IRVING, Texas - Does this seem familiar or what, a primetime game in Philadelphia, and the Cowboys and Eagles playing for something substantial.
This time it's first place in the NFC East at the halfway point. Right now, anyway, it's the biggest game of the season.
What's Up?
The Cowboys' last trip to Philadelphia has been well-documented. With both teams' season on the line the Eagles smashed the visitors, ripped out their hearts with a 44-6 beat down and sent them back to Texas to wonder where it all went wrong.
A lot of things have changed since then for the Cowboys, who have seemingly righted the ship after a sluggish start. Philadelphia looks as good as ever, having just dismissed a talented New York Giants team in the same fashion they whipped the Cowboys last year. Both teams seem to be playing their best football, and both teams need the game, which kicks off at 7:15 p.m. (CST) on NBC.
It should be a good one.
Statistical View
How did the Eagles lose to Oakland despite not turning the ball over even once? Andy Reid abandoned the run after his backs were limited to 13 yards on eight carries in the first half. Donovan McNabb was forced to throw 46 passes and ended up sacked six times.
Speaking of McNabb, it's been a nice, efficient season so far. He has nine touchdowns against just one interception, missing weeks two and three with a rib injury. He hasn't thrown more than 25 passes in any of the four wins he started.
It's no secret wide receiver DeSean Jackson is a big play guy. All six of his touchdowns this year have been of at least 50 yards, including a 67-yard run and an 85-yard punt return. His 20.9-yard average per catch is the NFL's second-best - second to Miles Austin (21.7).
The Eagles are as good against the pass as any team in the league. They're third-best in yards per pass (5.49), have the third-most interceptions (14) and are tied for second in sacks (23).
Chalk Talk
Much of the talk leading up to Sunday's game will focus on which team will be able to stop one of the big-play receivers, Austin and Jackson. While Austin was an unheralded product who appears to be blossoming in his fourth season, Jackson made an impact from the start. As a rookie last year he had 912 yards and two touchdowns. Actually he should've had at least three, but dropped a 60-yard pass in his Monday Night Football debut against the Cowboys in Week 2 at Texas Stadium. The Cowboys have been pretty good about not giving away the deep ball this year, and that will have to continue with good help coverage from safeties Ken Hamlin and Gerald Sensabaugh.
Sunday also offers a good test for Tony Romo, whose improved efficiency will need to hold up against Philly's strong pass rush and secondary. Philadelphia has only allowed more than 17 points once this season, the 48 they gave up to New Orleans in Week 2.
Connections
Cowboys head coach Wade Phillips was defensive coordinator of the Eagles from 1986-88, working under Buddy Ryan . . . Cowboys kick returner Allen Rossum played the first two seasons of his career with the Eagles, who selected him in the third round of the 1998 draft . . . Brian Stewart served as defensive coordinator of the Cowboys in 2007 and 2008, and is now special assistant to the defense for Philadelphia.
Miscellaneous
The Cowboys lead the all-time series versus Philadelphia 55-44 . . . The Eagles are 7-5 against the Cowboys in the last six seasons after winning all six games in the series from 2000-02 . . . The 44-6 final last Dec. 28 was the Cowboys' largest margin of defeat in series history . . . The biggest Cowboys win was 56-7 on Oct. 9, 1966 . . . On Tuesday the Buccaneers signed rookie cornerback Mike Mickens away from the Cowboys' practice squad . . . Miles Austin can become the first Cowboys receiver with a touchdown in four straight games since 2007, when former Cowboy and Eagle Terrell Owens had a seven-game streak.
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Josh Ellis - 
