The Dallas Cowboys (11-5) made a big statement with this win over the Philadelphia Eagles (11-5), giving them the NFC East Title.  Tony Romo got the Cowboys going early and hit Jason Witten for a first quarter touchdown.  Romo had another touchdown pass in the middle of the second quarter and the Cowboys had a 17-0 lead at the half.  Romo finished the game with those 2 touchdowns, 1 interception, and 311 yards on 24/34 passes.  Felix Jones and Marion Barber did their part, getting almost identical numbers.  Jones had 15 carries for 91 yards and 1 touchdown while Jones had 14 carries for 91 yards.  The Cowboys’ offense had very good rhythm, something that is key going into the playoffs.

As good as the Cowboys offense played, the defense probably played better.  They were going up against one of the hottest NFC teams, as the Eagles came into this game with a six-game winning streak.  The defense held the Eagles to 228 total yards, including only 37 rushing yards.  Donovan McNabb threw for 223 yards and the Cowboys kept him out of the endzone.  The Cowboys became the only team this season to shut out the Eagles.  After losing their first two games in December, it looked like deja vu for the Cowboys with a late season collapse looking imminent.  That didn’t happen though, and the Cowboys have now won three straight and look like an NFC favorite in the playoffs.

The Dallas Cowboys (10-5) have made the playoffs, but their game Sunday against the Philadelphia Eagles (11-4) has the NFC East title on the line.  If the Cowboys can take down the Eagles they will be the NFC East Champions and may have a bye in the first round of the playoffs.  The Cowboys need Tony Romo to take care of the ball as any turnover could make or break this game.  Romo had gone four straight games without an interception before throwing one last week against the Redskins.  The Eagles’ defense has been playing well lately too, and it has helped them win six straight games.  So Romo will need help from the Cowboys running backs, something he should get as they have been running very well lately.

The Cowboys’ defense needs to limit the Eagles big plays, especially Donovan McNabb going deep to DeSean Jackson.  Jackson is a very fast play-maker and the Eagles have a lot of success when he has good games.  If the Cowboys can limit Jackson they will probably win.  Michael Vick will also get some snaps for the Eagles at quarterback, so the Cowboys defense needs to be prepared for that as well.  This game will have a playoff atmosphere and it should go down to the wire.  I’m going with the Cowboys in a very close one.

PREDICTION:  Dallas Cowboys 28, Philadelphia Eagles 27

The Cowboys are sending five players that one would probably think would go before the season started.  But, 25-year old WR Miles Austin came as a total surprise.  He has played in 15 games for the Cowboys this season and he has caught 74 passes for 1,230 yards (16.6 avg) with 11 TD grabs.  27-year old TE Jason Witten just keeps rolling along for the Cowboys.  He has played in 15 games for the Cowboys this season and he has caught 88 passes for 954 yards (10.8 avg) with 1 TD grab.  31-year old center Andre Gurode and 31-year old guard Leonard Davis both have started all 15 games for the Cowboys and they have done a great job of opening holes in the running game and keeping Tony Romo clean.  28-year old DT Jay Ratliff gives the opposing teams trouble right up the middle.  He has played in 15 games for the Cowboys this season and he has made 39 tackles, 7 tackles for a loss, 6 sacks and he has forced 2 fumbles.  27-year old OLB DeMarcus Ware also had a outstanding season for the Cowboys.  Ware has played in 15 games for the Cowboys this season and he has made 56 tackles, 2 tackles for a loss, forced 5 fumbles, defensed 6 passes and he has 11 sacks.  The Cowboys hope these six guys will have to cancel so they can play in the Super Bowl.