Welcome to the new NFC East. In what could be a preview of the next decade, the two best young quarterbacks in the NFL will clash in prime time Sunday night when Carson Wentz and the Eagles invade Dallas to tangle with Dak Prescott and the Cowboys.
Suddenly, the NFC East, something of a doormat the last few years, is the toughest division in football again.
And Messrs. Wentz and Prescott are the reason why.
The Eagles, who looked terrible two weeks ago in the nation's capital, reversed their fortunes with a most impressive win against the unbeaten Vikings. They made their old pal Sam Bradford's day miserable. Doing the same to Prescott won't be easy. That's because Prescott will prove much more elusive than Sammy Sleeves, plus he has the NFL's top rusher in Ezekiel Elliott to tote a lot of the load. Add in the return of Dez Bryant and Prescott has a lot more weapons to turn to than Wentz.
That's why the key to this game again could be Jim Schwartz and the Eagles defense. They will need first and foremost to be diligent in making sure their Wide 9 gaps and scheme don't get gashed the way the Redskins' offense carved them up, rolling to 230 yards on the ground. A repeat performance could be a killer for the Eagles.
There will be some points scored in this one, and both Wentz and Prescott will further establish their cred as the new young stars of the league.
But Prescott has more bullets in his arsenal than Wentz. Hope I'm wrong. Again. I don't see it.
The Pick: Make it Cowboys 29, Eagles 24.
Last Week: The Eagles shook off a very bad performance against the 'Skins and dominated the Vikings. No, I didn't see that one coming. And it means I've officially hit the skids in this prognostication game. Then again, if it holds up it also might be good for the Eagles, since they seem intent on doing the opposite of my pick. After starting 2-0, I'm now dragging at 2-4, having misfired on my last 4 picks,m while Doug Pedersonn and his Birds are feeling good at 4-2 and ready for an NFC East showdown with the Cowboys.
Game by Game: Eagles 29, Browns 10 (My Pick: Eagles 19, Browns 13)
Eagles 29, Bears 14 (My Pick: Eagles 24, Bears 16)
Eagles 34, Steelers 3 (My Pick: Steelers, 26, Eagles 23)
Lions 24, Eagles 23 (My Pick: Eagles 31, Lions 10)
Redskins 27, Eagles 20 (My Pick: Eagles 24, Redskins 23)
Eagles 21, Vikings 10 (My Pick: Vikings 26, Eagles 13)
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