AP Wilner: Linemen for Patriots, 'Boys, Falcons, Bears throw impressive block parties

[WoodysGirl]

By Barry Wilner (CP) – 29 minutes ago

It's hard to look right past a large group of 300-pound men, yet that's what most football fans do.

You won't catch the quarterbacks or running backs ignoring their offensive linemen, though, and several performances in the trenches this past week emphasize the importance of a solid blocking unit.

The Patriots, Cowboys and Bears, in particular, won on Sunday because of improved play by the OL. The Falcons showed how important a block party is during their comeback victory against Baltimore last Thursday.

Dallas carved up the Giants' usually efficient, sack-happy defence for a 33-20 victory in Jason Garrett's debut as Cowboys coach. That was a sharp contrast from the sieve that tried to protect Tony Romo in the team's previous meeting, when the Giants had three sacks and tons of pressures, and broke Romo's collarbone last month.

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