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View Full Version : ESPN Scouts: Cowboys-Vikings: 10 observations


WoodysGirl
10-13-2010, 06:26 PM
By Doug Kretz
Scouts Inc.

Scouts Inc. Position Advantage
QB RB WR OL DL LB DB ST Coach
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1. Dallas needs to play smart football: The Cowboys have committed more fouls than the average in most categories, but not by a large number.

2. Bring a pressure package: Minnesota will be playing this game with a short week to prepare, plus the Vikings are still trying to get new players (WR Randy Moss (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?playerId=1433)) familiar with their offense.

3. Protect the football: This could end up being a turnover-prone game as both the Cowboys and Vikings are ranked near the bottom in turnover ratio.

4. Pound the rock: The Cowboys can be one of the most efficient offenses in the NFL when the play-action fake causes the secondary to pause for a second. QB Tony Romo (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?playerId=5209) is one of the better quarterbacks in the league at selling the play-action fake, but when teams don't have to respect the run, you lose the advantage.

5. Matchup to watch: Dallas WR Miles Austin (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?playerId=10147) versus Minnesota CB Antoine Winfield (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?playerId=1775): Austin is leading the Cowboys with 31 receptions and 474 receiving yards and gives Dallas its best shot at making explosive plays and putting a quick six on the scoreboard.

6. Play a lot of games up front defensively: The Cowboys' offensive line has struggled, especially in pass protection. RG Leonard Davis (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?playerId=2550), in particular, has been the focus of a lot of deserved criticism.

7. Get RB Adrian Peterson (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?playerId=10452) on track early: While this team is built around QB Brett Favre (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?playerId=112) and his ability to throw downfield, the Vikings need to get their ground game on track if they want to give Favre time in the pocket.

8. Look for multiple-personnel packages in the secondary: Vikings CB Cedric Griffin (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?playerId=9634) (knee) is out for the season, which will hurt an already-depleted secondary.

9. Spread the ball around more: In Monday night's game, Favre threw 80 percent of his passes to three players --WRs Percy Harvin (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?playerId=12569) and Randy Moss were targeted 10 times each and TE Visanthe Shiancoe (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?playerId=4549) had seven passes thrown his way.

10. Matchup to watch: Minnesota DE Jared Allen (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?playerId=5651) versus Dallas LT Doug Free (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?playerId=10565): Allen, generally considered one of the top defensive ends in the league, has been rather quiet this season.

Predictionhttp://a.espncdn.com/i/teamlogos/nfl/med/trans/min.gif (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/clubhouse?team=min)Dallas 24
Minnesota 27

Read pay site: http://insider.espn.go.com/nfl/scouting?gameId=301017016