Eagles Expect A Better Version Of The Cowboys
By Ed Benkin
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- On Thanksgiving, the Eagles made the Cowboys look like holiday turkeys. The players expect a much difficult game this Sunday.
The Eagles and Cowboys will meet for the second time in 17 days this Sunday night at the Linc. The Eagles routed the Cowboys in Dallas on Thanksgiving, 33-10, and dominated in all three phases of the game. Despite the domination in Dallas, players such as Jeremy Maclin are ready for a tougher challenge in the rematch.
"I think it's going to be different just considering what's at stake," says Maclin. "I think when you get whooped the first time, you want to come back and play even harder the next time. We understand that we got the best of them on Thanksgiving and we understand we're going to get their best shot."
Mark Sanchez will be looking to bounce back from a rough performance against Seattle. It was a far cry from his game in Dallas, when he riddled the Cowboys secondary. Sanchez believes they can still improve on their performance in Dallas and is also ready for a tougher test this weekend.
"We would like to be a little better in the red zone," Sanchez said. "I think if we put those things together and continue to finish strong, I think we'll have a good outcome, but it's going to take a lot of work this week. The team we're playing this week is going to be a lot better than the team we played on Thanksgiving."
The rest of the Eagles also appear far from overconfident as they get set to face the Cowboys. The combination of a game involving two teams tied for first place and the sting of a humbling loss last weekend has kept Connor Barwin and his teammates in the right frame of mind.
"I don't think that'll be a problem," said Barwin. "This game is so important late in the season. I think we've got a mature, smart group of guys that understand the situation, and we'll be ready to play."
Even though the Eagles aren't letting their guard down heading into Sunday Night, They remain a confident group. Fletcher Cox is ready for a closer contest than the one in Dallas on Thanksgiving, but believes it's up to the players in the locker room to set the tempo.
"It's going to come down to us," Cox said. "What we do is going to be the main thing. Do we create turnovers? Do we put our offense in the best position to score? That's the main thing. We need to go in the game and have some fun."
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