Your inbox approves Men's coaches poll Women's coaches poll Play to win 25K!
PHILADELPHIA EAGLES
LeSean McCoy

Bell: LeSean McCoy, Eagles set sights on Cowboys

Jarrett Bell
USA TODAY Sports
Philadelphia Eagles running back LeSean McCoy (25) runs into the end zone for a touchdown against the Tennessee Titans at Lincoln Financial Field.

PHILADELPHIA -- As he left The Linc on Sunday as the man of the hour following his huge contribution to a romp, LeSean McCoy had one more football task to complete before his work day would be complete.

McCoy had to watch the Dallas Cowboys in the Sunday night prime-time game.

"Scouting mission," the Philadelphia Eagles star running back told USA TODAY Sports. "I've got to do some homework."

The Eagles, who disposed of the Tennessee Titans, 43-24, can finally talk about the Cowboys.

The much-anticipated showdown at JerryWorld on Thanksgiving Day will be the first of two matchups in 18 days that will go far in determining the NFC East title.

All things Eagles: Latest Philadelphia Eagles news, schedule, roster, stats, injury updates and more.

A neat subplot for Thursday: Last year's rushing champ, McCoy, will be on the same field as this season's NFL rushing leader, DeMarco Murray. The formula for victory by either team could flow through the big-time running back.

"Ahhhh!" McCoy responded excitedly when the subplot is mentioned. "I didn't think about that yet."

He's impressed by Murray, who set an NFL record by becoming the first player to open a season with eight consecutive 100-yard games. No one can appreciate that mark like another runner.

"I respect him a whole lot," McCoy said. "He's a heck of a player. But I knew that before this season."

Then McCoy paused and added, "It's going to be a battle."

The last time McCoy played at AT&T Stadium, in last season's regular-season finale, he ran roughshod over Dallas with 131 yards on 27 carries to help the Eagles seize the winner-take-all contest for the NFC East title and to put the final stamp on a 1,607-yard season that earned him the NFL rushing crown.

Interestingly, McCoy had a game against the Titans that was more reflective of his campaign last year than it was of the inconsistent production of this season.

With 130 yards on 21 carries, McCoy notched just his third 100-yard game of a season that has also included 22-, 17- and 19-yard games. Entering Sunday, he averaged a career-low 3.7 yards per carry.

It's unfair to read too much into comparing McCoy's output last season to this season. The offensive line — which had all five starters start all 16 games and combine to play 97% of the snaps last season — has struggled with injuries this season.

Even before quarterback Nick Foles suffered a broken collarbone, the rhythm in a passing game that no longer contains playmaker DeSean Jackson sputtered.

McCoy hates comparing the numbers to last year — although it's striking that he averaged 19.6 carries per game in 2013, and has averaged 19.7 through 11 games this season — and teammates are quick to have his back on the matter.

"I think people get wrapped up in the standard we set, so they're trying to make it a big deal," said McCoy, who averaged 5.1 yards per rush in 2013. "But it's more than one person. It's not all on the line. It's me, too. It's not all on me. It's them, too.

"Everybody wants to make that the biggest topic, instead of the fact that we're winning games."

On Sunday, the Eagles (8-3) won with the consistency in the rushing attack that can win when the weather turns colder and the competition is intensified by the playoffs.

Never mind that they shredded a defense that ranks 31st against the run and was ripped for more than 200 yards on Monday night by Steelers back Le'Veon Bell.

At this point, the Eagles need to take it wherever they can get it, and build from there.

They need McCoy to ignite a consistent rushing attack that they can rely on down the stretch. With the O-line as healthy as it's been, this could come together at the perfect time.

Follow Jarrett Bell on Twitter @JarrettBell.

Featured Weekly Ad