KIDWCKED
01-02-2010, 09:53 PM
c\p from espn
Part of the Dallas Cowboys' recent woes in December can be attributed to Andy Reid and the Philadelphia Eagles.
In this series, the Cowboys usually win the first game, then Reid makes adjustments and the Eagles win the second one, which is often played in December. The Eagles have beaten the Cowboys in eight of the teams' past nine second meetings. Six of those games were played in December.
Cowboys owner Jerry Jones hopes the start of a new year and a new-look team can change that.
Much is at stake in Sunday's home game against the Eagles, as the game will determine the NFC East champion. Winners of two straight, the Cowboys are no longer the team that falls like the temperature in December. Quarterback Tony Romo has been hot. The defense is gaining confidence. Slowly but surely, the running game is coming back.
But the Eagles are hotter. Reid's team has won six straight. Pro Bowl voters recognized the success of both teams. Each is sending six players to the Pro Bowl, and each is loaded with alternates.
The developments of wide receivers DeSean Jackson (Eagles) and Miles Austin (Cowboys) have contributed to the success of both offenses. Jackson is a modest surprise; he was a second-rounder whom the Eagles felt would star on special teams and help as a third receiver. Instead, Jackson has been a superstar. He has eight touchdowns of 50 yards or more this season, tied for the most in NFL history. He made the Pro Bowl as a starting wide receiver and as a kicker returner.
Austin, meanwhile, is a huge surprise. Before the season, most thought he would be a fourth receiver. If he gets 20 receiving yards on Sunday, he will join Michael Irvin and Terrell Owens as the only Cowboys receivers with 1,250-yard seasons. Austin also will go to the Pro Bowl.
Reid pointed out that the Cowboys' offense now looks better without Owens, who still can't believe he was released during the offseason. The Eagles don't seem to miss Owens, either.
With Owens gone, Romo has total control of the offense. Friction is gone. Egos seem to be in check. Wide receiver Roy Williams has been a disappointment at wide receiver, but he's not blaming anyone but himself and vows to work harder to catch the ball and run better routes.
Overall, the team looks relaxed and refreshed as opposed to the tight team that seemed to be fading at the beginning of December. Making the playoffs also may have saved coach Wade Phillips' job.
With the Saints and Vikings struggling down the stretch, the argument can be made that the Eagles and Cowboys are the NFC teams best positioned for a run to the Super Bowl. First, though, they have to sort out who wins the division.
Part of the Dallas Cowboys' recent woes in December can be attributed to Andy Reid and the Philadelphia Eagles.
In this series, the Cowboys usually win the first game, then Reid makes adjustments and the Eagles win the second one, which is often played in December. The Eagles have beaten the Cowboys in eight of the teams' past nine second meetings. Six of those games were played in December.
Cowboys owner Jerry Jones hopes the start of a new year and a new-look team can change that.
Much is at stake in Sunday's home game against the Eagles, as the game will determine the NFC East champion. Winners of two straight, the Cowboys are no longer the team that falls like the temperature in December. Quarterback Tony Romo has been hot. The defense is gaining confidence. Slowly but surely, the running game is coming back.
But the Eagles are hotter. Reid's team has won six straight. Pro Bowl voters recognized the success of both teams. Each is sending six players to the Pro Bowl, and each is loaded with alternates.
The developments of wide receivers DeSean Jackson (Eagles) and Miles Austin (Cowboys) have contributed to the success of both offenses. Jackson is a modest surprise; he was a second-rounder whom the Eagles felt would star on special teams and help as a third receiver. Instead, Jackson has been a superstar. He has eight touchdowns of 50 yards or more this season, tied for the most in NFL history. He made the Pro Bowl as a starting wide receiver and as a kicker returner.
Austin, meanwhile, is a huge surprise. Before the season, most thought he would be a fourth receiver. If he gets 20 receiving yards on Sunday, he will join Michael Irvin and Terrell Owens as the only Cowboys receivers with 1,250-yard seasons. Austin also will go to the Pro Bowl.
Reid pointed out that the Cowboys' offense now looks better without Owens, who still can't believe he was released during the offseason. The Eagles don't seem to miss Owens, either.
With Owens gone, Romo has total control of the offense. Friction is gone. Egos seem to be in check. Wide receiver Roy Williams has been a disappointment at wide receiver, but he's not blaming anyone but himself and vows to work harder to catch the ball and run better routes.
Overall, the team looks relaxed and refreshed as opposed to the tight team that seemed to be fading at the beginning of December. Making the playoffs also may have saved coach Wade Phillips' job.
With the Saints and Vikings struggling down the stretch, the argument can be made that the Eagles and Cowboys are the NFC teams best positioned for a run to the Super Bowl. First, though, they have to sort out who wins the division.