{"id":2715,"date":"2017-01-15T10:24:05","date_gmt":"2017-01-15T15:24:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bigredsportsmachine.com\/?p=2715"},"modified":"2017-01-15T10:24:05","modified_gmt":"2017-01-15T15:24:05","slug":"divisional-weekend-nfc-sunday","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.bigredsportsmachine.com\/?p=2715","title":{"rendered":"DIVISIONAL WEEKEND – NFC (SUNDAY)"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"Can<\/a>

Can we have a close game please?<\/p><\/div>\n

As I sit here and watch the Patriots well on their way to covering a 16-point spread, I think:\u00a0 Sweet baby Jesus, are we going to have a close game ever this playoff season?\u00a0 All 6 playoff games thus far have been double-digit victories by the home team.\u00a0 Where\u2019s the parity?\u00a0 [stands up on soapbox] Where\u2019s the \u201cany given Sunday\u201d bullshit?\u00a0 [speaking aloud now]. The NFL can blame the presidential election<\/a> all they want, but, if you ask me, ratings are down because the meaningful games aren\u2019t close.\u00a0 There\u2019s no drama.\u00a0 No intrigue.\u00a0 The biggest story this week was the Chargers moving to L.A., and no one really gives a shit about that.\u00a0 L.A. fans are already booing<\/a>.\u00a0 Ouch, that\u2019s cold.<\/p>\n

But fool me once, shame on me.\u00a0 Fool me 6 times, and shame on me still.\u00a0 Because, like a dog in heat, I know there\u2019s some good action right around the corner.\u00a0 I just got to keep at it.\u00a0 And speaking of good action, let\u2019s break down the Cowboys and Packers.<\/p>\n

Green Bay at Dallas (-5.5), 4:40 p.m.<\/strong><\/p>\n

God dammit.\u00a0 The Cowboys are the Number 1 seed [commence head getting ready to explode].\u00a0 I can\u2019t take hearing Jerry Jones scream, \u201cHow \u2018bout them Cowboys!\u201d\u00a0 As if that a-hole had anything to do with it.\u00a0 Yes, the Cowboys have drafted brilliantly over the past couple years\u2026solidifying their o-line with picks like Travis Frederick, Zach Martin, and Tyron Smith.\u00a0 And obviously, they hit a couple of homers this past draft with Ezekiel Elliot and Dak Prescott Anyway, the only thing Jerrah did right was shutting up (to the extent that\u2019s possible).\u00a0 Remember when he wanted to draft Johnny Football<\/a>?\u00a0 He\u2019s at least smart enough to learn to stay out of the way\u2026but not humble enough to give the credit to others.\u00a0 Anywho, let\u2019s get to the game.<\/p>\n

\"Not<\/a>

Not all of Jerry’s decisions are bad…<\/p><\/div>\n

While everyone thought that Ezekiel Elliot had the potential to hit the ground running (pun intended) no one thought the same of Dak.\u00a0 In fact, nothing was expected of Dak, who was drafted in the 4th<\/sup> round, 135th<\/sup> overall, and the 7th<\/sup> qb taken.\u00a0 He wasn\u2019t even expected to play, let alone succeed. \u00a0And succeed he did, tying for the most wins by a rookie QB.\u00a0 But here\u2019s the worst part about Dak:\u00a0 we like him (note: we will deny this in public).\u00a0 He doesn\u2019t make mistakes.\u00a0 Doesn\u2019t get rattled, even under pressure.\u00a0 He progresses through his reads like a veteran.\u00a0 And he seems like a good guy, someone you would probably root for if he were on any other team.\u00a0 If there\u2019s any silver lining, it\u2019s that Tony Romo is now a has been.\u00a0 He\u2019ll look great in Buffalo!<\/p>\n

\"Out<\/a>

Out with the old, in with the new!<\/p><\/div>\n

While Dak was a pleasant surprise, everyone had high expectations of Elliott, who was drafted #4 overall.\u00a0 Zeke lived up to those high expectations and then some\u2026leading the league in rushing with 1,631 yards, over 300 yards more than the next running back.\u00a0 He made defenses look foolish.<\/p>\n

\"Simply<\/a>

Simply nasty.<\/p><\/div>\n

How can a rookie running back and quarterback win 13 games and be the number 1 seed?\u00a0 What happened to the NFL learning curve?\u00a0 It certainly helps to have a championship caliber line to open up monster running lanes.\u00a0 Offensively, the Cowboys don\u2019t have great balance.\u00a0 They are only 23rd<\/sup> in the league in passing at 226 yards per game, but they are second in rushing at 149 yards per game.\u00a0 Having a dominant running game will always (yes, always) trump the passing game.\u00a0 It keeps your offense on the field, controlling the clock and managing drives.\u00a0 The fewer chances the other team has with the ball the fewer opportunities they have to score.\u00a0 So can this rookie duo propel Jerrah back to the Super Bowl?\u00a0 Enter Green Bay.<\/p>\n

\"Another<\/a>

Another touchdown pass.<\/p><\/div>\n

The Packers are the hottest team in the playoffs right now.\u00a0 Aaron Rodgers and company put on a show last week against the Giants.\u00a0 They bend but don\u2019t break.\u00a0 They were down early, hung around, and then did this at the end of the first half:<\/p>\n