When the Cowboys and Eagles last met, Dallas endured a significant drop in their offensive point production. Despite the Eagles struggles on defense this season, they were able to hold the Cowboys to just 23 points; nearly 10 points shy of their season average of 32.3 points per game. It was only the fourth time the Cowboys failed to score at least 30 points this season and something Dallas hopes to correct in their Week 14 matchup on Sunday night.
As the Cowboys strategize their attack for the upcoming showdown, they need only look to last week to see how the Eagles can be beaten. San Francisco had no trouble putting points up against the Eagles, beating them to the tune of 42-19 and laying out a blueprint for attack to anyone who may be interested in dethroning the defending conference champs.
With over 300 yards through the air and nearly 150 yards on the ground, the 49ers seemingly moved the ball at will last week. While their suffocating defense is probably due the lion’s share of the praise, it was the San Francisco offense the Cowboys may be able to best emulate.
The Cowboys have quietly taken some recent cues from Kyle Shanahan already this season.
Since their Week 5 matchup, Dallas has increased their motion usage, used their WRs as running options more often, and emphasized middle of the field passing opportunities. Many of the 49ers’ staples are getting adopted in Dallas and Mike McCarthy’s offense has never looked better.
Are more copycat moves on the horizon?