Eagles at Cowboys
THE STORY: The Dream (Team) was dead, or so was the prevailing thought spinning around the City of Brotherly Love and throughout the NFL in general. Well, not so fast. The Philadelphia Eagles are still entertaining visions of winning the NFC East, but they must first take care of business against the division rival Dallas Cowboys on Saturday. With convincing victories in their last two games, the Eagles have remained mathematically alive for the postseason – a thought that bordered on ridiculous after both their 1-4 and 4-8 starts. A loss on Saturday, however, will effectively end their postseason aspirations while putting coach Andy Reid on an already hot seat. For its part, Dallas can clinch the division with a victory over Philadelphia and a loss by the New York Giants this weekend.
TV: FOX, 4:15 p.m. ET. LINE: Cowboys -1, O/U 50.5
ABOUT THE EAGLES (6-8): Philadelphia must win its last two games – and receive some help – in order to claim division laurels. In the Eagles' view, the New York Jets will need to upend the Giants on Saturday, with the latter rebounding to defeat the Cowboys in the regular-season finale. Last week, RB LeSean McCoy scored three times in a 45-19 victory over the Jets to break Hall of Famer Steve Van Buren's 1945 franchise mark for touchdowns. McCoy, who has an NFL-best 20 touchdowns this season, rushed 30 times for 185 yards and two scores in a 34-7 victory over the Cowboys on Oct. 30.
ABOUT THE COWBOYS (8-6): QB Tony Romo spread the wealth last Saturday, throwing touchdowns to three different receivers in a 31-15 triumph over the reeling Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Since losing to the Eagles, Romo has torched his opponents for 18 touchdowns against two interceptions. RB Felix Jones recorded his second straight 100-yard game since taking over for injured rookie DeMarco Murray. Jones did not practice all week due to a hamstring injury, which could force recently signed Sammy Morris into carrying the rushing load.
EXTRA POINTS:
1. Eagles DE Jason Babin has collected three sacks in each of the last two weeks to record a league-high 18 this season. He sits three shy of the 21 set by Hall of Famer Reggie White (1987).
2. Cowboys LB DeMarcus Ware recorded four sacks against the Eagles in Week 8. He has 13.5 in his career versus Philadelphia, the most against any one team.
3. Eagles CB Asante Samuel is dealing with a mild hamstring strain, but expects to take the field on Saturday.