Saturday, December 20, 2008

Cowboys-Ravens Prediction, 12/20

Tonight the Cowboys host the Ravens in the final game of Texas Stadium.

The Ravens and Cowboys are both 9-5 and in the playoffs as wildcard teams if the season were to end today.

Here are the keys to the game for the Cowboys according to the Sporting News:
1. Fluster Flacco. The Cowboys have flustered some of the league's top quarterbacks -- Ben Roethlisberger and Eli Manning -- the past two games. The Cowboys sacked Roethlisberger five times and Manning eight. The key, though, is taking away the running game and making teams one dimensional. Flacco passed for just 115 yards against Pittsburgh. In fact, he has passed for more than 200 yards just once in the last six games, with eight touchdowns and five interceptions. He's only been sacked 25 times this season.

2. Feed of emotion.This is likely the last game at Texas Stadium. Combine that with the emotion and intensity fans usually bring to a night game, and the Cowboys should have every emotional advantage. Baltimore is not equipped to play from behind with its conservative offense and rookie quarterback. If the Cowboys can score early and make the Ravens abandon their running game, they'll have a significantly easier time with this team.

3. Use Tashard Choice early and often. It's hard to believe, but Tashard Choice has been the Cowboys' best offensive player each of the last two weeks. He had 166 yards in total offense against Pittsburgh and 143 yards against the Giants. He's equally effective in the running and passing game, and he's provided the offense with yet another player with big-play capability.

Game Prediction: Cowboys 17, Ravens 9

Sunday, December 14, 2008

Cowboys-Giants Prediction, 12/14

The Cowboys have dealt with a huge distraction this week caused by Terrell Owens. How's the saying go - those who don't know history are doomed to repeat it or something like that? We've seen this all before and we saw last week how difficult it can be to win with distractions like the Giants experienced.

Tonight, the Cowboys will look to disregard those distractions and focus on the Giants, who have looked like the best team in the NFL. They are without Brandon Jacobs, but it will be interesting to see how the pass distribution of the Cowboys affects T.O.

Here are the keys to the game for the Cowboys according to the Sporting News:
1. Make the Giants one-dimensional. Dallas can't allow the Giants to be balanced on offense, because coordinator Kevin Gilbride too many options. The Giants have rushed for more than 2,000 yards and Eli Manning has passed for more than 2,700 yards. The best thing for the Cowboys to do is take away the running game, even if they consistently put eight men in the box. If the Giants can run the ball effectively, they can control the clock, wear down the defense and set up play-action passes that can lead to big plays. The Cowboys' run defense has allowed more than 100 yards just once in the past five games.

2. Get Romo to protect the ball. Tony Romo will continue to have trouble in big games if he keeps turning the ball over. Romo accounted for four of Dallas' five giveaways last week with three interceptions and a fumble. He is careless with the ball and reckless in his never-ending quest to make a big play. That recklessness is also the reason he's one of the best quarterbacks in the league. Still, he can't have more than one turnover against the low-risk Giants and expect to win.

3. Avoid a Pittsburgh hangover. The Cowboys were outscored 17-0 in the final seven minutes last week as the Steelers overcame a 13-3 deficit. The loss was devastating for a team fighting to make the playoffs. Dallas probably needs to win at least two of their final three games to make the postseason. They can't afford to come out sluggish or spend the week having a pity party over the loss to Pittsburgh.

Prediction: Giants 21, Cowboys 13 (Hate to admit it, but think the distractions will really hurt.)

Sunday, December 7, 2008

Cowboys-Steelers Prediction, 12/7

Today, the Cowboys face the Steelers. The Cowboys are currently in 2nd-place in the NFC East. The Cowboys will be without Marion Barber today and possibly DeMarcus Ware.

Here are the keys to the game for the Cowboys according to the Sporting News.
1. Win first down: Let's be clear, the Cowboys have no chance to beat Pittsburgh unless they win first down, otherwise the Steelers -- ranked No.1 in run, pass and total defense -- and defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau will be able to dictate the game's tempo. The Steelers lead the NFL in first-down defense, allowing just 3.97 yards. That means their opponents are usually facing second-and-long, which allows the LeBeau to weave his blitz magic. James Harrison (14) and LaMarr Woodley (12) have combined for 26 sacks, in part, because Pittsburgh's defense consistently gets teams in long yardage situations on second and third down because they dominate first down.

2. Generate big plays: The Cowboys have one of the league's best big-play offenses, and it has returned now that Romo is back in the lineup and the broken pinkie that forced him to miss three games is feeling better. The Cowboys had nine plays of more than 10 yards in the first quarter last week against Seattle and 13, not including a 21-yard pass interference penalty, in the first half. Romo had completions of more than 30 yards to Owens, Jason Witten and Roy Williams that set up points. Pittsburgh has yielded only 15 pass plays of more than 20 yards this season, which ranks first in the league. Something has to give.

3. Sack Roethlisberger: For a big, mobile quarterback, Roethlisberger has been sacked 33 times this season, which seems like a lot for a guy who should be able to elude pressure. You can blame some of that on an injured offensive line that can't protect him the way it has in the past. The Steelers' defense isn't going to give up too many points, which means it's up to the Cowboys' defense to keep the score close. Dallas has 18 sacks in the past four games, including seven last week against Seattle. Keeping Roethlisberger hemmed up is the best way for Dallas to win the game.

Game Prediction: Cowboys 21, Steelers 20