One reason I don’t get too high or too low for these rivalry match-ups is my realization that the entire league is a watered-down mess this year. Parity is a two-way street. It explains how the Eagles could get embarrassed by the Redskins but yet dom the once-undefeated Vikings.

Now the smarticles in my feeble brain scan the known NFL universe— we took over the Vikings game at home when we blasted home off the edge on defense against two back-up tackles—but against Dallas, the same approach may have different results. The Cowboys’ offensive line is several cuts above Minnesota’s.

Unless we adjust our defensive approach, the Dallas offensive line may have the last laugh. I base this premise on the fact that the Dallas offensive line is the real deal. Their big idea is to run-block you into submission, to beat you down one chunk of energy at a time. You may stop the run here and there, but they’ll keep running at you until you gasp for a breather and tap out.

Here’s how Charles Curtis of USA Today sums up the force of nature faced by the Eagles on Sunday:

“The NFL’s rushing leader through Week 7  shouldn’t be that big of a surprise. That’s because it’s Dallas Cowboys rookie Ezekiel Elliot, who runs behind the best offensive line in the entire league.

“How good is it? Cincinnati Bengals cornerback Adam Jones told ESPN last week “some of the holes [they create] are so wide open that my little girl could run through there.”

“Even though we’re just seven weeks into the 2016 season, it’s time to give the entire Cowboys line our weekly award for excellence. Here’s what they did against the Bengals to earn it and help Elliott total 134 yards on the ground:

Here’s an Elliott run early in the first in which two linemen pull around to the left and give the rookie enough room to squeeze through for a first down. They’re a mobile bunch, aren’t they?

Later in that same drive, Elliott scores with ease when Zack Martin plows through a Bengals lineman and locks up Rey Maualuga. A huge hole for Elliott to run through.

Remember what Jones said above? Check this play out: With the Cowboys up 21-0 early in the third quarter, Elliott gets the ball and looks up to see this situation. There’s all kinds of room at the line of scrimmage, but he’s also got blockers ready to engulf the Bengals’ linebackers. Want to guess the result? Yup, a 60-yard touchdown as Elliott splits through the safeties, too.

Tom Ryle of Dallas’ SBNation site is not giving away any big secrets:

“There’s no real secret about the plan the Dallas Cowboys have used in their 5-1 start for this season. They are going to use a physical, nearly unstoppable running game to control the ball and the clock. That will set up the passing game to exploit things if the opponent stacks the box to stop them on the ground. It is an offense that is designed to play with a lead, which in turn will benefit the defense, making their job simpler as the other team has to rely more and more on throwing the ball to catch up. While the Cowboys have proven they can come from behind, overcoming a 14-point deficit against the San Francisco 49ers earlier this year, they much prefer to get on the board first, and have in five of the six games so far this season.”

What the current Dallas “Big Uglies” blueprint does is exploit the way other teams are built defensively. For years, the trend has been towards defensive speed to stop the pass. Edge rushers, linebackers, and defensive backs have gotten faster and faster, but have necessarily given up some pure strength. The Cowboys counter that with power. Their offensive line often just runs over the defense. Often the line of scrimmage moves two or three yards forward before the running back even gets to it. When you add in a player like Ezekiel Elliott who is superb at getting yards after contact, and who can still outrun almost any defender on the field, you have a run game that can take over a contest, especially late and playing with a lead.

Tom Ryle: “In a sense, Dallas has executed a major zig while the rest of the NFL is zagging. They have put a balanced power offense out there to face quick defenses built to stop the pass. It is not unlikely that other teams will try to follow their lead – it is a copycat league. But doing so effectively is another matter. Remember, it has taken five-plus years to implement this. And it has required a unified approach by the front office in bringing in the right personnel as well as the installation and execution by the coaches.”

In case you’re wondering, here is the Dallas Cowboys’ offensive line depth chart:

You know, it’s funny to me, but of all the vaunted Cowboys’ linemen, I still think Doug Free is most vulnerable to our Eagles point of attack defensively. Besides Tyron Smith, Free is probably the biggest name on that line. I think Jim Schwartz will cook something up real tasty to get to Free.  Weird thought, but it would be advantage Eagles to force Dak Prescott to roll to his left… Don’t mind me, I’m pitching backwards tonight!
*   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *

BRISUKSEGG Fantasy Football Update:
Recent League Activity:

• • Oct 268:56 AM
  • SPIF dropped Steve Smith Sr., Bal to W
    SPIF added Cordarrelle Patterson, Min from FA to BE
• • Oct 267:09 AM
  • HO dropped Brian Hoyer*, Chi to W
    HO added Ty Montgomery, GB from FA to BE
• • Oct 264:37 AM
  • ATV added Jets D/ST, NYJ from W to BE
    ATV dropped Victor Cruz, NYG to W
• • Oct 264:37 AM
  • TBON dropped Jaron Brown*, Ari to W
    TBON added Anquan Boldin, Det from W to BE
• • Oct 264:37 AM
  • TAM dropped Knile Davis, GB to W
    TAM added Devontae Booker, Den from W to BE
• • Oct 264:37 AM
  • ATV added Jacquizz Rodgers, TB from W to BE
    ATV dropped Kenny Britt, LA to W
• • Oct 264:37 AM
  • TBON dropped Mike Nugent, Cin to W
    TBON added Jack Doyle, Ind from W to BE
• • Oct 264:37 AM
  • Funt dropped Austin Hooper, Atl to W
    Funt added Brandon McManus, Den from W to BE
• • Oct 264:37 AM
  • DP dropped Danny Amendola, NE to W
    DP added Jason Witten, Dal from W to BE

Week 7 Results:

Standings: