Vin+ 3,121 Posted October 29, 2016 STATS LLC Associated Press Oct 26, 2016 The key storyline of the always-heated NFC East showdown between the Philadelphia Eagles and the host Dallas Cowboys is centered around the solid play of the two rookie starters at quarterback. Carson Wentz, the second overall selection in the 2016 NFL Draft, has the Eagles positioned in second place in the NFC East at 4-2. Dak Prescott, the fourth-round selection out of Mississippi State, has the Cowboys riding a five-game winning streak (currently the longest in the NFL) and sitting atop the division. The Sunday night prime-time matchup at AT&T Stadium in Dallas is bound to have playoff implications later in the season, so both teams will be looking to put their best foot forward. Much has been made of the return of quarterback Tony Romo and if the former Pro Bowl signal-caller will get the starting nod once he returns from his back injury. A subject that needs more attention is the handling of players this season by Dallas head coach Jason Garrett. The once-maligned coach has his team playing at an elite level, all without Romo (six games missed), running back Darren McFadden (six), wide receiver Dez Bryant (three), guard La'el Collins (one), linebacker Rolando McClain (six) and cornerback Orlando Scandrick (four). Those six starters have missed a combined 26 games in 2016. Only Bryant and Scandrick are in line to play against the Eagles. Prescott, an early candidate for NFL MVP, stepped in for Romo and thrived. So much so that a quarterback controversy erupted in Dallas, though none of the players want to hear that talk. "We're not really worried about that, honestly," said rookie and the NFL's leading rusher Ezekiel Elliott. "We just focus on now. We focus on going out there and winning every week and getting better as a team. To this team, it really doesn't matter who is at quarterback. We have faith in our guys. So, I mean, whatever happens, happens, and we're going to keep getting better as a team." Elliott himself stepped in and replaced the NFL's fourth leading rusher in 2015 in McFadden. This "Wally Pipp" storyline doesn't get the headlines like Prescott versus Romo but is an integral part of the Cowboys success in 2016 as well. Garrett has every player on the team believing they are just as important as the next, and this is a major reason the Cowboys are the top team in the NFC. Coming off their bye week, since 2003, the Cowboys are 8-6. The Eagles gave the unbeaten Minnesota Vikings their first loss of the year this past Sunday. Head coach Doug Pederson, like Garrett a former NFL quarterback, also has his team believing it can win any game it enters. Wentz will play in Dallas for the first time as the Eagles starter and enters the game with eight touchdown passes on the year against three interceptions. The rookie from North Dakota State has the Philadelphia faithful believing the team again found a franchise quarterback. As good as Wentz has been, the true savior for the Eagles in 2016 is the Jim Schwartz-led defense. The former Detroit Lions head coach mixed in man blitzes with zone blitzes to lead his troops to 20 sacks on the season. The Eagles are only allowing an average of 14.7 points per game, which trails the Vikings and the Seattle Seahawks, both at 14, for best in the league. Philadelphia's defense created 12 turnovers for a plus-6 turnover differential. Dallas is doing a good job of replacing injured/suspended players and not missing a beat. The Eagles will need that same success in their secondary heading into Dallas. Cornerback Ron Brooks is lost for the year with a ruptured right quadriceps tendon, so Schwartz and Co. will scramble just to find bodies to line up against the Cowboys. Safety Malcolm Jenkins dropped down and played slot cornerback in nickel packages after Brooks got hurt, forcing Jaylen Watkins to replace Jenkins at safety. "I thought Jaylen came in and played good, played well," Pederson said. "He was in on a few plays around the quarterback a few times and a couple of blitzes, and he's a guy that obviously now is going to have to increase his workload. But I think he stepped up and did a nice job. The Dallas defense has been a pleasant surprise as well. In six games, the unit led by defensive coordinator Rod Marinelli has not allowed a 100-yard rusher or receiver. The group also forced nine total turnovers. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RazorStar 4,025 Posted October 30, 2016 Gonna make SteVo wear the anime, go Eagles. 19 16 1 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Vin+ 3,121 Posted October 30, 2016 Eagles declared NT Bennie Logan, OL Josh Andrews, LB Kamu Grugier-Hill, OL Dillon Gordon, WR Bryce Treggs, OL Isaac Seumalo, and DT Taylor Hart inactive for Week 8 against the Cowboys. Beau Allen will make another start at nose tackle. Outside of Logan, the Eagles are healthy going into Sunday night. Dez Bryant (knee) is active for Week 8 against the Eagles. Bryant will make his first appearance since Week 3. He was limited in practice this week, but is expected to play his normal snaps. Inactive for Dallas are QB Tony Romo, RB Lance Dunbar, S Kavon Frazier, RB Darius Jackson, LB Mark Nzeocha, DE Ryan Davis, and OT Chaz Green. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DonovanMcnabb for H.O.F 2,241 Posted October 31, 2016 Dak just threw a dime to Dez. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BwareDWare94 723 Posted October 31, 2016 Dak just threw a dime to Dez. Yeah, that was an elite level throw. I'm hoping to see many tonight if these coaches will just cut these kids loose. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
seanbrock 1,684 Posted October 31, 2016 (edited) Special teams and penalties have kept the Eagles in this game. Dallas is clearly better but it's a tie game. Eagles need to get creative here because their WR's are getting zero separation. If the Eagles can run the ball hopefully play action can do that for them. Edited October 31, 2016 by seanbrock Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BwareDWare94 723 Posted October 31, 2016 Wentz is 17/21 and has hit 9 different receivers already, and at least one of those incompletions was an awful Nelson Dropholor Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
seanbrock 1,684 Posted October 31, 2016 Matthews too. He's doing a good job taking what the defense gives him so far and not making mistakes but eventually I think the Eagles and Wentz will be forced to push the ball downfield into tight coverage. Their defense isn't going to hold Dallas to enough points to play this game we have offensively. We really need get the run game going. It's the only hope we have. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BwareDWare94 723 Posted October 31, 2016 Dallas played all 60+. Philadelphia mostly did sans the receiving corps. Good game but Philly has to score more points Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DonovanMcnabb for H.O.F 2,241 Posted October 31, 2016 All these OT games, and the Lions couldn't find one... Smh Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
seanbrock 1,684 Posted October 31, 2016 The Eagles lost to a better team It's clear that they have a lot of holes to fill on this team before they become serious contenders for even a division crown. The Eagles need WR's and TE's. Zack Ertz is a bum and Jordan Matthews is #2 target. Agholor is awful and DGB is probably just not smart enough to ever be a factor in the NFL.He was traded out of Tennessee because he couldn't absorb the playbook and he's been here for half a season and despite being arguably our best receiver he can't stay on the field because he can't get the playbook down. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SteVo+ 3,702 Posted October 31, 2016 https://twitter.com/Jeff_McLane/status/793031987489419265 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Maverick 791 Posted October 31, 2016 https://twitter.com/Jeff_McLane/status/793031987489419265 No wonder the dude still drops the ball. If he doesn't recognize it as an issue, how is he going to improve lol. I'll post my thoughts later, but I almost feel bad for Wentz with how shitty his receivers are 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BwareDWare94 723 Posted October 31, 2016 I would honestly cut Agholor at this point. He is completely useless Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ATL_Predator+ 1,196 Posted October 31, 2016 Watched this whole game... some thoughts. Dak is good...but when you pressure him like Philly was last night...he def struggles for sure..as would most QB's, esp. a rookie QB Dez Bryant even when not fully healthy is an elite player in the league. He made some great catches and should not be considered wash up status. Eagles pass rush...my lord... is for real. Eagles need to really focus on getting a playmaker at WR or TE, Sproles had a hell of a game...but this is when Chip Kelly's stupidity hurts this team. If they could have either D-Jax, Maclin, or Shady... they would've won that game 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BwareDWare94 723 Posted October 31, 2016 Yeah, but they really don't need Torrey Smith. That's not a needle mover at all. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ATL_Predator+ 1,196 Posted October 31, 2016 Yeah, but they really don't need Torrey Smith. That's not a needle mover at all. Torrey Smith? Who said Torrey Smith? lol One of the most overrated guys in recent memory Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BwareDWare94 723 Posted October 31, 2016 Torrey Smith? Who said Torrey Smith? lol One of the most overrated guys in recent memory Yeah, but that's who Philadelphia is supposedly targeting. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SteVo+ 3,702 Posted October 31, 2016 Watched this whole game... some thoughts. Dak is good...but when you pressure him like Philly was last night...he def struggles for sure..as would most QB's, esp. a rookie QB Dez Bryant even when not fully healthy is an elite player in the league. He made some great catches and should not be considered wash up status. Eagles pass rush...my lord... is for real. Eagles need to really focus on getting a playmaker at WR or TE, Sproles had a hell of a game...but this is when Chip Kelly's stupidity hurts this team. If they could have either D-Jax, Maclin, or Shady... they would've won that game This pretty much sums up my thoughts. I'm bummed about the loss, but I'm glad we have a clear picture of who the Eagles are as a football team and what they need to do to get better. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
