. The Eagles offensive line was very disappointing early on, but has also been playing more efficiently in recent games. They will have a hard time gaining rushing yards this week. Like the Vikings last week, the Cowboys are good against the rush, only giving up 87 yards per game on the ground. Despite their strong defensive numbers, the Cowboys are giving up 22.6 points per game. Of course, the 48 they allowed in the Patriots game skews that number some. Remove that game and they have allowed 110 in 6 games. That is 18.3 per and is still only good for 12th in the league.

The Eagles have been carried by their D all season. They only allow 16.7 per game. The Cowboys rushing attack is strong. Marion Barber is a good back, getting 5.7 per carry. The Eagles rush D has performed very well, allowing 90.4 per game. That is good for 8th in the NFL. Jimmy Johnson's defense has been known for creating turnovers, but they have not done that well this year. They are 25th in the league with just 5 INTs. However, they are getting to the QB and are 3rd in the NFL with 24 sacks. Trent Cole has 9 to lead the league. They must stuff the Cowboys run game, so that it becomes about Tony Romo. I think that Jimmy Johnson will make that happen. If Donovan McNabb can stake them to an early lead, it will be that much easier. McNabb has been floating up the passing stats and is now in the top 10 in completions in the NFL and is 6th in total passing yards. Tony Romo has tossed 9 picks already, McNabb has had just 2.

In the Cowboys last 3 games, they had a tough time with the Vikings and Bills, and lost to the Patriots. The bye week could not have come at a better time for them. The Eagles play is inching forward with each week. The Cowboys are a better team right now, but I think the Eagles win. This is a must win to keep their payoff hopes alive. It is not so immediately important to Dallas. I also am expecting the Cowboys balloon to deflate in the 2nd half of the season. This is the beginning of that.

Eagles 29 - Cowboys 20

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