EXCLUSIVE: Eagles or Cowboys? Ex-Falcons HC Mike Smith picks which NFC team is currently the best
The Philadelphia Eagles and the Dallas Cowboys are enjoying outstanding campaigns. The Eagles are 10-1 and have the best record in the NFL this season, they are destined for the playoffs and maybe even a bye. At the same time, Dallas are 8-3 and looking better than they did last season when they finished 12-5.
The two divisional rivals are among the favorites to win the NFC, alongside the Minnesota Vikings and the San Francisco 49ers. All of whom are being tipped to represent the conference in the Super Bowl at the State Farm Stadium in February.
The 49ers just scored 13 points on their home field against a Saints defense that ranks 25th in points allowed this season
Yet, they have the 2nd-best odds to win the NFC... twitter.com/BetSided/statu…
The two teams have already met once this season. The Eagles won 26-17, however, Dak Prescott did not play in that game due to an injury. His backup Cooper Rush started the game and tossed three interceptions in the loss.
The two rivals will meet again later this year and are expected to meet in the playoffs as well. While time will tell which of the two teams is better, who are the current favorites?
Ex-Falcons head coach Mike Smith has given us his say. During last week's episode of Sportskeeda's BallFather podcast, hosted by Reggie Roberts, Smith said:
"The Cowboys are probably the best, you know. If the Cowboys are on their game, they're defensively they are tough to go up against. That {defensive] front for them can put pressure on the quarterback."
Why Mike Smith picked the Cowboys as the best team in the NFC
The Cowboys lead the league in sacks per game with 4.1. They've held opposing quarterbacks to an average passer rating of 85.7. Smith also praised Dallas for bouncing back from their surprise loss against the Packers by dismantling the Vikings 40-3. He said:
"The Cowboys had a very positive reset after that tough loss up in Green Bay. One of the things that we talk about why we have to reset is that if you're a team in the NFL and you can avoid back-to-back losses, you're going to be in you're gonna be in the conversation at the end of the year."
Smith also praised head coach Mike McCarthy. He was impressed with how they responded to that tough loss against the Packers:
A loss is a loss. You've got to reset and the Cowboys did that. And they did it on defense, they did it on offense. I think their special teams have been playing fantastic all year long. You know, Mike McCarthy and his staff, they had them prepared. And that was a dominating performance against the Minnesota Vikings. I mean, [the Vikings] didn't know what hit him."
The Cowboys proceeded to beat the high-flying New York Giants 28-20 on Sunday. Their next three opponents are teams that currently have a losing record. Their final three games of the season will see them take on the Eagles, the Tennessee Titans, and the Washington Commanders.
Smith believes Dallas' schedule in December will prove whether they are worthy of being christened as the best team in the NFC this season:
"Let's let it play out. And you know, hey, December 1st is about when the pretenders go away, and the contenders show up."
Watch the entire episode below of the BallFather podcast below:
With the season entering the final stretch, it will be interesting to see who comes out on top.
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