"It's just that we play them twice a year, every year," outside linebacker Anthony Spencer said. "We know the things that they do and what they do well. We get prepared for it."
Cowboys coach Wade Phillips has assembled a 3-4 defense that seems perfectly suited to attack what the Eagles do best.
It starts with the Eagles' running game, where Brian Westbrook has made a living running over the Cowboys. But the Cowboys' run defense was shored up this season with the addition of a couple of players Phillips coached in previous stops: inside linebacker Keith Brooking from Atlanta and defensive end Igor Olshansky from San Diego.
The Eagles are a big-play passing team, but the emergence of second-year cornerback Mike Jenkins has been a boon. Strong safety Gerald Sensabaugh was another key off-season acquisition. Sensabaugh replaced Roy Williams, who was often lost in pass coverage.
Then there's the playmaking ability of Eagles quarterback Donovan McNabb. With Pro Bowl nose tackle Jay Ratliff coming up the middle, Pro Bowl outside linebacker DeMarcus Ware rushing from one side and breakout star Spencer coming from the other, containing McNabb isn't as difficult as it once was for the Cowboys.
"I think we match up real well," inside linebacker Bradie James said. "We've got some fast guys, they've got some fast guys. That helps out."
The Cowboys have been especially successful containing the Eagles' fastest guys: receivers DeSean Jackson and Jeremy Maclin. Keeping the Eagles from hitting big plays has been the Cowboys' focus.
"If they're going to drive, they're going to drive with a bunch of short stuff," Sensabaugh said. "Our corners are playing excellent, they're not getting beat deep at all. That helps a lot, especially against a team that likes to isolate your corners and run them down the field on deep passes."
The Cowboys' offense is also greatly improved. Disgruntled receiver Terrell Owens was cut in the off-season.
