The Inquirer’s Eagles-Cowboys picks

Eagles-Cowboys predictions from The Inquirer's beat reporters:

Who has the edge: the Eagles offense vs. the Cowboys defense or the Cowboys offense vs. the Eagles offense?

Jeff McLane: It really is a toss-up, but I'm going with the Cowboys offense vs. the Eagles defense because of one reason (or rather two): Tony Romo and Mark Sanchez. I think the Cowboys' running game is obviously clicking more than the Eagles' ground attack, but I also think the Eagles' run defense is better equipped to handle (handle being a generous word) DeMarco Murray and the Dallas offensive line than the Cowboys' run defense is prepared to stop LeSean McCoy and company. In the passing game, I think the Jeremy Maclin-Brandon Carr matchup is potentially as frightening for the Cowboys as the Dez Bryant-Bradley Fletcher matchup is for the Eagles (or close to it). A bunch of the other head-to-head possibilities cancel out. So that leaves the quarterbacks and Romo has to have the edge. He has the sore back, but it has seemingly kept him from the bone-headed late turnovers Romo has been guilty of in the past. A tiger rarely loses its stripes, as we've seen with Sanchez, but Romo's accuracy and ability to extend plays is what should concern Bill Davis most.

Zach Berman: I agree that it's close. I'm going to go with the Eagles' offense. They've been able to move the ball on just about every team this season. They have not had fewer than 352 yards in any game expect San Francisco, and this is not the 49ers' defense. When McCoy is running like he did last week, the offense is even more dangerous. Add in the development of Jordan Matthews in recent weeks and the options that Darren Sproles and Zach Ertz present, I'm going with the Eagles' offense. Of course, the red-zone issues are a concern. Yards are different than points. The Eagles' offense only has 29 touchdowns in 11 games, and that's not enough. But to answer the question, I'll take the Eagles' offense.

What are some potential one-on-one matchups that should scare the Eagles and what are some that should worry the Cowboys?

McLane: Zach, I'll leave you the Bryant-Fletcher matchup because I'm in a generous mood, but I'm going with Cowboys defensive tackle Henry Melton vs. whoever plays at right guard – Andrew Gardner or Matt Tobin – as a matchup the Eagles should be concerned about. Melton, in terms of pass rushing, is Pro Football Focus' top-rated defensive tackle. He has five sacks, four hits and 18 hurries in 213 pass rush snaps. I don't want to make much of PFF's rankings, but Melton shows up on film, as well. He could be a disruptive force against either Gardner or Tobin. On the other side of the ball, I think Fletcher Cox will be a headache for Cowboys left guard Ronald Leary, particularly on inside rushes.

Berman: I think both Fletcher and Cary Williams will take turns on Bryant, who can play both sides. I'm not sure either one of them will contain him, but that's no discredit to the cornerbacks. Bryant is that good of a wide receiver. He has been targeted on 31 percent of the Cowboys' pass attempts and has 63 receptions for 879 yards and 10 touchdowns this season, with the type of size-speed-skill combination that puts him along the elite players.

The matchup I'm curious to watch is Jason Witten against whoever covers him, because that will be a difficult decision. You saw Delanie Walker beat Emmanuel Acho last week, and if the Eagles play more sub packages, they're vulnerable against the run. That's a tough task when the running back is Murray. Witten is not the player he once was – he has not topped 70 yards in a game this season – but he's so reliable and has a strong connection with Romo. I'm curious to see how the Eagles cover Witten, and if Romo goes to Witten when the Eagles are in their base defense.

Who is your stud and dud for the Eagles?

McLane: I mentioned him before, but I think Maclin could have a big day. I've written how Maclin's numbers have dipped with Sanchez at quarterback, partly, in seems, because the quarterback doesn't have confidence in some deeper throws. And Matthews has benefitted as Sanchez has looked more to the middle of the field. But Maclin has an advantage over Carr, and the Eagles have ways to move Sanchez into spots outside the pocket so he can make some of those throws.

As for a dud, I'll go with Casey Matthews. I think this the game when the Eagles really feel the loss of DeMeco Ryans, particularly against the Cowboys' potent running game.

Berman: My stud is Sanchez. I think he plays much better this week. The Cowboys don't have an especially tough pass rush, and they'll be geared on stopping McCoy. Sanchez played a solid game last week aside from a handful of bad throws. Those cannot be eliminated in an evaluation, but it's not as if he's incapable of running this offense. The number that jumped out at me the most last week is the 69.8 percent completion percentage. Statistically, I expect Sanchez to have his best game yet.

My dud is going to be the Eagles' defensive line, which has been outstanding against the run this season. They have allowed only one 100-yard rusher this season, and it's true they don't get enough credit. With the way Murray is running and that line is blocking, though, I think Dallas gets the better of the matchup.

What's your prediction?

McLane: The Eagles are a deeper team and probably the better one at full strength, but I think the replacements they have for certain injured players will hurt them in this game. The outcome could go either way, and the gamblers see it that way, but I think the Birds offense has one too many turnovers or one too many missed chances in the red zone, and Romo drives the Cowboys for a late game-winning field goal. Cowboys 31, Eagles 30.

Berman: I grapple with this because I really do think the Eagles are the better team. But going on the road on a short week is tough for teams – the home team is 8-4 in Thursday games this season. The Cowboys are 3-3 at home this season, so it's not the toughest place for an opponent to play. I see this as a close game coming down to the fourth quarter, at which point it goes in either direction. Take the Eagles if you're in Las Vegas, but not in the standings. Cowboys 33, Eagles 31.