What's Up?
While the Cowboys put on quite a show in their season opener against the Browns Sunday, the Eagles were one of the few teams to play as good as or even better than the Cowboys on opening weekend. Philadelphia destroyed the St. Louis Rams, 38-3, piling up more than 400 yards passing and 100 yards rushing. The Eagles also held the Rams to just 166 total yards and tallied four sacks en route to a first- and second-place NFL ranking in total offense and defense, respectively.
Chalk Talk
While the matchup has been dominated by left tackle Flozell Adams in recent games, defensive end Trent Cole is still a strong pass rusher the Cowboys will always have to keep their eye on. Cole, who was sixth in the NFL last season with 12½ sacks, will be just one of many defensive coordinator Jim Johnson pass rushers trying to put heat on Tony Romo. Expect to see running backs and tight ends staying in and chipping potential Philadelphia blitzers as the Cowboys will try to limit a well-known Eagles blitz attack.
Connections
Cowboys wide receiver Terrell Owens played for the Eagles in the 2004 and 2005 seasons . . . Cowboys head coach Wade Phillips was the defensive coordinator for the Eagles from 1986-1988.
Miscellaneous
Monday's showdown will feature two native Australian punters, the Cowboys Mat McBriar and the Eagles Sav Rocca. The two punters both grew up in Melbourne, Australia, and will be facing each other for the third time in their NFL careers The Cowboys hold the series advantage 54-43 over the Eagles, including a 6-4 record on Monday Night Football against their division foe Eagles defensive line coach Pete Jenkins coached both Marcus Spears and Bradie James when he was defensive line coach for LSU in 2001-02 . . . A victory Monday night will give the Cowboys a 2-0 record for the first time since the 1998 and 1999 seasons . . . A win also would conclude the Cowboys' record on Monday night games in Texas Stadium at 17-12 . . . This also will be the Cowboys' 70th MNF appearance, second only to the 73 of Miami . . . Their 40 MNF victories are the most in the NFL, one more than the Dolphins.
