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An even matchup all the way through...
After looking over the specifics of this game, you really won't find a more even matchup in an NFL playoff game. First, let's look statistically:
Let's start with rush defense: Minnesota is ranked 2nd giving up 87.1 yards a game. Dallas is ranked fourth at about 90 yards a game - a 3 yard difference. Passing defense - again both teams are close right in the middle of the pack with Minnesota giving up 218 yards a game to Dallas giving up 225.
On offense? Well, passing offense Dallas is 8th and Minnesota is 9th at 280 yards and 275 yards respectively. On rushing offense Dallas has a slight edge being ranked 7th with Minnesota ranked 13th. However, only about 12 yards a game creates that separation and any team with Adrian Peterson and the Minnesota offensive line I think can be called a strong running attack.
So, the statistical paper matchup is pretty much dead even. If you look at personnel and how they matchup it is also shockingly even. Dallas can counter the WR depth at Minnesota of Sydney Rice, Percy Harvin and Bernard Berrian with Mike Jenkins, Terrence Newman and Orlando Scandrick. Dallas has a dominant pass rusher in Demarcus Ware - Minnesota has Jared Allen. Dallas has a charismatic, highly skilled QB in Romo - Minnesota has all of that and more (experience) with Brett Farve. They have Adiran Peterson - we have our 3 headed monster in Barber, Jones and Choice.
You can sit here and go on and on comparing these teams and not have one come out ahead. Dallas finished strong in the regular season - Minnesota stumbled a little but then finished out their last game strong and are playing at home today.
So the bottom line is this - the old cliche will be trotted out today but probably has never been more true. The team that makes the fewest mistakes will win this game. Both teams will be hungry and the energy will be high - whoever channels that energy into top flight performance instead of nervous fear (think Donovan McNabb, sorry Philly fans) will win the game.
As some of you may or may not know, I grew up with Brett Favre, went to college with him and have known him for years. I always wish him well and today I will not change that wish. Today my wish is that the best team - the team who is more prepared and executes the best - will win the game because that team will have earned it...
To the Dallas Cowboys: today, you have the chance to earn your way to the NFC championship game - don't waste it!!!! As Wade Phillips has told the team a few times this week - you WILL not get another chance this year and MAY not get another chance for a long time...
But having said that - I will end with a strong GO COWBOYS! TAKE ADVANTAGE of this opportunity and make us as fans proud!
We are on the same page -
We are on the same page - completely. It would be hard to imagine, after all the negativity of 13 years without a playoff win, the Cowboys would be overconfident, and actually look past the Vikings, but with everybody in the world saying how great you are, it has to get into your head a little bit.
This year's team seems a little too level-headed to let that happen.
Having said that, they don't need to feel intimidated, either. Minnesota is very good, but Dallas can play with these guys. They will make their plays, just don't let it snowball. Vikings fans are probably thinking the same thing, because either one of these teams has the talent to win this in a blow-out.
That's not what I expect. I expect it to be close, and think the Cowboys just need to stay patient, play their game, and look for the winning opportunities. I'm thinking something a lot more like the first Eagles game than the next two. Romo got sacked four times that day, the crowd was hyped up, rushing yards were tough to come by, and the Cowboys trailed in the fourth quarter.
Garrett was patient, Romo was patient, the team tied it with a FG, then went ahead for good on a long strike to Miles Austin. It was Austin's only catch that day, but he was patient, too - running his routes, blocking downfield, and waiting for his opportunity.