For Eagles fans, the two games against Dallas are often the most important in a schedule due to the hate fuelled rivalry. The two teams meet in just over 24 hours and the Eagles are looking to rebound after being halted by the Falcons in week one and they have every chance of doing so. Here are five reasons why the Eagles can get the first win of the season in their home opener against Dallas.
5: Bare Bones
The Cowboys come into this game with a huge disadvantage. Not only are they without start wide receiver Dez Bryant, but they are also missing Randy Gregory, Greg Hardy and of course their leading cornerback, Orlando Scandrick. The quality of player in such important positions would be a loss to any team but think about it. The Eagles have a dangerous receiving core; the Cowboys are missing some huge defensive pieces. The Eagles have improved their secondary; the Cowboys are without their leading receiver. Not only is it a boost on paper but it will give guys like Maxwell who struggled against Julio, a chance for redemption against a lesser opponent to rebuild his confidence.
4: Home Field Advantage
In a game dedicated to Chuck Bednarik, one of the greatest two way players of all time, the Eagles have a huge home advantage. In a pre-season poll, the Eagles fans were voted amongst the toughest crowd to play in front of. Partner that with the burning hatred for Dallas and you have a very, very tough situation for the Cowboys. The Eagles are out looking for redemption in more ways than one. To right the wrongs from the Cowboys game of last year and also to avenge their loss to the Falcons. This is a driven team playing on their turf against their most hated..it’s enough to send a chill down the spine of any Dallas player…this won’t be a game. It will be a war..and if the Eagles get the upper hand, it will be an onslaught.
3: #Ertzford
We spoke all pre-season long about how well Bradford linked with breakout tight-end Zach Ertz and our points were backed up in week one, when the still recovering Stanford product stormed onto the field to make an impact in a game he was expected to sit. It’s almost impossible to keep Ertz at bay for a quarter let alone an entire game. Ertz made a huge gain for 21 yards against Atlanta on Monday and it was the first time he had been tackled properly since the end of last season..he has rebounded well and looks set to have the breakout season projected by many. With a weakened core, this Cowboys Defense are going to be introduced to the new Eagles bromance first hand. If you allow Planet Ertz to run rampant..expect a huge game for the tight end who doubled Celek’s reps in week one.
2: Roll over Romo
The last time these two teams met, Romo was sacked three times. The time before that he was sacked four times. He walks into Lincoln Financial Field having to face a linebacker core that is at its most dangerous..arguably the toughest it has looked in the last few years. Kiko Alonso returned to the NFL in explosive fashion and will look to win the fans over fully with some big numbers against the Cowboys number 9. The Cowboys may have one of the best Offensive Lines in the league, but can they stop one of the most dominant linebacker cores? Time will tell, but with the running game being absent, they HAVE to buy Romo time on the ball..stopping a Lion like Barwin for an extended period of time is going to be an issue…expect a few sacks against Romo on Sunday.
1: With every fall, we will rise
Just like the Eagles are so keen on reminding us, with every fall..we will rise. The Eagles fell to the Falcons on Monday night but that second half performance? Exceptional. The Offense lit up and Bradford looked as dominant as he did in Pre-Season…silencing all of those “but it’s just pre-season against the seconds” naysayers. It may have been a rough ride and an inconsistent one at the Georgia Dome..but in that second half, we got a taste of what this team could produce on all fronts. This team is explosive. The season is just beginning..and the run to a Championship starts with a win over Dallas. If Kelly can re-ignite the running game (to the distaste of Murray’s former team and their fans) then this Offense will be unstoppable if ignited from the go. The Defense looks almost primed for a big game and Bradford is ready for another huge outing. As long as the snap count is more balanced, this is the Eagles time to shine. This is our time. It’s time to #BeatDallas
