The Dallas Cowboys (8-3) host division rivals the Philadelphia Eagles (8-3) in their traditional Thanksgiving Day game with the NFC East division on the line.

Both teams have potent high-powered offenses that can move the ball, with the Eagles averaging 411.8 yards per game (fourth in the league) and the Cowboys putting up 387.3 yards per game (sixth), and can score in bunches. Philadelphia is ranked third in the league in points per game (31.1) while the Cowboys are seventh (26.5).

The running game is a huge part of both offenses, points out Fox Deportes analyst and former Green Bay Packer linebacker Brady Poppinga. Both teams like to run the ball, but there are huge differences in how the Eagles and Cowboys go about business when it comes to their rushing attack. The Eagles rely on LeSean McCoy, who has 859 yards for the season and is averaging 4.0 yards per carry while Dallas wears teams down with the National Football League's (NFL) leading rusher, DeMarco Murray -- who has 1354 yards for the season, averaging 5.1 yards per carry and has seven touchdowns for the year.

"Both teams are going to want to run the ball, but there is a contrast in styles," said Poppinga to Latin Post.com. "The Eagles depend on speed and agility while the Cowboys have a power running game. Whoever can impose their style will likely win the game."

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Mark Sanchez has stepped in at quarterback for the injured Nick Foles, who broke his clavicle in the Eagles Week 9 victory over the Houston Texans. Sanchez has played well, resurrecting his career in the City of Brotherly Love after a tumultuous stint with the New York Jets despite two AFC Championship appearances.

Sanchez is averaging 328.3 yards per game and thrown for five touchdowns since taking over for Foles, including a solid performance against the Tennessee Titans on Sunday. Sanchez went 30-for-43 for 307 yards in the Eagles' 43-24 win over the Titans and will look to exorcise the demons from his last Thanksgiving Day performance -- the infamous "Butt Fumble" game between the Jets and the New England Patriots.

Poppinga believes that Philly head coach Chip Kelly's fast-paced offense is better suited for Sanchez's talents than the system used by Rex Ryan in New York.

"The biggest change in Sanchez is that he's playing in a system that uses his talents better," said Poppinga. "His talents have remained the same. He can use his agility in [Philadelphia's] system more than he did in the New York Jets' system. He is athletic, he is mobile and he uses those talents with the Eagles, moving around in the pocket. The other thing is that he is throwing short passes in the Eagles' system. He has to make quick decisions so he is not holding on to the ball for a long time. With the Jets, it's a much more different offense than Chip Kelly's. He had to make long throws, wait for his receivers to shake their defenders and get open. They're two completely different [offensive] systems. He's playing in a system that fits him better."

Dallas quarterback Tony Romo is also trying get critics off his back. Romo has thrown for seven touchdowns and no interceptions, including coming back against the New York Giants, going 18-for-26 for 275 yards and four touchdowns, including a game-winning drive that ended with Romo tossing the game-winning touchdown to Dez Bryant for the 31-28 victory.

While Romo may not be putting up gaudy regular-season numbers, the Cowboys are looking like a more complete team thanks to Murray and an offensive line that is giving Romo great pocket protection.

"Romo feels a lot more liberated this season because he doesn't have to do it all. He doesn't have to put the team on his shoulders anymore," said Poppinga. "He can hand off the ball to DeMarco Murray to do what he does best. And that offensive line? Wow, very impressive. They're not just good run blockers but they're a big help in the passing game. Look at what they did on Sunday for Romo against the Giants. Tony Romo had enough to time to cook a meal, have some tea and throw a touchdown on that last drive. The offensive line is giving Tony Romo and the offense a lot of versatility."

Predictions

A lot of people are waiting for Dallas to start their late-season swoon that usually ends with the Cowboys finishing the season with .500 record. Yet with Romo doing less work and Murray having a career year behind possibly the best offensive line in the NFL, the haters may have to hold off on skewering Romo at least until the playoffs.

Sanchez has found new life in Philly under Kelly's frenetic offense that keeps opposing defenses off-balance. But he has shown shades of the old Jets' "Sanchize" tendencies, having thrown four interceptions in his last two games. If the Cowboys can grind out the ball with their running game, keeping Sanchez and the Eagles' offense off the field, while forcing Sanchez to revert into old habits, the Cowboys should take control of the NFC East, setting up for a huge match-up in Week 15 at Philadelphia that may decide the division title.

TV Schedule & How to Watch

The Philadelphia Eagles-Dallas Cowboys Thanksgiving game can be seen live 4:30 p.m. on FOX (English) and FOX Deportes (Spanish) as well as online on the NFL Mobile app, FOX Sports Go app and DirecTV Sunday Ticket.

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