From: reille85@wharton.upenn.edu
Newsgroups: rec.sport.football.pro
Subject: Re: Dallas and Philadelphia
Summary: EAGLES VS. COWBOYS - MNF - PREDICTION
Keywords: Eagles
Date: 28 Sep 92 23:11:14 GMT
Organization: University of Pennsylvania

In article <9209142257.AA01048@cabell.vcu.edu>, csc2imd@cabell.vcu.edu (Ian M. Derby) writes:
> Well, according to ESPN, in recent history, teams that have won the
> Superbowl started off at 2-0.  Since they have been all in the NFC,
> and if this stat should hold true this year, that leaves 3 teams in
> the NFC.  The Buccaneers, the Cowboys, and the Eagles.  I doubt the
> Buccaneers will be in the lead once the playoffs begin, which leads
> to two teams...the Eagles and the Cowboys.  If these teams go 3-0
> after next week, they then have a bye week.  After the bye week they
> meet each other Monday night, 10/5 IN Philadelphia for what should be
> one hell of a game.  This could very well decide once and for all if
> Dallas is for real.  IMHO, I doubt it, and here's why...
> Dallas did beat the Eagles last year week 15 at the VET, BUT the
> offense the cowboys were against was nothing in comparison with what
> it is now.  The Cowboys were dominated totally for 3 and 1/2 quarters
> until Kelvin Martin returned for a TD.  That broke the Eagles back
> because frankly, Jeff Kemp is not Randall Cunningham or Jim McMahon.
> I think that if Jimmy Mac was the QB, Dallas would have been
> eliminated from the playoffs and we would not even mention SuperBowl
> and Dallas in the same sentence right now.  
> 
> 
> After seeing the Cowboys secondary get burned against the Giants
> yesterday, the talk about the inexperienced secondary is what is
> going to keep them away for another year.  I do think next year,
> Dallas will be ready.
> 
> 
> Just a little note: The Eagles at home on Monday night are
> undefeated.  They also tend to bury rivals such as the Giants and
> Redskins when they play.  

I also expect the Eagles to win this game by a much wider margin than most
people will expect.  I haven't seen the line on this game, but I expect it will
be Philadelphia -3... Take the Eagles minus the three, they should win by at
least two touchdowns.  Look at it this way... Dallas' offense consists of
exactly the same personnel as last year's offense, and seems comparable; The
Eagle defense lost Jerome Brown, which is a huge loss, but Leon Seals has
helped to soften the blow.  Remember that the Dallas offense really did nothing
against the league's best defense last year - So expect more of the same.  When
the tables are turned, and its Randall & Co. vs. the Cowboy Defense, expect the
Eagles to exploit the weaknesses in Dallas' D.  With Cunningham throwing to
Fred Barnett, Calvin Williams, and Keith Byars, the Eagles should be able to
move it through the air.  Then with Randall, Herschel Walker, and Byars
carrying the ball, the Eagles should be able to control the clock.  As for
special teams, we have an intriguing matchup.  The Eagles appear to have a
better Kicker and comparable punter, and the Eagles cover and return teams also
appear strong, but watch out for Ike Holt and Kelvin Martin of the 'Boys to
Block kicks or return them.

                              MATCHUPS

	Philadelphia Offense vs. Dallas Defense --- Edge to Eagles
        Dallas Offense vs. Philadelphia Defense --- Edge to Eagles
	Special Teams                           --- Slight Edge to Cowboys
	
Give the Eagles the intangibles as far as home on Monday Night, and the revenge
factor and call it...
			        Eagles 27
				Cowboys 10

                                -Bob Reilley
				 University of Pennsylvania