Philadelphia Eagles’ Week 17 Playoff Scenarios

I believe they will end up with the No. 2 seed. They control their own destiny, and with the division title at stake, they will come out firing on Sunday.

Remember, last year the Birds snuck into the sixth spot with a 44-6 thrashing of Dallas.

Will it happen again?

If it does, the Birds will have a week off.

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Is Mississippi Running Back Dexter McCluster the Next Chris Johnson?

Mississippi’s running back sensation Dexter McCluster dominated Oklahoma State in the Cotton Bowl on Sunday rushing for 182 yards and two touchdowns and he was named the Offensive Player of the Game.

Breaking onto the scene just after the midway point of the college football season on October 24 against Arkansas when he ran for over 120 yards and had one receiving touchdown, McCluster became a force in college football.

Following his breakout game, McCluster followed it up with rushing performances of 186, 282, and 148 yards.

Drawing comparisons to the Tennessee Titans superstar running back Chris Johnson, McCluster is a similar mold in running style using shifty moves and pure speed, but he is also comparative in size (McCluster is 5’8″ 170-pounds, Johnson is 5’11” 190-pounds).

McCluster will obviously need to pack on a few more pounds once he gets to the NFL, but he has easily helped his overall draft position in the last seven games in his senior year with Ole Miss.

While Johnson was running for East Carolina, he too had a slow start to his senior year, but halfway through the season he broke out and finished his final year in college rushing for over 1,400-plus yards and he too helped his draft stock.

Originally projected to be a late second or third round pick in the 2008 NFL Draft, Johnson also showcased his blazing speed at the NFL Combine tying the all-time mark in the 40-yard dash by running a 4.24.

McCluster is in the same boat as Johnson once was, but he is projected as a fifth round pick, which should now change with his bowl game performance and he will most likely light up the NFL Combine too by showing off his speed.

He will now be on the radar of many NFL teams and he could possibly be projected to be selected in the second round of the 2010 NFL Draft.

McCluster finished his senior year at Mississippi with 181 rushing attempts for 1,169 yards (6.45 yard per carry average) and eight touchdowns. Also, he had 44 receptions for 520 yards and three touchdowns.

Finally, he is the only player in SEC history to rush for over 1,000 yards and have over 500 yards receiving in the same season.

The NFL is waiting and there are many team salivating at the chance to have McCluster on their offense.

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Buffalo Bills: New Decade Starts With Lots Of Excitement

When the Buffalo Bills hired Buddy Nix as their General Manager, the press conference that followed Nix’s introduction included sessions with Jim Kelly and Thurman Thomas. That Nix had sought out Kelly and Thomas for their opinion is a sign that this new regime seeks to take advantage of all the assets the Bills have at their disposal.

On Monday, Nix will begin interviewing candidates in earnest, starting with Perry Fewell. There was some type of meeting held with Bill Cowher this past week that included Ralph Wilson and Russ Brandon.

Brian Billick is on the slate for an interview this coming week. The Bills have approached San Diego for permission to interview Ron Rivera, meaning that he has to interview this week due to the Chargers playoff schedule having a bye for the upcoming week.

So for starters, we are looking at names like Bill Cowher, Perry Fewell, Brian Billick, and Ron Rivera coming out of the gate. Is the answer to the Bills woes found within that quartet?

Nix sighted at his press conference that they will put together a priority list of their favorite candidates. They will sit down with each candidate starting at the head of the list (Cowher?) and move down the list from there. Once they have confirmed that there is mutual interest, and they have two or three finalists, they will go to Ralph Wilson for the ultimate stamp of approval.

Nix is not wasting any time. He wants to make things happen. The Bills have players to evaluate, a coaching staff to put together, coordinators to fire and hire, and a team that needs to be examined from top to bottom to figure out who stays, who goes, and who is brought back to compete for a roster spot.

Now that the I.R. list has crossed the 20-man mark, there will be lots of bodies coming in to training camp in 2010 that have some degree of figuring in to the Bills new coaching staff’s plans. Nix is strong in scouting, so expect a strong haul from the draft this year, as his reputation for netting top talent is unquestioned.

I am looking forward to the start of this next decade and hope that this can be looked back to as the starting point of something big that is starting to build in Orchard Park.

 

 

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Chris J. Nelson’s Week 17 NFL Game Predictions

I went a solid 11-5 on picks last week, giving me exactly two-thirds of the game this season correct. This week looks to be much harder, however, as some teams will be resting starters and not all the best teams are going to win.

Last week’s record: 11-5
Season record: 160-80 (66.7 percent)

Bills over Colts—I think the only thing that would upset Colts fans more than pulling starters at 14-0 would be not pulling starters at 14-1. I don’t see the Colts’ stars playing much, so I like the Bills in frigid Buffalo.

Jaguars over Browns—In what looks to be the last hurrah for Eric Mangini, I don’t see the Browns playing spoiler.

Bears over Lions—Chicago has been a major disappointment this season, but I see Jay Cutler capping the season off with a big performance against the lowly Lions.

49ers over Rams—The Niners’ young playmakers in Vernon Davis and Michael Crabtree are emerging, and they’re going to put up too many points for whatever quarterback St. Louis runs out there to match.

Steelers over Dolphins—Both teams have something to play for, but the Dolphins are a long shot to make the playoffs and I think they’ll fall short this year. Pittsburgh is the better team and I expect Ben Roethlisberger to lead the Steelers to victory.

Vikings over Giants—New York fell flat on its face with a blowout loss to the Panthers in Week 16, so I expect them to be deflated against a better Vikings team.

Falcons over Buccaneers—Raheem Morris might be on his way out, and I see Tampa Bay losing this week despite an upset win over the Saints last week.

Panthers over Saints—Drew Brees will serve a the emergency third-string quarterback for New Orleans today, so I like the Panthers in a game gift-wrapped by a New Orleans team playing it safe.

Texans over Patriots—This has the potential for a very good game, but New England has wrapped up the division and I might pick Houston anyway given their recent offensive play.

Cowboys over Eagles—Dallas is finally finding its stride, and I’m taking them at home in this great division rivalry.

Broncos over Chiefs—The Broncos will be without some of their offensive weapons in a crucial game after benching Brandon Marshall and Tony Scheffler, but I still like their chances against Kansas City.

Ravens over Raiders—Oakland’s quarterback situation is a mess right now, and I expect Baltimore to win this one no matter who they do or do not play.

Packers over Cardinals—Both teams have a playoff spot locked up, so I’m going with the home team in Arizona.

Chargers over Redskins—Jim Zorn is a sitting duck, and I don’t like his chances for one final win as Washington’s head coach.

Titans over Seahawks—Is there any reason to ever pick Seattle? I don’t think so.

Jets over Bengals—New York desperately needs a win, and I say they get it against a Bengals team that doesn’t have as much at stake this week.

 

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Which NFL Team Will Be the Team of the Teens?

Who will be The Team of the Teens? By that, I do not mean the team of kids between 12 and 19. I mean the team that will outshine all others in the 2010—2019 decade. The team that will record multiple Super Bowl victories. The team everyone else will hate and emulate at the same time. The team that will define the decade.

In every decade, the NFL has unofficially declared one team the premier team. In the 1960s, it was the Green Bay Packers, with their hard-charging, single-minded head coach Vince Lombardi. The ’70s belonged to the Pittsburgh Steelers and Terry Bradshaw, as they claimed four Super Bowl trophies to outshine the Dallas Cowboys, who made a remarkable five trips to the Super Bowl in that 10-year span, winning two.

The 1980s were all about The San Francisco 49ers; the emergence of the West Coast offense, the brainchild of their genius head coach Bill Walsh; and that skinny quarterback with the steely nerves and the indomitable will, Joe Montana.

The ’90s belonged to the lip-smacking, never-a-hair-out-of-place Jimmy Johnson; the brash new face of the NFL, Jerry Jones; the fair-haired, golden-armed Oklahoma kid from California, Troy Aikman; and the Dallas Cowboys in general. They won three Super Bowls in four years, the first time that had ever been done.

The first decade in the new century brought us Bill Belichick with his cut up sweatshirts and his unbelievable sixth round find, Tom Brady. The Brady Bunch won three consecutive Super Bowls. They then posted the first-ever perfect 16-0 regular season mark (the Dolphins’ perfect season was in the 14-game era), blew through the AFC playoffs, and then lost a heart-breaker to the upstart New York Giants.

So, who is next? Which team is poised to claim its very own decade and become part of that “greatest team ever” argument? To ascertain the likeliest candidates, it is first necessary to contemplate the formula. History suggests there is a predictor—a formula that seems too consistent to ignore.

Every team of the decade had a couple things in common: A relatively young coach coming into his own and establishing himself as a great leader/technician/motivator; a young superstar quarterback; a dominating (or at least very difficult to deal with) defense.

Consider…

• The 1960s Packers had Vince Lombardi, whose influence on the game was so significant they named the Super Bowl trophy after him, and Bart Starr. Now, Starr was not a sensational quarterback, but he was a great field general who understood and executed his coach’s offense to perfection.
• The 1970s Steelers had Chuck Knoll, who began a coaching tradition like no other there in the Steel City. They also had Terry Bradshaw and the Steel Curtain. The honorable mention Dallas Cowboys had a fellow named Tom Landry and a quarterback named Roger Staubach, not to mention DoomsDay I & II.
• The 1980s 49ers had Bill Walsh forever changing the game with his X’s and O’s and Joe Montana making his case for best quarterback ever. They had a salty defense led by the likes or Ronnie Lott, too.
• The 1990s Cowboys were lead by Jimmy Johnson, the first coach ever to win both a NCAA championship and a Super Bowl. They were led on the field by the unflappable Troy Aikman. And, they had a defense that was quick, nasty, and sometimes downright dominating.
• The 2000s Patriots. Belichick. Brady. Bruschi. What more need we say?

So, if we assume this formula works and is a pretty good indicator of things to come, which team currently stands poised to climb Mount Domination in the 2010s? Here are my top six candidates, beginning with No. 6:

No. 6: Cincinnati Bengals

I know. Carson Palmer is already a six-year veteran. The Bengals are good defensively, but not dominating. Marvin Lewis is not on many people’s “next coaching genius” list. Let’s not forget, however, that Lewis did help construct that Baltimore Ravens’ defense.

He did spend valuable time on that Pittsburgh Steelers’ coaching staff. Carson Palmer is a strong-armed quarterback with more than sufficient skills to get the job done. Chad Ochocinco is no slouch. The running game has found its legs.

Most importantly, this beleaguered franchise has the taste of victory fresh in its mouth.

 

No. 5: Arizona Cardinals

The biggest missing piece here is the young quarterback. What they have at QB right now is pure greatness. Kurt Warner is also nearing Methuselah’s age. The other pieces are in place, though.

Coach Whisenhunt has already made his mark on the team, getting them into last year’s Super Bowl, and coming within a Roethlisberger drive of winning it. The defense can be stingy and opportunistic. The receiving corps is as good as any in football.

And…the team finally believes it can.

 

No. 4: Baltimore Ravens

Joe Flacco is the X-factor here. Will he become more than a game manager? Will he be a play-maker? John Harbaugh, like his brother, appears to be the real deal. He could be the kind of young coach that makes his mark on the league. The defensive tradition in Baltimore is already well established and must simply be replenished.

 

No. 3: Green Bay Packers

The long shadow of Brett Favre is withering as the traitorous legend leads the Packers’ arch enemy into the playoffs. It is withering because of the play of  their Pro Bowl quarterback Aaron Rodgers. It is withering because the Packers’ defense ranks ninth in points allowed and second in yardage yielded. It is withering because Head Coach Mike McCarthy has his team poised and focused on the future, rather than dwelling on the past.

Could that future include another “team of the decade” for the citizens of the diminutive city of champions to cherish? It could.

 

No. 2: Dallas Cowboys

OK. Call me a homer, but I like where this team sits right now. The unknown quotient is a biggie: namely, who will be the coach going forward? The quarterback Tony Romo, however, I believe, is poised to become one of the league’s best. He has already set a number of team records in just his third full year as a starter.

This is no small thing when you consider he holds the position held by guys named Meredith, Staubach, White, and Aikman.

The defense, under the guidance of current coach Wade Phillips has begun to assert itself, keeping some of the league’s most potent offensive attacks in check. Most of the defense is young. In fact, apart from the aging offensive line, most of the team is fairly young.

The Cowboys could be set to do that every-other-decade thing they do. It all depends on Jerry and the choice he makes at head coach.

 

No. 1: New Orleans Saints

Drew Brees and Sean Payton have proved a lethal duo. This team hangs basketball-like numbers on opponents with a good deal of regularity. And now, they have Gregg Williams running the defense.

The Saints have already come within a game of the Super Bowl a couple seasons ago. They have gotten the home-field advantage for themselves in the current playoffs. They are young, hungry, and poised to become a force for the next eight to 10 years.

Of course, plenty of other teams could have something to say about this. The Redskins may finally be headed in the right direction with the changes in front office leadership. The Colts and Patriots are still quality, well-oiled machines with quarterbacks whose names are already legendary and will be forever in any argument about the best to ever play the game. I like where the Texans are. The 49ers have the right coach in place, I believe.

My honorable mention team, however, is Norv Turner’s San Diego Chargers. Phillip Rivers and Company are—and should continue to be—a force with which to be reckoned.

It is conceivable that this will be the decade dominated by parity, that no team will assert itself. The magic wand may pass from hand to hand, team to team, city to city. History, however, suggests some team somewhere will emerge as the team to beat.

It could be yours.

Read more NFL news on BleacherReport.com

Which NFL Team Will Be the Team of the Teens?

Who will be The Team of the Teens? By that, I do not mean the team of kids between 12 and 19. I mean the team that will outshine all others in the 2010—2019 decade. The team that will record multiple Super Bowl victories. The team everyone else will hate and emulate at the same time. The team that will define the decade.

In every decade, the NFL has unofficially declared one team the premier team. In the 1960s, it was the Green Bay Packers, with their hard-charging, single-minded head coach Vince Lombardi. The ’70s belonged to the Pittsburgh Steelers and Terry Bradshaw, as they claimed four Super Bowl trophies to outshine the Dallas Cowboys, who made a remarkable five trips to the Super Bowl in that 10-year span, winning two.

The 1980s were all about The San Francisco 49ers; the emergence of the West Coast offense, the brainchild of their genius head coach Bill Walsh; and that skinny quarterback with the steely nerves and the indomitable will, Joe Montana.

The ’90s belonged to the lip-smacking, never-a-hair-out-of-place Jimmy Johnson; the brash new face of the NFL, Jerry Jones; the fair-haired, golden-armed Oklahoma kid from California, Troy Aikman; and the Dallas Cowboys in general. They won three Super Bowls in four years, the first time that had ever been done.

The first decade in the new century brought us Bill Belichick with his cut up sweatshirts and his unbelievable sixth round find, Tom Brady. The Brady Bunch won three consecutive Super Bowls. They then posted the first-ever perfect 16-0 regular season mark (the Dolphins’ perfect season was in the 14-game era), blew through the AFC playoffs, and then lost a heart-breaker to the upstart New York Giants.

So, who is next? Which team is poised to claim its very own decade and become part of that “greatest team ever” argument? To ascertain the likeliest candidates, it is first necessary to contemplate the formula. History suggests there is a predictor—a formula that seems too consistent to ignore.

Every team of the decade had a couple things in common: A relatively young coach coming into his own and establishing himself as a great leader/technician/motivator; a young superstar quarterback; a dominating (or at least very difficult to deal with) defense.

Consider…

• The 1960s Packers had Vince Lombardi, whose influence on the game was so significant they named the Super Bowl trophy after him, and Bart Starr. Now, Starr was not a sensational quarterback, but he was a great field general who understood and executed his coach’s offense to perfection.
• The 1970s Steelers had Chuck Knoll, who began a coaching tradition like no other there in the Steel City. They also had Terry Bradshaw and the Steel Curtain. The honorable mention Dallas Cowboys had a fellow named Tom Landry and a quarterback named Roger Staubach, not to mention DoomsDay I & II.
• The 1980s 49ers had Bill Walsh forever changing the game with his X’s and O’s and Joe Montana making his case for best quarterback ever. They had a salty defense led by the likes or Ronnie Lott, too.
• The 1990s Cowboys were lead by Jimmy Johnson, the first coach ever to win both a NCAA championship and a Super Bowl. They were led on the field by the unflappable Troy Aikman. And, they had a defense that was quick, nasty, and sometimes downright dominating.
• The 2000s Patriots. Belichick. Brady. Bruschi. What more need we say?

So, if we assume this formula works and is a pretty good indicator of things to come, which team currently stands poised to climb Mount Domination in the 2010s? Here are my top six candidates, beginning with No. 6:

No. 6: Cincinnati Bengals

I know. Carson Palmer is already a six-year veteran. The Bengals are good defensively, but not dominating. Marvin Lewis is not on many people’s “next coaching genius” list. Let’s not forget, however, that Lewis did help construct that Baltimore Ravens’ defense.

He did spend valuable time on that Pittsburgh Steelers’ coaching staff. Carson Palmer is a strong-armed quarterback with more than sufficient skills to get the job done. Chad Ochocinco is no slouch. The running game has found its legs.

Most importantly, this beleaguered franchise has the taste of victory fresh in its mouth.

 

No. 5: Arizona Cardinals

The biggest missing piece here is the young quarterback. What they have at QB right now is pure greatness. Kurt Warner is also nearing Methuselah’s age. The other pieces are in place, though.

Coach Whisenhunt has already made his mark on the team, getting them into last year’s Super Bowl, and coming within a Roethlisberger drive of winning it. The defense can be stingy and opportunistic. The receiving corps is as good as any in football.

And…the team finally believes it can.

 

No. 4: Baltimore Ravens

Joe Flacco is the X-factor here. Will he become more than a game manager? Will he be a play-maker? John Harbaugh, like his brother, appears to be the real deal. He could be the kind of young coach that makes his mark on the league. The defensive tradition in Baltimore is already well established and must simply be replenished.

 

No. 3: Green Bay Packers

The long shadow of Brett Favre is withering as the traitorous legend leads the Packers’ arch enemy into the playoffs. It is withering because of the play of  their Pro Bowl quarterback Aaron Rodgers. It is withering because the Packers’ defense ranks ninth in points allowed and second in yardage yielded. It is withering because Head Coach Mike McCarthy has his team poised and focused on the future, rather than dwelling on the past.

Could that future include another “team of the decade” for the citizens of the diminutive city of champions to cherish? It could.

 

No. 2: Dallas Cowboys

OK. Call me a homer, but I like where this team sits right now. The unknown quotient is a biggie: namely, who will be the coach going forward? The quarterback Tony Romo, however, I believe, is poised to become one of the league’s best. He has already set a number of team records in just his third full year as a starter.

This is no small thing when you consider he holds the position held by guys named Meredith, Staubach, White, and Aikman.

The defense, under the guidance of current coach Wade Phillips has begun to assert itself, keeping some of the league’s most potent offensive attacks in check. Most of the defense is young. In fact, apart from the aging offensive line, most of the team is fairly young.

The Cowboys could be set to do that every-other-decade thing they do. It all depends on Jerry and the choice he makes at head coach.

 

No. 1: New Orleans Saints

Drew Brees and Sean Payton have proved a lethal duo. This team hangs basketball-like numbers on opponents with a good deal of regularity. And now, they have Gregg Williams running the defense.

The Saints have already come within a game of the Super Bowl a couple seasons ago. They have gotten the home-field advantage for themselves in the current playoffs. They are young, hungry, and poised to become a force for the next eight to 10 years.

Of course, plenty of other teams could have something to say about this. The Redskins may finally be headed in the right direction with the changes in front office leadership. The Colts and Patriots are still quality, well-oiled machines with quarterbacks whose names are already legendary and will be forever in any argument about the best to ever play the game. I like where the Texans are. The 49ers have the right coach in place, I believe.

My honorable mention team, however, is Norv Turner’s San Diego Chargers. Phillip Rivers and Company are—and should continue to be—a force with which to be reckoned.

It is conceivable that this will be the decade dominated by parity, that no team will assert itself. The magic wand may pass from hand to hand, team to team, city to city. History, however, suggests some team somewhere will emerge as the team to beat.

It could be yours.

Read more NFL news on BleacherReport.com

Whatever Happened to Offensive Pass Interference?

Okay sports fans, I know I’m going to take a beating on this one.

I’ve been watching NFL football for the last 42 years and I have to get this out of my system.

Back in the day, receivers depended on speed, agility, and route running ability to get open and catch passes and defensive backs were allowed to try to keep up with them, gee what a concept.

Now, with the NFL constantly changing rules in order to generate offense, receivers can do anything short of shooting cornerbacks and safeties to get to the ball.

Case in point (and here is where I will get hate mail, but I don’t care), Pittsburgh Steelers’ wideout Mike Wallaces’ game winning catch last week. Anyone who REALLY watched the constantly shown replay, saw him clearly push off before turning and making his remarkable catch.

Honestly, I’m not picking on Wallace, who is a fine young receiver. I see it happen all the time on all teams so this is just an example. What’s a poor defensive back to do?

I’m just saying that the NFL (No Fair League) needs to stop changing rules to manufacture excitement that is already there.

Read more NFL news on BleacherReport.com

Whatever Happened to Offensive Pass Interference?

Okay sports fans, I know I’m going to take a beating on this one.

I’ve been watching NFL football for the last 42 years and I have to get this out of my system.

Back in the day, receivers depended on speed, agility, and route running ability to get open and catch passes and defensive backs were allowed to try to keep up with them, gee what a concept.

Now, with the NFL constantly changing rules in order to generate offense, receivers can do anything short of shooting cornerbacks and safeties to get to the ball.

Case in point (and here is where I will get hate mail, but I don’t care), Pittsburgh Steelers’ wideout Mike Wallaces’ game winning catch last week. Anyone who REALLY watched the constantly shown replay, saw him clearly push off before turning and making his remarkable catch.

Honestly, I’m not picking on Wallace, who is a fine young receiver. I see it happen all the time on all teams so this is just an example. What’s a poor defensive back to do?

I’m just saying that the NFL (No Fair League) needs to stop changing rules to manufacture excitement that is already there.

Read more NFL news on BleacherReport.com

Philadelphia Eagles vs. Dallas Cowboys Keys to the Game

For the second time in two years, it all comes down to this. For all the marbles it’s our beloved Eagles and the hated Cowboys clashing in Week 17 to see who will be crowned NFC East champion, and, for the Eagles, to see who will take the second seed in the playoffs.

The Eagles are riding a six-game winning streak into this game, but the Cowboys are hot in their own right after knocking off the previously unbeaten New Orleans Saints and perhaps knocking off the mental block they always seem to hit in December.

Both of these teams are heading to the playoffs, but only one will go as the division champ. The other will have to fight and claw their way through as a wild card and make a kind of improbable run that only happens a couple times per decade.

Let’s take a look at what the Eagles must do to beat the Cowboys, and wrap up the division and No. 2 seed.

Keep Tony Romo in the Pocket

Outside the pocket, Tony Romo is almost as dangerous as Donovan McNabb, circa 2001. However, inside the pocket he’s only average at best. He doesn’t seem to see the field as well and obviously does not like to throw with guys around him. He’d rather move outside, see the entire field, and throw cleanly.

The Eagles’ defense has to keep him in the pocket. They do that by controlling their own individual gaps and not playing outside the system. Trent Cole and

Juqua Parker can’t let Romo run around them or step up because they got ridden outside, and Mike Patterson and Brodrick Bunkley have to get an inside push and avoid letting him step up.

On top of that, there should always be a linebacker with one eye on Romo. This might cause some extra receptions for Jason Witten on a hot route, but that’s less damaging than if Romo is allowed to make plays outside the pocket and gain some confidence early.

If they keep Romo in the pocket (oh, and hit him whenever given the chance), they should be able to control the passing game, and at the same time, control that draw the Cowboys like to run. If everyone is playing gap football, the draw won’t gain a yard.

Allow DeSean Jackson to Attack Cowboys’ Safeties

If that Dallas defense has a weak spot, it’s their safeties. They’re not awful like the pair out in New York, but they’re certainly not headed to the Pro Bowl anytime soon.

If DeSean can get them to go flat-footed, it will be a very long day for them.

The Cowboys shut DeSean down last time these two teams met, but that was because they were able to focus everything on shutting him down. Since then, Jeremy Maclin has seemed to come into his own and, with a big catch or two, can draw the coverage away from Jackson.

When that happens, it’s time to see what you can get down the middle of field to DeSean. If they allow a safety to cover him in the deep half of the field, it’s a play the Eagles should be able to take advantage of a couple times in this game.

Here’s a prediction: Jackson will break the single-season record for most 50+ yard touchdowns.

He’ll get his ninth today, beating Devin Hester and Crazy Legs Hisrch’s record of eight.

Give Them a Heavy Dose of Leonard Weaver

As much as the big play will be a factor in this game, so will controlling the clock and playing mistake-free football. Brian Westbrook goes down too easily, and

LeSean McCoy has had a bit of a problem with holding onto the football in key situations, so it’s time to see more of Weaver.

Weaver is a guy who will very rarely go down because of one guy. You’re going to need two, three, or even four players to bring him down and by the time those guys get there he’s dragged the others for an extra yard or two. He abuses defenses and will make guys think twice before they hit him.

If the Eagles can do this with Weaver, it will open up the deep passing attack and give an opportunity to Westbrook and McCoy to take advantage of a beaten Cowboys defense.

The best friend of an offense is a tired opposing defense. It will allow Andy Reid and Marty Mornhinweg to do almost whatever they want with success. Of course, it’s contingent upon those two actually sticking with the run.

So, in short, don’t hold your breath, Philly.

Article originally published at 2 Mintues to Midnight Green!

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Philadelphia Eagles vs. Dallas Cowboys Keys to the Game

For the second time in two years, it all comes down to this. For all the marbles it’s our beloved Eagles and the hated Cowboys clashing in Week 17 to see who will be crowned NFC East champion, and, for the Eagles, to see who will take the second seed in the playoffs.

The Eagles are riding a six-game winning streak into this game, but the Cowboys are hot in their own right after knocking off the previously unbeaten New Orleans Saints and perhaps knocking off the mental block they always seem to hit in December.

Both of these teams are heading to the playoffs, but only one will go as the division champ. The other will have to fight and claw their way through as a wild card and make a kind of improbable run that only happens a couple times per decade.

Let’s take a look at what the Eagles must do to beat the Cowboys, and wrap up the division and No. 2 seed.

Keep Tony Romo in the Pocket

Outside the pocket, Tony Romo is almost as dangerous as Donovan McNabb, circa 2001. However, inside the pocket he’s only average at best. He doesn’t seem to see the field as well and obviously does not like to throw with guys around him. He’d rather move outside, see the entire field, and throw cleanly.

The Eagles’ defense has to keep him in the pocket. They do that by controlling their own individual gaps and not playing outside the system. Trent Cole and

Juqua Parker can’t let Romo run around them or step up because they got ridden outside, and Mike Patterson and Brodrick Bunkley have to get an inside push and avoid letting him step up.

On top of that, there should always be a linebacker with one eye on Romo. This might cause some extra receptions for Jason Witten on a hot route, but that’s less damaging than if Romo is allowed to make plays outside the pocket and gain some confidence early.

If they keep Romo in the pocket (oh, and hit him whenever given the chance), they should be able to control the passing game, and at the same time, control that draw the Cowboys like to run. If everyone is playing gap football, the draw won’t gain a yard.

Allow DeSean Jackson to Attack Cowboys’ Safeties

If that Dallas defense has a weak spot, it’s their safeties. They’re not awful like the pair out in New York, but they’re certainly not headed to the Pro Bowl anytime soon.

If DeSean can get them to go flat-footed, it will be a very long day for them.

The Cowboys shut DeSean down last time these two teams met, but that was because they were able to focus everything on shutting him down. Since then, Jeremy Maclin has seemed to come into his own and, with a big catch or two, can draw the coverage away from Jackson.

When that happens, it’s time to see what you can get down the middle of field to DeSean. If they allow a safety to cover him in the deep half of the field, it’s a play the Eagles should be able to take advantage of a couple times in this game.

Here’s a prediction: Jackson will break the single-season record for most 50+ yard touchdowns.

He’ll get his ninth today, beating Devin Hester and Crazy Legs Hisrch’s record of eight.

Give Them a Heavy Dose of Leonard Weaver

As much as the big play will be a factor in this game, so will controlling the clock and playing mistake-free football. Brian Westbrook goes down too easily, and

LeSean McCoy has had a bit of a problem with holding onto the football in key situations, so it’s time to see more of Weaver.

Weaver is a guy who will very rarely go down because of one guy. You’re going to need two, three, or even four players to bring him down and by the time those guys get there he’s dragged the others for an extra yard or two. He abuses defenses and will make guys think twice before they hit him.

If the Eagles can do this with Weaver, it will open up the deep passing attack and give an opportunity to Westbrook and McCoy to take advantage of a beaten Cowboys defense.

The best friend of an offense is a tired opposing defense. It will allow Andy Reid and Marty Mornhinweg to do almost whatever they want with success. Of course, it’s contingent upon those two actually sticking with the run.

So, in short, don’t hold your breath, Philly.

Article originally published at 2 Mintues to Midnight Green!

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