From: kmelcher@rafael.Arco.COM (Kenneth Melcher)
Subject: Re: Thoughts and predictions?????
Reply-To: kmelcher@rafael.Arco.COM
Organization: ARCO Exploration and Production Technology
Date: Mon, 4 Jan 1993 19:29:47 GMT

>>   Philadelphia    27                  Buffalo     10
>>at Dallas          24               at Pittsburgh  31
>
>
>Dallas	24 
>Philly  10
>
>This is why,
>
>   1) Dallas has too many offensive weopons and will wear the Philly 
>      defense down.
While it's true that Dallas has many weapons,  the Philly Defense is now healthier and playing better than at any time sine the first Cowboy game.  

>   2) Philly's offense wore down the Saints and thus were able to move
>      the ball in the 2nd half.  Since Dallas switches defensive players
>      in and out, I think they will stay fresh.  In both games this year,
>      Dallas' defense played well.
You're overlooking the fact that worn-down Saints defenders are still probably better than fresh Cowboys defenders.  While the Cowboys had the number one defense STATISTICALLY in the NFL,  that stat was built against the Will Furer's and Kent Graham's of the world.

>   3) Dallas will be rested, Philly will be tired. 
Do you really believe this will be a factor in an adrenalin-packed grudge match?

>   4) The fans and the players will be PUMPED.
This goes both ways...  The Eagles are riding an emotional high right now and are playing at a very high level.
>
>This is why not,
>
>    1) > 1 turnover.
You're right,  this'll be the key to the game.  Let's hope Aikman throws lots of balls to guys in green (as is his tendency in pressure situations (e.g. the first Eagle game and the Washington game)!

>    2) Smith gets hurt.
Again,  you're right.  He is the one player the Eagles have no counterpart for,  and he scares the bejeebers out of me.
>
>
>			-Ron

I respect your opinions,  Ron,  but I agree with the initial prediction.  Here are my reasons for picking the Birds:

1) Momentum and emotion - the Eagles are the streakiest team in the game,  and right now they're on a good one.  I think the Eagles are back on the wave of momentum they had at the start of the season.
2) DEEfense - The Eagles were stil trying to adjust to life w/o Waters and with Jenkins in their secondary last time these teams met.  Now they've got Miano and Booty playing well at safety and McMillian playing over his head (;-)) at corner;  plus Harmon has come on strong at tackle.
3) Randall's back (again) - who knows where his head was in the last Dallas game,  but it wasn't in Dallas.  This time he's not going to get benched.
4) Sherman/Walker are a dynamite backfield duo (though admittedly I'd trade em' both for Emmitt in a flash).  The Eagles rushing game no longer consists of Randall, Randall and more Randall.  Plus,  with Byars at TE full time,  Cunningham has five targets with good hands in the game at all times,  a fact even Dallas is hard pressed to match.
5) The offensive line - they shut down the supposedly fierce N.O. pass ruch and blew holes in the line in the second half.
6) Turnovers - the Eagles D will create 'em,  the Eagles O won't surrender 'em (I hope -- HOLD ON TO THAT BALL RANDALL!!!!!)

For these reasons I'll go with:

Eagles:  31
Cowboys: 17

KRM

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