Confidence

I don’t know how to feel about the Eagles heading into Sunday night’s showdown with the Cowboys.

Last year the Eagles got off to a hot start. It was easy to buy into that team and believe in them. Things weren’t always perfect, but the team found a way to win. They were good. They were also clutch. When they needed a play, they made a play.

The 2018 Eagles are a different story.

We want to believe in this team. Most of the players and coaches from last year are back so it only makes sense to believe in this group. They earned our trust by bringing the Lombardi Trophy to Broad Street.

Unfortunately, each season is unique. Each team is unique. That’s why repeating is so hard. Just because something worked last year doesn’t mean it will work this year.

This team did hold off the Falcons and the Colts to preserve wins. They blew fourth quarter leads to the Titans and Panthers, losing both games. The offense and defense each made some key fourth quarter plays in the win over the Jaguars.

Doug Pederson says that execution fuels emotion. I think execution also fuels confidence.

No one knows if they can trust the Eagles right now. That’s true of fans, Pederson and even the players themselves. The Eagles have been too sloppy. They’ve made too many mistakes.

That can change in a hurry.

A strong effort from the Eagles on Sunday night would mean a lot. A win would put the Eagles above .500 for the first time since Week 3. That would give the Eagles two straight wins and help them to feel good about themselves.

Can they deliver?

*****

There have been 82 300-yard passing performances by NFL quarterbacks this season. Dak Prescott has none.

— Ed Werder (@EdwerderRFA) November 6, 2018

Coaching is an issue. Weapons are an issue. The OL is an issue.

Dak is also an issue.

Michael Kist wrote a thorough piece for BGN on Dak’s struggles and how the Eagles defense should shut him down.

I am curious to see how Dak and the Cowboys respond to the situation. If he struggles and Dallas loses, that could be the beginning of the end for Jason Garrett and his staff. The players have to know this. They have to sense just how important this game is.

That could bring out the best in them. Or it could make them sloppy, taking desperate chances. Dallas has had two turnovers in three of the last four games. If they get sloppy, they could turn the ball over even more.

The Eagles must take advantage of Dallas mistakes. When Dak puts a ball up for grabs, they must catch it. When the ball is on the ground, they must go get it.

Jordan Hicks has made some big plays against Dallas. It would be great for him to come up big in this game.

_