Solid team. Playing about as well as any in the NFL right now. . . The only problem with rookie QBs is that by the playoffs teams have books on them and they don't tend to fare as well then. They're like great heat throwers in the early part of a Major League career. They don't have enough junk yet. So if whats in the bag doesn't work they're done for the night. Dak is really talented and I like the way he's handling himself under center, but the best defenses will be giving him pressure he mostly hasn't seen yet. The Ravens game was encouraging. Minnesota has a talented defense too, so this will be another good game to watch on that front.
I'd tend to agree. That's how the Giants pulled New England's teeth in the first SB match up and how they did it against the Bills years earlier. I'd be happier if they found someone to rush effectively...I think they're the pride of the NFC now in the toughest division, echoing the west in the AFC. That said, the Pats, when healthy, might rattle them. I mean, New England is even better at keeping folks out of the end zone and they're only trailing Dallas on offensive production marginally, and that with Brady on the bench for four of the eleven games.
I'd get a kick out of a healthy Pats/Cowboys SB...though there are a few contenders who will have something to say about it on either side. I think the NFL is better for having Dallas and Oakland back in stride, the way college football needs a strong Golden Dome and Crimson Tide.
Getting there might be hard enough. Gronk is going to have back surgery, so there goes a serious weapon. It makes them less imposing.
In New England it goes "Kickers win championships", but they don't say it as much since Adam left town.
Washington...not sure about whether or not they have enough at the skill positions to wade deeply into the playoffs. Atlanta is a lot like Dallas, but I think they're mentally fragile. We'll see.
It will be interesting to see how it impacts the team. I'd say it moves them back into the pack. Of course, the good news for AFC contenders is that the Western Conference is going to keep one or two real competitors on the bench come playoff time.
That has more to do with your defensive woes. Philly played you close. The Giants played you close. So did the Steelers. The teams that padded the rest of your schedule? The oddly declining Bengals, the Bears and the Browns. The only surprise beat down was the one you handed the Ravens. So if Dallas wins against quality teams, which tends to be who you face in the playoffs, don't look for a dominating performance. They aren't quite built for it on the defensive side just yet.
Their history plays against them. They've been either poorly coached or inadequately staffed for a long time. Only the Bengals have squandered more potential in recent years. Same sort of problem there as in Atlanta too. I think they lack swagger and a depth of confidence. This year they're playing pinball, offensively, but as with Dallas their defense keeps other teams in the game. The only thing that makes me wonder if they can turn the corner is the drubbing they gave a decent Arizona, following the embarrassing loss to Philly right before the bye. The next few games are going to shake a few things out.
I think last night encapsulates my evaluation of the Cowboys. They went against a playoff caliber defense and it took a lot out of their offense. On the other side, as you rightly note, the Vikings offense isn't a playoff caliber variety (at least not without its signature RB out for a bit more) and the defense did enough.
Thanks. I enjoy thinking about and talking about football, so it's really good to have you active on the boards on point. I put in provisional picks for this week (on ESPN), but I'm going into finals and it's been hard to find time to spend fleshing it out here. Maybe something late today or tomorrow. I should have gone with my reservations on your guys yesterday, but really, until fairly late it looked like the gamble was going to pay off. When the numbers are that close it's just a stroke of luck that makes the difference one way or another.