Tony Romo and the Dallas Cowboys beat the Eagles, 17-3, in Week 7 in Philadelphia. A potential winner-take-all game in Week 17 could await both teams. (Photo Courtesy of ESPN.com)
The game is 11 days away. But it seems to have garnered all the attention already.
The Philadelphia Eagles loss to the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday, erased thanks to the Dallas Cowboys collapse to the Green Bay Packers guaranteed something that hasn't happened in three years. The final game of the season will be meaningful.
Regardless of Sunday's result, the Eagles will either be playing in Dallas for the NFC East title or automatically guaranteed a playoff spot by winning the division. It seems likely that whether the Eagles lose to the Bears or the Cowboys simply beat the Redskins earlier on Sunday, the season and playoff hopes will come down to a winner-take-all game in Dallas. There are pros and cons to such a game.
It's obvious the Eagles would have a huge advantage on offense opposing the NFL's worst defense in Dallas. For whatever reason, Nick Foles, Chip Kelly and the Eagles couldn't get things done in October when the Cowboys came to Philly. Surely that couldn't happen again…could it?
That's just the fear that starts to enter this impending scenario as Sunday approaches. If the Eagles have to play Dallas, who despite a 7-7 record has yet to lose to a division opponent, in a winner-take-all game, would the same result happen?
My first fear of this game is Foles. It's been quite some time since the Eagles garnered such attention this late in the season. Last week, Foles was average at best. He wasn't his best in Minnesota – even completing 30 of 48 passes for 428 yards and three touchdowns – but certainly kept the Eagles in the game.
But remember Foles worst game of the season? Dallas week. Of all times for Foles to go flat, it had to be against the Cowboys in a game that really seemed to decide who had the upper hand in the division.
Several weeks later, that team ended up being the Eagles anyway. But this Week 17 game that is looming remains of great importance by virtue of that loss. And what happens if Foles falls victim to the Cowboys again? It could possibly mean no playoffs for the Eagles. Is that something fans can live with, coming this close only to have the Cowboys be the sole reason the Eagles missed the playoffs.
My second concern is a part of Dallas' offense. I'm highly worried about DeMarco Murray. The Eagles didn't have to defend the run too much in Minnesota after holding running games at bay during their five-game winning streak. However, allowing four rushing touchdowns is alarming. For all of the weapons the Cowboys have in their receiving core, Murray could be the go-to guy inside the 20. Not only that, but Murray was hurt for the first Eagles-Cowboys game this season. Week 17 is not a great time to be seeing someone for the first time with a new defensive philosophy.
Next up is the secondary against the Cowboys receivers. This is a big problem on paper. Miles Austin, Dez Bryant and Jason Witten defended by…Cary Williams, Bradley Fletcher and Patrick Chung? If it's anything like Minnesota, this game will be a nightmare. We've seen the Eagles secondary step up at times. But on a big stage and against "America's team" there is no room for getting lucky.
Many close calls have gone the Eagles way. It's evident by now the way Williams and Fletcher and Chung and the rest of the Eagles secondary tends to defend. There is often times a lot of contact and they usually get away with it. On this stage, the Eagles won't be able to get lucky. They'll have to be good and keep it clean while doing so. That's a tough task against so many weapons.
Finally, there is Tony Romo. He may be pulling his typical December Romo stunt. But don't be fooled by a few untimely interceptions. Romo is a good quarterback. He's not going to win a Super Bowl anytime soon and he's a long way off from the Rodgers, Brees and Mannings of the world, but he's talented. You have to assume the best from Romo. Remember, the Eagles have lost meaningful, late-season contests to Romo before.
Obviously, Romo is going against a shaky defense as well that does often times allow long yardage in key situations. If he's not pressured and the secondary doesn't cover well, this could be all Dallas.
These are legitimate fears if the team that beat the Eagles in Week 7 is the same Dallas team that shows up in Week 17. If the Cowboys that were steamrolled by Chicago and choked away a 23-point lead to Green Bay show, the game should favor the Eagles, who at the very least, protect the football, then things could go differently.
Granted, everything depends on the happenings of Week 16. But this scenario is looming and Eagles fans will know what awaits in Week 17 before the opening kickoff in Sunday's game.
Kevin Durso is a contributor for Eagledelphia. Look for his Monday Review the morning after every Eagles game. Follow him on twitter @KDursoPhilsNet.
