Sep 13, 2015; Arlington, TX, USA; Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo (9) throws prior to the game against the New York Giants at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports Sep 14, 2015; Atlanta, GA, USA; Philadelphia Eagles running back DeMarco Murray (29) carries the ball past Atlanta Falcons linebacker O'Brien Schofield (50) in the third quarter at the Georgia Dome. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports
The Dallas Cowboys (1-0) and Philadelphia Eagles (0-1) will face off in a division battle. The Cowboys will showcase their newlook offense minus Dez Bryant, and the Eagles will look to continue the progress they showed on offense during the second half of their regular-season opener. Of course, this game will likely mean a little something extra to DeMarco Murray, who lead the NFL in rushing while with the Cowboys in 2014.
Here are three keys to the game for both the Cowboys and Eagles.
Cowboys:
1. Take deep shots
Under defensive coordinator Bill Davis, the Eagles like to play a lot of man coverage on the outside, often leaving their cornerbacks on an island. We watched Julio Jones take advantage of these coverages in Week 1, and the Cowboys will have to test the Eagles in one-on-one matchups on the outside if they want to keep them honest.
2. Control the tempo
The Eagles are known for playing with the fastest tempo in the NFL, and the Cowboys are known for the opposite. Some questioned if the Cowboys would change their approach without Murray, but their opening drive last week -- which spanned more than 11 minutes -- tells you all you need to know. The Cowboys need to use their pace to keep the Eagles' offense off the field.
3. Make Sam Bradford beat you
The Eagles came out throwing, and Sam Bradford was rusty to say the least. The Cowboys need to make it their goal to not let the Eagles beat them by running the football to open up the passing game. All eyes should be on the Eagles' backfield, whether it's Murray, Ryan Matthews or Darren Sproles lined up with Bradford.
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Eagles:
1. Attack the Cowboys' outside cornerbacks
In Week 1, the Giants failed to attack the Cowboys' outside cornerbacks though they were without top cornerback Orlando Scandrick, who is out for the year. The starting cornerbacks are Brandon Carr and Morris Claiborne -- both players struggled in pass coverage on a per snaps basis in 2014. After utilizing his running backs and tight ends in the passing game for the majority of Week 1, Bradford should look to get Nelson Agholor, Josh Huff and Riley Cooper more involved.
2. Run the ball off left tackle and left end
The Cowboys were suceptible to the run off left tackle and left end in Week 1 -- allowing a long of 27 when the Giants ran in that direction. The Eagles have the best run-blocking left tackle in the game -- Jason Peters -- and they should run off left tackle and left end early and often.
3. Shut down the running game first
The Cowboys are going to look to utilize a game plan that involves the running backs in many ways. Joseph Randle, Darren McFadden and Lance Dunbar will see a lot of work in the passing game and even more work in the run game if things are going right for the Cowboys. If the Eagles can shut down the run early, they will force Tony Romo out of his comfort zone.
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