***SNF IN THE SWAMP - PHI @ DAL***
***PHILADELPHIA EAGLES @ DALLAS COWBOYS***
SNF features an interesting battle in the NFC East when the first place 8-1 Eagles head into Dallas to take on the inconsistent 5-4 Cowboys. The Eagles have been one of the best stories of the year so far as Sophomore QB Carson Wentz continues to play at an MVP level. Philly has now won 7 straight games since their only loss back in week 2 on the road in Kansas City. Needless to say the team has been outstanding. Overall they have just really impressed me with how complete they are. Before their bye last week, they were rolling on all cylinders, dominating all aspects of the game. Wentz has been lighting it up through the air, the run game is rolling and only gotten stronger with the addition of Ajayi, and Defensive Coordinator Jim Schwartz has this unit swarming opposing offenses. However sometimes in my opinion a bye week can really come at the wrong time and undo some of the momentum a team is riding high on. Dallas is now in desperation mode after finally losing their RB Ezekial Elliot for six weeks and getting manhandled on the road in Atlanta last weekend. Left Tackle Tyrone Smith proved to be a HUGE loss as Falcons DE Adrian Clayborn had SIX sacks on QB Dak Prescott. It is also no secret that this Cowboy defense thrives on the play of their inside LB Sean Lee, and when he is injured it is night and day for the production of this unit. The cherry on top is that their Kicker Dan Bailey that has been so solid for so long, is also out. They went ahead and picked up Mike Nugent as a replacement. That all being said, given the current injury situation for Dallas and how they looked last weekend, one would most likely think that the Eagles should come into Jerry World and roll over the reeling Cowboys with ease tonight. However the SwampMan thinks they hang tough at home tonight with their backs against the wall.
Dallas has made some more adjustments to the offensive line after an absolute failure last week and will start Byron Bell at Left Tackle in another attempt to replace Smith. Bell has been working with Smith all week to hopefully fair better than Chaz Green did last week, allowing Clayborn to wreck house in the backfield all game long. I think that after the pure embarrassment this unit faced last weekend that they will do a much better job protecting Dak's blindside with extra attention to it and making the necessary adjustments. I also believe Dak will have himself a game tonight. We are now in the early stages of a new QB rivalry between Prescott and Wentz and after trading W's last season, I like Prescott to step up and come out on top here as I think the Eagles may be out of sync after the bye week. This Dallas defense also needs to step up behind Lee and I like what I am reading as far as their plan to do so. They will keep Rookie LB Jaylon Smith on a snap count which he performs much better in since given his inexperience and health, it is asking too much for him to play every down. They will start the two veteran LBs Anthony Hitchens and Justin Durant and I believe these two with a mix of Smith will play well tonight behind a motivated and active defensive line led by DeMarcus Lawrence. I believe Dallas will have a spark tonight hosting their first place rival and will pressure Wentz from the jump. Eagles have lost a tackle of their own in Jason Peters and although it didn't effect them two weeks ago against Denver, I think it might be a factor tonight. I foresee a low scoring and close divisional battle either way. Dallas needs to save their season tonight and has the chance to get back in the mix for a Wild Card with a big win at home and another quick turnaround game on Thanksgiving on Thursday. Yes they lost their best weapon in RB Elliot and they looked lost without him last week. That was a tough spot for Dallas as the Falcons were back home and just as desperate as Dallas is tonight for a big W. Now with more time to prep without Zeke, I believe they will have a much better gameplan through the air with WRs Dez Bryant and I think Cole Beasely could be a big factor as well in this game moving the chains. I expect Dak to use his legs a lot as well to pick up first downs and keep drives alive. Almost game time, so yea again, I see a close one either way with possible upset potential. Gimme the points. COWBOYS+6
