The Match-Up no one's talking about: Dallas' DL vs. Detroit's OL

[JBell]

The Great Wall of Dallas 2.0 vs. Suh and company is getting all the headlines, but the other side of the trenches looks to really be in our favor.

Just finished watching NFL Match-up right now and Merril Hoge loves the the match-up of our rush men vs. Detroit's OL.

Hoge said the Boys D-Line does a great job with their stunts and twists. He then mentioned on at least 3 occasions that Detroit's OL has struggled against stunts and twists all season.

Detroit will be without their starting RG and RT for the game with RG Warford being ruled out. Rookie guard Travis Swanson will be taking Warford's place, and undrafted rookie Cornelius Lucas has been filling in the last couple of weeks at RT for injured starter LaAdrian Waddle.

Here's what some Packers scouts had to say about Detroit's replacements at RG and RT.

In his second start, Swanson lined up next to right tackle LaAdrian Waddle in New England when the Patriots heaped enormous pressure on Matthew Stafford in their 34-9 victory.

"Most of the problem was Swanson," said a defensive coach who studied the tape. "Wasn't very good. He has trouble with movement. You can double-move him where you fake inside and come outside."

The assistant and one of the scouts called Lucas the weak link of the Lions' line.

"I'd love to have Peppers on him all day long," said one scout. "He did battle against the Bears but he's still raw and not a real nifty guy. He drops his head a little bit, and any time you waist bend you're not in a position to slide.

"It'd be even better to put (Clay) Matthews over there. He has so much acceleration in concert with his hand moves. That's what this guy has had trouble with."

Added the defensive coach: "(Lucas) gets powered. He will stay after you but kind of a waist-bender. Get him off-balance, get him running."

Lucas has allowed 5.5 sacks and committed three penalties for 30 yards in just three starts.

This game won't be close if the D-line can take advantage of these back-ups.

They exploited Indy and Washington's weak links on the OL the past couple of weeks so I actually have some confidence in our DL to get the job done.

 

[1LoyalCowboyFan]

The Great Wall of Dallas 2.0 vs. Suh and company is getting all the headlines, but the other side of the trenches looks to really be in our favor.

Just finished watching NFL Match-up right now and Merril Hoge loves the the match-up of our rush men vs. Detroit's OL.

Hoge said the Boys D-Line does a great job with their stunts and twists. He then mentioned on at least 3 occasions that Detroit's OL has struggled against stunts and twists all season.

Detroit will be without their starting RG and RT for the game with RG Warford being ruled out. Rookie guard Travis Swanson will be taking Warford's place, and undrafted rookie Cornelius Lucas has been filling in the last couple of weeks at RT for injured starter LaAdrian Waddle.

Here's what some Packers scouts had to say about Detroit's replacements at RG and RT.




Lucas has allowed 5.5 sacks and committed three penalties for 30 yards in just three starts.

This game won't be close if the D-line can take advantage of these back-ups.

They exploited Indy and Washington's weak links on the OL the past couple of weeks so I actually have some confidence in our DL to get the job done.

Really hope Crawford plays. Let's see Lawrence get a sack this game.

 

[Sarge]

Detroit is overrated from a variety of standpoints.

 

[d_dub88]

Melton's knees took a crappy time to give out but towards the end we weren't counting on him much anyway. I'm hoping Spencer plays big through the playoffs.

 

[elcowboi]

This would be a nice time for Spencer and Lawrence to step up their game. It'll also be nice if Brent can clog the middle and cause some one on one matches on the outside.

 

[Fmart322]

This could be where we win or lose the game. If we can't disrupt Stafford and let him have time, naturally, we'll be in trouble.

 

[theogt]

I mentioned this in another thread. I went back and watched the games Warford's replacement played in earlier in the season. Let me tell you, he is really bad. As in, shouldn't even be in the league bad.

 

[ScipioCowboy]

I mentioned this in another thread. I went back and watched the games Warford's replacement played in earlier in the season. Let me tell you, he is really bad. As in, shouldn't even be in the league bad.

Who would be lined up over him? Crawford?

 

[DuceizBak]

Exactly.
Our d actully gets a lot of pressure despite what many believe, and the detroit lion offensive line is garbage.

If we get up 10-0 we'll win this game.
After that Matthew Stafford turns into "get the ball to Calvin no matter what" guy

 

[jobberone]

Good stuff guys.

 

[Mansta54]

This is a excellent matchup that's being overlooked and I see the Boyz Dline getting after their arse, they will stop the run and Stafford will be very uncomfortable today. Don't know if they'll get sacks but they will constantly move him off his spot, their oline isn't good at all and they're missing their big OG. This matchup will be key.

 

[theogt]

Who would be lined up over him? Crawford?

Depends, but Crawford should face him some today. Have we heard for sure Crawford is playing?

 

[xwalker]

Melton's knees took a crappy time to give out but towards the end we weren't counting on him much anyway. I'm hoping Spencer plays big through the playoffs.

Broaddus on the other Cowboys media guys claim that if Josh Brent had been ready last week, that Melton might have been a healthy scratch.

 

[xwalker]

The Great Wall of Dallas 2.0 vs. Suh and company is getting all the headlines, but the other side of the trenches looks to really be in our favor.

Just finished watching NFL Match-up right now and Merril Hoge loves the the match-up of our rush men vs. Detroit's OL.

Hoge said the Boys D-Line does a great job with their stunts and twists. He then mentioned on at least 3 occasions that Detroit's OL has struggled against stunts and twists all season.

Detroit will be without their starting RG and RT for the game with RG Warford being ruled out. Rookie guard Travis Swanson will be taking Warford's place, and undrafted rookie Cornelius Lucas has been filling in the last couple of weeks at RT for injured starter LaAdrian Waddle.

Here's what some Packers scouts had to say about Detroit's replacements at RG and RT.




Lucas has allowed 5.5 sacks and committed three penalties for 30 yards in just three starts.

This game won't be close if the D-line can take advantage of these back-ups.

They exploited Indy and Washington's weak links on the OL the past couple of weeks so I actually have some confidence in our DL to get the job done.

I reviewed the Lions game from last week. The backup RG was not a complete disaster or anything. He generally stayed in between the pass rusher and the QB, but he was easily bull rushed. He didn't offer much in run blocking. With the starting Center back, I think Swanson moves over from Center to RG.

 

[nablives]

This would be a nice time for Spencer and Lawrence to step up their game. It'll also be nice if Brent can clog the middle and cause some one on one matches on the outside.

I agree. Time for all 3 of those guys to show up, most especially Brent and Lawrence. Spencer kinda seems like he's been getting a little better each week.

 

[jblaze2004]

my fear today is the x factor, reggie bush. We cannot let him take 2 yard swing passes for 10+. He can run routes and catch like a wr. We seem to struggle vs the screen. I can see bush, tate and johnson getting about 6+ screen calls today.

 

[d_dub88]

Broaddus on the other Cowboys media guys claim that if Josh Brent had been ready last week, that Melton might have been a healthy scratch.

Funny how Brent coming back could not have come at a better time.

 

[xwalker]

Funny how Brent coming back could not have come at a better time.

Hopefully he is ready today.

 

[mahoneybill]

Really hope Crawford plays. Let's see Lawrence get a sack this game.

Would be a great occasion for him to get his first one in his first playoff game

 

[MissouriCowboy]

Man Spencer has turned it on last few games and he might be the key to Dallas ownage of Lions weak o line.