DMN Blog: Cowboys-Ravens: Breaking down the matchups

[WoodysGirl]

12:00 PM Sat, Dec 20, 2008 | Permalink | Yahoo! Buzz
Brian Davis http://www.***BANNED-URL***/blogs/images/email-icon.jpg E-mail http://www.***BANNED-URL***/blogs/images/email-icon.jpg News tips
When the Cowboys run
The Steelers had the No. 1-ranked run defense, and Tashard Choice had 88 yards. The Giants were fifth in run defense. Choice had 91 yards. The Ravens rank third. No Marion Barber? No problem as long as Jason Garrett makes the right Choice.
EDGE: Cowboys

When the Cowboys pass
If any Cowboys players were having secret meetings this week, they remained a secret. All the talk this week focused on Ed Reed and Terrell Suggs. Those two are a big reason why the Ravens have the second-best pass defense in the league.
EDGE: Ravens


When the Ravens run
Expect a stellar effort from Bradie James. The Cowboys linebacker is having a career year but was snubbed for the Pro Bowl. The Cowboys aren't letting anybody get much of anything on the ground right now. The run defense has keyed everything.
EDGE: Cowboys

When the Ravens pass
There should be a healthy number of Mark Clayton fans in the building. The Arlington Sam Houston and Oklahoma graduate has carved out a nice NFL career. One big problem: Keith Davis and Ken Hamlin are hobbling in the Cowboys' secondary.
EDGE: Ravens

Special teams
Safety/special teams ace Keith Davis won the Ed Block Courage Award this week for playing through pain the last two years. His toughness helped turn the special teams around. Miles Austin will return kicks with Adam Jones as his backup.
EDGE: Cowboys

Intangibles
The Cowboys have the No. 5 seed in the playoff race right now. They can't afford a misstep. But they don't want to lose the last game at Texas Stadium. It should be a fun one, especially with Ray Lewis in town. But this is the Cowboys' day.
EDGE: Cowboys

 

[Rampage]

Barber isn't gonna play?

 

[kmd24]

Anyone who thinks that the Ravens will have any passing success without a successful running game hasn't watched them play this year. They are 2-5 when rushing for less than 142 yards (their per game average) this season. Further, they were able to surpass their season average for passing yards (170 yards per game) in only two of those 7 games, splitting the two games (L @Indy, W @Miami).

Bottom line, if Baltimore can't run the ball, they have only a slim chance of winning.

 

[Coakleys Dad]

It would be stupid for barber to play if we want him healthy for the playoffs.

 

[tomson75]

A year ago I'd never have said this, but I'm super excited to watch Bradie James tonight. He's gonna be awfully pissy.

 

[Pick6TerenceNewman]

12:00 PM Sat, Dec 20, 2008 | Permalink | Yahoo! Buzz
Brian Davis http://www.***BANNED-URL***/blogs/images/email-icon.jpg E-mail http://www.***BANNED-URL***/blogs/images/email-icon.jpg News tips
When the Cowboys run
The Steelers had the No. 1-ranked run defense, and Tashard Choice had 88 yards. The Giants were fifth in run defense. Choice had 91 yards. The Ravens rank third. No Marion Barber? No problem as long as Jason Garrett makes the right Choice.
EDGE: Cowboys

When the Cowboys pass
If any Cowboys players were having secret meetings this week, they remained a secret. All the talk this week focused on Ed Reed and Terrell Suggs. Those two are a big reason why the Ravens have the second-best pass defense in the league.
EDGE: Ravens


When the Ravens run
Expect a stellar effort from Bradie James. The Cowboys linebacker is having a career year but was snubbed for the Pro Bowl. The Cowboys aren't letting anybody get much of anything on the ground right now. The run defense has keyed everything.
EDGE: Cowboys

When the Ravens pass
There should be a healthy number of Mark Clayton fans in the building. The Arlington Sam Houston and Oklahoma graduate has carved out a nice NFL career. One big problem: Keith Davis and Ken Hamlin are hobbling in the Cowboys' secondary.
EDGE: Ravens



Special teams
Safety/special teams ace Keith Davis won the Ed Block Courage Award this week for playing through pain the last two years. His toughness helped turn the special teams around. Miles Austin will return kicks with Adam Jones as his backup.
EDGE: Cowboys

Intangibles
The Cowboys have the No. 5 seed in the playoff race right now. They can't afford a misstep. But they don't want to lose the last game at Texas Stadium. It should be a fun one, especially with Ray Lewis in town. But this is the Cowboys' day.
EDGE: Cowboys

I totally disagree!!! Newman will shut Clayton down. Cowboys will play Man Coverage, stack the box and blitz big time after shutting the run

 

[VACowboy]

So, a rookie has a better chance at success throwing against the Dallas D than Pro Bowler Eli Manning from behind the best OL in football?

 

[Boysboy]

The Procter matchup against the Ravens NT scares me. If Garrett comes out with a conservative game plan, I wouldn't mind.

Other than that, the Ravens O doesn't scare me.

 

[Boysboy]

So, a rookie playing under playoff pressure in Dec has a better chance at success throwing against the Dallas D than Pro Bowler Eli Manning?

Fixed!

 

[TheMarathonContinues]

WHat a fool. I don't understand why he believes the passing game will be hurt because of our safety's. What about the corners? And then he brings up Ed Reed and Terrell Suggs when i'd love to see Suggs go one on one with any of our receivers.