PRO FOOTBALL — January 9

PHILADELPHIA at DALLAS
(Cowboys -3.5, Total 45) — [private] Here is another of those rematches from last week, although this Eagles-Cowboys game is a little different than the games between the Bengals and Jets and the Cards and Packers were last week. For one thing, it would have been in Philadelphia’s best interests to win last Sunday, because they would have had a bye in the first round, but now the whole thing has been flipped over on them. If they laid down, it would have been silly, and the fact that they didn’t is kind of scary, for their sake, anyway. The Eagles were dominated at the line of scrimmage, allowing Dallas 179 rushing yards, and that capped off a great little run for a team who couldn’t previously win late in the season, as they shut out the Eagles and Redskins and put a halt to New Orleans’ long winning streak. They are going to run the ball better than Philly, which has had a rather paltry average of less than 84 yards over the last four games. Tony Romo is playing his best at the tail end, with 11 TD’s and two interceptions in his last six contests. Dallas ranks second in the league in points allowed, with just 15.6 a game. What in the world is there not to like?

Well, even though the Cowboys seemed to have solved that “December curse” for the time being, they still have failed to win a playoff game since 1996. Wade Phillips has seen the post-season with Denver, Buffalo and Dallas, yet has never won a playoff contest either. Meanwhile, Andy Reid is one guy who appears to know how to advance in the playoffs. Reid has taken the Eagles to the NFC title game five times in the last eight seasons. Using that as a frame of reference, it would seem rather difficult for the Cowboys to beat the Eagles for the THIRD time this season, when it really counts most. Dallas was trounced 44-6 last year in Philadelphia, and it ended their chances at the playoffs, putting Phillips into some hot water. They’ve achieved their revenge, but can they do the “hat trick”?

Dallas has depth in its backfield, and they thank their lucky stars for the emergence of Miles Austin, who has become a big-play guy at wide receiver. But it’s not as if the Eagles can’t bring some positives into this game. namely a turnover ratio of +15 (with a ball-hawking secondary that had 25 INT’s), a 33% third down conversion defense, and a Wildcat with Michael Vick that can actually work. Let’s also not forget that the Eagles took a six-game winning streak into last week’s game. It is true that the loss of center Jamaal Jackson was a big blow, but they’ll have another week to work with the O-Line, and they have been dealing with injuries there all season. I’m sorry, but Dallas will have to show me they can get over this kind of hump.

THE PLAY: PHILADELPHIA +3.5 **

(All information is for news matter only; All games are graded on a scale of 1-4 stars. Lines are subject to change)
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