Three-And-Out: Eagles-Cowboys Predictions

PLAYER I’LL BE WATCHING

McManus: DeMarco Murray.

Murray was asked if he was injured the last time he faced Dallas. “I played the game,” he responded. Was anything bothering you? “I was out there playing the game.”

That little bit of non-denial denial did nothing to squash Pat Shurmur‘s assertion that Murray was not at full health in the early stages of the season. The defending rushing champ managed just two yards on 13 attempts against his former team in Week 2, and ended up sitting the next game out with a hamstring strain.

Since then, Murray has rushed 67 times for 296 yards (4.4 average) compared to 21 carries for 11 yards (0.52 avg.)  over the first two games. Better offensive line play seems largely responsible for that bump, but perhaps improved health is also a factor.

He’ll need to be at his best in Dallas Sunday night, particularly with Ryan Mathews iffy because of a groin strain. Makeshift offensive line or no, the $8 million-per-year back needs to take this game over.

Paunil: Byron Maxwell.

I’m torn on this one, and I really considered going with Lane Johnson or Dennis Kelly.

When talking to Johnson earlier in the season about potentially moving to left tackle, he was candid about how switching sides in the middle of the year wouldn’t be easy. Then you have Kelly, who hasn’t impressed in his limited number of snaps. When you add in Greg Hardy rushing the passer off the edge and how much the Cowboys slant, I’m not very confident in the Eagles’ offensive line heading into Sunday night.

However, I have to go with Maxwell on this one. When I asked Nolan Carroll about how they’d likely cover Dez Bryant, I was surprised by his answer. Although Carroll didn’t want to go too deep into their plans, he said it wouldn’t be that similar to how they covered Odell Beckham Jr. According to Carroll, it’ll be more “straight man-to-man” with less bracketing and help.

It’s possible Carroll wanted to give away a false game plan or that Bill Davis will shake things up a bit before Sunday, but if Carroll is right, we’ll see a fair amount of Maxwell and Bryant on an island. The last time the Eagles played the Cowboys? Maxwell gave up six catches on nine targets — including a touchdown — against Dallas without Dez.

OVER/UNDER: 1 1/2 turnovers for Sam Bradford — Whaddya got?

McManus: I’ll go over.

“How’s your confidence?” Bradford was asked this week.

“My confidence? It’s fine. It’s good,” he said. “I don’t think you can let things rattle you, I think at this position you have to be pretty even-keel. I think that’s how I’ve been most of my career and I think that’s how I am today. I believe in myself, I believe in this system and I believe in the guys out there with me.”

The quarterback has had a bumpy re-entry into the NFL, tossing 10 picks in seven games while posting a 76.4 QB rating, which ranks him 30th among his peers. Ideally, the coaching staff would have liked to ease Bradford back in after a long layoff by leaning on the ground game but that plan was quickly ripped to shreds. Due in part to an inconsistent line and running attack, Bradford has averaged 39 throws per game. To make matters worse, his receivers have done little to help him out.

The good news is that Bradford remained healthy through it all, and has a chance to put forward a better second half of the season now that he has greater familiarity with Chip Kelly‘s system. I believe he will improve. It could be tough sledding this week, though, given the state of the offensive front and Hardy’s pass-rushing prowess. I can see an interception and a lost fumble out of Bradford in this one.

Paunil: I’ll take the under.

Bradford turned the ball over three times in their first meeting (two interceptions and one fumble, although the latter could be blamed more on Jason Kelce’s premature snap), but this Dallas defense doesn’t force many turnovers.

The Cowboys are tied for last in both takeaway-fumbles and interceptions, with just one forced turnover outside of Week 2’s matchup. Because of how much Dallas has struggled without Tony Romo, I don’t think Bradford will have to do much to win this game.

Bradford probably won’t have to throw for a lot of yards or multiple touchdowns, but instead he’ll just need to take care of the ball. This is a game where Bradford can simply be a game manager for the Eagles to win, so he likely won’t have to take too many risks.

PREDICTIONS

McManus: Eagles 26, Cowboys 20

I felt far more confident in this pick when I was convinced Jason Peters would play. Swinging Johnson to left tackle on short notice and having Kelly play right could be downright disastrous.

But I’ll throw a little faith behind the idea that Johnson’s athleticism will bail him out to a certain extent and that the rest of the offensive unit, eager to turn the page on a slow start to the season, will take its game up a notch.

Still, given the limitations on offense, Davis’ group will have to continue to carry much of the load. That shouldn’t be too difficult a task versus Matt Cassel and company. I say the defense produces multiple turnovers (again) to push the Eagles to 4-4.

Paunil: Eagles 20, Cowboys 13

I’m with you on this one, T-Mac. I think it’ll be lower scoring, but I’m unsure how the offensive line will perform. Hardy moves around some, so he may rush against Kelly. How will Kelly hold up? Probably not that well.

There’s also some concern about how the defense will handle Dez, but it’s difficult for me to pick Cassel to win a game, especially against this defense. In his two starts in Dallas, Cassel has thrown one passing touchdown and three interceptions. I’m also still not sure how he managed just 97 passing yards against Seattle.

As I’ve mentioned before, you don’t always have to play that well to win. Sometimes, you just don’t have to be as bad as your opponent. That’s what I expect to see Sunday night, as the Eagles stake their claim for first place in the NFC East.