Eagles-Cowboys scouting report

November 06, 2009|by Paul Domowitch
(Page 3 of 3)

Eagles: Eagles' punt-coverage unit is one of the best in the league. It has held opponents to just 3.9 yards per return in the last six games. Their kickoff coverage hasn't been quite that good, but they've only given up two KRs of more than 34 yards. PR DeSean Jackson has averaged 13.0 yards in the last three games.

Cowboys: PR Patrick Crayton has a TD return in each of the last two games. KR Felix Jones is only averaging 20.8 yards per return, but had a 98-yard TD return vs. Eagles last year. Kickoff specialist David Buehler has an NFL-high 17 touchbacks in 42 KOs. But 12 of those 17 have come at home.

Story continues below.

PICK: EAGLES

 

Key matchups

 

1. Eagles LT Jason Peters vs. Cowboys LB DeMarcus Ware: Ware will line up on both ends, but probably will spend the majority of time on Peters' side. He's one of the league best pass rushers. Peters has been up and down. He gave up both of the Eagles' sacks last week. Advantage: Cowboys

2. Eagles WRs DeSean Jackson and Jeremy Maclin vs. Cowboys CBs Terence Newman and Mike Jenkins: Newman and Jenkins are good corners, but they're going to need help from their pass rush to neutralize the two young speedsters. Advantage: Eagles

3. Eagles FS Sean Jones vs. Cowboys TE Jason Witten: One of the main reasons Jones has replaced Macho Harris is because of the problems the Eagles have been having vs. opposing TEs. Witten's got 37 catches, but just one TD. Advantage: Cowboys

 

Hot and not

 

HOT:

Eagles: WR DeSean Jackson. Tied Timmy Brown's franchise record last week with his sixth 50-plus-yard TD of the season. He's averaging 20.9 yards per catch.

Cowboys: QB Tony Romo. Has eight TDs, no interceptions and a 9.27 yards-per-attempt average in the last three games.

NOT:

Eagles: LT Jason Peters. Gave up both of the Eagles' two sacks last week and also was called for a holding penalty that negated a touchdown.

Cowboys: WR Roy Williams. Has just 14 receptions in six games. Has just six catches for 70 yards in the last three games.

 

Domowitch's prediction

 

Eagles 31, Cowboys 20

 

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