The Eagles should get creative with DeSean Jackson.


The Eagles are heading into their third straight divisional game, their second at home, and are looking at a very good opportunity to get on a roll at the half-way point of the season.

The Dallas Cowboys present a particularly unusual problem for defenses because of their inconsistencies. One week they can win a game by running the ball, then the next week the running game will completely disappear. The case is the same with the passing game and the play of Tony Romo as well, so it's difficult to prepare for this team.

Millions will tune in to this game on Sunday night expecting a shootout in the same fashion of Week Two of last season, but it wouldn't be surprising to see this game come down to defense and whoever holds the ball last.

Let's see what the Eagles have to do Sunday night to ensure those millions of viewers see them win.

Jay Ratliff vs. Jamaal Jackson

This isn't a matchup that will get hyped up in the same way that DeSean Jackson vs. Terrence Newman will, but it could wind up being the most important matchup of the entire game.

Ratliff is unusual in that he does not play both 'A' gaps. Instead, he will pick and choose a gap to shoot before the play and attack that gap. What his job becomes then is to get penetration rather than to eat space as is the job description of a more conventional nose tackle.

What Ratliff does sounds more like the job of a nose tackle in a 3-5 system you'd find in high school or college football.

Jackson is most likely going to have to get help from either guard, depending on the gap that Ratliff shoots. What will, or should, happen is that the guard would chip Ratliff with the hope to turn his shoulders square to Jackson, allowing him to gain the leverage and stop Ratliff's penetration.

The trick for the guard will then to be able to get off the combo block on Ratliff and watch for the blitzing inside linebacker, which the Cowboys will do a lot of if for no other reason than to have a man in the other 'A' gap.

On running plays, it will be imperative that the guard first help Jackson blow Ratliff off the ball before coming off the block to get a hat on the linebacker. If the Eagles linemen can do that, Philly should be able to have their way on offense.

Coverage Must Be Perfect

Personally, I don't believe that the Cowboys' receiving corps' is as good as most would say. Miles Austin is riding a three-game career, Patrick Crayton is nothing more than a good slot but below average starting receiver, and then there's Roy Williams.

Why people still refuse to call him a bust at this point is beyond me, but let me just go on record as slapping that title on him right now. He has a lot of raw talent, but the reputation of him as lazy with little work ethic seems to have certainly been warranted.

He obviously doesn't do what needs to be done in order to make himself better, and it certainly shows in his lack of production and Romo's lack of faith in him.

That said, they are big-play receivers if the coverage on them is lax. They all have the speed necessary to get down the field and make a secondary look foolish as they showed against Tampa Bay.

Asante Samuel and Sheldon Brown should be able to shut these receivers down, but they will have to work for it. If they can harrass and abuse these receivers, they may even be able to come up with a few turnovers.

Avoid the Shootout at All Costs

This Cowboys defense is not good enough to stop this Eagles offense -- if Reid is willing to do what it takes as far as the playcalling is concerned.

The way you beat the Cowboys is by keeping that offense and sidelines and beating the Cowboys defense until they can't move. You have to tire them out both physically and mentally, then take advantage of them with the big play.

However, if Reid comes out and wants to immediately take shots down the field, the defense is going to start pinning their ears back and attacking McNabb. It's something that will eventually work as DeMarcus Ware will be difficult to stop if he's able to just attack McNabb with reckless abandon.

Short passes, screen plays, and more importantly, running the football then hitting that defense with the big play is what will win this game for the Birds. Getting into a shootout plays right into the hands of Romo who likes to move around and make plays through the air.

Keep him off the field, win the time of possession battle, and the Eagles should be able to move to 6-2 and a game atop the NFC East.