Cowboys biggest test for Super Bowl

[Diehardblues]

Rodgers is on a very hot streak in this 7 game winning streak throwing 19 TD passes with no interceptions . His Hail Mary to end the 1st half is an indicator everything is going his way.

Even after a slow start in this Wild Card game where many were claiming he was looking like the Rodgers we faced when the Packers begun the season 4-6 his hot hand turned it around again,

As confident as I was after our Mon Nite game against Detroit where I felt we were peaking at the right time I'm not sure we couldn't be running into a hotter team against IMO the most dangerous QB in the NFL, at least at this time.

This Giant defense had been playing at a championship level and looked poised to stifle Rodgers to continue their NFL record streak of 5 straight wins on the road in the playoffs including their last two here at Green Bay. But Rodgers was not going to be denied on this afternoon.

I'm not sure the Cowboys could have drawn a more dangerous opponent in their opening round of the playoffs. I was rooting for a rematch against Detroit and after watching their playoff loss was wishing we were hosting Seattle instead of the winner of this game. I think I'd rather be faciing the #2 seed Atlanta first. This matchup looks to me more like a championship game matchup than divisional round.

I felt going in that both GB and NY could make a run to the Super Bowl and I'm even more convinced now. The confidence I had for the Cowboys going in are still there but my awe of Rodgers has watered it down some.

Can our Rookie sensation play at the level Rodgers is playing at? Can our defense play at a higher level than NY did against Rodgers ?

Sure, there is the fact that GB will have to contend with our OL and league leading rushing champion but what concerns me is these Packers are a playoff tested team in their 8th straight playoffs which had tied the mighty Patriots and our own Tom Landry record from the 60's and 70's.

This is new territory for our young talented team with our Rookie sensations which no doubt in the future will gain much experience from this situation. I think this will be a great game. Competitive to the end but it's very difficult for me to expect a favorable outcome while I can see it happening.

This is one of those Cowboy games I definitely wouldn't wager on because I hate to bet against us. But if I wasn't loyal to the Star I definitely could see taking the points with Green Bay. They may not win but it should be very close and even if I liked the Cowboys to win I wouldn't expect them to cover.

Hopefully this will be a classic with a more favorable result than I can envision now . If we can pull this off then I can't see Seattle or Atlanta stopping us . This will or should be our greatest test before reaching the Super Bowl.

 

[JBS]

Blah blah blah..that's what everyone said about the Giants..

Oh the Giants are a different story come playoff time..Eli is a beast in the playoffs..blah blah blah

The Packers literally have one player that we have to just slow down enough...this was definitely the best option for the Dallas Cowboys..I said it all week and I stand by it...

Cowboys and their fans should be excited they drew the Packers..we rolled them in GB and this game won't be all that much different

 

[Teague31]

Don't get the GB hype. Atlanta is just as good on offense, or better

 

[kramskoi]

Rodgers is on a very hot streak in this 7 game winning streak throwing 19 TD passes with no interceptions . His Hail Mary to end the 1st half is an indicator everything is going his way.

Even after a slow start in this Wild Card game where many were claiming he was looking like the Rodgers we faced when the Packers begun the season 4-6 his hot hand turned it around again,

As confident as I was after our Mon Nite game against Detroit where I felt we were peaking at the right time I'm not sure we couldn't be running into a hotter team against IMO the most dangerous QB in the NFL, at least at this time.

This Giant defense had been playing at a championship level and looked poised to stifle Rodgers to continue their NFL record streak of 5 straight wins on the road in the playoffs including their last two here at Green Bay. But Rodgers was not going to be denied on this afternoon.

I'm not sure the Cowboys could have drawn a more dangerous opponent in their opening round of the playoffs. I was rooting for a rematch against Detroit and after watching their playoff loss was wishing we were hosting Seattle instead of the winner of this game. I think I'd rather be faciing the #2 seed Atlanta first. This matchup looks to me more like a championship game matchup than divisional round.

I felt going in that both GB and NY could make a run to the Super Bowl and I'm even more convinced now. The confidence I had for the Cowboys going in are still there but my awe of Rodgers has watered it down some.

Can our Rookie sensation play at the level Rodgers is playing at? Can our defense play at a higher level than NY did against Rodgers ?

Sure, there is the fact that GB will have to contend with our OL and league leading rushing champion but what concerns me is these Packers are a playoff tested team in their 8th straight playoffs which had tied the mighty Patriots and our own Tom Landry record from the 60's and 70's.

This is new territory for our young talented team with our Rookie sensations which no doubt in the future will gain much experience from this situation. I think this will be a great game. Competitive to the end but it's very difficult for me to expect a favorable outcome while I can see it happening.

This is one of those Cowboy games I definitely wouldn't wager on because I hate to bet against us. But if I wasn't loyal to the Star I definitely could see taking the points with Green Bay. They may not win but it should be very close and even if I liked the Cowboys to win I wouldn't expect them to cover.

Hopefully this will be a classic with a more favorable result than I can envision now . If we can pull this off then I can't see Seattle or Atlanta stopping us . This will or should be our greatest test before reaching the Super Bowl.

Of 13 drives, the following occurred:
1 1 15:00 NYG 28 7 4:07 37 Punt

2 1 09:18 NYG 38 9 3:34 54 Field Goal

3 1 02:09 NYG 11 3 2:07 9 Punt
4 2 14:12 NYG 34 4 2:34 19 Punt

5 2 10:11 NYG 8 7 2:47 70 Field Goal

6 2 04:56 NYG 8 3 1:11 0 Punt
7 2 02:20 NYG 32 3 0:42 9 Punt
8 3 12:46 NYG 26 7 2:36 33 Punt

9 3 06:01 GNB 41 2 0:45 41 Touchdown

10 3 02:53 NYG 3 3 1:03 7 Punt
11 3 00:21 NYG 25 3 0:48 -1 Punt
12 4 09:19 NYG 33 2 0:48 14 Fumble
13 4 02:43 NYG 24 12 2:27 63 Interception

Barely seven minutes of possession on three scoring drives...nada on the other ten drives...six of which produced only seven points in the final thirty minutes of play. They also had eight drives of four plays or less. New York's longest drives were 3:34 (FG) and 4:07 (Punt)...all occurring in the first half. The remaining eleven were all under 2:47 each. Before their final drive, NY held the ball for only six of the previous 28 minutes of the second half...which is why their defense eventually gave way.

Dallas has two things that NYG does not have...a pro-bowl caliber offensive line and the league's best running game. Forget the conflations between the pass defenses of NY and Dallas. The Dallas nickel rush has improved since Minnesota and their overall defensive passer rating with it (71 over the last three games). Moreover, time of possession will be key to arriving at a better outcome than NY did, where they lost TOP by nine minutes (25 to 34 minutes). If Dallas wins TOP by nine minutes, it will likely mean that the offense is rolling and limiting the number of possessions for Green Bay.

The story of the second half for New York was the same story that dogged them in the regular season...a pedestrian offense with poor rushing (and possession)...further undone by key drops throughout the game, two turnovers and some chuck-ball luck.

I would also bet that many Packer fans were less than enamored with the great Aaron Rodgers until the final 2:30 of the first half.

 

[dirtycallahan]

Who is going to run the ball for the packers, Rodgers? They are one dimensional.

 

[kramskoi]

Don't get the GB hype. Atlanta is just as good on offense, or better

Atlanta is better and more balanced (with dual threat RBs)...equal with Dallas, although Dallas has a better o-line and near symmetrical pass-run ratio (49 - 51%). Atlanta is running richer at 56 - 44% (pass favoring). Atlanta is actually rated the number one offense with FootballOutsiders.

 

[Reality]

Did someone say, "REAL TEST" ?? I knew something was missing

 

[JoeKing]

Who is going to run the ball for the packers, Rodgers? They are one dimensional.

CMike is not a bad RB, he's just no Zeke. The Cowboys do have the advantage when the Packers run the ball so technically you are right, they are for the most part, one dimensional but don't underestimate that dimension. Aaron Rodgers is a bad man... just saying.

 

[Supercowboy1986]

Did someone say, "REAL TEST" ?? I knew something was missing

Haha you beat me to it.

This may be the REAL TEST that posters were referring to during weeks 1-17

 

[Diehardblues]

Don't get the GB hype. Atlanta is just as good on offense, or better

But without the greatest QB with the hottest hand in the NFL with destiny appearing to be on his side.

Remember that " hot hand" is why we are where we are.

 

[Diehardblues]

As fans we aren't expected to have or carry with us the confidence and swagger we expect to see from the team and players.

We are allowed to display more doubt , concern and disbelief. And we're allowed to be more in awe of our competition especially those with proven experience.

 

[ShiningStar]

im going to say this, The Cowboys are the biggest test for the cowboys, we face two enemies. The Green Bay Packers and history. We are the better team, we are stronger, but do we beat ourselves, or do we conquer this beast and go to a road this organitzation has not seen in along time. ITs up to Garrett to have this team ready on many different levels, to know our weaknesses and make them the strengths and execute execute execute and dont get cute.

 

[DallasDW00ds0n]

Matt Ryan has been better all year. If Dallas plays ATL, that might be a bigger game than the Super Bowl itself

 

[Boyzmamacita]

Is it a test when teams play the Cowboys? Especially a team we've proven we can beat in their own backyard? That was weeks ago, but the Cowboys have improved on both sides of the ball since then. Have a healthy respect for your opponent but, truth be told, this is even more of a test for the Packers

 

[Boyzmamacita]

As fans we aren't expected to have or carry with us the confidence and swagger we expect to see from the team and players.

We are allowed to display more doubt , concern and disbelief. And we're allowed to be more in awe of our competition especially those with proven experience.

We're also allowed to show confidence and swagger. Fans can do whatever they want. It has no bearing on the outcome. So you might as well be positive.

 

[Diehardblues]

When I handicap a game especially a Cowboy game it's always difficult seperating my emotions and devotion to the Cowboys.

Basically dividing my brains from my heart. Taking a step back in an unbiased frame of mind like trying to evaluate a loved one.

Not everyone is capable of this approach . They can't take off their rose colored glasses.

 

[MRV52]

Rodgers is on a very hot streak in this 7 game winning streak throwing 19 TD passes with no interceptions . His Hail Mary to end the 1st half is an indicator everything is going his way.

Even after a slow start in this Wild Card game where many were claiming he was looking like the Rodgers we faced when the Packers begun the season 4-6 his hot hand turned it around again,

As confident as I was after our Mon Nite game against Detroit where I felt we were peaking at the right time I'm not sure we couldn't be running into a hotter team against IMO the most dangerous QB in the NFL, at least at this time.

This Giant defense had been playing at a championship level and looked poised to stifle Rodgers to continue their NFL record streak of 5 straight wins on the road in the playoffs including their last two here at Green Bay. But Rodgers was not going to be denied on this afternoon.

I'm not sure the Cowboys could have drawn a more dangerous opponent in their opening round of the playoffs. I was rooting for a rematch against Detroit and after watching their playoff loss was wishing we were hosting Seattle instead of the winner of this game. I think I'd rather be faciing the #2 seed Atlanta first. This matchup looks to me more like a championship game matchup than divisional round.

I felt going in that both GB and NY could make a run to the Super Bowl and I'm even more convinced now. The confidence I had for the Cowboys going in are still there but my awe of Rodgers has watered it down some.

Can our Rookie sensation play at the level Rodgers is playing at? Can our defense play at a higher level than NY did against Rodgers ?

Sure, there is the fact that GB will have to contend with our OL and league leading rushing champion but what concerns me is these Packers are a playoff tested team in their 8th straight playoffs which had tied the mighty Patriots and our own Tom Landry record from the 60's and 70's.

This is new territory for our young talented team with our Rookie sensations which no doubt in the future will gain much experience from this situation. I think this will be a great game. Competitive to the end but it's very difficult for me to expect a favorable outcome while I can see it happening.

This is one of those Cowboy games I definitely wouldn't wager on because I hate to bet against us. But if I wasn't loyal to the Star I definitely could see taking the points with Green Bay. They may not win but it should be very close and even if I liked the Cowboys to win I wouldn't expect them to cover.

Hopefully this will be a classic with a more favorable result than I can envision now . If we can pull this off then I can't see Seattle or Atlanta stopping us . This will or should be our greatest test before reaching the Super Bowl.

Giants were frauds like I told everyone this year. They were smoke and mirrors and if it wasn't for there D they are a .500 team and looking from outside the playoffs. You can't win without an offense. We will beat GB by 14, Rogers can't play defense for them and we will give up yardage but he won't be able to hang more than 24 points against us. We can hang 30 plus on their D.

 

[CATCH17]

Matt Ryan has been better all year. If Dallas plays ATL, that might be a bigger game than the Super Bowl itself

Eh... At the end of the day it's still Matt Ryan and this is Aaron Rodgers.

If we play Atlanta im more worried about Julio and Freeman to be honest. Ryan is a distant 3rd.

 

[Diehardblues]

We're also allowed to show confidence and swagger. Fans can do whatever they want. It has no bearing on the outcome. So you might as well be positive.

Of course you are. There is a place for all fans points of view. We need cheerleaders much like we need critics and handicappers.

I tend not to not trust or follow a fans opinion who isn't able to separate these emotions.

 

[Diehardblues]

I felt my post was very positive . I expressed confidence in our team and feel if we beat the Packers and Rodgers we will be in the Super Bowl.

I didn't say we are going to lose or predicting doom and gloom . Instead, I presented the challenges ahead.