How and why the Colts will beat the Cowboys
By Mike Ivanitch on November 17, 2006 12:55 AM
The Dallas Cowboys are a team playing with a purpose these days, winning two of their last three games (with the only loss a squeaker they nearly won versus Washington). Every week is basically a must win for them in the dogfight called the NFC East. And Tony Romo's mobility has sparked their passing game.
As for their opponent, the Indianapolis Colts , they come into this game with less pressure to win, possessing a whopping four-game lead in their division.
But this Sunday's contest between the two teams will not be won by the boys with stars on their helmets. And here's the way I see it.
The situation is similar to the game Indy played with the Patriots a few weeks back. New England had a good defense, a good passing game, a solid running attack and homefield advantage. Yet the Colts took that game from the home team with timely turnovers and their own offense's steady play.
Offensively, Dallas doesn't measure up to the Patriots. Romo is no Tom Brady, and Julius Jones and Marion Barber III don't quite equal Corey Dillon and Laurence Maroney. I'll give you that Terrell Owens is better than any receiver New England had; but with Terry Glenn banged up, the Colts can double-cover the walking soap opera all day long.
True, Dallas has gained balance on offense. But so have the Colts.
As the Cowboys have gotten better throwing the ball of late, the Colts have found a nice little running game of their own to complement a stellar passing attack. With Joseph Addai now grasping the system after putting nine games under his rookie belt, they've averaged 102 yards per game on the ground over the last four games.
If you want to look at numbers, here they are: The Dallas team defense is ranked No. 3 overall (ninth versus the pass, fourth versus the run). Indianapolis is ranked 16th overall (second versus the pass, 32nd versus the run).
Yep, there it is -- the Colts' glaring deficiency at stopping opposing backs. It's no secret the Cowboys will run the ball plenty on Sunday. It's what Bill Parcells likes to do every week. And everyone knows it. Of course, that includes Indy's coaching staff, which could stack the box to stop the run, force Romo to the air and cause the guy with three starts worth of experience into making multiple turnovers. Hey, it worked against New England, didn't it? The Colts' biggest defensive difference maker, Bob Sanders, will play this week and help make that happen.
And if they are unsuccessful at stopping the Cowboys' passing game, it would turn into an aerial shootout. We all know how that would turn out.
Though the game will pit the two top-rated quarterbacks in the league against each other, Manning will school the younger Romo like he did his little brother in Week 1.
Welcome to the big-boy league, Mr. Jessica Simpson. Watch the QB guru and learn.
Final Score: Colts 27, Cowboys 23. Bob Sanders intercepts Romo twice.
The Dallas Cowboys are a team playing with a purpose these days, winning two of their last three games (with the only loss a squeaker they nearly won versus Washington). Every week is basically a must win for them in the dogfight called the NFC East. And Tony Romo's mobility has sparked their passing game.
As for their opponent, the Indianapolis Colts , they come into this game with less pressure to win, possessing a whopping four-game lead in their division.
But this Sunday's contest between the two teams will not be won by the boys with stars on their helmets. And here's the way I see it.
The situation is similar to the game Indy played with the Patriots a few weeks back. New England had a good defense, a good passing game, a solid running attack and homefield advantage. Yet the Colts took that game from the home team with timely turnovers and their own offense's steady play.
Offensively, Dallas doesn't measure up to the Patriots. Romo is no Tom Brady, and Julius Jones and Marion Barber III don't quite equal Corey Dillon and Laurence Maroney. I'll give you that Terrell Owens is better than any receiver New England had; but with Terry Glenn banged up, the Colts can double-cover the walking soap opera all day long.
True, Dallas has gained balance on offense. But so have the Colts.
As the Cowboys have gotten better throwing the ball of late, the Colts have found a nice little running game of their own to complement a stellar passing attack. With Joseph Addai now grasping the system after putting nine games under his rookie belt, they've averaged 102 yards per game on the ground over the last four games.
If you want to look at numbers, here they are: The Dallas team defense is ranked No. 3 overall (ninth versus the pass, fourth versus the run). Indianapolis is ranked 16th overall (second versus the pass, 32nd versus the run).
Yep, there it is -- the Colts' glaring deficiency at stopping opposing backs. It's no secret the Cowboys will run the ball plenty on Sunday. It's what Bill Parcells likes to do every week. And everyone knows it. Of course, that includes Indy's coaching staff, which could stack the box to stop the run, force Romo to the air and cause the guy with three starts worth of experience into making multiple turnovers. Hey, it worked against New England, didn't it? The Colts' biggest defensive difference maker, Bob Sanders, will play this week and help make that happen.
And if they are unsuccessful at stopping the Cowboys' passing game, it would turn into an aerial shootout. We all know how that would turn out.
Though the game will pit the two top-rated quarterbacks in the league against each other, Manning will school the younger Romo like he did his little brother in Week 1.
Welcome to the big-boy league, Mr. Jessica Simpson. Watch the QB guru and learn.
Final Score: Colts 27, Cowboys 23. Bob Sanders intercepts Romo twice.
posted by The Gryphon at 6:54 PM
<< Home