News: SI: Big D? Not So Much

[Crown Royal]

No QB is playing better than Romo right now. At worst-- this game will be a shootout. Whenever Indy has faced a top 10 QB-- they've been shredded.

So in a shootout-- I pick the team that needs the W more, and that is clearly Dallas.

His three TD passes to Dez were not easy to make. It took timing, accuracy and decisiveness.

 

[daveferr33]

I don't think anybody on this forum will dispute the author that the Colts will have the ability to score against the Dallas defense.

But that is only one-half of the equation. Our offense will also score and in the process win TOP and keep our defense off the field. That will be the difference in this game, as it has been for all the other major Cowboys victories this season.

 

[benson]

Analysts like to pretend like the Cowboys field a highschool defense. We have 11 NFL caliber athletes who all take great pride in the star and are willing to give it 100% every single snap.

The d-line just got a huge confidence boost in that multi-sack effort against the Eagles. Let's see if they can't get hot and start playing like they know they can and put Luck in the dirt.

Scandrick is playing great ball, Church is playing well, Wilcox is developing. We know about the super-freaks we have in McClain and Carter. If this defense goes out and plays disciplined, fundamental ball, with our offense playing keep away, I don't see the Colts putting up over 28 points. Our offense is good enough to put up 30+ weekly, 40+ on bad defenses.

 

[xwalker]

You aren't a fan, are you? What is it that you don't like (other than his nickname convention)?

He does not like anything related to the Cowboys except DLaw and that's because he liked DLaw before the Cowboys picked him.

His dislike for all things related to the Cowboys includes the posters at CZ.

 

[Crown Royal]

He does not like anything related to the Cowboys except DLaw and that's because he liked DLaw before the Cowboys picked him.

His dislike for all things related to the Cowboys includes the posters at CZ.

I'm pretty sure he likes Morris Claiborne.

 

[blumayne38]

we have been exposed NO thanks alot Andy Benoit

 

[Jack Burton]

So according to this and some other pieces I've read, we have no chance against the great Colts? That's a bunch of bull. Both teams have some pretty big flaws. The Colts could beat the Cowboys. Sure. But the Cowboys could just as easily beat them too.

 

[walt_a_s]

As usual a columnist shapes reality to fit his desired context. "If" the Dallas o-line is intact and operating on all cylinders, the colts offense will have limited chances to match scores. All the Dallas D needs is a few stops and the game is definitely weighted towards Dallas. The Colts don't have a dominant unit like the Dallas o-line.

 

[DavidS]

We have no one who can really cover Fleener either,i really hope the error prone Luck shows up and we sneak through with a win.

 

[burmafrd]

this could be a shoot out; but Luck has shown a tendency to throw picks; so we have an edge there.

Bottom line is that overall our O is better; we have a better O line and a better back (If Murray is playing) and Romo is playing better than Luck this year

Colts D is not much if any better than ours.

So we should have an overall edge.

While it is true that we probably at best only have one player that would start on Seattle's D (their D line has not been dominant this year so its possible one of our guys could squeak in there) that really means nothing in the great scheme of things.

To be blunt outside of Lynch on the Seattle offense (and that is a close call comparing him to a healthy Murray) who on their Offense would start over anyone on the Dallas Offense?

 

[Arkyvarminter]

Most teams hate us. The Colts don't hate us. We usually beat teams that don't hate us............

 

[myslamsareolder]

So, to show how dominate the Colts are against cover 3 you use film from the Jaguars and Commanders games... Hmm, it couldn't possibly be the fact that they are two of the worst teams in the NFL. No, its the Colts DOMINANCE against cover 3... ****.

 

[skinsscalper]

this could be a shoot out; but Luck has shown a tendency to throw picks; so we have an edge there.

Bottom line is that overall our O is better; we have a better O line and a better back (If Murray is playing) and Romo is playing better than Luck this year

Colts D is not much if any better than ours.

So we should have an overall edge.

While it is true that we probably at best only have one player that would start on Seattle's D (their D line has not been dominant this year so its possible one of our guys could squeak in there) that really means nothing in the great scheme of things.

To be blunt outside of Lynch on the Seattle offense (and that is a close call comparing him to a healthy Murray) who on their Offense would start over anyone on the Dallas Offense?

Agree with everything here, except one thing : "we have a better O line and a better back (If Murray is playing)". We have a better back if Murray isn't playing. Richardson has been awful his entire career and Bradshaw (their best back ) is on IR. Herron could be an X factor if things set up well for him but I's still take Randle and Dunbar over Richardson and Herron all day long.

 

[BigStar]

Big D? Not So Much
The Cowboys are riding high after last Sunday’s takedown of the Eagles, but their secondary can easily be picked apart by Andrew Luck’s Colts ... plus, smart watching for Week 16 and film study revelations

By
Andy Benoit
http://mmqb.si.com/2014/12/18/nfl-week-16-dallas-cowboys-indianapolis-colts/



Many are calling the Cowboys’ 38-27 win over the Eagles the biggest victory in Jason Garrett’s tenure. Impressive indeed, but the music will come to a scratchy halt this Sunday when Dallas’s overachieving defense collides with Andrew Luck’s Colts.

Contrary to popular belief, the Cowboys are not operating out of the Cover 2 base that has defined much of defensive coordinator Rod Marinelli’s career. Cover 2 has become for them what it’s become for about 29 other NFL teams: a situational scheme saved primarily for third down or two-minute situations. And like many of those 29 other teams, the Cowboys also dabble in quarters coverage or man-to-man in those situations.

If we have to label the Cowboys’ base defensive scheme, it’s a Cover 3. That is, each cornerback taking an outside third of the field and a single high safety taking the middle third of the field. In the box are four underneath defenders and four pass rushers. In this scheme, Marinelli has also been known to play man-to-man on the outside—the same thing Pete Carroll does up in Seattle.

But the Cowboys are a lesser version of the Seahawks. (With the possible exception of Orlando Scandrick as a nickel slot, every Cowboys’ starter would back up the current Seahawks’ starter.) The Colts, meanwhile, are one of the best “Cover 3 beating” teams in football.

It starts, of course, with Andrew Luck. Because he’s so deft at reading the field, both pre-and post-snap, he’s often immune to the copious disguises that precede many Cover 3 looks. He also plays in an offense that, under coordinator Pep Hamilton, has been superb at exploiting Cover 3 through play design.

It’s quite possible that Marinelli will employ different tactics this Sunday. The Cowboys have been decent in man coverage lately, something the Colts have struggled against. Above all, Cover 3 creates an eight-man box, which is why so many teams play it on first- and second-down. But the Colts’ rushing attack doesn’t warrant an eight-man box. The stiff-hipped Trent Richardson is the worst starting back in the NFL, and Dan Herron—the man who has been taking some of Richardson’s carries but should be getting all of them—is quick but not dynamic.

If Marinelli wants to keep two safeties back deep and play quarters, Cover 2 or “2-man,” he can. This does, however, mean Dallas could only rush four. Typically, Marinelli prefers that. But aside from the occasional splash (usually from 3-technique Tyrone Crawford), the Cowboys’ albeit improving D-line doesn’t generate consistent pressure. Plays can extend late in the down, when few quarterbacks are as good as Luck.

Expect the Colts to work the deep-intermediate levels of the field and challenge the Cowboys’ back seven, particularly safeties Barry Church and J.J. Wilcox. With rookie Donte Moncrief supplanting the mediocre Hakeem Nicks in more packages, the Colts have one of the league’s fastest receiving corps. This will be a week the Cowboys defense doesn’t overachieve...

Sweet ace post! Had a great time reading through that. Appreciate the effort!

 

[BigStar]

They actually do a decent job of mixing it up. Marinelli is a fine coordinator, but you can only do so much with this personnel.

Man D isn't a sacred coverage though. You're totally correct there is minimal talent but would like him to play to our corners strengths? Carr and Scan are man corners. Let them get physical? Cover 2 man is just about the same (BP ran this coverage to the playoffs in 03'). I don;t understand why THAT isn't our standard coverage in that there is no harm outside of Running Qbs. Our DL has minimal pressure so we allow Qbs to pick through our zone coverage? We are hoping for the zone equating in picks but don't have the pressure to allow that coverage? That seems like an obv adjustment? That's a CHI staple that should have been adjusted from day one. But we're not allowed to say that bc we aren't Lacewell.

 

[Mookie]

He will easily be the best QB we've faced so far. I'm a little worried, but at the same time, I don't think he's going to just absolutely destroy us like this guy does.

I'd still say Drew Brees. The guy is a proven veteran gunslinger who has experience, cold-blood and a super bowl ring to his favor. Not saying Luck won't as good, or can be as good as Brees, just as of now, Drew Brees gets the benefit of the doubt from me.

 

[Toruk_Makto]

He will easily be the best QB we've faced so far. I'm a little worried, but at the same time, I don't think he's going to just absolutely destroy us like this guy does.

He is not a better QB than Drew Brees.

 

[Cebrin]

This article balances the pro-Cowboys article in the other thread.

I think time of possession will be an important factor in the game. Both offenses will want to keep the opposing offenses off the field. In this respect, the Cowboys have the decided advantage with their running game. Keep the ball for 35+ minutes, and we win the game.

This. Smashmouth, move the chains, dominate the redzone and get just enough stops to get ahead. Same formula that's worked all year, and against a poor run defensive team.

 

[morasp]

The Colts offensive line is the key. I haven't checked their status this week but teams have gotten to luck and caused him to hurry his throws. As with most games we need to keep the pressure on him.

 

[Teren_Kanan]

Keeping them off the field is how we win. There's nothing else to it.

Failing to do that is losing the game.