Dallas Cowboys vs Green Bay Packers Divisional Round Preview
1/12/16 @TXSportsLounge
When I think of Cowboys-Packers I immediatey think of the Ice bowl and Dez Bryant's CATCH. If you are not reminded by at least one of those, you are not a true cowboys fan. In the 2014 NFC Divisional Round the Dallas Cowboys were robbed by the officials on a fourth and one play in which Dez caught a clutch pass which may have looked to be a touchdown. Upon "review" it was ruled that it was not a touchdown but an Incomplete pass!?!? (I'm still not over it) Here are the highlights of the 2014 match up below.
As you know, the Dallas Cowboys will host the NFC North Champions, The Green Bay Packers at AT&T Stadium this Sunday. The Cowboys come into the divisional round off a bye week, rightfully earned after finishing with the NFC's best record at 13-3. The Green Bay Packers are coming in off an absolute dominant performance in its victory in the wild card round against the #5 New York Giants whom finished second in the NFC East behind the #1 Dallas Cowboys.
The Dallas Cowboys and the Green Bay packers met earlier on in the year (week 7) at Lambeau Field in Green Bay. The week 7 match up between the two teams heavily favored the cowboys whom actually easily scored on the games first possession and never looked back. The Cowboys controlled the first half leading 17-6 at halftime. QB Dak Prescott went 18-of-27 for 248 yards, 3 touchdowns and 1 pick. Ezekiel Elliot absolutely dominated the injured packers defense as well going for 158 yards on 28 carries, averaging a whopping 5.86 yards per carry statistic.
On the other hand, Aaron Rodgers missed a couple of crucial throws that game but still went 31-of-42 for 294 yards regardless. Rodgers threw one TD and one pick. The biggest weakness that game for the packers and still continues to be a crushing weakness for green bay is the rushing attack. That week 6 match up Eddie lacy had the majority of the carries and couldn't muster up anything. Now Packers starting RB Eddie lacy is on the season ending IR and his back up James Stark's looked to be sidelined for another week.
Here are the highlights of the week 6 match up win by the Dallas Cowboys. (30-16)
However, even though the Packers backfield is injured this is still a much different team compared to the week 7 match up at Lambeau. The Packers offense behind MVP Candidate Aaron Rodgers has won 7 straight games dating back to November and comes into the game with Dallas RED-HOT. During their winning streak, Rodgers has thrown for 19 touchdowns without an interception. You may agree perhaps he is currently the hottest QB in the NFL.
Finally, Dak Prescott and Ezekiel Elliot are NOT two ordinary rookies, these are two rookies that have everything around for them to succeed, and avoid hitting a rookie wall. The Dallas Cowboys have one of the most dominant and arguably one of the best offensive lines in NFL history in front of them, they will succeed and take advantage of the below average Green Bay Packers Defense which is ranked #31 in the pass defense and #22 in total defense according to nfl.com
Prediction:
Cowboys:31 Packers:27
NFC Divisional Round
Sunday, January 15, 3:40 PM on FOX
AT&T Stadium, Arlington, Texas