NorthTexan95
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Scouting Matchups: Week 12
Why To Watch
Two first place teams hook up in Big D for the best Thanksgiving Day matchup in recent memory. Due to the short week of preparation, look for both teams to be conservative, since both head coaches have similar philosophies -- run the ball, defend the run and be sound in the kicking game. Also, look for both teams to try and establish the run to set up the play-action pass.
Denver head coach Mike Shanahan will continue to script the first 10-15 plays of the game and rely on a balanced offensive attack to take pressure off QB Jake Plummer. The Broncos are one of the hottest teams in the NFL of late when it comes to capitalizing on opportunities in the red zone, so look for Cowboys defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer to put a heavy emphasis this week on defending the red area. Also for Denver, RB Tatum Bell could be a game-time decision with an injured left shoulder.
For the Cowboys, look for a healthy combination of RBs Julius Jones and Marion Barber to attack a Broncos front seven that is second in the NFL vs. the run. QB Drew Bledsoe must continue to distribute the ball and complete a high percentage of his passes against a fast and aggressive Broncos defense. Denver defensive coordinator Larry Coyer will use his strong linebacker corps to defend the run and pressure Bledsoe in the pocket.
When the Broncos have the ball
Rushing: Denver's rushing attack is controlling the clock and averaging 168.3 yards per game, while the Cowboys' 3-4 defense is allowing only 95.1 yards per game on the ground. This is a great matchup of strength vs. strength. RB Mike Anderson gained 113 yards on 26 carries and scored three touchdowns vs. the Jets on Sunday and continues to lead the Broncos in rushing with 782 yards (4.4 avg.).
The Broncos' offensive line is considered small by NFL standards, with an average weight of 298 pounds. They are not an overly talented group, but the success of the line long has been based more on how they play together and within their the system, rather than on how talented they are as individuals. OC Tom Nalen is having one of his best seasons. The coaching staff gives him a lot of the credit for keeping Denver's running game near the top of the league. Nalen is athletic and can get to the second level off combination patterns, getting position and walling off defenders to create inside running lanes.
Veteran NT La'Roi Glover has been a steady anchor in the middle of the Cowboys' defense. He makes up for a lack of bulk with excellent compact strength and quickness. He has very quick hands and has learned to play with better leverage at the point of attack. One of the keys to stopping the Broncos rushing attack will be Glover's ability to hold his ground and not let Denver OC Nalen get to the second level off combination patterns.
The Cowboys will rely on OLBs Scott Fujita and DeMarcus Ware to control the edges of the defense and ILBs Bradie James and Dat Nguyen to play under control to ensure their gap responsibilities while playing inside/out to the ball. It's critical that the Cowboys' 3-4 front stay disciplined in terms of gap control and wrap up upon contact when Anderson is in the game. The linebackers have to take away cutback lanes between the tackles and limit the Broncos' production after contact.
Passing: QB Jake Plummer continues to make sound decisions in the passing game and will continue to attack down the field off play-action and semi-rollouts against a pass defense that is allowing only 189.5 yards per game. The Cowboys are sound in their pressure schemes and usually rely on situational football depending on down and distance. A major emphasis this week for the defensive line will be to play under control and stay in their rush lanes to limit Plummer's mobility and ability to attack outside the pocket.
The strength of the Cowboys' pass rush is off the edges, with RDE Greg Ellis and OLB Ware, who must contain Plummer and keep him from getting outside where he can attack and make the explosive, game-changing plays downfield. However, Plummer hasn't run much this season. Last year he rushed for 202 yards, but this season he has only 101 yards rushing on 33 attempts. Plummer underwent minor knee surgery in the offseason, and after viewing tape last week, that looks to be limiting his scrambling ability.
Look for the Cowboys to attack vs. the Broncos' spread offense with multiple pressures and overload blitzes, while playing zone behind it to eliminate the explosive downfield throws to WRs Rod Smith and Ashley Lelie. Look for the Broncos to spread the field and identify key mismatches vs. their personnel groupings and attack with both tight ends Stephen Alexander and Jeb Putzier in the passing game. Those two have combined for 37 receptions.
The Cowboys will use both their nickel 4-2-5 and dime 4-1-6 sub packages to defend the Broncos' spread offense. Two key players to watch in the dime packages will be starting LCB Terrance Newman and fourth CB Nathan Jones. Newman will move inside as the "star" and cover the slot receiver, Smith or Lelie, while Jones will align on the other side as the "money" and cover the other inside receiver, WR Charlie Adams or TE Putzier. It will be imperative this week that the inside defenders get a good jam at the line of scrimmage and disrupt the timing and rhythm of the Broncos passing attack.
When the Cowboys have the ball
Rushing: In order to win this game, the Cowboys must control the line of scrimmage with their running game and control the time of possession. The game plan will be to attack downhill with the combination of RBs Julius Jones and Marion Barber . The Cowboys have a big offensive line -- average weight: 315 pounds -- led by the interior of RG Marco Rivera, OC Al Johnson and LG Larry Allen. The Broncos' defensive line relies on up-field quickness to attack gaps, cause confusion in blocking patterns and allow their linebackers to play inside/out to the ball carrier.
The Cowboys' interior line will be counted on heavily to get movement in the running game and play with good body control when coming at the Broncos' fast and aggressive linebackers off combination patterns on the second level. The Cowboys' zone-blocking schemes must cut down the Broncos' pursuit angles on the second level and allow either Jones or Barber to get downhill in a hurry and into open running space. The Cowboys will need to be physical and attack between the tackles because you are not going to outrun this defense on the perimeter.
Also, with Bledsoe's lack of mobility, look for the Broncos to incorporate SS John Lynch closer to the box this week to eliminate cutback lanes by either Jones or Barber with backside pursuit.
Passing: Bledsoe will be counted on heavily this week to manage the game and not make critical mistakes against a Broncos defense that is plus-14 in turnover margin. While the Broncos' first- and second-down defense is much less scrutinized than the team's performance on third downs, Denver has been one of the league's best in that area.
One of the key areas for the Cowboys will be third-down efficiency to maximize drives and maintain good field position. Another area the Cowboys will emphasize this week is shoring up their protection schemes against a Broncos defense that loves to pressure the quarterback.
With Bledsoe's inability to move around and get outside the pocket, look for defensive coordinator Larry Coyer to pressure him off the edges from both the weak and strong sides with both a corner and linebacker, while a defensive lineman drops ino an underneath area off a zone fire.
Bledsoe has played well this year and has flourished in Bill Parcells' system throughout his career, so look for him to attack that blitz off the sight adjust to either WR Terry Glenn or WR Keyshawn Johnson for an explosive play. Also, look for the Cowboys to spread the field in regular personnel groupings and attack the Broncos' base defense with quick passes to either TE Jason Witten or RB Jones, depending on the matchup. The Broncos have given up some yardage in the air due to the injury to CB Champ Bailey early in the season, and teams have been forced to become one-dimensional because of their inability to run the football against them. The Cowboys must avoid this by remaining committed to the run in order to then take advantage of a secondary that can exploited by the Cowboys' playmakers on the perimeter.
http://insider.espn.go.com/nfl/scouting?gameId=251124006
Why To Watch
Two first place teams hook up in Big D for the best Thanksgiving Day matchup in recent memory. Due to the short week of preparation, look for both teams to be conservative, since both head coaches have similar philosophies -- run the ball, defend the run and be sound in the kicking game. Also, look for both teams to try and establish the run to set up the play-action pass.
Denver head coach Mike Shanahan will continue to script the first 10-15 plays of the game and rely on a balanced offensive attack to take pressure off QB Jake Plummer. The Broncos are one of the hottest teams in the NFL of late when it comes to capitalizing on opportunities in the red zone, so look for Cowboys defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer to put a heavy emphasis this week on defending the red area. Also for Denver, RB Tatum Bell could be a game-time decision with an injured left shoulder.
For the Cowboys, look for a healthy combination of RBs Julius Jones and Marion Barber to attack a Broncos front seven that is second in the NFL vs. the run. QB Drew Bledsoe must continue to distribute the ball and complete a high percentage of his passes against a fast and aggressive Broncos defense. Denver defensive coordinator Larry Coyer will use his strong linebacker corps to defend the run and pressure Bledsoe in the pocket.
Rushing: Denver's rushing attack is controlling the clock and averaging 168.3 yards per game, while the Cowboys' 3-4 defense is allowing only 95.1 yards per game on the ground. This is a great matchup of strength vs. strength. RB Mike Anderson gained 113 yards on 26 carries and scored three touchdowns vs. the Jets on Sunday and continues to lead the Broncos in rushing with 782 yards (4.4 avg.).
The Broncos' offensive line is considered small by NFL standards, with an average weight of 298 pounds. They are not an overly talented group, but the success of the line long has been based more on how they play together and within their the system, rather than on how talented they are as individuals. OC Tom Nalen is having one of his best seasons. The coaching staff gives him a lot of the credit for keeping Denver's running game near the top of the league. Nalen is athletic and can get to the second level off combination patterns, getting position and walling off defenders to create inside running lanes.
Veteran NT La'Roi Glover has been a steady anchor in the middle of the Cowboys' defense. He makes up for a lack of bulk with excellent compact strength and quickness. He has very quick hands and has learned to play with better leverage at the point of attack. One of the keys to stopping the Broncos rushing attack will be Glover's ability to hold his ground and not let Denver OC Nalen get to the second level off combination patterns.
The Cowboys will rely on OLBs Scott Fujita and DeMarcus Ware to control the edges of the defense and ILBs Bradie James and Dat Nguyen to play under control to ensure their gap responsibilities while playing inside/out to the ball. It's critical that the Cowboys' 3-4 front stay disciplined in terms of gap control and wrap up upon contact when Anderson is in the game. The linebackers have to take away cutback lanes between the tackles and limit the Broncos' production after contact.
Passing: QB Jake Plummer continues to make sound decisions in the passing game and will continue to attack down the field off play-action and semi-rollouts against a pass defense that is allowing only 189.5 yards per game. The Cowboys are sound in their pressure schemes and usually rely on situational football depending on down and distance. A major emphasis this week for the defensive line will be to play under control and stay in their rush lanes to limit Plummer's mobility and ability to attack outside the pocket.
The strength of the Cowboys' pass rush is off the edges, with RDE Greg Ellis and OLB Ware, who must contain Plummer and keep him from getting outside where he can attack and make the explosive, game-changing plays downfield. However, Plummer hasn't run much this season. Last year he rushed for 202 yards, but this season he has only 101 yards rushing on 33 attempts. Plummer underwent minor knee surgery in the offseason, and after viewing tape last week, that looks to be limiting his scrambling ability.
Look for the Cowboys to attack vs. the Broncos' spread offense with multiple pressures and overload blitzes, while playing zone behind it to eliminate the explosive downfield throws to WRs Rod Smith and Ashley Lelie. Look for the Broncos to spread the field and identify key mismatches vs. their personnel groupings and attack with both tight ends Stephen Alexander and Jeb Putzier in the passing game. Those two have combined for 37 receptions.
The Cowboys will use both their nickel 4-2-5 and dime 4-1-6 sub packages to defend the Broncos' spread offense. Two key players to watch in the dime packages will be starting LCB Terrance Newman and fourth CB Nathan Jones. Newman will move inside as the "star" and cover the slot receiver, Smith or Lelie, while Jones will align on the other side as the "money" and cover the other inside receiver, WR Charlie Adams or TE Putzier. It will be imperative this week that the inside defenders get a good jam at the line of scrimmage and disrupt the timing and rhythm of the Broncos passing attack.
Rushing: In order to win this game, the Cowboys must control the line of scrimmage with their running game and control the time of possession. The game plan will be to attack downhill with the combination of RBs Julius Jones and Marion Barber . The Cowboys have a big offensive line -- average weight: 315 pounds -- led by the interior of RG Marco Rivera, OC Al Johnson and LG Larry Allen. The Broncos' defensive line relies on up-field quickness to attack gaps, cause confusion in blocking patterns and allow their linebackers to play inside/out to the ball carrier.
The Cowboys' interior line will be counted on heavily to get movement in the running game and play with good body control when coming at the Broncos' fast and aggressive linebackers off combination patterns on the second level. The Cowboys' zone-blocking schemes must cut down the Broncos' pursuit angles on the second level and allow either Jones or Barber to get downhill in a hurry and into open running space. The Cowboys will need to be physical and attack between the tackles because you are not going to outrun this defense on the perimeter.
Also, with Bledsoe's lack of mobility, look for the Broncos to incorporate SS John Lynch closer to the box this week to eliminate cutback lanes by either Jones or Barber with backside pursuit.
Passing: Bledsoe will be counted on heavily this week to manage the game and not make critical mistakes against a Broncos defense that is plus-14 in turnover margin. While the Broncos' first- and second-down defense is much less scrutinized than the team's performance on third downs, Denver has been one of the league's best in that area.
One of the key areas for the Cowboys will be third-down efficiency to maximize drives and maintain good field position. Another area the Cowboys will emphasize this week is shoring up their protection schemes against a Broncos defense that loves to pressure the quarterback.
With Bledsoe's inability to move around and get outside the pocket, look for defensive coordinator Larry Coyer to pressure him off the edges from both the weak and strong sides with both a corner and linebacker, while a defensive lineman drops ino an underneath area off a zone fire.
Bledsoe has played well this year and has flourished in Bill Parcells' system throughout his career, so look for him to attack that blitz off the sight adjust to either WR Terry Glenn or WR Keyshawn Johnson for an explosive play. Also, look for the Cowboys to spread the field in regular personnel groupings and attack the Broncos' base defense with quick passes to either TE Jason Witten or RB Jones, depending on the matchup. The Broncos have given up some yardage in the air due to the injury to CB Champ Bailey early in the season, and teams have been forced to become one-dimensional because of their inability to run the football against them. The Cowboys must avoid this by remaining committed to the run in order to then take advantage of a secondary that can exploited by the Cowboys' playmakers on the perimeter.
http://insider.espn.go.com/nfl/scouting?gameId=251124006
