Each and every time the Philadelphia Eagles and Dallas Cowboys are set to take the field against one another, fans of both green and blue blood are overcome with intense emotion for the entire week. The seven days leading up to this Week 7 battle were no different, perhaps even more palpable with the first-place implications stemming from the result.
With Chip Kelly and Jason Garrett each leading their teams to 3-3 records, the victorious team come about four o'clock will jump over .500 and become the first place team in the NFC Eastern Division. Out of the 6 teams each squad has faced, 5 of those (the Redskins, Giants, Broncos, Chiefs, and Chargers) are the same, and both the Eagles and Cowboys have faced the same fate against each. With such similar seasons, you can expect today's game to be a thrilling showdown. In today's Sunday Six Pack, we'll touch on six key factors that will play a roll in today's contest.
Nick Foles - For the second week in a row, Nick Foles will begin the game behind center for the Eagles. And, for the second year in a row, Foles secured a win against the Buccaneers in Tampa Bay. Last Sunday, the second year quarterback was able to complete just over 70% of his passes while accounting for a total of 4 (3 pass, 1 rush) touchdowns. With no turnovers in any appearance this season, Foles has given fans plenty to be happy about. The Cowboys are averaging over 300 passing yards allowed per game this season, so Foles may be headed into another high-scoring performance.
LeSean McCoy vs. Cowboys' Defense - In an oddly coincidental statistic, LeSean McCoy is averaging 105 yards per game, while the Cowboys are allowing 105 rush yards a week. Does that mean McCoy is destined for a 105-yard performance? Not necessarily, but doing so would be crucial to an Eagles victory. The league's leading running back must take some of the pressure from the Dallas defense in order to allow Foles to compete the same way he did last week.
Time of Possession - This category really comes down to Chip Kelly's play calling. With the high octane offense Kelly ran in college and has brought to the NFL, the amount of time the Eagles' offense has had the ball is concerning. Consider this one glaring statistic. In Eagles' victories this season, they are in possession of the ball for over 30 minutes, meaning the hold it longer than their opponent. However, in Philadelphia's losses, the team only holds onto the ball for under 23 minutes. Giving the enemy the ball for nearly 40 minutes in a game gives them ample time to score and run away with the victory. Keeping the ball longer than the opponent may just be the biggest factor in an Eagles' victory.
Playing Well At Home - It has been well-documented that the Eagles have been on a home losing skid. It has been over a full calendar year since they were victorious in front of the home fans, a particularly unpopular stretch. All three wins this season have come on the road, while two of their losses occurred at Lincoln Financial Field. Today's game is a bit more meaningful in terms of playoff implications, so perhaps the gameplay will be more intense. If the Eagles can't secure a home victory, 7-9 is the best they'll do this year.
Tony Romo - Perhaps the most controversial quarterback of the last decade, Tony Romo gives analysts constant migraines. A 48-point performance against the Denver Broncos a few weeks back was trashed by yet another crucial late-game turnover. However, Romo is having a stellar season. An overall 108.6 Passer Rating and 14-3 Touchdown to Interception ratio is among the best of his career. He's completing 70.2% of his passes, and coming up against the Eagles' dismal pass defense, Romo could go off. With Nick Foles facing a similar situation, this will be a high-scoring contest.
DeMarcus Ware - The Cowboys' prominent defensive end, DeMarcus Ware, is considered a game-time decision come the 1:00 start time, but is doubtful to play. This may become a disastrous blow to Dallas' chance at winning the contest. With 9 years in the league, Ware is consistently on the highlight reel, seemingly making all of the most important defensive plays to win a game. With 4 sacks and an interception thus far in the season, the loss of Ware's gameplay in a game like this improves the Eagles' chance of victory.
