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I have a bad feeling about the Cowboys-Packers next weekend.. I don't see the Cowboys pulling out a win.. GB scored 38 against the Giants, which translates to 55 against us. Originally Posted by Chung Tran

Based on what...? Today's result? <snicker>
Stay tuned, Tran...I'll prove in the next day or so that today's win (GB over NY) doesn't mean diddly squat. In case you've not been payin' attention, this ain't Lomabardi's Packers, bro....

Based on what...? Today's result? <snicker>
Stay tuned, Tran...I'll prove in the next day or so that today's win (GB over NY) doesn't mean diddly squat. In case you've not been payin' attention, this ain't Lomabardi's Packers, bro.... Originally Posted by Chateau Becot

We need to keep Greenbay's offense off the field the best we can with our running game. I hope if our running game struggles a bit early that they don't bail on it prematurely.

Little concerned about our secondary to. It was a strength but now Scandrick is banged up, Church wheres a big forearm cast and Claiborne's first game back after a serious groin injury.

I think Dak's running ability might be a good X factor in this game. I feel pretty good about the game but after 20 years of the boys not having what it takes I don't trust it. As they say in Missouri "show me".

I have to agree with Chung ..... I don't have a good feeling about the Cowboys-Packers matchup ..... I don't think the Packers have lost a game since Dallas beat them and they certainly are on a roll now ..... getting sacks on Rodgers will be the key ..... the Giants couldn't get to him and on some plays it seemed he had 10 seconds in the pocket to throw ..... and he's a master at slipping away from the pass rush and buying time to find his receivers ..... on offence the Cowboys have to sustain drives, get maximum points out of their red-zone opportunities, and PLEASE no stupid drive-killing penalties ..... oh and one last thing ..... if Rodgers tosses up a hail mary at the end of the first half or late in the game, for gods sake please have fifteen defenders in the end zone and at least jump up and attempt to make a play on the ball! .....

I don't have a good feeling about the Cowboys-Packers matchup ..... I don't think the Packers have lost a game since Dallas beat them and they certainly are on a roll now ..... getting sacks on Rodgers will be the key ..... the Giants couldn't get to him and on some plays it seemed he had 10 seconds in the pocket to throw ..... Originally Posted by 00 gauge

First off, the loss to the Cowboys on Week 5 was the Packers second loss of the season. After beating the Bears the following week, Green Bay then went on to lose FOUR consecutive games afterwards (weeks 7 thru 10) before going on their current win streak:

@ Atlanta 32-31
Indianapolis 31-26
@ Tennessee 47-25
@ Washington 42-24

The significance of that stretch is that 3 of those four teams did not even go on to make the playoffs (ie: they are NOT great teams at all). Take note...in each contest, these teams put up H U G E offensive numbers vs Green Bay's defense. For instance:

Versus the Titans, Tenn QB Marriota threw for 292 yds / 4 TDS. In tandem, DeMarco rushed for another 123 yds and a TD (TENN totaled 154 yds on the ground). On the other side of the ball, Rodgers was harassed all day tossing 2 INT's while being sacked 5 times.

In the Washington game, Kirk Cousins threw for 375 yds and 3 TDs (receivers Garcon had 116 yds TD, Crowder had 102 yds TD)....in addition to Cousins terrific day, Robert (wtf!) Kelley (the 'Skins back up ROOKIE RB) rushed for 151 yds and 3 TD's in this game, as well!

After that game, Rodgers issued his (no famous) "I think we can run the table" remark. Let's examine that stretch, k? (see follow up post...)

Dallas' defense is average so our better chances of beating them is with our offense but to do that we MUST keep Greenbay's offense off the field the best we can with our running game. Of course Greenbay knows this and is absolutely preparing their game plan to shut down our running game so I really really think Dak's running ability needs to be utilized in this game as an X factor with explicit instructions not to get himself hurt.

I actually feel pretty good about this game and am going out on a limb to predict a Dallas victory.

This has got to be the most interesting and intriguing playoff game of the weekend. The rookies against the best QB in the NFL that is on a great roll (yes I know it's a team game).

In Vegas the Cowboys are favored by approximately -4, and approximately 2 of those points are because they are at home.

The Cowboys defensive backfield is not close to 100% and against Rogers as hot as he is right now that is very troubling. I learned a long time ago that if you bet against AR you better have 10 extremely good reason to do so and then you better think about it some more. He's confident, he's in a zone, he's getting protection, there is no way in hell I would bet against him. (yes I know it's a team game).

I'd have to say Packers. -4 seems like a lot of points to me, I wouldn't be surprised to see that come down to -3 before game time.

I have to agree with Chung ..... Originally Posted by 00 gauge

Here's the thing....Chung sees most if not ALL things as "glass half full". I on the other hand happen to be a "half glass FULL" kinda guy.

As a preface, when Aaron made his "we can run the table" remark, he based that on the feeling he had at the time about the NFC North.

He knew the Vikings were sliding (ie: their 5-0 start was a mirage)....and that the Lions were...well, they were the Lions, of course. He prolly felt, worst case scenario, an 8-8 record might be good enuff to win the division. That would give his Packers (4-6 at the time) margin for error (vs HOU and SEA loomed) even if his claim seemed unrealistic considering their current state.

As we now know they went on to sweep the remaining schedule (winning 6 straight to finish first, 10-6)...and come into Dallas this week with commanding seven game win streak after smacking the Giants last Sunday.

Let's examine that stretch for a sec...take a look at the offensive rankings per each team they played (and beat) and see if anything sticks out....

(NFL Offensive Ranking / Final Score):
@ (22) Eagles 27-13
(29) Texans 21-13
(12) Seahags 38-10
@ (15) Bears 30-27
(28) Vikes 38-25
@ (21) Lions 31-24
(25) Giants 38-13

Numbers don't lie. Not one game was played against a Top 10 (let alone a Top 5) offensive unit.

Oh btw....the Seattle game served as a reminder that the Seahags can be vulnerable away from The Home of the Twelve. Russell Wilson threw 5 INT's against that porous Packer secondary that day...

Bottomline...none of these teams really had a running game to move the sticks...control the clock...keep Rodgers on the sidelines. Their demise was giving Rodgers more clock, more possessions and that's a formula for failure.
(***the Texans were the highest ranked, 8th in the league rushing the ball. Packers stacked the box that night and stuffed Lamar Miller at the line of scrimmage...knowing full well Osweiller was no threat to beat them over the top due to his inconsistent play).

>>>

That's why this game is so interesting, both teams have their strong and not so strong points. Turnovers and adjustments are always a huge factor. The Packers have a better turnover ratio but not by an huge amount.

I would trust the Packers QB and coaching staff to make better adjustments than the Cowboys. That's a big reason NFL rookie QB's have a poor winning percentage during their first playoff game, although Dak has not played like an average rookie.

Rogers in a dome with a perfect field, no wind, and feeling good. Yikes! That just something I want to stay away from. AR dosen't talk very much and if he starts talking "smack" I don't want any part of it.

This will be a very good opportunity to see what our offensive coordinator (and head coach) is made of. I hope he shines. On the other hand we might hope our running game can simply ground and pound our way to a victory with Zeke which wouldn't require allot of offensive ingenuity. I will take that. Old school. Love it!

On another note, if things aren't going in our favor the first half, please, please, please Dallas, use your brains and make some halftime adjustments for once. Calling Garret. Do you have what it takes?

More Fun Facts:

If the early reports we're receiving are correct (WR Jordy Nelson, broken / fractured ribs) that's more than significant news (if he cannot suit up).

Take a look at Nelson's numbers for the season:

REC(97) TGTS(152) YDS(1,257) AV/RCP (13.0 yds) TDS(14)

Jordy finished the season as the NFL's 6th ranked W/R (per yards); however #1 per all receivers with 14 TD's. Huge loss if he cannot be in their line up; that cannot be understated.

Next up would be WR2 Davante Adams and WR3 Randall Cobb (slot) to fill in:

ADAM'S SEASON
REC(75) TGTS(121) YDS(997) AV/RCP(13.3) TDS(12)

COBB'S SEASON
REC(60) TGTS(84) YDS(610) AV/RCP(10.2) TDS(4)

Rodgers receivers are all more than capable of making up for a lackluster Packer ground game (Ty Montgomery, converted WR is their tailback).

Dallas ranks #2 running the ball (150 ypg) behind super-rookie, Zeke Elliot vs GB, 20th (106 ypg). They make no bones about it...their offense lives and dies by Rodgers arm (and legs!) Constant pressure on him all day will be paramount if the Cowboys are to be victorious. That's a "Captain Obvious" statement....but in a nutshell, that's what it'll come down to.

Yes I agree that having to prepare for defending just Adams and Cobb makes a huge difference ..... the Packers have no running game to speak of so if Marinelli can disguise/draw up some blitzes ( here's hoping David Irving has a monster game and makes Roger's evening a miserable one ) so the secondary doesn't have to chase the Packers receivers for 10 seconds like the Giants had to ..... and oh by the way ..... weren't the Giants with their billion dollar defensive linemen they signed, wouldn't you think they could have put more pressure on Rogers? ..... I mean I know Rogers has moves good enough to make the next Dancing With the Stars lineup ..... but I have a hard time believing the Packers offensive line doesn't have a couple of holes in it ..... and it sure would be nice to have a completely healthy secondary available for the game so that worries me a little bit, too .....

Wildcard Weekend has come and gone (by the way...none of the W/C teams advanced; both conference's 4 & 5 seeds have been eliminated. So...no Cinderella this year).

Side note: all four of this weekend's Divisional Playoff games are rematches from the regular season.

CURRENT POINT SPREADS (per this writing, of course):

Seattle (+4.5) @ Atlanta

Houston (+16) @ New England

Pittsburgh (+1.5) @ Kansas City

Green Bay (+4) @ Dallas

CURRENT (to win) SUPER BOWL ODDS:
(payout per $100 bet)

New England +165 (33 to 20)

Dallas +450 (9 to 2)

Atlanta +750 (15 to 2)

Green Bay +800 (8 to 1)

Pittsburgh +800 (8 to 1)

Kansas City +850 (17 to 2)

Seattle +1300 (13 to 1)

Houston +8000 (80 to 1)


Should be interesting.

Go Cowboys!!!

Cowboys win! I can feel it. Marinelli & Linehan, show us what you got. Are you two ready for prime time??

Marinelli & Linehan, show us what you got. Are you two ready for prime time?? Originally Posted by camero73

I've a theory....

THE RULE OF 100.

We know how that "rule" applies to those in the hobby.....this, however, is what I believe should be the Cowboy's game plan for the entirety of the playoffs:

It's time for Garrett & Cowboy OC Scott Linehan to put the burden on the teams' biggest strength. And that would be the top draft choices of the past 5-6 years: the Offensive Line and RB, Zeke Elliot. If we truly have 4 first-team ALL PROS within that group, its eminent they lead the way. If effective, the play-action passing game for Dak & Da Boys Receiving Corps will have plenty of opportunities then. But...it starts with the running game.

I heard an interesting stat on the NFL Network this week...."Since the merger (1970) teams are 58-0 when their key running back ran the ball 30 times or more in a playoff game". Let that sink in for a second.

I thought to myself..."Is Elliott capable of handling a workload of 33.3+ touches per game over the next three games?" The answer is a resounding Yes, no question. He's young...he's strong...and more than capable to handle the pounding.

Dallas makes no secret of the fact they want to run the football and control the clock. It reduces the opponent's total (amount of) possession per game....and when facing a white-hot QB like Rodgers is, that would directly impact the final score.

Two, your defense is stronger / fresher come the 4th quarter...when it will be counted on the most to maintain the lead (or) get the ball back should the final score be in the balance.

So, there it is....Rule of 100.
100 touches for Zeke over the next 21 days and the Cowboys are (more than likely) the next Super Bowl Champs.