Beating Ourselves: Packers Using Cowboys Winning Formula

Dec 15, 2013; Arlington, TX, USA; Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo (9) calls a play at the line of scrimmage in the game against the Green Bay Packers at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports

Against the Green Bay Packers, our Dallas Cowboys will face a version of themselves – perhaps a better version. No, I’m not going backwards on my bold pre-season prediction of a 19-0 record. I took heat for that prediction, but my goal was to imply that the Cowboys had as good a shot as any other team to win it all. When I take an honest look at the Packers, I see a team using the Cowboys’ winning formula.

Look at the numbers and you’ll see two incredibly similar offenses. The Cowboys have an edge in rushing yards per game and time of possession. The Packers relied on the arm of their quarterback Aaron Rodgers and have a small edge in total yards per game. These two teams are playing a version of themselves, but the flaw in these comparisons – Offenses don’t play against the other teams offense.

The Packers roster has more “name” recognition. It’s a product of producing on the field and having players in national State Farm and Fat Head commercials. It also helps that the Packers have made it into the NFL Playoffs 11 times since 2000 and in 2010, they won it all. Ironically, that Super Bowl was played in Cowboys Stadium which is now our AT&T Stadium.

The Cowboys have made the playoffs five times since 2000, but we’re America’s Team with a prolific offense. General Manager / Owner Jerry Jones, quarterback Tony Romo, receiver Dez Bryant and tight end Jason Witten are household names. On the other side of the ball, our defense entered the season underrated because we released DeMarcus Ware. Ware stood for nine years as the defensive face of our franchise. It remains a job vacancy that has yet to be filled.

Once again, these statistics are as close as you can get, with the exception of sacks. All numbers point to an epic playoff battle between these two teams. So, the difference might fall back to the hotly debated topic from Week 17.

The Cowboys didn’t rest any players in what many (including myself) considered a meaningless game against Washington. Instead, they engaged in a physical and mentally draining on-field battle for the purpose of maintaining “momentum”.

The Packers earned a playoff bye week. They used their time off: getting medical treatments, sleeping late, playing with their kids, eating home cooking and watching game films. The drawback is that their momentum stopped.

It’s been a non-stop grind for the Cowboys. This will be their eighth straight game since their regular season bye week. The Packers played eight games before resting last week.

I’m a huge supporter of rest – in fact, it’s safe to say that I’m definitely pro-nap. For the majority of us, our jobs aren’t nearly as physically taxing as a day on the gridiron. If you remember getting Spring Break or took a week of vacation time between Christmas and New Years, you know how the Packers feel after their bye week.

This Sunday however, I’ll be cheering for momentum to carry the Cowboys to victory. Hopefully the Packers continue to sleepwalk through the first half.

#TeamMomentum (this week)

#GoCowboys

#FinishTheFight

#WeDemBoyz

When I’m not napping, I’m making comments at Facebook.com/CowboysRob