Sunday night football will feature a crucial rivalry match-up between two NFC East teams. Over the past few years, these games have always proved to be wildly entertaining and extremely intense. Back in 2008, the Eagles demolished the Cowboys 44-6 in what was essentially a playoff game. Fast forward a year later and it was the Cowboys’ turn for revenge as they beat the Eagles in back-to-back games to move on to the divisional round of the playoffs. Last season’s games lost much of their lustre as Tony Romo missed both contests. Considering the Giants’ difficult remaining schedule and the Redskins problems at quarterback, this game could go a long way to deciding the eventual division winner.
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1) RT Tyron Smith and LT Doug Free vs LDEs Jason Babin/Juqua Parker and RDEs Trent Cole/Daryl Tapp
Tyron Smith (+7.6) has had a fantastic start to his NFL career. His pass blocking efficiency rating of 96.3 ranks seventh in the NFL and his +4.3 grade on the ground ranks third. However, he might be facing his toughest test Sunday night when he goes up against the fearsome pass rusher that is Jason Babin. Babin (+10.9 rushing the passer) has already generated seven sacks, seven hits and 12 pressures. Smith should have an advantage in the run game where the veteran Babin tends to be inconsistent. With that being said, the ninth overall selection might have a tougher time creating holes on the ground when backup Juqua Parker rotates in. Parker, who has only just returned from injury, has set the edge particularly well this year (+3.7) despite the perception that he’s a superior pass rusher. That’s not to suggest he’s incapable in that department however as he has five pressures in 50 rushes.
On the other side, Trent Cole (+19.4) is also set to return after a couple of weeks out. He’ll be matched up with left tackle Doug Free, who has inexplicably struggled this year (-4.9). While he’s been alright in pass protection (+1.1), where he’s given up only two sacks, two hits and ten pressures, our top rated run blocking tackle from a year ago hasn’t been able to recreate the same form. His five penalties conceded is also disappointingly high as only nine players have more than him. The last time these two met, we saw a stalemate in the run game, with each man grading positively against the other once. Free can probably be said to have had the upper hand in the passing game where he conceded just the solitary pressure to Cole. The Eagles have depth on the right side too though where Daryl Tapp (+3.1) has performed well in his second season in Philadelphia.
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2) C Jason Kelce vs NTs Jay Ratliff and Josh Brent
Rookie Jason Kelce (-7.7), a Howard Mudd protégé, has especially struggled in pass protection where he’s given up four hits and 11 pressures. In his last three games, all against 3-4 opposition, he has a -4.7 grade, which is worrisome seeing as how he is set to face Jay Ratliff (+6.2). Although Ratliff hasn’t been his usual disruptive self in the passing game grading out at 0.0, he does have a sack, four hits and six pressures in just 196 rushes. Just like the rest of his Cowboy teammates, it’s been his run defense (+6.5) that’s stood out. Ratliff’s backup, Josh Brent, despite playing only 73 snaps (28 of them rushing the passer) has four pressures. Perhaps it would be wise of Rob Ryan to keep his star nose tackle fresh.
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3) TE Jason Witten vs SLB Moise Fokou, CB Nnamdi Asomugha, S Kurt Coleman and Nate Allen
It seems the Eagles struggles with tight ends every week and it should be no different with Jason Witten (+3.8) coming to town. Witten’s proven to be too much for the Eagles’ defense to handle in the past, as he racked up 100 yards and a touchdown on seven receptions in week 14 last season. He is also eighth in drop rate amongst tight ends, having failed to hang on to just two balls of 38 catchable ones. Even more impressive, he ranks fourth in yards per pass route run at 2.16. The Eagles will hope to avoid having to cover him with strong side linebacker Moise Fokou, who bit on play action a number of times against the Redskins which left tight end Fred Davis open for some big gains. Fokou also allowed all four of Davis’ targets to be complete for 66 yards. It is likely for the Eagles to use Asmougha on him in the nickel, with Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie covering one of Dallas’ dynamic wide receivers. So far, the high priced free agent has done well in that role as he’s yet to give up a completion to a tight end. Safety Nate Allen (+1.4 in coverage) seems to finally be getting comfortable with the knee that forced him onto IR last year, while Kurt Coleman (-2.0 in coverage) looks a new man after regaining his starting role.
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