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The Dallas Cowboys have a plan to defeat the Denver Broncos this Sunday. But four other teams had a plan to beat Denver as well. None of it has worked so far, due to one player: Peyton Manning.
The best analogy for how Manning is playing right now would be Kahn in the latest Star Trek remake. Kahn is a genetically superior human who seemingly has no flaws, physically or mentally. At one point, he is volunteering himself to carry out a mission and the question is asked “Why you?”, to which he answers, “Because I’m better” Kirk asks “At what?” and Kahn says “Everything”.
This is Peyton Manning in world of NFL quarterbacking at this moment. He is just better. At everything.
Manning has 16 touchdowns, zero interceptions, almost 1,500 yards and a 75 percent completion percentage. His quarterback rating is 138. No player in the history of the league has played this well through four games.
At this point, if it was revealed that he was from another planet, I'm not sure anyone would be surprised.
He’s better. At everything.
Or is he? What is the one thing Manning can’t do well?
Run!
So there it is. It comes down to this for any team facing Manning. Can you get to him before he counter-punches with a throw to the opening you just created? You want to blitz with your middle linebacker? Better get there before he throws it to Wes Welker in the slot, because he’s going right into the void your ‘backer created.
Want to bring a corner blitz? Better get there first. Whatever the approach, the defense that beats Manning will need to attack with overwhelming force and hope for some dropped passes as well.
The other option is to outscore the Broncos. But that would require Romo and the Cowboys brain-trust to break free of their self-constraining offense.
It would mean rolling the dice and attacking with some of the younger up and comers, not just relying on Dez Bryant, Jason Witten and a smattering of throws to Terrance Williams.
Romo has been criticized by some for not throwing enough to Bryant, but there should be better options than forcing the ball to a double-covered Bryant or dumping it off yet again to Witten.
Lance Dunbar, Cole Beasley, Dwayne Harris and Williams should all be catching passes.
If that sounds like a spread offense, then you’re right. You want to keep up with Manning, you better start the game in the spread. If you’re lucky enough to have a lead and the ball in the final two minutes, then you can switch back to your multiple tight end package.
The bottom line is, Manning and the Broncos are just too good for teams to line up and play them like a normal opponent.
Rather than playing not-to-loose, Jason Garrett will have to green-light a plan that involves pulling out all the stops, taking risks on offense and defense and going for broke.
He’s going to have to insist on throwing deep balls and blitzing, because his team can’t sustain 10-play drives and it can’t cover quality receivers for more than two seconds.
In other words, Garrett would need to have some Captain Kirk in him.
Ultimately, Kahn was defeated in that latest Star Trek movie. He was brought down because Kirk and Spock risked everything and went for broke. Although Garrett sounds a bit like Spock in his press conferences, I don’t see a willingness to risk all in the quest for victory. I see a solid coach who is trying to keep his job.
Which means when Callahan presented his short pass, ball control game plan, Garrett most likely said “looks good”. And when Monte Kiffin presented his rush four play coverage game plan, Garrett most likely said “let's hope we can get pressure” and nodded in approval.
Like most analysts, I expect Dallas to lose by at least three touchdowns. It’s kind of like a lamb meekly walking to the slaughterhouse.
When you play not-to-lose against Manning, you lose anyway. The Broncos could very well go undefeated this season, because NFL coaches are generally pretty conservative. Most of them will try to win by methods that won’t make them look so bad in the highlight shows and are easy to defend in post game press conferences.
You can bet the Broncos organization is only too happy about this dynamic. As long as no one is willing to pull out all the stops and go for broke, they will continue dominated team after team.
The silver-lining for Dallas fans is that the Cowboys just need to get better each week and stay ahead of a putrid division. Dallas can continue to improve on offense as Williams and others get up to speed. But the Washington Commanders defense isn’t going to be improving as the season rolls on, the New York Giants have already buried themselves and Philadelphia Eagles are similarly bad.
So as Dallas fans watch their team lose with another conservative game plan, take heart that the division is still yours for the taking and keep a long-term view. Williams, Escobar, Beasley and Dunbar could become difference makers some day. If their coaches will give them a chance. Stay tuned.
Read more Dallas Cowboys news on BleacherReport.com
Continue reading...
The best analogy for how Manning is playing right now would be Kahn in the latest Star Trek remake. Kahn is a genetically superior human who seemingly has no flaws, physically or mentally. At one point, he is volunteering himself to carry out a mission and the question is asked “Why you?”, to which he answers, “Because I’m better” Kirk asks “At what?” and Kahn says “Everything”.
This is Peyton Manning in world of NFL quarterbacking at this moment. He is just better. At everything.
Manning has 16 touchdowns, zero interceptions, almost 1,500 yards and a 75 percent completion percentage. His quarterback rating is 138. No player in the history of the league has played this well through four games.
At this point, if it was revealed that he was from another planet, I'm not sure anyone would be surprised.
He’s better. At everything.
Or is he? What is the one thing Manning can’t do well?
Run!
So there it is. It comes down to this for any team facing Manning. Can you get to him before he counter-punches with a throw to the opening you just created? You want to blitz with your middle linebacker? Better get there before he throws it to Wes Welker in the slot, because he’s going right into the void your ‘backer created.
Want to bring a corner blitz? Better get there first. Whatever the approach, the defense that beats Manning will need to attack with overwhelming force and hope for some dropped passes as well.
The other option is to outscore the Broncos. But that would require Romo and the Cowboys brain-trust to break free of their self-constraining offense.
It would mean rolling the dice and attacking with some of the younger up and comers, not just relying on Dez Bryant, Jason Witten and a smattering of throws to Terrance Williams.
Romo has been criticized by some for not throwing enough to Bryant, but there should be better options than forcing the ball to a double-covered Bryant or dumping it off yet again to Witten.
Lance Dunbar, Cole Beasley, Dwayne Harris and Williams should all be catching passes.
If that sounds like a spread offense, then you’re right. You want to keep up with Manning, you better start the game in the spread. If you’re lucky enough to have a lead and the ball in the final two minutes, then you can switch back to your multiple tight end package.
The bottom line is, Manning and the Broncos are just too good for teams to line up and play them like a normal opponent.
Rather than playing not-to-loose, Jason Garrett will have to green-light a plan that involves pulling out all the stops, taking risks on offense and defense and going for broke.
He’s going to have to insist on throwing deep balls and blitzing, because his team can’t sustain 10-play drives and it can’t cover quality receivers for more than two seconds.
In other words, Garrett would need to have some Captain Kirk in him.
Ultimately, Kahn was defeated in that latest Star Trek movie. He was brought down because Kirk and Spock risked everything and went for broke. Although Garrett sounds a bit like Spock in his press conferences, I don’t see a willingness to risk all in the quest for victory. I see a solid coach who is trying to keep his job.
Which means when Callahan presented his short pass, ball control game plan, Garrett most likely said “looks good”. And when Monte Kiffin presented his rush four play coverage game plan, Garrett most likely said “let's hope we can get pressure” and nodded in approval.
Like most analysts, I expect Dallas to lose by at least three touchdowns. It’s kind of like a lamb meekly walking to the slaughterhouse.
When you play not-to-lose against Manning, you lose anyway. The Broncos could very well go undefeated this season, because NFL coaches are generally pretty conservative. Most of them will try to win by methods that won’t make them look so bad in the highlight shows and are easy to defend in post game press conferences.
You can bet the Broncos organization is only too happy about this dynamic. As long as no one is willing to pull out all the stops and go for broke, they will continue dominated team after team.
The silver-lining for Dallas fans is that the Cowboys just need to get better each week and stay ahead of a putrid division. Dallas can continue to improve on offense as Williams and others get up to speed. But the Washington Commanders defense isn’t going to be improving as the season rolls on, the New York Giants have already buried themselves and Philadelphia Eagles are similarly bad.
So as Dallas fans watch their team lose with another conservative game plan, take heart that the division is still yours for the taking and keep a long-term view. Williams, Escobar, Beasley and Dunbar could become difference makers some day. If their coaches will give them a chance. Stay tuned.
Read more Dallas Cowboys news on BleacherReport.com
Continue reading...