Eagles @ Cowboys

[BLUE 1,026]

By TAYLOR BECHTOLD

STATS Writer

 

(AP) -- With sole possession of first place in the NFC East on the line, the Philadelphia Eagles and Dallas Cowboys haven't had much time to prepare for a Thanksgiving showdown.

 

In the first of two meetings across 18 days, the Eagles look to remain unbeaten in the division and improve to 6-0 on the holiday when they try to deny the Cowboys a third consecutive victory.

 

"It's going to be a great game," Philadelphia defensive end Fletcher Cox said of the matchup between 8-3 teams. "I'm really excited, man. I'm looking forward to it. We're ready to roll. We're ready for Thursday."

 

Although the rivals enter the contest in a first-place tie, the Eagles have a slight advantage with a 2-0 mark in the East, while Dallas is 2-1 with the loss coming 20-17 at home against Washington on Oct. 27.

 

Philadelphia recovered from a blowout loss at Green Bay in Sunday's 43-24 home win over Tennessee. Mark Sanchez had a team record-tying third straight 300-yard passing day, while LeSean McCoy ran for 130 yards and a touchdown.

 

"We had to stay focused on Tennessee all week," linebacker Trent Cole said. "That was the next game. And we were coming off a bad game. So there was no reason to think about Dallas. But now we can. Now, it's all about Dallas. If you can't get excited for this game, you shouldn't be playing football."

 

The Eagles have dropped three of their last four on the road, but they've won three of four at Dallas following a 24-22 victory last season that clinched the NFC East title in Week 17. Tony Romo did not play in that contest two days after undergoing back surgery, and Brandon Boykin picked off a Kyle Orton pass with 1:49 remaining to seal the win.

 

Romo now appears to be playing at his best, throwing for seven touchdowns and no interceptions in his last two games. He completed 18 of 26 passes for 275 yards and four scores - including the winner to Dez Bryant with 1:01 left - in a 31-28 comeback road win over the New York Giants on Sunday night.

 

"Everybody knows that we won, but when we land in Dallas, that game no longer matters," said Bryant, who had seven catches for 86 yards with 2 TDs.

 

After losing their last two at AT&T Stadium, the Cowboys have answered with back-to-back road wins - though they didn't exactly face a hostile crowd while beating Jacksonville in London on Nov. 9. They haven't dropped three straight at home since losing four straight to open the 2010 season.

 

Jason Witten, who has a touchdown grab in his last two games, has a combined 18 catches for 243 yards in his last two at home versus Philadelphia. He also has more catches than anyone on Thanksgiving as he gets ready for his 12th game on the holiday with the Cowboys, who are 29-16-1 all-time in those contests.

 

"I think the excitement and adrenaline can override how tired you are," Witten said about playing 90 hours after Sunday's game ended. "It's a great opportunity for us. You can't worry about anything else. Just get through it and move forward."

 

League rushing leader DeMarco Murray posted his tenth 100-yard game with 121 on 24 carries against the Giants, while Bryant is tied for the most touchdown receptions since Week 8 with six.

 

The Eagles have been vulnerable through the air, ranking 30th with 266.3 yards allowed per game. They limited Tennessee to 52 rushing yards Sunday after allowing an average of 110.0 over their previous three games.

 

"We want to win our division," Philadelphia cornerback Cary Williams said. "They are a great opponent. They have a great team and are playing at a high level right now."

 

Romo has thrown for at least 300 yards with eight touchdowns and two picks while winning each of the last three home meetings he's finished. He was knocked out with a right hand injury in the opening series of a loss to the Eagles in 2011.

 

Dallas will have to account for linebacker Connor Barwin, who is tied for second in the NFL with a career-high 12 1/2 sacks after recording 2 1/2 of the team's five against the Titans.

 

The Cowboys have allowed 160 rushing yards in the last two, but they've had their own issues against the pass, allowing an average of 278.3 yards over their last four games.

 

Sanchez has thrown for an average of 328.3 yards with five touchdowns since taking over for injured starter Nick Foles, but he's also thrown four picks in his last two games. Dallas has pulled down an interception in each of its past four.

 

Jordan Matthews has been Sanchez's top target with 18 catches for 322 yards and three scores in his last three games.

 

"We've got a pretty good understanding of what (the Cowboys) are right now," Eagles coach Chip Kelly said. "They play extremely hard on the defensive side; and then, obviously, offensively they are running the ball at a very, very high rate."

 

Dallas safety Jeff Heath and defensive tackle Jack Crawford each have a broken thumb that will require surgery, though they're still hoping to play. Receiver Terrance Williams has a broken index finger but is likely to go with the aid of a splint.

 

Philadelphia linebacker Emmanuel Acho may be sidelined due to a groin injury.

 

The teams will meet again at Lincoln Financial Field on Dec. 4.

 

Source: Hosted.Stats.com

[RazorStar 4,025]

This game is gonna be a foible of adequate proportions. I was hoping for a Sanchez Weeden suck off, but I'll accept an Eagles thrashing instead.

 

44

34

[BwareDWare94 723]

If the Cowboys can't beat Mark Sanchez...

 

They in trouble

[Vin+ 3,121]

 

Terrance Williams (broken fingertip) is active for Week 13 against the Eagles.

Williams will be a boom-or-bust WR4 threatening for a zero if he doesn't find the end zone. Inactive for the Cowboys are DT Josh Brent, QB Dustin Vaughan, OT Tony Hills, OT Donald Hawkins, LB Dekoda Watson, CB Tyler Patmon and S Jeff Heath.

Source: Todd Archer on Twitter

 

 

 

Eagles ILB Emmanuel Acho (groin) is active for Week 13 against the Cowboys.

Acho's status was in question on the short week.

Inactive for Philly's Thanksgiving trip to Dallas are QB Nick Foles, CB Roc Carmichael, DB Jaylen Watkins, OL Julian Vandervelde, OT Dennis Kelly, WR Jeff Maehl and DE Taylor Hart.

[BwareDWare94 723]

Dallas is so pathetic. This has to be unacceptable for fans. A. Sanchez sucks. B. Philadelphia is fraudulent. C. Dallas is at home.

 

Get you shit together, Dallas. Now.

[BwareDWare94 723]

Fucking Frederick. Know the goddamn snap count, you putz.

[BwareDWare94 723]

How do you come in with a better team and just completely shit the bed?

 

Pathetic. Tony Romo's teammates are failing him late in the year, yet again.

[SteVo+ 3,702]

So great to see the Eagles completely show up for a big game. This rarely happened under Andy Reid.

 

Our red zone offense continues to plague us, but what a fucking start.

[BwareDWare94 723]

Baaaadddd defense.

[Bay 2,003]

Dallas is so pathetic. This has to be unacceptable for fans. A. Sanchez sucks. B. Philadelphia is fraudulent. C. Dallas is at home.

Get you shit together, Dallas. Now.

Dallas is better on the road. They don't have a HFA.

[SteVo+ 3,702]

Dallas is so pathetic. This has to be unacceptable for fans. A. Sanchez sucks. B. Philadelphia is fraudulent. C. Dallas is at home.

 

Get you shit together, Dallas. Now.

 

A. Sanchez outplayed Romo.

B. Dallas appears more fraudulent at this moment.

C. The home team lost, so what does that say?

 

 

Best win of the Chip Kelly era to date. The Dallas/Philly game in two weeks (SNF) is gonna be fucking great.

Edited November 28, 2014 by SteVo

[ATL_Predator+ 1,196]

Looks like it's December in Dallas already....

 

[seanbrock 1,684]

I like how the Eagles are fraudulent when they've lost to San Fran @ San Fran, 'Zona @ 'Zona and Green Bay @ Lambeau, meanwhile Dallas lost to Colt 'fucking' McCoy and the redskins a few weeks back. The Eagles might not be super bowl contenders, but at least they put teams away who they should beat and take care of business on their home turf. Talk about delusional lol. Yeah, the Eagles are frauds, but Dallas? Nah.

[Turry 755]

Dallas is so pathetic. This has to be unacceptable for fans. A. Sanchez sucks. B. Philadelphia is fraudulent. C. Dallas is at home.

 

Get you shit together, Dallas. Now.

 

 

Your team or one of your many teams are more fraudulent than the eagles. Your dogshit team lost to Colt McCoy and the redskins . Bware pls.

[SteVo+ 3,702]

[RazorStar 4,025]

I um... I didn't realize it was december. Sorry. Looks like the Cowboys are gonna lose out to go 8-8.

[seanbrock 1,684]

I um... I didn't realize it was december. Sorry. Looks like the Cowboys are gonna lose out to go 8-8.

[SteVo+ 3,702]

The Eagles defensive line deserves a ton of credit. They chirped all week about how Dallas' O-line was overrated and backed it up. We had Murray contained from the beginning, and that made a huge difference.

 

Offensively, we left a lot of points on the field in the red zone and scored 33 anyway.

 

Bring on Seattle.

[BwareDWare94 723]

The Eagles defensive line deserves a ton of credit. They chirped all week about how Dallas' O-line was overrated and backed it up. We had Murray contained from the beginning, and that made a huge difference.

 

Offensively, we left a lot of points on the field in the red zone and scored 33 anyway.

 

Bring on Seattle.

I wouldn't call it contained. He just didn't bust any huge ones. He was still getting 3-6 a pop.

[seanbrock 1,684]

I wouldn't call it contained. He just didn't bust any huge ones. He was still getting 3-6 a pop.

When you're talking about a back like Murray and the year he's having, keeping him from getting a bunch of first downs, extending drives and putting points on the board, you've contained him.

[RazorStar 4,025]

Exactly, it's a testament to how well Murray is playing when you stop him from busting big runs. Holding him to less than 100 yards is a job well done, IMO.

[Favre4Ever+ 4,476]

The Eagles held Murray to under 100 yards and almost 1.5 yards less per carry than his season average. If that isn't containing him, I don't know what is. Not saying Murray was HORRENDOUS or did have an OK game, but... The Eagles did their job when it comes to defending him -- no question.

[Bay 2,003]

Bware never gives credit to the opposition. Nothing new.

[Dutch 874]

Demarco Murray definitely got contained. He was held to his lowest rushing average all year and he got smashed on 3rd and 4th in short on important downs to keep the drive going in critical parts of the game. Our defense in general played an outstanding game. Dallas's offensive line got man handled and we dominated at the line of scrimmage; really on both sides of the ball which dictated the game. Our pass rush consistently got pressure all game and our defense made some spectacular run stuffs/tackles for losses on important downs; 3rd and 1 and on a 4th and 1.

 

If our football team can put together a full complete game on all sides of the ball, I think we have the talent to compete with anyone. All of our losses except the Green Bay game we beat ourselves. If we can continue to play safe football and don't turn the ball over and our pass rush and running game play well, I think we are a very dangerous team. The good football teams play complete games. Now we have to establish some consistency in being/doing that.

Edited December 1, 2014 by Dutch

[SteVo+ 3,702]

All of our losses except the Green Bay game we beat ourselves.

 

This is a statement that Cowboys fans make all the time, Dutch. C'mon, man.

 

As fans, we watch our team with a one-sided view. We make a mental list of all the mistakes our team makes, not really noting flaws in our opponent, except the honest ones. Do you think the Cardinals and 49ers played perfect games against us? Of course not; both teams make mistakes in a game.