It’s DALLAS WEEK BABY

Dallas comes in to this game with a lot of confidence beating Green Bay on the road. Dak Prescott looks very tough to defend so far. He is smart with the ball throwing only one interception so far, boasting a 103.9 passer rating. His job has become that much easier with Ezekiel Elliot leading the league in rushing with 703 yards and 5 touchdowns through 6 games. This is very impressive, especially for two rookies. Credit has to go to this coaching staff for doing a great job. This team is copying the blueprint that got them 12 wins in 2014 by controlling the clock with a great running game and not turning the ball over. They’re on pace for another great year because of this formula. More encouraging news for them is that WR Dez Bryant will be active and returning to the lineup. He has given the Eagles match up problems for years and will continue to do so this Sunday. This game will be won upfront. I believe whoever controls the line of scrimmage will win this game. Our defensive line has to show up like they did against Minnesota or this will be a long game for our Eagles. Dallas wants to control the clock and slowly move the football downfield and take your heart out. They have been successful so far at doing this and for the Eagles to have a chance to win our defense has to be able to force turnovers and disrupt their rhythm.  This won’t be easy on the road.

This Dallas defense is a big question mark to me. Looking at their numbers, they look to be very formidable, allowing only 17.8 points per game and only 92.2 rush yards per game. Stats aside, this defense doesn’t really scare me. They don’t have that one player besides maybe Sean Lee who really puts fear in me. I think our offense has the potential to get back on track this week against this Dallas defense. The Dallas D Line is average not great but pass rusher Jack Crawford #58 is very adept at stopping the run and pushing the pocket. Along with #98 Tyrone Crawford they form a very solid tandem and they should not be taken for granted, especially with us starting a rookie at RT and Jason Peters nursing a strained bicep injury he sustained last week. They have very quick linebackers led by Sean Lee who play very instinctual. It is going to be essential for us to get the running game going so we can utilize a lot of play action against they’re linebackers. I believe this defense has been aided by the amount of the time the offense has held the ball similar the 2014 season. The secondary is somewhat of a weak point and we have to be able to get open against they’re corners. This is a game where our WR’s need to step up and make some plays to help out Carson Wentz. What makes this defense good is the fact they’re just solid at every level, from d line, to linebacker to corner and safety. They play in unison and Defensive Coordinator Rod Marinelli seems to press all the right buttons . He’s a veteran coach who has proven success at this level. He has these guys playing hard and fast and that has been why they have been successful so far.

Overall, I see this being a real back and forth battle. The team with the fewer turnovers will win and the team who controls the clock will win this game. This game will be won in the trenches. If we can limit the rushing attack of Dallas and make them one dimensional by throwing the ball maybe we will be able to trick Dak Prescott into throwing an interception.  I would like to see defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz keep the aggression up by blitzing Prescott and make him uncomfortable in the pocket. He can make plays with his legs which is an issue but I would like to see the pocket pushed and have him try to improvise rather than sit back in the pocket all day and throw the ball. On the road, this will be a tough game for the Eagles, but I have a weird feeling they can sneak out a win here. My prediction is 27-23 Eagles. GO BIRDS