The expectation we have for the Eagles is different than the reality of the situation through six games. A befuddling 2-4 record, rampant inconsistency and the inability to hold leads has held this football team back to date.

There is a goal, though, and it is one that must be reached week after week for the Eagles to make a legitimate run deep into the playoffs and even beyond: 60 minutes of outstanding, consistent football. It is attainable. We have seen glimpses. The talent across the board on this team is apparent.

So how to reach that level and keep it there?

One way is to score early, and that is something the Eagles have not done. They are 53-13 in the Andy Reid era when they score on their first offensive drive in games, including 7-0 last season. This year? Zippo. Nothing. Nada. No points in six opening drives.

In fact, the Eagles are one of only two NFL teams (Cleveland is the only) that hasn't scored on an opening offensive drive. It's mind-boggling considering the success the team has had in recent years scoring. Last season's 49 points -- touchdowns in seven different games -- ranked second in the league behind New Orleans. In 2009, the Eagles scored 51 points on opening drives -- six touchdowns and three field goals -- and went 8-1 in those games. Those 51 points tied the Saints for most points on opening drives.

Why the drought now? There is no explaining it. The Eagles are aggressive coming out of the gates. They certainly don't hesitate to throw the ball down the field and challenge the defense right away. It works as often as it doesn't, and at the very least it sends a message.

This season, the Eagles have moved the ball well at times to open the game. In Week 2 in Atlanta, the offense reached Atlanta territory but failed to convert on a third-and-1 play at the Falcons 41-yard line and had to punt. They marched right down the field against New York all the way to the 19-yard line and then Michael Vick threw a pass to an open Steve Smith and the pass bounced off of his hands ... and was intercepted.

In Buffalo, the Eagles converted a fourth-and-1 in Bills territory and were on the move. But then Vick tried to get the ball to LeSean McCoy on a screen pass and the ball was tipped and intercepted and, well, you know how it went on that dreary day.

Maybe, then, the Eagles need to start great to play great. They've done it in the past, so why can't they do it now?

"We can do it, but we have to limit our mistakes and take advantage of plays when they are presented to us," said wide receiver Jeremy Maclin. "You look back and see the film and we have just made too many mistakes. The plays are there to be made."

The good teams start fast and finish strong and the Eagles have done neither. They're going to need to reverse that against a good Dallas team that comes to town on Sunday. Fall behind to Dallas and the Cowboys can run the time off the clock and tear a quarterback apart with that pass rush. Allow Dallas to gain momentum late in a game and you are subject to some premier big-play makers.

While the Eagles offense is as innovative and dangerous as any in the league, the group has yet to use a no-huddle approach in times other than in need. Why not? Other teams have taken advantage of defenses by employing the no-huddle from time to time. Perhaps that would be an effective way to add some adrenaline to the offense's bloodstream from the very start.

More than likely, though, it's going to take some old-fashioned fundamental football to get the offense on the scoring track early in this game. Dallas plays at an extremely high tempo and they like to get into a race game with any offense out there. The Eagles have to block and they have to catch the football and protect it and move the chains. They have to be physical.

And they have to start fast. They must get the crowd at Lincoln Financial Field on its feet from the very start of the game and keep it that way. To do so, an early score -- a first-possession score -- would be a huge, huge boost.