NFC Playoffs- Eagles@Cowboys- Saturday

Eagles- The Eagles started out the season at a mediocre 5-4 after two straight losses to the Cowboys and then the Chargers, but as the Eagles always seem to do toward the end of the season, they got hot when it mattered. They went on a 6 game winning streak and looked to be cruising when they headed into Dallas to play their last regular season game of the season. Going into that game, they had already clinched a playoff spot, but if they beat the Cowboys they would've been the two seed and clinched a first round bye, but if they loss they would the the final seed in the NFC. They went in to Dallas and laid an egg, losing 24-0 and getting absolutely dominated by the Cowboys. The Eagles have the tools though to be an explosive offense, and a good enough defense to hold a good offensive team down such as the Cowboys.

Cowboys- The Cowboys had two big monkeys on their backs going into this season. They first needed to get over their December struggles, and secondly they needed to win a playoff game, having not won a playoff game since 1996. The Boys lost the first two games of December and everybody was talking about a winless December again and coach Wade Phillips was being rumored to be fired. The Cowboys turned the corner the next week when they went into New Orleans and beat the then unbeaten Saints 24-17. After that game they didnt give up a single point in the final two games of the season. The Cowboys are among the hottest teams in the league going into the playoffs, and are as much as 5 point favorites. Can the Cowboys get the biggest monkey off their backs and get their first win in 13 years.

Prediction- The Eagles runningback Brian Westbrook is the key in my mind. He has missed games due to a concussion this season, but seems to be getting healthier and healthier. I expect a different game this week from last week. These two teams are actually pretty evenly matched despite the Cowboys sweeping the season series. But that is the exact reason why I am picking the Eagles in this one. It is too hard to beat a team three times in the same season, especially in football. I dont think the Cowboys can get off the snide in the playoffs quite yet, I'll take the City of Brotherly Love's team, 26-23.