NFL  > Dallas Cowboys  > Dallas' chances to win hinge on...... (Repeat post form NFC bEast Group site)
January 2, 2010, 12:30 PM
If Dallas is to win this weekend vs Philly they must exploit the loss of the Philly center Jackson.

(shamelessly pulled from Philly paper's website)

"PHILADELPHIA -- The Philadelphia Eagles will be without center Jamaal Jackson on Sunday for their NFC East showdown with the Cowboys.
Jackson has been a 330-pound rock of stability on offense for the Eagles, starting 71 consecutive games, the fourth-longest streak among NFL centers. He's vital to the Eagles' offense because he makes the short snaps in all the shotgun and Wildcat formations and calls out the presnap blocking assignments for his linemates."

Of note is the last sentence; "vital", shotgun/wildcat and blocking assignments. Dallas is clearly tuned into this and Ware, Brookings, and Spencer will look like swarming bees prior to the snap to confuse Jackson's replacement.

The two teams are pretty evenly matched in other areas; not surprisingly as the records, stats etc are very close. This loss of a key member who touches the ball on nearly every snap will hurt Philly. In addition, Ratliff seems to be on fire of late so that adds another bit of pressure to the position along with the blitz packages and evolving rushes from the LBs.

Philly will need to strike early and get one of its +50 yard plays to try and quiet the crowd. I suspect that the Standing Room Only spots in the nose-bleed section should be full like in the opener and the noise will be deafening at the start of the game. Dallas should get the ball for the opening kickoff. If Philly wins the coin toss I bet they defer the ball and take it for the second half as the noise will be less.

Let's hope the refs keep their hankys in their pockets and we see a good clean game and NOTHING comes down to a review.

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