Eagles-Cowboys: What we're watching

Each week, Daily News football writer Paul Domowitch will tell you the things he will be keeping his eyes on during that week's game:

1. Make Romo be Romo: Tony Romo hasn't thrown an interception in the last three games and has been sacked just five times in those games. But those games were against three defenses - Seattle, Atlanta and Kansas City - with a combined opponent passer rating of 92.8. When Romo is pressured, when Romo gets knocked around, he makes mistakes. His record as a starter when he's been sacked no more than once - 21-3. His record when he's been sacked more than once - 11-11.

2. The tight end dilemma: Cowboys TE Jason Witten is a difficult matchup for opposing defenses. His 37 receptions ties him with the Eagles' Brent Celek for most by an NFC tight end. The Eagles have had their problems this season vs. opposing TEs. They've given up just six TD catches in the last four games, but five have been to TEs. Opponents clearly are attacking them there. Of the 970 passing yards against the Eagles in the last four games, 411 (42.4 percent) have come on passes to tight ends.

3. More takeaways: The Eagles are first in the NFL in takeaways with 21. They've won four of their last six meetings against the Cowboys and turnovers have been a key in all four. They forced 16 turnovers in those four wins, and just three in their two losses. The Cowboys are 29-8 when Tony Romo has thrown no more than one interception, but 3-6 when he's had multiple picks.

4. Protecting Donnie Mac: The Cowboys have 11 sacks in the last three games and have notched at least three in each of their last five games. Linebacker DeMarcus Ware, who had an NFL-best 20 sacks last season, is the man the Eagles have to contain. Much of that responsibility will fall on left tackle Jason Peters. Ware has five of the Cowboys' 11 sacks the last 3 weeks. He's had at least one sack in five of his last six games against the Eagles.

5. The big-play Birds: The Eagles haven't been much for methodical scoring marches this season. Just three of their 20 touchdown drives have been longer than six plays. They have a league-high 12 offensive plays of 40-plus yards (nine passing, three rushing), including six by wide receiver DeSean Jackson.