2016 Playoffs round 2 -- in big D

[PackAttack12]

One thing some of you are forgetting is that the Cowboys defense was near the best in the league in December. They were actually at the top in sacks and turnovers end of year. Those of you saying how much better the Giants D is are making inaccurate statements. The Cowboys are the healthiest they've been all season, and Sean Lee will instruct our D on how to attack and contain AR. The Cowboys best corner is back as well Morris Claiborn. Don't forget that David Irving killed you guys last time and is coming on and is beastly right now. Basically, the Packers are scary with AR, but to discredit the Cowboys D, is a HUGE mistake by you as fans.

Interesting point.

For the season, these are the rankings for each respective team:

Opponents Passer Rating------- Giants 2nd/Cowboys 24th
Opponents Yards Per Game----- Giants 24th/Cowboys 26th
Opponents Completion %------- Giants 3rd/Cowboys 31st
Opponents passing 1st downs--- Giants 17th/Cowboys 29th
Opponents passing TD's/game-- Giants 3rd/Cowboys 18th
Opponents completions/game---Giants 21st/Cowboys 32nd

These are strictly passing statistics, as that is what you'll need to be worried about this Sunday with Aaron Rodgers and the roll that he is on.

I'm not sure what the rankings are for December, like you allude to, but Carson Wentz, Matthew Stafford with a bum finger, Jameis Winston, Eli Manning, and Sam Bradford is nothing to write home about. Only one of those quarterbacks is in the top 10 in QBR this season, that being Stafford, who again had a bum finger and hasn't been the same in weeks.

So you can bloviate all you want to about how this Cowboys defense has somehow flipped a switch in December, but I'm not buying it. Don't mistake Eli Manning for Aaron Rodgers.

Your defense is a bend, but don't break defense that has been a good situational unit, due to your offense providing such a discrepancy in time of possession, so you better hope that continues. Because if there isn't like a 40/20 difference in TOP, Rodgers is going to pick that defense to pieces.

To even try to suggest that the Cowboys defense is comparable to the Giants is blasphemy.

 

[PackerDNA]

Starting to sound like Packer fans who are getting arrogant. Anyone remember the pasting they gave us at Lambeau earlier this season?
This is not a great matchup, especially our D vs their O. If we start off slow again on offence, I could see the Packers having to become one dimensional as they keep trying to make up 2 or 3 TD deficits all game. This game will depend on our D; big plays , turnovers, get them off the field as quickly as possible. Hoping Dom has some things up his sleeve to sow confusion and hesitation in young Mr. Prescott's mind.

 

[broguy]

Starting to sound like Packer fans who are getting arrogant. Anyone remember the pasting they gave us at Lambeau earlier this season?
This is not a great matchup, especially our D vs their O. If we start off slow again on offence, I could see the Packers having to become one dimensional as they keep trying to make up 2 or 3 TD deficits all game. This game will depend on our D; big plays , turnovers, get them off the field as quickly as possible. Hoping Dom has some things up his sleeve to sow confusion and hesitation in young Mr. Prescott's mind.

I actually think the discussion here from Packer's fans has been pretty level-headed. Most people seem to be expecting a hard fought game that could go either way. There is rightfully a lot of confidence in our offense right now, as well as concerns about our defense's ability to limit the effectiveness of their ball-controlling offense.

I have no issue with Cowboys fans coming over to intelligently discuss the game. I just find it bizarre that opposing fans would come to this message board and be surprised and clearly upset that fans here are confident in our offense.

Also, saying that having confidence in our offense against Dallas' D is a "HUGE mistake" is hilarious, and somehow implies that we, as fans, have an impact on the outcome of this game. I have faith that McCarthy will be game planning for the Cowboys D regardless of the confidence of the packerforum.com message boards.

ETA: The second two paragraphs are not directed at you, PackerDNA. Just all the Johns and Erics of the world

 

[C-Lee]

Starting to sound like Packer fans who are getting arrogant. Anyone remember the pasting they gave us at Lambeau earlier this season?
This is not a great matchup, especially our D vs their O. If we start off slow again on offence, I could see the Packers having to become one dimensional as they keep trying to make up 2 or 3 TD deficits all game. This game will depend on our D; big plays , turnovers, get them off the field as quickly as possible. Hoping Dom has some things up his sleeve to sow confusion and hesitation in young Mr. Prescott's mind.

That was an all around trash performance by us, specifically Aaron. Look at how he's playing now. We turned the ball over 4 times, including one at the goal line! That game doesn't count for much in my eyes.

 

[PackerDNA]

That was an all around trash performance by us, specifically Aaron. Look at how he's playing now. We turned the ball over 4 times, including one at the goal line! That game doesn't count for much in my eyes.

Again, the key will be our D vs their O. Last time out, that was a trash performance.

 

[C-Lee]

Again, the key will be our D vs their O. Last time out, that was a trash performance.

Priority #1 (and it's obviously easier said than done): Stop Zeke

 

[PackerDNA]

Priority #1 (and it's obviously easier said than done): Stop Zeke

Agreed, and fine ways to contain/confuse Dak.

 

[AmishMafia]

About damn time that fabled rookie wall kicks in.

Pack 33 Cowboys 26

Zeke 26/112/1
Dak. 23/41/185/2/3

 

[PackAttack12]

Agreed, and fine ways to contain/confuse Dak.

He hasn't been in many situations this year where he didn't have a running game to rely upon.

If we can find a way to stop Zeke on 1st down (easier said than done obviously), and if we're able to put Dak in unfavorable down and distance situations, I really like our chances. I don't think Dak will be able to carry that offense if he's forced to drop back 35-40 times.

 

[C-Lee]

Capers to the rescue!

 

[lil dicky]

What up fellas. New to the forum. Ive been a member of another Packers forum for many years now but figured Id branch out.

Anyways I bought tickets to the game this weekend. Just curious if anyone is going to be there and looking to tailgate.

 

[Croak]

Capers to the rescue!

 

[C-Lee]

Have no fear, Capers is here!

 

[CowboysFan]

Interesting point.

For the season, these are the rankings for each respective team:

Opponents Passer Rating------- Giants 2nd/Cowboys 24th
Opponents Yards Per Game----- Giants 24th/Cowboys 26th
Opponents Completion %------- Giants 3rd/Cowboys 31st
Opponents passing 1st downs--- Giants 17th/Cowboys 29th
Opponents passing TD's/game-- Giants 3rd/Cowboys 18th
Opponents completions/game---Giants 21st/Cowboys 32nd

These are strictly passing statistics, as that is what you'll need to be worried about this Sunday with Aaron Rodgers and the roll that he is on.

I'm not sure what the rankings are for December, like you allude to, but Carson Wentz, Matthew Stafford with a bum finger, Jameis Winston, Eli Manning, and Sam Bradford is nothing to write home about. Only one of those quarterbacks is in the top 10 in QBR this season, that being Stafford, who again had a bum finger and hasn't been the same in weeks.

So you can bloviate all you want to about how this Cowboys defense has somehow flipped a switch in December, but I'm not buying it. Don't mistake Eli Manning for Aaron Rodgers.

Your defense is a bend, but don't break defense that has been a good situational unit, due to your offense providing such a discrepancy in time of possession, so you better hope that continues. Because if there isn't like a 40/20 difference in TOP, Rodgers is going to pick that defense to pieces.

To even try to suggest that the Cowboys defense is comparable to the Giants is blasphemy.

I really don't disagree with anything you said. I feel like the Dallas defense has outperformed and surprised a lot of people, but the way the Cowboys play offensively is a huge reason for that. Overall the defense has held up relatively well, but they haven't faced all that many dynamic/explosive offenses. The two that come to mind are Pittsburgh and Washington and they got shredded by both.

They were able to get some stops in the red zone against Washington on Thanksgiving and build a lead and even though Washington got back in the game the Cowboys kept scoring on them which never really allowed them a chance. The Pittsburgh game was a shootout and fortunately the Cowboys had the ball last and they were able to drive right down and win the game.

The way Rodgers is rolling right now I don't feel really good about getting in a shootout like they did against the Steelers. To win the Cowboys need to get off to a fast start, build a lead, and make the Packers play catch up. You absolutely do NOT wanna give Rodgers a chance to win this game at the end.

 

[Johneric8]

Look, I actually like the packers as well, but sometimes fans that aren't paying attention to the other teams miss things. All I'm saying is that the Cowboys picked it WAY up on defense in December and really started clicking. We all know the NFL is about matchups, and from my perspective The Cows are not a great matchup for the Pack. I personally believe that the Boys were playing better D than the Giants in or around December and the stats prove it overall. Less points allowed, more sacks, interceptions, ETC.. The cows have also found ways to get pressure with three lineman and going into a dime... I believe this will give rogers fits.. We will see what happens and I'm ready. If I'm being honest, I believe some of you are overrating the cowboys offense and underrating their D.

 

[I asked LT to delete my acct]

Look, I actually like the packers as well, but sometimes fans that aren't paying attention to the other teams miss things. All I'm saying is that the Cowboys picked it WAY up on defense in December and really started clicking. We all know the NFL is about matchups, and from my perspective The Cows are not a great matchup for the Pack. I personally believe that the Boys were playing better D than the Giants in or around December and the stats prove it overall. Less points allowed, more sacks, interceptions, ETC.. The cows have also found ways to get pressure with three lineman and going into a dime... I believe this will give rogers fits.. We will see what happens and I'm ready. If I'm being honest, I believe some of you are overrating the cowboys offense and underrating their D.

You`re on a Packer forum. Do you really expect ANY of us to say "You know what John ?, you`re right, and your team is going to rip us a new one on Sunday". You`re very welcome here as a visitor, but try to be realistic. It will be a hard game, but we have to believe in our team. Just saying.

 

[I asked LT to delete my acct]

What up fellas. New to the forum. Ive been a member of another Packers forum for many years now but figured Id branch out.

Anyways I bought tickets to the game this weekend. Just curious if anyone is going to be there and looking to tailgate.

You MIGHT want to re-think that name.....lol Welcome to the forum.

 

[Johneric8]

In response to buggy- Look man, I don't think there are any guarantees and anyone playing AR should be very concerned.. The only point I'm making is that things have changed quite a bit for both teams, and the cows defense is a different animal just like AR is a different player right now. I'm serious when I say this though- Sean Lee is scary good right now, kind of like AR is... Things are going to get interesting..

 

[I asked LT to delete my acct]

In response to buggy- Look man, I don't think there are any guarantees and anyone playing AR should be very concerned.. The only point I'm making is that things have changed quite a bit for both teams, and the cows defense is a different animal just like AR is a different player right now. I'm serious when I say this though- Sean Lee is scary good right now, kind of like AR is... Things are going to get interesting..

And as I said, you are on a Packer forum. I wasn`t trying to be offensive to you, but nobody here is realistically going to admit that our team are worried too much, the same as if one of our went to your forum and tried to scare or worry you Cowboys fans.

 

[I asked LT to delete my acct]

It`s 11.45 p.m. here so I`m off to bed. John, you`re welcome here this week, that is a given, we welcome any friendly fans on our forum, but don`t expect too many to agree with you regarding our and your teams.

 

[CowboysFan]

John I think you're overrating the Dallas defense a little bit.

It's a solid, serviceable defense but the Green Bay Packers just shredded one of the truly elite defenses in the NFL the very same defense that shut down the Cowboys twice.

They have every right to be confident in their team. That quarterback is something special. He is right there with Peyton Manning and Tom Brady when it comes to being the best quarterback of this era.

He's gonna be difficult to beat. As a Cowboys fan I still have confidence in my team because they've been really good all year long and I think playing at home is huge for a young team.

Regardless of what happens on Sunday afternoon I feel both fan bases should be proud of their respective teams. For Green Bay to be able to come back from a 4-6 deficit and win out to make the postseason and blowing out some really quality football teams such as Seattle, New York, and Minnesota is very impressive. With how banged up that defense is and now some of their offensive weapons to be in the position they're in is quite remarkable. When you have a quarterback like Rodgers you will always be in the mix. That was the case with Favre and I think Rodgers is even better.

For Dallas this was a team that was 4-12 last year. Their quarterback play was among the worst in the league. Then Romo goes down and the young Prescott is forced into action. He's really had one of the better rookie seasons in recent memory.. He put a really good quarterback on the bench. If Dak keeps progressing and working he's gonna be around for a long time. Ezekiel Elliott has been everything he was expected to be and more. A dominant offensive line. Nobody expected them to be 13-3 and the future is bright in Dallas regardless of how this playoffs goes for them.

If the Cowboys win I won't brag or anything like that to these Packer fans. I'll simply congratulate them on a heck of a season they had. If the Cowboys lose I'll wish them luck in the next round. At the end of the day you love and support your team, you respect your opponents, and enjoy this beautiful game we get to watch because before you know it the season is over and it's a long, long offseason.

 

[mongoosev]

Look, I actually like the packers as well, but sometimes fans that aren't paying attention to the other teams miss things. All I'm saying is that the Cowboys picked it WAY up on defense in December and really started clicking. We all know the NFL is about matchups, and from my perspective The Cows are not a great matchup for the Pack. I personally believe that the Boys were playing better D than the Giants in or around December and the stats prove it overall. Less points allowed, more sacks, interceptions, ETC.. The cows have also found ways to get pressure with three lineman and going into a dime... I believe this will give rogers fits.. We will see what happens and I'm ready. If I'm being honest, I believe some of you are overrating the cowboys offense and underrating their D.

no fan is going to suit up so it doesn't matter what we think. personnel won't be calling any of us for advice, I guarantee you that. and i'm sure they are not taking this D lightly.

btw...my personal opinion is that dallas was lucky to capitalize on our slow start in the beginning of the season. we are now playing at the level most analyst expected before the season started. So with that said, you claim your D is playing caliber level now, well our O is now playing at that same caliber level as well. you have to grant us that.

 

[PackerFanLV]

Must stop the run and beasley on 3rd downs. If we do that I think we get ahead and I dont think Dak will be able to bring them back. Zeke and beasley the key I think.

 

[Sky King]

Just thinking about some of the outliers and wondering how much, if at all, they may play into the game's outcome. Outside of the O, D and STs trying to outplay one another and coaches trying to out think one another, there are some other items to consider.

How will previous NFL playoff experience (or lack of it) affect performance, especially early in the game? Key Packer players have experienced being behind in playoff games before and they've still found ways to win them, sometimes in rather spectacular fashion and at the very last moment. They know they can do it. They've also lost them that way, too. Will the Cowboy's lack of NFL playoff experience at key positions lead to mistakes being made in high-pressure situations? Some very important Cowboys players have never been in that situation before.

The bye week is also something interesting to ponder. Sometimes teams having a bye come out of it feeling better physically thanks to that extra week of rest, but they can also come out a little flat, too. We've seen this happen to the Packers and other teams in the past. How will the Cowboys respond to that phenomenon?

Theoretically, the team that starts fastest and builds a significant early lead may be at an advantage because it may force the other team to become one-dimensional. Can Prescott successfully come from behind relying almost exclusively upon the passing game? We don't know. We already know that's possible with Rodgers.

Home field is certainly an advantage for the Cowboys and injuries are the great equalizer. The Packers are razor thin at some positions due to injury and they can ill afford to lose any more players. Another advantage for the Cowboys. However, injuries have also given young Packer players the benefit of gaining extensive game experience simply out of necessity. How will either team cover a rash of injuries, especially to key performers? Having Romo as a backup is definitely an advantage for the Cowboys at QB.

 

[C-Lee]

A fast start on offense would be huge for us.