IRVING, Texas - Load Left. Bounty Bowls I and II. T.O.'s unceremonious return to Philadelphia. Michael Irvin's career-ending injury.
The rich - and sometimes grisly - Cowboys-Eagles rivalry begins another chapter Sunday night at Lincoln Financial Field. At stake is first place in the NFC East, but the overriding theme has been this:
Can the Cowboys put the most recent entry - last December's 44-6 loss at the Linc - to rest?
The connection is hard to ignore. After all, the humiliating defeat inspired the Cowboys' off-season of change and helped propel the Eagles to the NFC title game.
The Cowboys realize they won the first meeting with Philadelphia last year, 41-37. They also haven't forgotten 44-6. That's probably a good thing.
"Whatever motivates this team, that's what we want," Cowboys head coach Wade Phillips said. "If it's last year and it gets under their skin, then that's what we want.
"But we want this year's team to be motivated by how we're playing and what we're doing, with a different team."
Same place, different time, yet always entertaining. Every entry in this 39-year-feud has been unique.
And both 5-2 teams indeed have changed, mostly for the better, over the last 11 months. Here's how:
Eagles
New Defensive Direction: The organization was dealt a devastating loss, both professionally and personally, when defensive coordinator Jim Johnson - the decade-long architect of the Eagles' formidable unit - succumbed to cancer in July. The defense lost Johnson's brilliant game-day strategy but has maintained many of the same principles under new coordinator Sean McDermott. Pressure is still a strength; the Eagles ranked second in sacks during Johnson's nine-year tenure, and their 23 sacks this season are tied for second. They're also tied for first in takeaways (21) and turnover margin (plus-12).
Breakout Receivers: The Eagles have spent two high draft picks on speed receivers since 2008. DeSean Jackson threatened defenses last year (14.7-yard average, two touchdowns), but this year he's exposing them (already five touchdowns of at least 50 yards). Seven games into his rookie season, first-round pick Jeremy Maclin is averaging 13.3 yards per catch and has three touchdowns. Quarterback Donovan McNabb has no shortage of downfield threats. No wonder Philadelphia is scoring 29.0 points a game.
Celek Factor: Third-year tight end Brent Celek isn't as flashy, but he's actually McNabb's most consistent target. Celek (27 catches, one touchdown) was an improving player last season. This year he already has a team- and career-high 37 catches and three touchdowns. He'll challenge the Cowboys' linebackers and safeties more than ever before.
Quick Vick: No other team has two Pro Bowl-caliber quarterbacks in the prime of their NFL careers. Sure, backup Michael Vick has some rust, and he has been used sparingly so far. But the Cowboys still have to game-plan for Vick as a fill-in passer or a change-of-pace runner. They didn't last year.
Cowboys
Healthier, Explosive Offense: The Cowboys were capable of scoring 30 points last year, too, but by last year's finale they had some significant injury issues. No Felix Jones and a half-speed Marion Barber at running back. Shoulder, rib, ankle and knee ailments for tight end Jason Witten. This year, the offense is close to full strength - and the sudden emergence of Miles Austin provides another potential blitz-buster. Austin (21.7 yards) is on pace to finish with the team's highest receiving average since Alvin Harper in 1994.
Special Teams: The Cowboys' turnaround in the kicking game has been well-documented. No longer are their coverage units a liability, and punter Mat McBriar has returned from a fractured kicking foot. Field position should be important in a game featuring two evenly-matched teams.
Faster Secondary: The starting additions of cornerback Mike Jenkins and strong safety Gerald Sensabaugh give the defense greater speed - a necessity against Jackson and Maclin. Phillips has also liked his secondary's physical play.
Momentum: The Cowboys still had everything to play for last December in Philly - they still controlled their own playoff destiny - but a week earlier Baltimore shocked them with two fourth-quarter touchdown runs. This time, Phillips' team is riding a three-game win streak and playing its best football of the season. The Cowboys have outscored their last two opponents, 72-31.
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