Patrick Causey, on Twitter @InsdeTheHuddle
The only thing uglier than the Philadelphia Eagles loss to the Atlanta Falcons was our record in our inaugural prediction piece. Eagledelphia writers went 0-7 last week. Yikes.
But much like a Phoenix, we will rise from the ashes and rebound from such a shotty performance.
I think.
I hope.
But enough about our bruised ego, let's get to the game against the hated Dallas Cowboys. The Eagles are in a must win situation here. They are home against a wounded Cowboys team that already has a win in the Division. The Eagles simply cannot afford to drop to 0-2 here.
Here are the predictions:
Brian Startare, on Twitter @BrianStartare
Eagles 27, Cowboys 24
I take absolutely zero solace in being joined with the masses in predicting a big Eagles victory last Monday night. Misery does not love that kind of company. It was a heartbreaking loss. So, I've decided I'll pick them again, but this time with a little — no — a lot more trepidation. I just can't see the Eagles losing their home opener versus the hated Dallas Cowboys and falling to 0-2. They can't. Can they?
Kevin Durso, on Twitter @Kevin_Durso
Eagles 30, Cowboys 24
Chip Kelly’s teams haven’t always delivered in must-win games — and yes, this is a must-win game — but I just don’t see the Eagles repeating all of the same mistakes. I’m still very wary about the secondary and defense as a whole, but I don’t think the slow start offensively happens this time. The first win for this team is going to have to be a grind, but given the mistakes that cost the Eagles a win in Atlanta and helped Dallas squeeze by in a Week 1 win over the New York Giants, I think the Eagles make sure they are ready for whatever Dallas can throw at them.
Patrick Causey, on Twitter @InsdeTheHuddle
Eagles 28, Cowboys 24
Vegas thinks this will be a high scoring affair, with the over/under set at the highest of any game this week at 55 1/2. The Eagles are also favored by 5, which tells you that Vegas is buying into a rebound victory for the Birds here, at home and against an injured Cowboys team. On paper, the Eagles should win this game. But games aren't played on paper, especially when it is a rivalry game. Anything can happen, as we saw in last night's ridiculous Thursday Night Football game. I think, no, I hope, that Kelly gets back to the run game to establish a physical dominance over the depleted Cowboy's defense. If that happens, it should make things easier for Sam Bradford, who was skittish under pressure last week before rebounding in the second half. I expect a close game, but one in which the Eagles ultimately pull out. Sports talk radio will be a much happier place in Philadelphia Monday morning.
Michael Coggin, on Twitter @MQCoggin
The Eagles will open their 2015 home slate this Sunday at 4:05 against the hated Dallas Cowboys. The Cowboys currently lead the NFC East, having been gifted a home win by the Giants last Sunday night. They will be without many key contributors in this game including Dez Bryant, Rolando McClain, Greg Hardy, Orlando Scandrick, and Randy Gregory. The Eagles, after a frustrating loss in Atlanta on Monday night, are going to be frothing at the mouth coming into the Linc. Sam Bradford looked vastly improved after the halftime break and I expect that upward trend continues playing in front of the Philly faithful. Watch for Kelly to get the ground game rolling early and big points to follow. Meanwhile, Fletcher Cox and company will stifle the Dallas ground game and force Romo to win it Dez-less. Not enough firepower for Dallas without him…Eagles roll.
Ryan Gerstel, on Twitter @TheRyanGerstel
Eagles 31, Cowboys 20
It's simple: Chip Kelly and the Eagles need to win this one at home against a heated rival who is without their best player. Chip will look to make up for last Monday's loss where the Eagles only ran the ball 16 times. With DeMarco Murray facing his former employer, I expect Chip to feed a quietly motivated Murray early and often and use play action pass plays effectively. The Eagles will come out of the gates running, quite literally, en route to a much needed victory over ye Cowboys.
Michael Malia, on Twitter @Michael_Malia
Eagles 24, Cowboys 21
The Philadelphia Eagles battle the Dallas Cowboys for the first time since a 2014 Week 15, 38-27 loss. Dez Bryant scored three touchdown receptions that night in Philadelphia. Luckily for the Eagles, Bryant will miss the game with an ankle injury. However, Tony Romo still has numerous weapons at his disposal, including tight end Jason Witten. I expect the Eagles to get off to a better start in this game than they had in game one. The Cowboys will make a game of it in the second half. The Eagles defense will be put in a situation to stop Romo and the boys on the final possession of the game. I believe that defense holds and the Eagles win the game, 24-21.
Pete Visalli, on Twitter @PHL24x7Pete
Eagles 31, Cowboys 24
After a disappointing loss, one of two things can happen. A team can bounce back after a tough loss looking to get redemption, or it can suffer the "hang over" effect and go on a losing streak. Here's the good news for the Eagles coming off a tough loss Monday night: no Dez Bryant. After watching what Julio Jones did to Byron Maxwell last week, dodging the bullet of one of the best wide receivers in the league is huge. I think we all can agree that Julio Jones was the difference maker in that game. Not having to worry about a receiver of that caliber will lighten the load on the defense. On offense, the run game has to get going. This three headed monster was not meant to carry the ball 16 times total between the three of them. Keep the ball on the ground and stick to it and the Eagles should enjoy a home win over Dallas to get their feet back under them.
Wall of Shame
Brian Startare: 0-1
Kevin Durso: 0-1
Patrick Causey: 0-1
Michael Coggin: 0-1
Ryan Gerstel: 0-1
Michael Malia: 0-1
Pete Visalli: 0-1
