This is how you beat Tony Romo and the Cowboys.


For the second time in two years, it all comes down to this. For all the marbles it's our beloved Eagles and the hated Cowboys clashing in Week 17 to see who will be crowned NFC East champion, and, for the Eagles, to see who will take the second seed in the playoffs.

The Eagles are riding a six-game winning streak into this game, but the Cowboys are hot in their own right after knocking off the previously unbeaten New Orleans Saints and perhaps knocking off the mental block they always seem to hit in December.

Both of these teams are heading to the playoffs, but only one will go as the division champ. The other will have to fight and claw their way through as a Wildcard and make a kind of improbable run that only happens a couple times per decade.

Let's take a look at what the Eagles must do to beat the Cowboys, and wrap up the division and No. 2 seed.



Keep Tony Romo in the Pocket

Outside the pocket, Tony Romo is almost as dangerous as Donovan McNabb circa 2001. However, inside the pocket he's only average at best. He doesn't seem to see the field as well and obviously does not like to throw with guys around him. He'd rather move outside, see the entire field, and throw cleanly.

The Eagles' defense has to keep him in the pocket. They do that by controlling their own individual gaps and not playing outside the system. Trent Cole and Juqua Parker can't let Romo run around them or step up because they got ridden outside, and Mike Patterson and Brodrick Bunkley have to get an inside push and avoid letting him step up.

On top of that, there should always be a linebacker with one eye on Romo. This might cause some extra receptions for Jason Witten on a hot route, but that's less damaging than if Romo is allowed to make plays outside the pocket and gain some confidence early.

If they keep Romo in the pocket (oh, and hit him whenever given the chance), they should be able to control the passing game, and at the same time, control that draw the Cowboys like to run. If everyone is playing gap football, the draw won't gain a yard.



Allow DeSean Jackson to Attack Cowboys' Safeties

If that Dallas defense has a weakspot, it's their safeties. They're not awful like the pair out in New York, but they're certainly not headed to the Pro Bowl anytime soon. If DeSean can get them to go flat-footed, it will be a very long day for them.

The Cowboys shut DeSean down last time these two teams met, but that was because they were able to focus everything on shutting him down. Since then, Jeremy Maclin has seemed to come into his own and, with a big catch or two, can draw the coverage away from Jackson.

When that happens, it's time to see what you can get down the middle of field to DeSean. If they allow a safety to cover him in the deep half of the field, it's a play the Eagles should be able to take advantage of a couple times in this game.

Here's a prediction: Jackson will break the single-season record for most 50+ yard touchdowns.

He'll get his ninth today, beating Devin Hester and Crazy Legs Hisrch's record of eight.



Give Them a Heavy Dose of Leonard Weaver

As much as the big play will be a factor in this game, so will controlling the clock and playing mistake-free football. Brian Westbrook goes down too easily, and LeSean McCoy has had a bit of a problem with holding onto the football in key situations, so it's time to see more of Weaver.

Weaver is a guy who will very rarely go down because of one guy. You're going to need two, three, or even four players to bring him down and by the time those guys get there he's dragged the others for an extra yard or two. He abuses defenses and will make guys think twice before they hit him.

If the Eagles can do this with Weaver, it will open up the deep passing attack and give an opportunity to Westbrook and McCoy to take advantage of a beaten Cowboys defense.

The best friend of an offense is a tired opposing defense. It will allow Andy Reid and Marty Mornhinweg to do almost whatever they want with success. Of course, it's contingent upon those two actually sticking with the run.

So, in short, don't hold your breath, Philly.