Cowboys vs Packers: One For The Ages?

The Dallas Cowboys are playing some great football in the 2014 season, and Sunday’s win against the Detroit Lions was no different. In a game that was dominated by the Lions in the first half, everything was completely turned upside down in the second half by Dallas’ big three of Tony Romo, Dez Bryant and Demarco Murray, and oh, there was a bit of a pass interference call that was botched by the refs too.

Dallas pulled out the victory and are on their way to Green Bay to face Aaron Rodgers and the mighty Packers. Now it’s time to reflect on what has happened, and what may transpire in Green Bay.

The Tuck Rule Cometh, Again?….

What a difference a penalty makes right? Not really. In yesterday’s win over the Lions, Dallas got the benefit of possibly the most horrific call I have ever seen watching the NFL. For me, it was just as heinous if not more so than the infamous Tuck Rule call that went against the Oakland Raiders when they played the New England Patriots in the 2001 AFC Divisional Game in Foxboro.

That play should have been a fumble but the refs didn’t see it that way. The refs called it an incomplete pass; the Patriots went on to win that game and the Super Bowl that season.

The Pass Interference against Dallas was bad, and the referees dropped the ball big time on that play, but that was one terrible call in an entire half of football. Don’t let conspiracy guy fool you, that one play did not decide the game, and after the loss Lions players including Ndamukong Suh said the same.

The Lions scored 3 points in the second half and their head coach Jim Caldwell had opportunities to go for it on 4 and 1 and decided to punt even though he has Megatron, Reggie Bush and Matthew Stafford. The Lions committed three turnovers and were 4-11 on 3rd down in the game and scored only 3 points in the entire second half. 

Those are not numbers indicative of one terribly missed call, those numbers say more about a team that didn’t play as well in the second half as they did in the first half, and games are won in the second half’s of football games. Jason Garrett and Scott Linehan made the necessary adjustments for the Dallas at halftime, the offense started clicking, and there was no answer for the Cowboys big three on offense once they started going.

The Lions absolutely got hosed on that pass interference call, and anyone who says different is a clear Cowboys homer, but that game was lost by the Lions not playing great football when it mattered most, and Dallas was the better team over 60 minutes.

The Immoveable Force Meets the Unstoppable Object…

I think NFL fans are about to witness something special when Dallas goes up to Green Bay. Both quarterbacks, Tony Romo and Aaron Rodgers, have played MVP level football this season. And even though I would probably give the award to Aaron Rodgers over Romo, both have been nothing short of spectacular in 2014; and I think NFL fans are going to see a fireworks show on Sunday.

Against the Lions on 3^rd and 4thd down, Tony Romo was 8-of-12 for 195 yards and 2 TD’s, remarkable numbers when it mattered most. Coupled with another game winning drive against the Lions, Romo is seriously at the top of his game right now.

But that baaaaaaaad man on the other sideline Aaron Rodgers is also at the top of his game, and his season numbers of 4381 yards, 35 touchdown and only 5 interceptions is frightening. And now both quarterbacks will be in their element. The Dallas Cowboys are 8-0 on the road this season and the Packers are 8-0 at Lambeau Field. Look the numbers for Romo and Rodgers:

Tony Romo on the road: 20 TDs, 2 INT, 70.6 completion %, 121.8 rating Aaron Rodgers at home: 25 TDs, 0 INT, 67.1 completion %, 133.2 rating

— Jon Machota (@jonmachota) January 5, 2015

I don’t even know what to make of that other than both defenses are about to get lit up something terrible. The Dallas Cowboys do have a couple of things working their favor coming into the game. The Cowboys have the best running back in the league and arguably the best offensive line, the Packers on the other hand have the 23 ranked run defense in the league which is a huge boost for Dallas.

Demarco Murray had a great second half against the Lions and the Lions defense was second against the run in the NFL this season. The Dallas running attack should be the focal point of Dallas’ game plan on Sunday, and if they stick to that script, they’ll be able to do damage. There’s also Green Bay’s playoff record at home in recent years which should also spur the Cowboys on:

Green Bay home record in playoff history: 1960-2002: 12-0, 2003-now: 3-5

— Bob Sturm (@SportsSturm) January 5, 2015

Once kickoff happens, none of the stats matter whatsoever. It will be the team that makes the least amount of mistakes and capitalizes on their opportunities that will inevitably win. The Packers are the favorite and should be the favorites on Sunday even with the possibility that Rodgers is having a problem with his calf muscle. But the Cowboys can beat anyone, and this season has proved it. This is going to be an amazing game, and may the best team win. Go Cowboys!

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