With Dallas 6-1 and the hottest team in the NFC outside the state of Wisconsin, this game is about much more than just Owens and the Eagles. In the big picture of the 2007 season, it is a must-win for the Birds. If Donovan McNabb is right and the NFC East does come through Philadelphia - something that sounds more preposterous every time McNabb says it - the Eagles have to beat the Cowboys on Sunday. There is no way around it.
They can't fall to 3-5 at the midway point of the season. They can't squander another shot at a momentum-generating win. And they can't afford another divisional loss. They've got two already, including one at home to Washington. A third, especially at home, and you might as well kiss away any hope of winning the East.
The Cowboys are far from a one-dimensional team. They have the conference's top-ranked offense and defense, and the league's second-best offense behind the juggernaut that is the New England Patriots. Dallas is balanced, with the rushing tandem of Julius Jones and the shifty Marion Barber, and with Tony Romo, he of the new contract extension, under center.
In his first full year as a starter, Romo ranks fifth - behind Tom Brady, David Garrard, Peyton Manning and Ben Roethlisberger - with a 95.6 passer rating. His 62.8 completion percentage is 19th in the league but still pretty good. The nine interceptions are the glaring weakness on an otherwise gaudy stat sheet.
As for Owens, he isn't the Cowboys' leading receiver. That honor goes to tight end Jason Witten, who has 42 catches. But Owens' 556 receiving yards and five touchdown catches are team highs.
