Friday, December 2, 2011

Avoiding the Trap

I've already mentioned how this feels like a trap game for the Cowboys. So the key this week will be avoiding the pitfalls that usually result in losing a game like this one. The Cowboys are the better team. I think that is clear. But if they come out lackadaisical or sloppy they can easily lose to the Cardinals. The Cowboys are good enough to play a bad game and win.

So what do the Cowboys need to do to beat the Cardinals? I think the #1 priority needs to be to get out to a fast start. If the Cowboys can put 10 or 14 points on the board on their first few drives and keep the Cardinals off the scoreboard I think this game can be a cake walk. But the longer the Cowboys let the Cardinals hang around the more you can expect a tough battle that won't be won until late in the game.

Tony Romo needs to protect the ball. The Cowboys don't need a banner performance from Romo. It would be nice if he can hit a few big plays but the Cowboys can beat the Cardinals with a relatively conservative game plan if they don't give the Cardinals any easy points off of turnovers. DeMarco Murray will help the Cowboys control the time of possession and prevent 3 and outs. The Cowboys just need to protect the ball on offense.

Patrick Peterson needs to be a non-factor in the return game. Sounds simple enough but certain things have to take place to keep him out of the game. The offense needs to sustain drives. Even drives out to the Cowboys 40 or the 50 yard line allow McBriar to boom the ball inside the 10 yard line and prevent any returns. If the Cowboys do have to punt from deep in their own territory it is vitally important that McBriar gets good hang time and pins Peterson along the sidelines. Again, easier said than done but at least McBriar is getting healthy again.

The defense needs to keep pressure in Kevin Kolb's face. It looks like Kolb will start this game after missing the last few weeks with several injuries to his foot. Kolb doesn't worry me after what I have seen from him this season and against the Cowboys at the end of last season. If the Cowboys can pressure Kolb he will be inaccurate and he'll turn the ball over. The Cardinals have allowed the 3rd most sacks in the league so getting pressure shouldn't be a problem.

The run defense can't let Beanie Wells get going. He is the X-factor that can open everything up for the Cardinal offense. Larry Fitzgerald can be contained by pressuring Kolb but it will take a good performance by the linebackers and defensive line to make sure Wells doesn't force the defense to back off of pressuring the quarterback and focus on stopping the run.

The Cowboys need to play with passion and intensity. There is a good chance that the Cowboys will be playing for the NFC East title next week against the Giants if they can win this game. But they can't get ahead of themselves. I know Garrett has been preaching the one game at a time approach to the season and this is the type of game that will show us if the players have been listening.

I am very nervous heading into this game. The last two times the Cowboys have visited Arizona strange things have happened that have caused the Cowboys to lose. I think this game will be different but it won't be any easy win. I'm picking the Cowboys to win 29-20 but I think the game will be close heading into the 4th quarter.

6 comments:

  1. Well I guess I could see that one coming. An overtime win against the Redskins followed by a one-point win against the Dolphins. Too many close games against below average opponents. Would've been nice to get a third in a row but it wasn't meant to be. On the upside, at least the Bears and Falcons lost which gives both those teams 5 losses as well. Hopefully the Lions will lose as well tonight against the Saints. Puts the Cowboys in better position for a playoff spot though it's obvious at this point that it's a one-and-out type scenario for them this season.

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  2. LOL. Jason Garrett proves my point, week in, week out. He is a hack coach who can't seem to make good decisions.

    Most teams play to win...Jason plays to lose.

    Cant wait for R. Ryan to be named HC.

    p.s. See JJ and how mad he was? Its about time.

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  3. As i said 2 weeks ago. We are not a playoff team, at this point and we should be. No, i do not think our defense played well at all. Our offensive line was pushed around entire game. We gave up on the running too quick. But i guess we had to, our line wasn't blocking. As much as i love Romo, he started out slow and stayed medicore throughout the game. Plain and simple, the Dallas Cowboys don't have the heart right now.......

    Your nexts weeks perdictions should read Giants 34 Cowboys 17

    Thats coming from a 36 year cowboy fan

    Just my 2 cents

    Thanks
    Mike

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  4. Giants 34 Cowboys 17? I think you are being a little too generous. Look for another Eagles like drubbing...

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  5. Depends which Giants team shows up I guess. If it's the one that lost to the Eagles and got slaughtered by the Saints, then we've got a chance. But if it's the team that beat the Patriots and was a hair away from beating the best team in football yesterday, then I see us getting drubbed. Tough game to call but since the Giants need the game more, they're going to be ready.

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  6. I agree, Anon. Jason Garrett seems to have a problem getting the boys ready for an important game...

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