Clear Eyes, Full Heart…

January 8, 2010 by Cody Dunlap

Bob Sturm had a very unnerving statistic in his Friday breakdown today:

Under Andy Reid, the Philadelphia Eagles are 7-0 in first round playoff games.

Not exactly great odds for Jerry’s Wade’s bunch.

I’ve tried to put this post off as long as I could. But for the first week of school, it has gone by remarkably fast. Perhaps the big guy upstairs knows how nervous I am about this game.

I’m not nervous because I believe the Dallas Cowboys have to play perfect to win. (What if Wade gave a speech like Billy Bob’s in Friday Night Lights? I think I would have a look on my face somewhere between confusion, panic and sheer joy.) I don’t believe they do.

In fact, I believe right now, the Dallas Cowboys are a better football team than the Philadelphia Eagles.

But that doesn’t really matter right now. All that matters is the Dallas Cowboys have to be better tomorrow night.

So to psych myself up, let’s take a look at a kick-ass pump up montage.

Awesome Versus Sports Montage

Okay. I’m feeling better. Explosions in the Sky will do that (hence the Friday Night Lights title).

So let’s break this baby down, shall we?

QBs: Tony Romo has gone from exile to full-fledged Jedi Warrior in a pretty short span. Although he needs to win a couple of playoff games before he approaches Obi-Wan/Mace Windu status. But with the way he’s playing right now, I feel pretty confident that we’re going to see a focused Romo play up to the level we’ve seen the last few weeks. Donovan F. McNabb? Always dangerous, but prone to the stinkbomb (like last week). So many skipped passes and bad throws. And that stupid moon walk dance he does when he scores! (Grasping? Yeah….) Matt Saracen Memorial QB1: Romo

Fan Base: Well, I’d like to think that the city of Dallas lives and dies with the Cowboys, but I’m pretty sure that’s not exactly true. Philadelphia seems more enamored with the Phillies lately (although who could blame them? Two straight NL titles and a World Series? Rangers? You kidding me?), but those guys in the green are crazy. Buddy Garrity Seal of Approval: Philly fans

Offense: The Dallas Cowboys have more of a grind-it-out offense (much like my beloved Northwestern Wildcats, whose loss I’m getting close to accepting.), while the Philadelphia Eagles are built for the big plays. They don’t get shut down much, but games like last week’s are not pretty for them. Both teams commit their fair share of penalties, so I guess it’s just a question of which offense you prefer. Me? I like the more balanced attack. You know, a running game and a passing game. But if you need further explanation for my selection, just look at the title of this blog. Boobie Miles Edge: Dallas Cowboys

Mascots: Rowdy sucks. Mojo: Philly Eagle

Defense: I’m not sure I’ve ever seen a Dallas Cowboys defense play this well. (Hey the stats back that up! That’s cool!) Two straight shutouts in the NFL is pretty sweet. Even if one of them was against the sorry, no-account Redskins. A lot of people have talked about the lack of blitzing from the Philly defense as evidence that the Eagles were holding back in the game last Sunday. Maybe they just thought blitzing was the way to go? I mean, it could happen. Just look at the pilot of Friday Night Lights – I mean, Matt Saracen comes in to replace town hero Jason Street and wins the game when he runs backwards 40 yards and then throws the ball basically 50-60 yards…wait, never mind. Ivory Christian Strong, Silent Type: DeMarcus Ware and the Dallas Cowboys

Stadiums: The Linc against the Death Star. I’ve never been to Philly, but I hear Lincoln Financial Field is a very nice place to see a game that has no soul like the old piss-stained Vet. (Again, this is just what I’ve heard.) Meanwhile, the Death Star is something you can see from at least 10-15 miles away. Flabbergastingly large and just absolutely ridiculous. But the Dallas Cowboys did go 6-2 there this year. So that has to count for something. Right? Right??? Hermann Field Award: Push

Coaches: You get the feeling that this matchup is not exactly what Subway is looking for in their advertising. You’d think that the Walrus would pop the Stay-Puft marshmallow man, so I’m going with the Michelin Man. (I mean, my God.) Still, Reid has won 10 playoff games with the Eagles. Wade? A big, fat donut. (Chocolate glazed caked, Wade. Why do you ask?) Eric Taylor Clipboard Holder: Andy (The Walrus) Reid

Characters: I’m calling Jerry Jones a character here. (Mainly because I love the posts on Kissing Suzy Kolber that make fun of him.) What a great addition to the team! Besides, this team is a good, happy-go-lucky team right now. kind of tight, so go ahead DeSean! Call us out! We’re overconfident! (Almost got shocked there from the Jinx Police.) For Philly, DeSean Jackson sure does run his mouth a lot. And last year he forgot to carry the football with him over the goal line! That was funny. Plus he said something about stingers this week. That makes him a character. But for sheer comedic value, I’m going with Jerruh. Tim Riggins Fascination Medal: Jerruh Jones

Can the Cowboys be Perfect?

Final Breakdown: Wow, is the movie more than five years old already? Geez. Time flies. I was watching it the other day and was amazed at how quickly the story moved. Something tells me Peter Berg’s first cut was something like a three hour flick. Still, there are a good number of Chill Scenes (Bill Simmons®), making it a great sports flick. Not to mention maybe the greatest soundtrack of all time. The TV show, though. Wow. Probably my favorite TV drama ever, and approaching Arrested Development for best ever. Always entertaining, and surprisingly good football scenes and storylines. Yeah the timeline is a bit flawed, but so what? It’s a good show. Slight Edge: Eric Taylor and the Dillon Panthers

Hmm. That’s not right…

Final Breakdown: Saturday’s already here? Ugh. Pass the Pepto. On paper, the Cowboys should win. They are playing better than anybody except for maybe the Chargers. True, the Eagles had won six in a row heading into last week. But the Dallas Cowboys are the ones on the winning streak right now. Every pick I’ve seen has the Cowboys winning. Maybe I’m overly nervous. Whatever. I’ll probably be watching half of this game with my hands over my face anyway. Edge: Dallas Cowboys, 24-14.