PHILADELPHIA — Just two Dallas Cowboys head coaches have beaten the Eagles four times in a row, the short list composed of the legendary Tom Landry and believe it or not, Jason Garrett.
Mike McCarthy can become the third, although he and the Cowboys are six-point underdogs to add to the three-game winning streak they bring to Lincoln Financial Field Sunday night.
There isn’t a better NFC game on the docket this weekend. The Eagles (5-0) are the only undefeated team in the NFL. The Cowboys (4-1) are tied for second in the NFC East, just behind the Eagles with the New York Giants (4-1). With modest exceptions, all of those teams have played Stay Puft Marshmallow-soft schedules. That won’t diminish the drama in any way because the Eagles and their fans always bring a little extra to Cowboys games.
McCarthy has intimate knowledge of Eagles fans and the passion they bring on game nights. He is hoping for the best and anticipating the worst from the crazier fans, from middle fingers to eggs and whatever when the caravan of Cowboys busses, police escort and all, pull into the parking lot Sunday.
“It’s going to be a great environment,” McCarthy said Wednesday on a conference call. “Looking forward to the bus ride into the stadium. That’s always unique. It’s a division game in a rivalry with great history.”
That wasn’t going to be the end of the bus ride questions, and McCarthy played along as well. He was asked if the messaging from fans on the ride to the stadium was the middle finger type of deal.
“They’re very good at the No. 1 sign, probably the best in the league,” McCarthy said to a chorus of laughter.
Eggs on the side … of the busses?
“That’s happened,” McCarthy said. “Once again, they live up to their reputation. I think that is the best way to say it. They’re very consistent, the fan base. They’re outstanding.”
McCarthy also has gotten that treatment as head coach of the Green Bay Packers. Several teams have been egged on their way into the Linc, a list that among others includes Washington. Defensive tackle Chris Baker tweeted a photo of the mess from direct hits to document what happened to the Redskins busses back in the day.
Eagles players who wanted to remain anonymous said their busses have been hit with eggs and they’ve gotten the finger on various stops as well.
Clearly, there is no love lost in the division. But Eagles fans might be willing to do a little extra to express their hatred of the Cowboys. Eagles pass rusher Haason Reddick, who grew up in Camden, says he’s approaching the game as the next chance to get a “W.” He would not, however, want to be playing for the Cowboys in this game.
“I know what it means to the fans,” Reddick said. “I know what it means to the team. I know what it means to the program.”
While veteran Eagles relish the energy their fans bring to Dallas Week, even the younger players have been quick to learn what the game means. Defensive tackle Milton Williams grew up in Dallas. He hates the Cowboys because his father felt as if Pops was snubbed trying to get a workout with them several years ago. Pops Williams projected as a safety/wide receiver.
“They were like, ‘nah, we’re good,’ so I never had no type of respect for the Cowboys after that,” Williams said. “They did my Pops wrong. I may not have a grudge but I’m not a fan.”
Then there is veteran wide receiver A.J. Brown, seeing his first action against the Cowboys. The trash-talking between fans of both teams has impressed him.
“It’s just definitely serious,” Brown said. “I think this game holds a lot of weight with this city. The fans, they’re passionate fans who don’t like the Cowboys. And there’s some Cowboys here who don’t like the Eagles. I’m learning. But it’s a huge division game. Now, that’s the big part about it. We’re trying to get ahead in the division. But the rivalry stuff, you’ll never see me go back and forth on that. Let’s play football and try to win games.”
McCarthy is taking a similar approach. Right now Cooper Rush is being prepared for his fifth straight start this season. He’s prevailed in the first four with Dak Prescott sidelined after surgery to the thumb on his throwing hand. Prescott has begun throwing the ball but Rush gives them the best chance against the Eagles.
“Every year is different,” McCarthy said while breaking down the Eagles. “They’re obviously off to an excellent start. Their September football speaks for itself and that’s where my mind is. I’m not really counting on statistics from the past for any guidance or motivation or anything in this football game. We’re excited to come up there and play on Sunday Night Football.”
Source: Berkshire mont
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