X-Factor: Nick Cole

Yes, a center is the X-Factor for the Philadelphia Eagles on Saturday night when they take on the Dallas Cowboys. Why? Starting Eagles center Jamaal Jackson sustained a season-ending ACL injury in Week 16’s victory over the Broncos, meaning that Cole was forced to move from his guard spot to snap the ball.

Cole is a pretty good player at the guard spot, but center is an entirely different game. Teams can have a season derailed if the starting center is out (see University of Michigan football 2009).

To make matters worse, the Eagles are matched up against one of the best defensive lines in pro football. The Cowboys feature DeMarcus Ware, Jay Ratliff, and Anthony Spencer on the line, which has been able to apply consistent pressure on the opposing quarterback all year long. Ware is an absolute beast, and his presence only makes it easier for nose tackle Jay Ratliff, who will be matched up against Cole.

For a defensive tackle, Ratliff is extremely quick and demonstrates excellent pass-rushing moves. He has six sacks on the season, and should give Cole trouble all day long. If the Cowboys are able to generate pressure without blitzing, then Donovan McNabb and the Eagles will likely be in for a long night. It is up to Cole, Winston Justice, Jason Peters, and the rest of the Eagles’ offensive line to ease the pressure on McNabb.

Most intriguing stat:

The Eagles are 0-4 in the playoffs when Donovan McNabb attempts more than 40 passes in a game.

The most passes Donovan McNabb has ever attempted in a playoff game is 51, which occurred during Super Bowl XXXIX against the Patriots. The Eagles lost that game, and also lost three other games when McNabb passed the ball more than 40 times.

The bottom line? Looking at the Eagles’ recent playoff history, it appears that Philadelphia must have success with the running game in order to have a chance. If the Eagles become one-dimensional, then Dallas will be able to drop seven or eight into coverage. The Cowboys can put pressure on the quarterback with only three or four pass-rushers, so one-dimensionality is quite dangerous against Dallas. LeSean McCoy could receive the majority of carries on Sunday, and it is essential that he have success early against this Cowboys defense.

---STANLEY KAY.