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OH no! We’ve fallen to first place in the NFL! Idiot pundits are calling for benching QB Jalen Hurts. Whatever shall we do!? Well step number uno is, not to overreact. Look, it was Rocky vs Clubber Lang 1.0 last week. It was an embarrassing loss in Philly, to an extremely aggressive opponent, who was dying to prove themselves.

This week, we go out to the West Coast to spar with Apollo, while getting our groove back. This is an opportunity to not only brush up on the skills that made us the NFL’s top team, but to maybe even evolve somewhat. Because Rocky vs Clubber Lang 2.0 is coming.

In the meantime, this Sunday we need to out-spar, and out-run our biggest rival, before we can frolic in the surf. Cue the montage!

A win, and we improve to 11 – 2. We’d also clinch a playoff berth, while all but buttoning up the NFC East.

A loss would see us fall to 10 – 3, and award the Cowboys the top spot in the division by virtue of Common Opponent tie-breaker. (We both fell to the 9ers, but they beat the Jets.)

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The point of Four Things isn’t to predict a winner, it’s to discuss which tactics would give our Eagles the best chance to win this game. So here are the Four Things that we need to focus on this week versus: the Cowboys

1) Use A Brute Force Run Game: The run game isn’t just for balancing an attack, it’s also for tiring out an opponent. The Cowboys have a smallish front seven, as they are built to rush the passer. Running the ball not only takes them out of what they do best, it exposes a built-in flaw that will become impossible to mask as the game goes on.

Getting RB D’Andre Swift 18 carries has to be part of this week’s game-plan. Even if we fall behind early. He got 18 carries the last time we played. Though it was for just 43 yards, it balanced nicely with Hurts 23 pass attempts. We kept their defense guessing, and it kept our chains moving.

2) Take Away Quick Throws: A huge help would be playing a lot more Man Press. We have to stop giving opposing receivers, free releases off the line. We also can’t have LB’s covering WR’s, again this week. That’s a mismatch right from the time both sides line up.

3) Win the Turnover Battle: Playing a turnover-free game would be great. Even better, would be taking the ball away from the Cowboys. Tighter coverage would help create opportunities.

4) Spread ‘Em Out: Stretching their defense horizontally, makes it easier to get Swift to the second level of their defense, with room to roam. The chance for chunk run plays multiplies, if we can stretch their defense side to side.

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If the Eagles do these Four Things, then we’ll be virtually impossible to beat. That being said…

This is all simple and straight-forward stuff. We’re facing a division rival. They know us. We know them. So a reliance on smoke and mirrors, is a bad idea here. Besides, after being manhandled last week, it would be great to show the league, that we can still maul a motherfucker.

No excuses, but honestly, last week we were playing our third game (two of which were wars), in a thirteen day span, going against a good team, that was coming off of ten days rest. Nowhere in the multi-verse did we win that game. And that’s okay.

This week we’re on the road, going against a good team that “doesn’t lose” at home. Sounds good! Beating up on a tomato can would prove nothing to anyone. This is exactly the fight we need, in the moment when we need it.

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WARNING: I don’t have the faintest clue as to what a point spread is, and I know even less about how it works. I know FOOTBALL and that’s it. If you use Four Things as a gambling tool, then you are a fool trying to lose your money, and will deserve it when you do.

Check back in a couple of days for Four Things Reviewed, and we’ll discuss how this game went.