Chuck 54
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I predict we come out firing the ball...they are expecting us to slow the game down and try to run on them...perfect time to come out passing as they won't be pinning their ears back to pass rush, rather to stop the expected run.
On defense, we'll come out playing very aggressive early, trying to force some punts before the Colts make their reads and adjustments.
Then...if it goes our way and we can generate a little lead in the game by coming out the opposite of what's expected on both sides of the ball, I see us going to the running game to control and run the clock, keeping the ball away from Manning as much as possible...on defense, we start playing more conservative, trying to prevent the big play and make them run time off the clock themselves with patient drives, only gambling on 3rd downs in an effort to get a few more stops.
I think there will be at least 3 games within the game...the Cowboys need to change their strategies on both sides of the ball periodically so by the time the Colts study the pictures and talk to the guys upstairs and plan a different way to attack our defense or stop our offense, we are already shifting again.
I hope this is the plan and that we don't come out thinking we will run the ball from the opening kickoff or sit in our base defense.
If we changeup the entire defensive strategy from time to time, we have the chance to get some stops. If we pass early and get a lead, we can run more later, which will also force them to play that run because they'll need the stops and the ball for their offense...that will allow us more time to still occasionally pass on first or second down to keep the chains moving and keep them off-balance.
The biggest part of the game will be simple execution, but I hope the staff has also planned to keep the Colts more experienced team off balance and guessing as much as possible. Again, it's not that we're going to fool Manning that much, but the OL and his receivers must all be on the same page he is...fool them a little, and you are in better shape.
On defense, we'll come out playing very aggressive early, trying to force some punts before the Colts make their reads and adjustments.
Then...if it goes our way and we can generate a little lead in the game by coming out the opposite of what's expected on both sides of the ball, I see us going to the running game to control and run the clock, keeping the ball away from Manning as much as possible...on defense, we start playing more conservative, trying to prevent the big play and make them run time off the clock themselves with patient drives, only gambling on 3rd downs in an effort to get a few more stops.
I think there will be at least 3 games within the game...the Cowboys need to change their strategies on both sides of the ball periodically so by the time the Colts study the pictures and talk to the guys upstairs and plan a different way to attack our defense or stop our offense, we are already shifting again.
I hope this is the plan and that we don't come out thinking we will run the ball from the opening kickoff or sit in our base defense.
If we changeup the entire defensive strategy from time to time, we have the chance to get some stops. If we pass early and get a lead, we can run more later, which will also force them to play that run because they'll need the stops and the ball for their offense...that will allow us more time to still occasionally pass on first or second down to keep the chains moving and keep them off-balance.
The biggest part of the game will be simple execution, but I hope the staff has also planned to keep the Colts more experienced team off balance and guessing as much as possible. Again, it's not that we're going to fool Manning that much, but the OL and his receivers must all be on the same page he is...fool them a little, and you are in better shape.
