So Then, Dallas

Unfathomably, I have a better feeling about this week's game against the Cowboys than I did about last week's game against the Giants.  This despite the fact that the Cowboys are easily the better team and there's every probability we could be in line for another TOMO-led whupping on Sunday afternoon. 

Four reasons I feel better this week:

1.  The Eagles play to the level of their competition.  This is a team that lost by three points each to New England (13-0), Green Bay (11-2), the Giants (9-4) and Chicago (5-8).  Only three games this season have been decided by double figures (Detroit, NYG I and DAL I).  That is consistency of a different kind, to be sure, but consistency nonetheless. 

2.  The first game was (slightly) better than we remember.  Lots of things didn't work out in that first Cowboys game, but remember that the game opened with a fumble on the first play and McNabb threw a boneheaded interception at the end of the first half.  Both turnovers offered free points to Dallas.  Put them aside, and while the game would still have been a whupping, it wouldn't have been as bad as it ended up.

3.  The defense was embarrassed by TO last time.  As much as Lito at TO are best buds and all, no one likes getting shown up by that preening little jackass.  Look for an entirely different defensive gameplan this time that focuses on taking away the middle of the field.  If Dallas wants to take shots, let it happen on the outside. 

Come to think of it, that would have been a nice thing to see last week, too...

4.  The season's over and who gives a crap.  Aaaaannnnddd... of course there's this, which might be the biggest factor of all.  Winning is gravy, losing only reaffirms what we already know.