Week 13 Matchup: Packers at Cowboys
Thursday, 8:15 p.m. ET (NFL ), Texas Stadium
The Edge
Quarterback: Advantage Packers
Running backs: Advantage Cowboys
Receivers: Advantage Packers
Offensive line: Advantage Packers
Defensive line: Advantage Cowboys
Linebackers: Advantage Cowboys
Secondary: Advantage Packers
Pass rushers: Advantage Packers
Special teams: Advantage Cowboys
Depth: Advantage Cowboys
Coaching: Advantage Packers
Prediction Packers 27 at Cowboys 28
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War Room scouts break down every NFL game. Here is a excerpt of their Packers-Cowboys matchup:
Packers Keys For Success
1. Pressure Tony Romo without blitzing. The Packers are a good defensive team because of their ability to pressure quarterbacks. Romo is having a great season (29 touchdowns, 13 interceptions), so the Packers must make him uncomfortable Thursday night. The Packers rank third in the NFL with 32 sacks, and end Aaron Kampman leads the league with 11 sacks. Kampman never stops hustling and must disrupt Romo's rhythm throughout the game. Cullen Jenkins, who shares the other end position with pass-rush specialist Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila, must have a greater impact this week because of the uncertain health of Gbaja-Biamila (ankle, knee).
2. Maintain balance on offense. Green Bay will need more than just a great passing attack to win at Dallas. The Packers must establish Ryan Grant and use more of a ball-control game plan. It would be wise to limit the number of possessions for the Cowboys' high-powered offense. A balanced attack also would help keep the Packers' banged-up defense -- cornerback Charles Woodson (toe), safety Aaron Rouse (knee), safety Nick Collins (knee) in addition to Gbaja-Biamila -- rested. The more carries Grant receives, the less the Cowboys will be able to focus solely on rushing Brett Favre and defending the pass.
3. Protect Favre. The Cowboys are sure to attack Favre. Outside linebackers DeMarcus Ware and Greg Ellis are primary concerns, but ends Marcus Spears and Chris Canty also are pass-rush threats. The Packers have protected Favre well this season, and he has responded by completing 68.5 percent of his passes with 22 touchdowns and only eight interceptions. The more pressure the Cowboys' put on Favre, the more likely he is to rush a throw and/or make a poor decision. The Green Bay offensive line has a tough task Thursday night in trying to contain the Cowboys' tenacious pass rush.
Cowboys Keys For Success
1. Jam the Packers' wide receivers. The Cowboys must be aggressive to control the Packers' high-powered passing game. Packers coaches prefer to use Favre on three-step drops to his those quick slants. Dallas cornerbacks Terence Newman and Jacques Reeves should play press coverage on the Packers' talented but young receivers. Favre wants to throw quickly, so the cornerbacks should line up on the inside shoulder of the receivers and play physical bump-and-run coverage. The jams should alter Green Bay's attack and give the Cowboys' talented pass rush time to reach Favre.
2. Throw over the middle. Romo should throw more often to tight end Jason Witten and wide receiver Terrell Owens over the middle. Witten is one of the NFL's best tight ends and is a mismatch against any Packers linebacker. Witten's role Thursday night gets bigger should wide receiver Patrick Crayton (ankle) not be able to play. Offensive coordinator Jason Garrett should call plays for Owens over the middle, too. Green Bay cornerbacks Al Harris and Woodson are tough. Woodson is nursing a toe injury, and his status is uncertain. Owens can utilize his big frame and excellent hands by running crossing routes on third downs to move the chains.
3. Throw on first down. Green Bay is sure to attack Romo. The Packers, too, are strong against the run. Garrett should use short passes on first and second downs to force the Packers' defensive linemen to be honest and to constantly watch for screen passes. Dallas running backs Marion Barber III and Julius Jones are both capable receivers and excellent open-field runners. The strength of the Packers' defense is its ability to play as a unit and to fly to the ball. The short passing game could create situations where Barber or Jones is isolated on a linebacker in the open field.
The Edge
Quarterback: Advantage Packers
Running backs: Advantage Cowboys
Receivers: Advantage Packers
Offensive line: Advantage Packers
Defensive line: Advantage Cowboys
Linebackers: Advantage Cowboys
Secondary: Advantage Packers
Pass rushers: Advantage Packers
Special teams: Advantage Cowboys
Depth: Advantage Cowboys
Coaching: Advantage Packers
Prediction Packers 27 at Cowboys 28
Expert Picks
Sign up now to find out who our experts are picking!
War Room scouts break down every NFL game. Here is a excerpt of their Packers-Cowboys matchup:
Packers Keys For Success
1. Pressure Tony Romo without blitzing. The Packers are a good defensive team because of their ability to pressure quarterbacks. Romo is having a great season (29 touchdowns, 13 interceptions), so the Packers must make him uncomfortable Thursday night. The Packers rank third in the NFL with 32 sacks, and end Aaron Kampman leads the league with 11 sacks. Kampman never stops hustling and must disrupt Romo's rhythm throughout the game. Cullen Jenkins, who shares the other end position with pass-rush specialist Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila, must have a greater impact this week because of the uncertain health of Gbaja-Biamila (ankle, knee).
2. Maintain balance on offense. Green Bay will need more than just a great passing attack to win at Dallas. The Packers must establish Ryan Grant and use more of a ball-control game plan. It would be wise to limit the number of possessions for the Cowboys' high-powered offense. A balanced attack also would help keep the Packers' banged-up defense -- cornerback Charles Woodson (toe), safety Aaron Rouse (knee), safety Nick Collins (knee) in addition to Gbaja-Biamila -- rested. The more carries Grant receives, the less the Cowboys will be able to focus solely on rushing Brett Favre and defending the pass.
3. Protect Favre. The Cowboys are sure to attack Favre. Outside linebackers DeMarcus Ware and Greg Ellis are primary concerns, but ends Marcus Spears and Chris Canty also are pass-rush threats. The Packers have protected Favre well this season, and he has responded by completing 68.5 percent of his passes with 22 touchdowns and only eight interceptions. The more pressure the Cowboys' put on Favre, the more likely he is to rush a throw and/or make a poor decision. The Green Bay offensive line has a tough task Thursday night in trying to contain the Cowboys' tenacious pass rush.
Cowboys Keys For Success
1. Jam the Packers' wide receivers. The Cowboys must be aggressive to control the Packers' high-powered passing game. Packers coaches prefer to use Favre on three-step drops to his those quick slants. Dallas cornerbacks Terence Newman and Jacques Reeves should play press coverage on the Packers' talented but young receivers. Favre wants to throw quickly, so the cornerbacks should line up on the inside shoulder of the receivers and play physical bump-and-run coverage. The jams should alter Green Bay's attack and give the Cowboys' talented pass rush time to reach Favre.
2. Throw over the middle. Romo should throw more often to tight end Jason Witten and wide receiver Terrell Owens over the middle. Witten is one of the NFL's best tight ends and is a mismatch against any Packers linebacker. Witten's role Thursday night gets bigger should wide receiver Patrick Crayton (ankle) not be able to play. Offensive coordinator Jason Garrett should call plays for Owens over the middle, too. Green Bay cornerbacks Al Harris and Woodson are tough. Woodson is nursing a toe injury, and his status is uncertain. Owens can utilize his big frame and excellent hands by running crossing routes on third downs to move the chains.
3. Throw on first down. Green Bay is sure to attack Romo. The Packers, too, are strong against the run. Garrett should use short passes on first and second downs to force the Packers' defensive linemen to be honest and to constantly watch for screen passes. Dallas running backs Marion Barber III and Julius Jones are both capable receivers and excellent open-field runners. The strength of the Packers' defense is its ability to play as a unit and to fly to the ball. The short passing game could create situations where Barber or Jones is isolated on a linebacker in the open field.
posted by The Gryphon at 9:09 PM
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