Sunday, January 17, 2010

Previewing Today's Divisional Round Playoffs: Cowboys at Vikings

There is no reason why this shouldn't be the most competitive game of the weekend. Starting with a win over the Saints, the Cowboys come into this matchup having won 4 straight games and all in fairly dominating fashion. The Vikings struggled down the stretch but finished the season on a high note with a week 17 dismantling of the New York Giants. This should be a game of great offense as both teams sport a talented stable of play-makers surrounding an experienced quarterback.

I think we can disregard Minnesota's less-than-stellar December after having a bye week as the Saints and Colts proved a team can turn it on last night. I'm excited for this game because I believe both teams will be at their best and this one should come down to whichever team can make more plays in the 4th quarter. The Vikings and QB Brett Favre will look to exploit the Cowboys secondary by establishing the run and giving Favre time to find open receivers downfield. The Cowboys run their offense in much the same fashion and have the personnel to beat you at every level of the field with receiving threats like Miles Austin and Jason Witten. Despite their potent offenses these teams win by controlling the line of scrimmage on both sides of the ball. Look for this game to be close at the end and decided by big plays from both the offense and the defense.

I'm giving the edge to the Cowboys in this one because I believe they have the X-Factor in RB Felix Jones. Jones had been relatively unheard of after he suffered a season-ending knee injury early in his rookie year. The Cowboys recent success has coincided with Jones seeing a larger role in the offense and I saw him first-hand gash the Eagles twice in a row with a surprising combination of speed and power. If they Cowboys can open up some room for Felix to run then it could be a long day for the Vikings defense.

If that's the case then I can foresee Brett Favre forcing the issue and turning the ball over late, but that's just my opinion.

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