Anthony Mazziotti
The Eagles’ defense has been one of the focal points to the team’s success this season. With Jim Schwartz at the helm, this Birds defense is almost as scary as the 2004 unit led by Jim Johnson.
The Eagles currently boast the number one ranked rushing defense in the league (Under Johnson they were 14th, for what it’s worth); this is the first and most crucial step to beating the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday night in JerryWorld. The Cowboys will be without their all-world running back, Ezekiel Elliott, meaning they will rely heavily on the trio Alfred Morris, Darren McFadden, and Rod Smith. Those three combined for 65 yards on 15 carries, good for 4.3 yards a tote Sunday against the Atlanta Falcons. Our front six-seven will eat that alive all day, everyday.
The only scary running attack the Cowboys have is Dak Prescott. I’m not downplaying that – Prescott is always a threat to run the ball, he’s Russell Wilson-esque in that regard – but he can’t run the ball 15 times against this defense. He might actually die.
Joking aside, it won’t be good for Prescott’s health for him to run the ball more than a handful of times against this defense.
The Cowboys could also be without their stud left tackle Tyron Smith. Smith missed Sunday’s game against the Falcons due to a groin injury. His absence was huge as Prescott was sacked eight times.
If Smith is replaced by Chaz Green again, I would expect the Cowboys to try to beat the Eagles the same way the Giants did; by running short, timing routes, and not allowing the front four to get a good rush. This would protect Prescott and stymie the Eagles top strength.
The biggest difference is that the Cowboys don’t have Eli Manning throwing to Odell Beckham Jr. The second biggest difference; the Eagles get Ronald Darby back from injury this week. Because of those two things, the plan to throw short timing routes might not be as effective as it was when the Giants did it.
The Eagles need to do what they do best, make their opponent become one dimensional. Force the Cowboys to pass the ball more. Put the game in Dak’s hands and make him beat you. Bronco’s defensive end Derek Wolfe said it best: “The idea was to make Prescott beat us because we knew he couldn’t.”
If the Eagles defense plays with that kind of swagger and confidence, the Eagles will not only fly home from Dallas with a 9-1 record, but they will make another stride to shut up the national media that still has their questions about this team.
This game will, without a doubt, be a dogfight. I trust that Doug Pederson can concoct the right gameplan to come home with a W. I trust that the defense will shutdown the run and find a way to get to Prescott and generate some turnovers. I trust that the special teams can and will step up and contribute to the win. This Eagles team is special and on Sunday night they can and will put that on display for the nation to see; there isn’t a doubt in my mind.
I can’t wait for Sunday night.
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