Dallas Cowboys: Injury Report Nov. 23

The Cowboys came out of yesterday’s game healthy, but have a short week before Thursday’s Thanksgiving day matchup against the Oakland Raiders.

Quarterback Tony Romo has been diagnosed with a bruised hip from when he tackled DeAngelo Hall after Hall picked up a fumble by Marion Barber. Romo didn’t miss a snap and finished the game. He said after the game that he will start on Thursday and the injury isn’t significant.

Cornerback Mike Jenkins got his bell rung on the Redskins’ last drive of the game, but said after the game he was fine but, “I was out of it for a few minutes.” He played through the bicep bruise he suffered against the Packers and will do so again on Thursday.

DeMarcus Ware (foot), Gerald Sensabaugh (thumb), David Buehler (toe), and Marion Barber (thumb) all played through their injuries with no problem and are expected to do the same this week.

Tackle Marc Colombo (fibula) and Safety Ken Hamlin (ankle) are expected to miss this week’s game.

Kickoff returner Allen Rossum has been released and corner Cletis Gordon was signed to the team to take Rossum’s spot.

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Cowboys Offense Comes Through in Final Minutes, Win 7-6

It wasn’t pretty but the Cowboys’ lone TD drive was enough to beat the Washington Redskins 7-6 in an ugly game in Dallas.

The Redskins should have won this game but Suisham missed a 39-yard field goal just before the half then missed a 50-yard field goal early in the fourth.

The Cowboys ran the ball well but were out of rhythm all day passing. Tony Romo finished 15-of-27 for 158 yards, one TD and one interception but was baffled by the Redskins top-ranked passing defense; he didn’t hit a wide receiver until the last play of third quarter.

However Romo and the offense came together after Redskins kicker Shaun Suisham missed his second field goal. Romo was six of seven passing on the TD drive and with the ball on the ten-yard line, Romo scrambled and found Patrick Crayton wide open in the end zone for the TD.

Jason Witten (five catches, 43 yards) caught two key passes on the drive and Miles Austin (four catches, 47 yards) also had a catch on the drive. Roy Williams was held without a catch for the entire game as him and Romo struggled to connect.

The running game for the Cowboys was efficient but didn’t give the Cowboys a chance to score. Marion Barber had 20 carries for 99 yards but fumbled in the first quarter while the Cowboys were in the red zone. Felix Jones had 10 carries for 46 yards and Tashard Choice had one carry for one yard as he couldn’t get a first down on a third-and-two.

The Cowboys defense played great keeping the Redskins from getting deep into their territory all day. The Cowboys managed just one sack by linebacker Keith Brooking but kept Jason Campbell (24 of 37, 256 yards, one INT) under constant pressure. 

They also stifled the Redskins’ running game as they knocked Ladell Betts out of the game with a knee injury and backup Rock Cartwright had 67 yards on 16 carries but most of it came on a 34-yard run in the third quarter.

Linebacker Anthony Spencer had a great game as he deflected one pass and intercepted another pass that was deflected on the Redskins’ final drive to put the game away.

The Secondary also played well as Terence Newman, Orlando Scandrick and Mike Jenkins kept the Redskins’ receivers in front of them all day and Campbell was forced to check down to Cartwright most of the day as he had seven receptions for 73 yards.

The Cowboys now have three days to rest and prepare before they host the Oakland Raiders and December comes right after that. If they can win on Thanksgiving, they’ll have some margin for error in December as they’ll be 8-3 and they’ll need it with their December schedule.

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Week 11: Washington Redskins vs. Dallas Cowboys

The Cowboys begin a two-game homestand when they host the Redskins on Sunday.

The Redskins come into Dallas riding high off their win against the Denver Broncos. Quarterback Jason Campbell is having a rough season as he’s 168 for 254 for 1,870 yards with 10 TD’s and eight interceptions. He’s also been sacked 28 times this season. Campbell has been throwing the ball well but no one is catching it.

Receiver Santana Moss is still producing with 35 receptions for 508 yards and two TDs, but second year receivers Malcolm Kelly and Devin Thomas haven’t produced as they’ve been expected to. Kelly and Thomas have played in every game this season but have just nine receptions each and have 203 yards combined. Running backs Ladell Betts and Mike Sellers have more receptions then Kelly and Thomas.

The running game has also been mediocre for the Redskins. Clinton Portis is the leading back for the Redskins, but missed last week’s game against the Broncos with a concussion and is out for this game. Ladell Betts has been serviceable as the backup (52 carries, 205 yards and two TD’s) but the Redskins are just 19th in the NFL in rushing at 107.1 YPG and four TD’s.

The Redskins are a team that is constantly on the field, but has good players.

London Fletcher leads the team in tackles with 77. Rookie defensive lineman Brian Orakpo has seven sacks this season and their other end, Andre Carter, has eight on the season.

Albert Haynesworth had three sacks but hasn’t been the player the Redskins paid $100 million for.  He hasn’t helped a front seven that gives up 125 YPG rushing. He also hasn’t practiced this week although his status for the game is unknown.

DeAngelo Hall has four interceptions this season and seven passed defended. But, he’s the only player in the Redskins’ starting secondary with an interception. Still, the Redskins are first in the NFL in passing defense giving up a league low 162 YPG passing.

Their cover two defense helps that by not allowing deep throws and they can take advantage if Tony Romo gets pass happy and tries to force things down the field.

The Cowboys return after being insulted and injured in Green Bay.

Tony Romo will be looking to get back on another winning streak after losing last week. Romo (183-303, 2,466, 14 TDs, six interceptions) will try to reconnect with Miles Austin, who had just four catches for 20 yards last week but still leads the Cowboys in yards (632), yards per catch (20.4), and TDs (7).

Roy Williams will want to redeem his game last week where he fumbled after a huge catch and dropped a wide open pass in Packers’ territory. He took the blame for the Cowboys losing, but this week he’ll want to be praised for them winning.

Jason Garrett took a lot of heat for the Cowboys not running, but you can bet the Cowboys will be running a lot on Washington’s soft front seven this week. Smash, Dash, and Tash will get more carries this week and should perform well.

Barber is expected to play this week.  Barber has participated in practice every day this week after aggravating his broken thumb last week, and will start.

Felix Jones will get the ball a lot more after just three carries and no catches last week, and Tashard Choice should get more runs out of the wildcat.

The Cowboys’ defense played well last week holding the Packers for three quarters to just a field goal before giving up two TDs in the fourth—one on a drive which started at the Cowboys’ own three-yard line. The Cowboys still managed to get four sacks and hold Packers running back Ryan Grant under 100 yards rushing and Aaron Rodgers under 200 yards passing.

Expect the same as the Cowboys will be aggressive against the Redskins’ weak offensive line. Keith Brooking leads a front seven that’s tenth in the NFL against the run, and tied  with 24 sacks as a team. Brooking is the Cowboys’ leading tackler with 64, including four tackles for loss and two sacks. 

Linebacker DeMarcus Ware had two sacks last week and leads the team with seven on the season. Defensive Tackle Jay Ratliff is second on the team with four, and they’re excited about getting to Jason Campbell.

The Cowboys will be without Safety Ken Hamlin this week and Alan Ball looks like he’ll take his place. Terence Newman, Orlando Scandrick, and Mike Jenkins did a good job last week and will try to stop Santana Moss and Antwaan Randle El. Jenkins came out of last week’s game but has practiced every day this week and will start on Sunday.

The Cowboys will win this game. It’s at home and without Portis playing, the Redskins’ running game won’t be at its best and their passing game is a joke. The Cowboys will eventually break through the Redskins’ defense, put the pressure on Campbell, and should get a turnover.

Cowboys, 28-13.

 

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Cowboys Injury Report Nov. 17

The Cowboys came into Green Bay the healthiest team in the league, but the injury bug finally bit the Cowboys.

Offensive lineman Marc Colombo broke his left fibula in the second series for the Cowboys offense. Owner Jerry Jones said that Colombo is out for the season, but the Cowboys haven’t put him on injured reserve yet, hoping that he can be ready in case the Cowboys go on a deep playoff run.

Wade Phillips hasn’t said who will take Colombo’s place but did say that Doug Free was “fine” in Colombo’s place during the game.

Safety Ken Hamlin suffered a high ankle sprain in Sunday’s game and will be out two to four weeks. Rookie Mike Hamlin has been activated, but it’ll be either Pat Watkins or Alan Ball (who took over at Hamlin’s spot after he left the game) who starts in Ken Hamlin’s place.

Cornerback Mike Jenkins bruised his forearm during Sunday’s game and came out twice because of the injury but said that he won’t miss any of Sunday’s game. Coach Phillips said the same thing about him, Andre Gurode (ankle), and Kyle Kosier (ankle).

Placekicker David Buehler hurt the pinkie toe on his kicking foot when he was stepped on after blocking on a punt return, and he doesn’t know if he’ll be able to kick off this weekend. His 17 touchbacks are a big reason the Cowboys haven’t allowed a return TD this season. 

Running back Marion Barber was limited in Sunday’s game because his broken thumb caused him a lot of trouble pass blocking. Linebacker Bradie James suffered a stinger and cornerback Terence Newman was stepped on. All are expected to play this weekend.

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Cowboys-Packers: Roy Williams Fumble, Dropped Pass Kill Offense in 17-7 Loss

The Cowboys’ high-scoring offense was grounded yesterday, and the defense held the Packers for three quarters, but finally broke in the fourth as the Packers won 17-7.

Tony Romo racked up a lot of passing yards, but little else (24-of-39, 251 yards, one TD, one interception, and two fumbles), as again and again the Cowboys couldn’t convert on third downs (3-for-12), and penalties (10 for 67 yards) killed every drive.

Romo was also under constant pressure, as he was sacked five times, especially after offensive lineman Marc Colombo broke his left fibula. Colombo could be out for the season.

The Cowboys’ running game was nonexistent, as they ran just 14 times as a team, even though they were down just three points going into the fourth quarter. Marion Barber had five carries for 26 yards, Tashard Jones had three carries for 13 yards, and Felix Jones also had three carries for just six yards.

The receiving corps didn’t do much, either. Miles Austin was silenced yesterday (four catches, 20 yards). Jason Witten had a decent game (five catches, 47 yards), but didn’t get many yards after his catches, and Patrick Crayton had four catches for 52 yards.

Roy Williams was another story.

Williams had five catches for 105 yards, but his fumble after a 41-yard catch, which led to a Packers field goal just before the half, changed the momentum of the game.

In the second half, on a 2nd-and-13, Romo threw a pass to a wide-open Williams that would’ve put the Cowboys in Packers territory, but Williams dropped the pass, and the drive was stalled after an offensive pass interference penalty on third down.

“The fumble, it’s on me,” Williams said after the game. “The one in the lights, that’s on me, but if the lights weren’t there that’s a caught ball.”

“I’m going to account for that. I lost this game for this football team. That’s the way I feel.”

The Cowboys’ defense did all they could to keep the game close. Aaron Rodgers (25-of-36, 189 yards, and one TD) was sacked four times, twice by DeMarcus Ware, and the Packers couldn’t sustain a drive in the first half until their field goal just before halftime.

Terence Newman, Orlando Scandrick, and Mike Jenkins, who came out of the game with a forearm injury, held the Packers’ receivers in check for the first three quarters. However, the Cowboys had the ball for just four minutes in the third; the defense was on the field for the other 11, and that killed them.

After Rodgers had a one-yard TD run, Romo fumbled just two plays into the next drive after he was sacked on a blown blocking assignment. Jones appeared to land on the ball and was down by contact, but the Packers pulled the ball out and recovered it, and Wade Phillips was told he couldn’t challenge because possession can’t be challenged on a fumble. 

That gave the Packers the ball on the Dallas three-yard line, and Spencer Havner caught a two-yard pass for a TD, making it 17-0.

This loss makes the next two weeks very important for the Cowboys, as their next two games are at home against the Redskins and Raiders. The Redskins beat the Broncos on Sunday, a team the Cowboys lost to earlier this season, so that’ll be a test for them. Then they have only three days’ rest before their Thanksgiving matchup against the Raiders. 

The Cowboys had a chance to really turn the corner with this win, but once again they bought into the hype and paid the price for it.

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Week 9: Dallas Cowboys vs. Green Bay Packers

The Dallas Cowboys head into Green Bay to play their first game in sole Possession of the NFC East.

The Packers will have their high-powered offense tested this week by the Cowboys’ aggressive pass rush, and run defense.

Aaron Rodgers is having a fine season at quarterback (164-260, 2255 yards, 16 TD’s, five interceptions), but his offensive line is having trouble keeping Rodgers upright as he’s been sacked 37 times this season. The Packers’ line will have their work cut out for them with DeMarcus Ware and company blitzing relentlessly during the game.

The Packers have great receivers on their team. When Rodgers has time to throw he loves to distribute the ball. Eight players have at least 100 yards receiving on the season.

Donald Driver has been their most consistent receiver for years and this season is no different (37 catches, 613 yards, and four TD’s). Greg Jennings is also having a solid season with 34 catches for 498 yards and two TD’s.

The Packers’ running game has done its part to take the pressure off Rodgers. Ryan Grant has 149 carries for 621 yards and four TD’s, but they’ve had trouble finding consistency in Grant’s backup.

Rodgers is second on the team in carries, yards and TD’s. Ahman Green was signed two weeks ago but has only eight carries since returning to the team.

The Packers have a great 3-4 defense that ranks ninth in rushing YPG and fourth in passing YPG. However, there’s a good chance the Packers will miss their best pass rusher in Aaron Kampman, who hasn’t practiced all week after suffering a concussion last week.

Defensive end Cullen Jenkins, who leads the team in sacks with three-and-a-half was also limited in practice on Wednesday and is questionable for the game Sunday.

That could leave linebackers Nick Barnett, A.J Hawk, and Brandon Chillar, who have a combined three sacks with no one to pressure the QB except Clay Matthews, who has three. Barnett (51), Hawk (43), and Chillar (36) are in the top four in tackles on the Packers, however, and have adapted well to their new defense. 

In the secondary, Charles Woodson was also limited in practice but is probable for Sunday’s game. Al Harris will play opposite Woodson, but they haven’t been effective against the Cowboys in the last two years—giving up an average of 284.5 yards passing.

Atari Bigby and Nick Collins are good safeties who aren’t afraid to come up and make plays in the run game. 

However, they gave up 205 yards passing and three TD’s to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers last weekend—a team whose QB started his first career game.

The Bucs are averaging 177 YPG passing, and even after last week’s game, still have more interceptions (12) than passing TD’s (11). That’s not a good sign with the Cowboys being sixth in the NFL in passing.

The Cowboys bring their third ranked offense into Green Bay and they’ll be looking to score. Tony Romo has been great since Week Five, putting together four solid games, and tries to continue that streak on Sunday.

He’ll look to Miles Austin who has had two great games against the Packers. Two years ago Austin drew two huge pass interference penalties that led to TDs in the Cowboys’ 37-27 win. Last season, Austin had two catches for 115 yards and a TD in the Cowboys’ 27-16 win.

Roy Williams will also look to build on his performance from last week where he had five catches for 75 yards. Jason Witten will also be Romo’s reliable safe target.

Smash, Dash, and Tash will be a huge part of this game. With the Packers 3-4 defense the Cowboys won’t want to get one dimensional, and using all three backs will be beneficial.

Marion Barber should get his opportunities in this game, especially if it’s close late. Coach Wade Phillips said that he’ll give Felix Jones more reps in this game and Tashard Choice should get more plays in the wildcat as it was successful last week.

The Cowboys defense is what’s going to make the difference in this game. They know the Packers can’t protect Rodgers, so they’ll want to stop the run and force the Packers into third-and-long situations so they can come after Rodgers.

I expect Anthony Spencer to get his first sack in this game.

Keith Brooking and Bradie James have been fantastic this season and they’re rubbing off on Bobby Carpenter, who has been playing well of late and is seventh on the team in tackles with 25.

The Cowboys’ secondary will have their work cut out for them with this receiving core. Terence Newman, Orlando Scandrick, and Mike Jenkins did a great job last week keeping the Eagles from getting big plays. Mike Jenkins and safety Gerald Sensabaugh both had interceptions.

The secondary could end up playing more man-to-man defense depending on how much the Cowboys want to blitz. If they can get constant pressure with their front four, they’ll just play zone coverage and look to jump routes. If the Cowboys send five, six, or seven guys then they’ll play man in order to keep Rodgers from throwing the ball quickly.

This is another trap game for the Cowboys.  They know they could be heading into December at 9-2 if they can win their next three games, and the Packers are the best team out of those three with Washington and Oakland coming up.

That’s enough motivation for the Cowboys to show up to this game and the defense will dominate the Packers’ offense. The Cowboys will take some time to score but eventually they’ll blow it open and the Packers will score late when the game is out of reach.

31-20 Cowboys.

 

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Dallas Cowboys Midseason Report Card

The Cowboys have improved in every way since their last report card and haven’t lost since, either, making this quarter a lot better.

Quarterback

Romo has thrown nine TDs and one interception in his last four games. He’s also cut down on bad throws and has been is as elusive as ever when scrambling.

The true test comes in December, when the Cowboys will face some legitimate teams, and where the past three seasons have been awful, but for now Romo’s the QB everyone in Dallas wanted him to be.

Grade: A

Running Back

Smash, Dash, and Tash have just one individual 100-yard game between them, but they’ve all contributed greatly to the running game and because of that they’re eighth in the league in rushing with 136 ypg.

Marion Barber kept playing despite a broken thumb and had a great fourth quarter against the Eagles last week. Felix Jones is always a big play threat and has come back from his injury and hasn’t lost a step and Tashard Choice has been successful in the wildcat in the last two weeks.

Grade: A

Wide Receiver and Tight End

Miles Austin has come on strong and is tied for the league lead with seven TDs. Patrick Crayton hasn’t been getting a lot of balls, but catches the ones thrown to him and has improved since his demotion.

Roy Williams has still been a disappointment, but came on last Sunday to catch five passes for 75 yards and Kevin Ogletree has broken out of the practice squad ranks and is getting more playing time than Sam Hurd. 

Jason Witten is still as reliable as ever, even if his numbers are down a bit this season. Martellus Bennett has produced a bit in recent weeks, but still has less catches and yards than Tashard Choice.

Grade: B-plus

Offensive Line

This group continues to do a great job run blocking and although Romo was sacked four times last Sunday, you have to expect that against the Eagles’ blitz, though they did keep him upright late in the game and on most third downs.

Flozell Adams has cut down on his personal fouls and the unit has stayed healthy throughout the season, something ESPN’s John Clayton said wouldn’t happen because of their age. Now if they could cut down on false starts, but that might be asking too much.

Grade: B-plus

Linebackers

Keith Brooking is becoming a bigger free agent singing every week and leads the team in tackles. DeMarcus Ware found his game and all it took was a stress fracture in his foot; he leads the team with five sacks. Bobby Carpenter is finally turning into the linebacker the Cowboys thought they were getting when they drafted him.

Anthony Spencer leads the team with four tackles for losses, but still has no sacks. Bradie James is still the leader of this unit and is second on the team in tackles. Victor Butler saved the game last week with his sack on Donovan McNabb.

Grade: A

Defensive Line

Jay Ratliff is going to the Pro Bowl again if he keeps it up. He’s got four sacks and has been a huge part of the Cowboys not allowing the Seahawks and Eagles 100 yards rushing in the last two games.

Jason Hatcher, Steven Bowen, and Junior Siavii have been great in the rotation and have also been beneficial in stopping the run game. 

Grade: B-minus

Corners and Safetys

Mike Jenkins has a team high three interceptions this season. Orlando Scandrick has been solid in the slot since the Week Two game against the Giants. When receivers do make catches on him, it’s been because of a perfect throw instead of bad coverage.

Terence Newman is still one of the fastest corners in the league and leads the team with nine passes defended.

Gerald Sensabaugh has been fantastic in coverage with a broken thumb and isn’t afraid to hit in the run game. Ken Hamlin hasn’t made any coverage mistakes and has done a great job recognizing what receivers are going to do before the snap.

Grade: B-plus

Special Teams

Patrick Crayton returned punts for TDs two weeks in a row. The Cowboys haven’t allowed a return TD all season. Punter Mat McBriar is sixth in the NFL in average yards per punt and Nick Folk is tied for fifth in field goals made.

Grade: A-plus

Coaching

Phillips has the defense playing much better after a slow start and Jason Garrett has found the right mix of running and passing to keep defenses on their toes.

It would seem as if the Cowboys are finally maturing under Wade Phillips. It’s very early to say it, but a playoff berth and a division title could save Phillips’ job—that is if December goes right and the Cowboys don’t fall apart like they’ve done in the past.

Grade: B

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Cowboys Injury Report Nov. 10

The Cowboys came into Philadelphia healthy and left with no significant injuries and should be healthy going into Green Bay on Sunday afternoon. 

Center Andre Gurode injured his ankle in the first half of Sunday night’s game against the Eagles but returned to and finished the game. Head coach Wade Phillips said that Gurode is fine.

Running back Marion Barber looks to be 100 percent again from his thigh and thumb injuries. Phillips said that Barber has shown “more juice” in the last couple of games so you can expect him to keep playing.

Safety Gerald Sensabaugh should be getting his cast off in the next couple weeks, but he’ll keep playing with it for now. Sensabaugh hasn’t missed a game since breaking his thumb and having a new plate put in it.

Linebacker DeMarcus Ware continues to play despite a stress fracture in his foot and although he didn’t record a sack in Sunday’s game he was still effective against the Eagles.

Kick-returner Allen Rossum is still about a week away from returning from his strained hamstring. Although he was signed for the rest of the season, it’s unknown if Rossum will continue his kick-return duties when he returns.

 

 

 

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Cowboys Ground Eagles, Take First Place in NFC East

The Dallas Cowboys went into the stadium where their 2008-’09 season ended so horribly and were able to quiet those demons and the Philadelphia fans, as they beat the Eagles 20-16 to take sole possession of first place in the NFC East.

Tony Romo had another stellar game, going 21-of-34 for 307 yards and one TD.

Romo did throw an interception, ending his three game streak of not throwing a pick, but didn’t let the interception affect his play. Romo was able to find some chemistry with receiver Roy Williams, and he also hit Miles Austin for the game winner.

Romo targeted Williams seven times, and they hooked up five times for 75 yards. Patrick Crayton had a 64-yard reception that set up a field goal, and with eight minutes left Romo hit Austin for a 49-yard TD pass to make the score 20-13.

The Eagles made a 52-yard field goal on their next drive but never saw the ball again.

The Cowboys’ running game wasn’t great, but it was effective, as Marion Barber had 50 yards on 12 carries. Tashard Choice ran three times out of the wildcat formation for 13 yards and one TD, and Felix Jones ran four times for 10 yards.

The Eagles’ defense constantly had eight men in the box, making it hard for the Cowboys to run the ball, so they took what they could get and used the passing game to win. 

As good as the Cowboys offense was in this game, it was their defense that made the difference.

The Cowboys had two interceptions, which led to 10 points. Safety Gerald Sensabaugh caught a pass that went through Eagles receiver Jeremy Maclin’s hands and hung in the air.  In the third quarter Mike Jenkins picked off a deep pass also intended for Maclin, as he undercut the route and caught the ball at its highest point.

The secondary did a great job holding QB Donovan McNabb to just 227 yards passing and one TD. They also shut down the Eagles’ deep passing game, holding DeSean Jackson to just 29 yards on two catches and Maclin to just 44 yards on three catches.

The Cowboys’ front seven held the Eagles to 89 yards rushing, and McNabb was sacked four times in Sunday’s game. Linebacker Keith Brooking had one and added five tackles.

Defensive tackle Jay Ratliff had two sacks, but it was rookie Victor Butler who had the most important sack on a McNabb scramble that set up a David Akers field goal, which would be the Eagles’ last score.

The Eagles had no timeouts left, and Eagles coach Andy Reid said after the game that he thought the Eagles would hold the Cowboys and force them to punt, but they couldn’t as Marion Barber had 23 of his 50 yards rushing on the Cowboys’ last drive, and Romo hit tight end Jason Witten for a five-yard pass that gave the Cowboys a first down and let them run the clock out.

The Eagles used their last timeout earlier in the fourth quarter to challenge a 4th-and-1 QB sneak by McNabb that didn’t get the first down. McNabb fell behind the line of scrimmage after making an initial push, and Reid felt that the spot was wrong. There was no conclusive evidence to show that McNabb’s right arm was past the first down marker, and the Eagles lost their final timeout.

The Cowboys now hit a huge soft spot in their schedule as they face the Packers, Redskins, and Raiders to finish out November.

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Week Nine: Dallas Cowboys vs Philadelphia Eagles

The Dallas Cowboys will face the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday night for sole place of the NFC East.

The Eagles enter this game using big plays on offense to score, although they still use their screens effectively, and Westbrook is still a big part of the offense.

Donovan Mcnabb comes into this game 80-133 for 1008 yards, nine TDs, and one interception. His big play threats include DeSean Jackson, who has 20 catches for 501 yards, and four TD’s. Every one of Jackson’s TDs have been on receptions of 50 yards, or more. Jackson is also a run threat on reverses and in the kicking game.

Running back Brain Westbrook will play in Sunday night’s game after missing last week’s game against the Giants with post concussion syndrome. Backup LeSean McCoy still gets a chunk of the carries in Sunday night’s game. McCoy is the team’s leading rusher with 71 carries for 294 yards, and two TDs, including a 66-yard TD run last weekend against the Giants.

The Eagles love to blitz, and they’ll do a lot of it in this game as they want to throw Tony Romo off his game, and force him to make mistakes. They’ll also want to shut down the Cowboys’ three man rushing attack.

Linebacker Akeem Jordan leads the team in tackles with 46, and also has two interceptions on the season. Trent Cole has come into his own as a blitzer, and he leads the Eagles with six-and-a-half sacks this season, and has 31 tackles. Defensive Tackle Jaqua Parker also has three sacks of his own.

Asante Samuel leads the Eagles secondary with six passes defended, and five interceptions. Samuel is a solid corner who loves to jump routes, and he’ll most likely draw the assignment of Miles Austin, who has been great the last three games. Sheldon Brown will play opposite Samuel, and is also a good corner as he has three interceptions this season.

The Cowboys enter Sunday night’s game with a balanced rushing attack, and the seventh ranked passing game in the NFL.

Tony Romo has been stellar in his last three games (62-99, 918 yards, and eight TDs), and will try to keep the pace up against the Eagles pass rush. Romo has the ability to move around the pocket, and create plays off the run so the Eagles pass rush will have to stay at home.

Smash, Dash, and Tash will try to run around the Eagles 12th ranked rushing defense. Marion Barber, Felix Jones, and Tashard Choice have only individual 100-yard games this season between them, but they all have at least 30 carries on the season, more than 200 yards each, and eight TDs combined.

Miles Austin leads a receiving core that has improved in recent weeks. Austin had 61 yards last week against the Seahawks, but it was still a team high, and his six TDs ties him for second in the NFL. Patrick Crayton has just five catches for 48 yards in the last two games, but has contributed with TDs in each game returning punts, and would like to keep that streak alive. Tight end Jason Witten always plays well against the Eagles, and will be looked for a lot.

Roy Williams is the only receiver who hasn’t been producing. Although he had a TD last week, Williams said that Romo hasn’t been throwing good balls to him. However, Williams leads the team in drops, and is a below average route runner. However, this week’s controversy should provide him with enough motivation to play well.

The Cowboys defense will also blitz a lot in this game as they’re 10th in the NFL in sacks after a slow start. DeMarcus Ware has at least one sack in his last three games. Keith Brooking is having an outstanding season, and leads the team with 50 tackles, and also has two sacks this season. The Cowboys have the 13th ranked rushing defense in the league, and will have to stop McCoy and Westbrook from going off in this game if they want to win, the Eagles don’t run a lot, but they will if it’s successful.

Terence Newman, Orlando Scandrick, and Mike Jenkins will have to try to limit DeSean Jackson’s big play potential, as well as Jeremy Maclin, who also had a TD last week against the Giants. The Cowboys have improved in their pass defense during their bye week, but have yet to see how their two minute defense has improved; they may get a chance in this game.

This will be a close game as both teams know each other well, and know their strengths, and weaknesses. The Cowboys have been a bit more consistent the last few weeks, and have played great since their bye week, and have the advantage with their run game. If the Cowboys can run the ball effectively they can control the clock, and that will go a long way in the fourth quarter. 27-24 Cowboys.

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