Most important non obvious thing on Sunday?

[dallasdave]

The cheerleaders looking their best!

 

[BoysfanfromCanada]

Hopefully the 3-2 dime package causes problems to Rodgers...the key is if Irving can be relentless and the other lineman keep rotating and keep Rdogers moving backwards.

And also no running off the field last second or jumping offsides....Rodgers takes advantage of that every time, usually with long bombs

 

[kramskoi]

We need more play action on first down, & early in the game. Go deep, very deep. It will put them on their heels, & put us up quick if those strikes result in touchdowns. At the least, it will back their safeties up, so that our running game is even more productive. Gotta give Free help on those deep balls, though. If he knows he has help, whether just a TE chip, or run Zeke's fake to the wide right side, so he's there to help in pass pro, Free won't be so prone to false start. Rolling Dak out to his left more in P/A will also be a nice change up. On defense, the linebackers/safeties must put immediate pressure on Rodgers when he rolls to their side.

Deep right...deep right...

 

[kramskoi]

Hopefully the 3-2 dime package causes problems to Rodgers...the key is if Irving can be relentless and the other lineman keep rotating and keep Rdogers moving backwards.

And also no running off the field last second or jumping offsides....Rodgers takes advantage of that every time, usually with long bombs

The Packers do such a good job pass-blocking...if Irving and co. are able to just move Rodgers around and hurry him, I would consider it a success. I would definitely play to take Adams away and make the other receivers come up with the goods.

 

[Race Bannon]

Don't jump offsides on Rodger's hard count. King of the free play. Hate that.

 

[AsthmaField]

I tend to pretty much agree. In large part because the deep right coverage by Green Bay has been **** for a while now. It seems like every time I watched the Packers play, someone was hitting a long pass down the right sideline.

That definitely needs to be tested to see if they have been able to stop the bleeding over there.

If they stack 8 or 9 in the box, they better pray their corners can succeed in man coverage because I'd be going to the WR's early and often in those situations. They would have to prove to me they can stop Dez 1-on-1. Also, Williams is dangerous on those intermediate inside routes, and if the FS helped on Dez over the top, I'd try to hit Williams (or Butler) right in the middle of the field.

Play action on first down is something I'd pull out quite a bit, too. IMO, there isn't a more dangerous RB in the league than Zeke and LB's/safeties absolutely have to respect any fake to Elliott or they'll be in deep trouble. I agree that teams have been playing on the Cowboys' tendency to run on first down. I understand the bit about, "they know it is coming but still can't stop it", but teams have been stopping Elliott on first down runs a good portion of the time. Sure, run some on first down... but run some play action as well. I particularly like the play where they fake the pitch to Zeke to the short side of the field and have Dak bootleg back with both short and intermediate options.

Speaking of a pitch to Elliott, I hope they run him a bit more on the edge. He is deadly on those outside runs and he gets to the sideline deceptively quick. It doesn't look like he's going to get to the corner soon enough and then suddenly he is heading upfield. The WR's are some of the best blocking pass catchers in the league and they usually do a good job once Zeke has turned the corner.

Once the defense has some indecision on first downs from the play action passing game, quick hitting runs right up the gut will start to become very effective. When that happens, the defense is on it's way to a TKO. The bludgeoning starts to wear on them and EZE standing 15 yards downfield doing the spoon in the mouth routine becomes demoralizing very, very quickly.

Playing the Dallas offense really is an extremely difficult thing for a defense to do. You absolutely have to stop Elliott at all cost... but in doing so, defending the rest of the offense is so much harder than it would be if you didn't have to obsess over Zeke.

I also would love to see a little more read option with Dak keeping the ball. On top of everything else I've mentioned above, it adds another element for the defense to worry about. Make no mistake, Prescott can really hurt a defense with his legs. He is so strong and thick that I really don't worry very much about him getting hurt. Dak running will complicate things that much more for the defense and IMO is definitely something that needs to be increased for the playoffs.

Finally, I hope they up the tempo on some drives. Not no huddle really but a quicker pace that will help wear the defense down. If they start looking tired and Elliott starts breaking off chunks on each carry... just twist the knife and up the tempo. I understand Rogers needs to be kept off the field, so I'm not advocating going no huddle for half the game... but just use an up-tempo at strategic times as common sense dictates.

That is some of what I'd do if I was running the Dallas offense. I'm not saying I know it would work but I think it would and it sure would make things hard on the Packer's defense.

 

[visionary]

The cheerleaders looking their best!

He said 'non obvious'

 

[Dale]

I think Romo is going to be important getting our defense ready by running the scout team. Which, if proves to be the case, is ironic since it was Rodgers doing that role prepping GB for Romo years ago when's Favre was still there.

 

[Bizwah]

I think Darren McFadden can play a huge role. He is deadly catching passes out of the backfield. He can be a weapon for us on third down. Provided we aren't dead set on forcing Dunbar in the game.

 

[Tabascocat]

Contain Rodgers, don't let him get outside.

 

[roughneck266]

You will see a different playbook this weekend. We will risk more with deeper throws. Bet we see Dez playing some slot. I think linehan has held back waiting for the playoffs to unleash more plays.

I hope you are right. There are a ton of wrinkles we could throw in this offense that will confuse the crap out of the GB defense.

 

[plasticman]

The Cowboys have the best winning percentage in games in which they were trailing at some point. They are 9-3, winning 75% of their games.

The Packers are ranked 15th. They are 4-6 when trailing at some point.

The Cowboys have the 2nd best winning percentage against teams that had a winning record this season. They trailed only the Patriots. The Cowboys were 6-2. The Packers are ranked 7th at 5-4.

Cowboys ranked #1 in winning percentage for games in which the opponent scored first. They were 7-1

The Packers were 0-5 when opponent scored first.

 

[LocimusPrime]

He said 'non obvious'

Oooops my bad.

 

[perrykemp]

I also would love to see a little more read option with Dak keeping the ball. On top of everything else I've mentioned above, it adds another element for the defense to worry about. Make no mistake, Prescott can really hurt a defense with his legs.

Been thinking this for a while -- 4 or 5 read option plays per game would really make defending the Cowboys offense THAT much harder. As you said Dak is built for it.

 

[texbumthelife]

To me most important thing is not panicking if we are down early. Stick to the game plan. Don't try to get into a shoot out. We can run on this defense and we will put up some points. Just be patient and don't panic if it takes a couple drives.

 

[theogt]

Dak having a good feel for timing routes over the middle. He's been up or down with that all year. In the games where he's hitting on those, it's over.

 

[willia451]

To me most important thing is not panicking if we are down early. Stick to the game plan. Don't try to get into a shoot out. We can run on this defense and we will put up some points. Just be patient and don't panic if it takes a couple drives.

Down by how much early? I would like to hear a little more.

If its 7-0 at the end of the 1st. Ok. But if its 17-0 at the end of the first. I mean, patience is a virtue to be sure. But being patient while watching the wheels come flying off............maybe a little panic would be in order.

 

[jday]

dont tell me it's important to get off to a quick two score lead or to make tackles before their wr's can get yac.

I think it's important they take deep sideline shots with dez. It's riskier than they've played all year but I think it's important to open things up and let zeke have more room.

I'll take a 60 yard interception If I have to.

Defense? Keep doing what they've been doing. Force the underneath pass and rally to the ball. Maintain lane integrity. And stop the run above all to force Rodgers into a mistake.

Offense? If trickery is what you want, we may see the flip side of the Dez throw, where Zeke takes the pitch and run or Dak keeps to set up a screen to Zeke. If you want to know about 99% of how else they plan to win, they'll keep doing what they've been doing - run the ball with Dak taking the occasional shot deep to back off the safeties.

Point blank - the Cowboys have the better overall of both sides of the ball. Aaron Rodgers will put up a helluva fight but in the end the Cowboys are the better team.

 

[NumOneQB]

Don't make the Giant's mistake and rush 3 guys on passing situations. They let Rodgers play patty cake back there and on several occasions once the secondary coverage broke down he killed them with a big throw.

 

[sureletsrace]

I tend to pretty much agree. In large part because the deep right coverage by Green Bay has been **** for a while now. It seems like every time I watched the Packers play, someone was hitting a long pass down the right sideline.

That definitely needs to be tested to see if they have been able to stop the bleeding over there.

If they stack 8 or 9 in the box, they better pray their corners can succeed in man coverage because I'd be going to the WR's early and often in those situations. They would have to prove to me they can stop Dez 1-on-1. Also, Williams is dangerous on those intermediate inside routes, and if the FS helped on Dez over the top, I'd try to hit Williams (or Butler) right in the middle of the field.

Play action on first down is something I'd pull out quite a bit, too. IMO, there isn't a more dangerous RB in the league than Zeke and LB's/safeties absolutely have to respect any fake to Elliott or they'll be in deep trouble. I agree that teams have been playing on the Cowboys' tendency to run on first down. I understand the bit about, "they know it is coming but still can't stop it", but teams have been stopping Elliott on first down runs a good portion of the time. Sure, run some on first down... but run some play action as well. I particularly like the play where they fake the pitch to Zeke to the short side of the field and have Dak bootleg back with both short and intermediate options.

Speaking of a pitch to Elliott, I hope they run him a bit more on the edge. He is deadly on those outside runs and he gets to the sideline deceptively quick. It doesn't look like he's going to get to the corner soon enough and then suddenly he is heading upfield. The WR's are some of the best blocking pass catchers in the league and they usually do a good job once Zeke has turned the corner.

Once the defense has some indecision on first downs from the play action passing game, quick hitting runs right up the gut will start to become very effective. When that happens, the defense is on it's way to a TKO. The bludgeoning starts to wear on them and EZE standing 15 yards downfield doing the spoon in the mouth routine becomes demoralizing very, very quickly.

Playing the Dallas offense really is an extremely difficult thing for a defense to do. You absolutely have to stop Elliott at all cost... but in doing so, defending the rest of the offense is so much harder than it would be if you didn't have to obsess over Zeke.

I also would love to see a little more read option with Dak keeping the ball. On top of everything else I've mentioned above, it adds another element for the defense to worry about. Make no mistake, Prescott can really hurt a defense with his legs. He is so strong and thick that I really don't worry very much about him getting hurt. Dak running will complicate things that much more for the defense and IMO is definitely something that needs to be increased for the playoffs.

Finally, I hope they up the tempo on some drives. Not no huddle really but a quicker pace that will help wear the defense down. If they start looking tired and Elliott starts breaking off chunks on each carry... just twist the knife and up the tempo. I understand Rogers needs to be kept off the field, so I'm not advocating going no huddle for half the game... but just use an up-tempo at strategic times as common sense dictates.

That is some of what I'd do if I was running the Dallas offense. I'm not saying I know it would work but I think it would and it sure would make things hard on the Packer's defense.

Absolutely fantastic post.