Post by prossman on Dec 24, 2008 10:09:24 GMT -7
FWST: RICK HERRIN: Eagles also face must win situation against Dallas Cowboys
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Eagles also face must win situation against Dallas Cowboys
By RICK HERRIN
rickherrin@star-telegram.com
Star-Telegram/Ron Jenkins
Star-Telegram/Ron Jenkins
While the Dallas Cowboys’ formula to reach the playoffs is simple (just win), the Philadelphia Eagles lost that chance in a 10-3 setback to Washington last week.
Philadelphia needs a win and some help, and it will know before the 3:15 p.m. kickoff what its chances are for a postseason berth. The Eagles (8-6-1) need Oakland to beat Tampa Bay and Chicago to lose at Houston. Both games are noon kickoffs.
Meanwhile, the Cowboys could be dodging a frigid late December appearance in Philadelphia.
The forecast for Sunday calls for partly sunny skies and a high in the lower 50s. However, there is a 30 percent chance of showers. The average December temperature in Philadelphia is 35 degrees.
Spotlight on wide receiver DeSean Jackson
Strengths: Playmaker who possesses breakaway speed and is a dangerous deep threat. Also potential to be an elite NFL return man.
Weaknesses: Drops and brashness. He had four drops last week in the loss to Washington, including a potential game-tying touchdown catch in the final minute.
Season: Rookie
Size: 5-foot-10, 175 pounds
College: California
Who has to stop him? The Cowboys could employ a strategy they have used with cornerback Terence Newman. He has shadowed the opponent’s top speed threat all over the field as he did against Washington’s Santana Moss and Pittsburgh’s Santonio Holmes.
Last week: Had two catches for 14 yards in 10-3 loss to Washington.
Notable: Leads the Eagles with 60 catches for 866 yards and two TDs. ... First-team All-American in 2007. ... Pac-10 record six punt returns for TDs. ... Played at Long Beach Poly High, which has produced more NFL players than any high school. ... Had six catches for 110 yards in earlier meeting with Cowboys this season when he also tossed the football away before crossing the goal line on a potential touchdown reception. The play was ruled a fumble. The Eagles maintained possession and scored on the next play.
McNabb’s resurgence
Ever since Eagles coach Andy Reid benched Donovan McNabb in a Week 12 loss to Baltimore, a new McNabb has emerged. The 10-year veteran helped get the once-dead Eagles back in the playoff hunt, winning three of the past four games. McNabb, who was intercepted twice and lost a fumble before being benched in favor of Stephenville’s Kevin Kolb on Nov. 23, has avoided crucial mistakes. He has thrown seven touchdowns to one interception and has averaged 243 yards passing in the past four games.
At the Linc
Philadelphia is 5-2 at Lincoln Financial Field this season with the only losses coming to Washington and the New York Giants. The Eagles can score on their home field, averaging 29.4 points per game. Dallas has won two of its past three games at Philadelphia and Tony Romo is 1-0 in his only start there last year. The Cowboys won that meeting 38-17 on Nov. 4 as Romo completed 20 of 25 passes for 324 yards with three touchdowns and one interception. He connected with ex-Eagle Terrell Owens 10 times for 174 yards and one touchdown.
Defense among best
The Eagles’ defense is ranked No. 3 in the NFL and is the highest rated in the NFC. The only defenses ahead of Philadelphia are recent Cowboys opponents Pittsburgh and Baltimore. Philly’s defensive strength is pass defense with shut-down cornerback Asante Samuel, a Pro Bowler who leads the team with four interceptions. The Eagles have the second-rated pass defense in the league, allowing 180.1 yards per game. The pass rush has been led by defensive ends Darren Howard and Trent Cole (nine sacks apiece).
Controlling Westbrook
Eagles dynamic running back Brian Westbrook has been banged up this season and his sagging numbers tell his problems. Westbrook has battled rib, ankle and knee injuries and missed two games. He is headed for his lowest rushing total since 2005 and is not averaging 100 yards in rushing and receiving yards combined (a first since 2003). Still, Westbrook remains the focal point of the Eagles’ eighth-ranked offense. In the first meeting with the Cowboys, Westbrook had 18 carries for 58 yards and six catches for 45 yards.
Rick Herrin, 817-390-7760
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Eagles also face must win situation against Dallas Cowboys
By RICK HERRIN
rickherrin@star-telegram.com
Star-Telegram/Ron Jenkins
Star-Telegram/Ron Jenkins
While the Dallas Cowboys’ formula to reach the playoffs is simple (just win), the Philadelphia Eagles lost that chance in a 10-3 setback to Washington last week.
Philadelphia needs a win and some help, and it will know before the 3:15 p.m. kickoff what its chances are for a postseason berth. The Eagles (8-6-1) need Oakland to beat Tampa Bay and Chicago to lose at Houston. Both games are noon kickoffs.
Meanwhile, the Cowboys could be dodging a frigid late December appearance in Philadelphia.
The forecast for Sunday calls for partly sunny skies and a high in the lower 50s. However, there is a 30 percent chance of showers. The average December temperature in Philadelphia is 35 degrees.
Spotlight on wide receiver DeSean Jackson
Strengths: Playmaker who possesses breakaway speed and is a dangerous deep threat. Also potential to be an elite NFL return man.
Weaknesses: Drops and brashness. He had four drops last week in the loss to Washington, including a potential game-tying touchdown catch in the final minute.
Season: Rookie
Size: 5-foot-10, 175 pounds
College: California
Who has to stop him? The Cowboys could employ a strategy they have used with cornerback Terence Newman. He has shadowed the opponent’s top speed threat all over the field as he did against Washington’s Santana Moss and Pittsburgh’s Santonio Holmes.
Last week: Had two catches for 14 yards in 10-3 loss to Washington.
Notable: Leads the Eagles with 60 catches for 866 yards and two TDs. ... First-team All-American in 2007. ... Pac-10 record six punt returns for TDs. ... Played at Long Beach Poly High, which has produced more NFL players than any high school. ... Had six catches for 110 yards in earlier meeting with Cowboys this season when he also tossed the football away before crossing the goal line on a potential touchdown reception. The play was ruled a fumble. The Eagles maintained possession and scored on the next play.
McNabb’s resurgence
Ever since Eagles coach Andy Reid benched Donovan McNabb in a Week 12 loss to Baltimore, a new McNabb has emerged. The 10-year veteran helped get the once-dead Eagles back in the playoff hunt, winning three of the past four games. McNabb, who was intercepted twice and lost a fumble before being benched in favor of Stephenville’s Kevin Kolb on Nov. 23, has avoided crucial mistakes. He has thrown seven touchdowns to one interception and has averaged 243 yards passing in the past four games.
At the Linc
Philadelphia is 5-2 at Lincoln Financial Field this season with the only losses coming to Washington and the New York Giants. The Eagles can score on their home field, averaging 29.4 points per game. Dallas has won two of its past three games at Philadelphia and Tony Romo is 1-0 in his only start there last year. The Cowboys won that meeting 38-17 on Nov. 4 as Romo completed 20 of 25 passes for 324 yards with three touchdowns and one interception. He connected with ex-Eagle Terrell Owens 10 times for 174 yards and one touchdown.
Defense among best
The Eagles’ defense is ranked No. 3 in the NFL and is the highest rated in the NFC. The only defenses ahead of Philadelphia are recent Cowboys opponents Pittsburgh and Baltimore. Philly’s defensive strength is pass defense with shut-down cornerback Asante Samuel, a Pro Bowler who leads the team with four interceptions. The Eagles have the second-rated pass defense in the league, allowing 180.1 yards per game. The pass rush has been led by defensive ends Darren Howard and Trent Cole (nine sacks apiece).
Controlling Westbrook
Eagles dynamic running back Brian Westbrook has been banged up this season and his sagging numbers tell his problems. Westbrook has battled rib, ankle and knee injuries and missed two games. He is headed for his lowest rushing total since 2005 and is not averaging 100 yards in rushing and receiving yards combined (a first since 2003). Still, Westbrook remains the focal point of the Eagles’ eighth-ranked offense. In the first meeting with the Cowboys, Westbrook had 18 carries for 58 yards and six catches for 45 yards.
Rick Herrin, 817-390-7760