Cowboys' 5 Keys To Beating Philadelphia
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DALLAS (CBSDFW.COM) -- The Cowboys travel to Philadelphia for a game with huge implications in the NFC East and NFC Wild Card race on Sunday night.
The teams played just two weeks back, with Philadelphia embarrassing the Cowboys on Thanksgiving Day 33-10 in front of a national audience.
Can the Cowboys turn things around this week? Here are 5 things the team needs to do to get a win over Philly.
1. Ball Control
The Cowboys' run-first, ball control offense has held the ball for 32:08 per game on average this season, the fifth best mark in the league.
Conversely, Chip Kelly's offense is the NFL's second worst at 27:01 per game.
In Week 13, it was Philadelphia that had the bulk of possession. If Dallas wants to limit the Eagles' offense, keeping them on the sidelines might be their best bet.
Note: Seattle held the ball for nearly 42 minutes and ran nearly twice as many plays in a 24-14 win over Philadelphia last week.
2. More Murray?
Murray was held in check by Philadelphia, not because the Cowboys abandoned the run, but because the run game was largely ineffective.
Murray's 3.7 yards per carry was his lowest mark this season.
The offensive line looked vulnerable in Week 13. If the Cowboys are to have success on the ground on Sunday, DeMarco will need more help in the trenches.
3. Win The Turnover Battle
Philadelphia has coughed up the football more than any other team in the NFL this season (30 times) and has a -6 differential. That's bad, and the Cowboys need to take advantage.
Dallas lost the turnover battle 3-1 in their first meeting. To win, on the road, against an offense that compiled 464 yards a few weeks back -- turnovers could be critical.
4. Sanchez Under Pressure
Mark Sanchez is a serviceable quarterback when given time in the pocket. When he's made uncomfortable, that changes.
The Cowboys managed just one QB hit on Sanchez in Arlington. He completed 20 of 29 passes for 217 yards and touchdown.
Seattle consistently applied pressure and sacked Sanchez three times. He completed just 10 of 20 passes for 96 yards and a pick.
5. Easing The Pain
Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo did something different on a short Sunday to Thursday turnaround. According to Romo, he didn't take any pain-killing medication leading up to the game against the Eagles.
Makes sense, seeing that it was Romo's first game with a QB rating under 93 since Week 1.
Advice to Tony: take the shot.
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