Dallas O: Cowboy Up
Dallas O
This offense has spiraled downward so fast without Tony Romo and Felix Jones. In fact, I just finished watching the tape of Cowboys vs. Bucs, and the Cowboy offense is Marion Barber breaking tackles. If Marion did not break tackles and make things happen, they would have no offense. And, it is very clear Brad Johnson just does not have any confidence. There were several plays dialed up for him to throw the ball down the field and he would not even look at the routes.
Brad had been one of the great pros in this league, and one of the great people in the NFL, but this is a clear sign of what 15 years can do to a player. Keep in mind he has been a Super Bowl-winning QB so he does know how to play this game, but he just does not have the skill left to do it.
Watch the State Farm NFL Matchup show at 7:30 am ET this Sunday on ESPN and I will show you what I’m talking about. I do not believe Brad will finish the game against the Giants, not because he will get hurt, but because the coaches will pull him. You have been a great player Brad.
Dallas D
Two things changed once Wade started calling plays. One, they played with a sense of purpose and everyone flew to the football – and quite honestly, they should have been doing that all year. Two, Wade has always been an aggressive coordinator and had guys moving around. Well he had a lot of movement out of his LBs and he brought pressure as well. I would expect that to continue.
Pittsburgh O
One problem has hurt this offense all year and it will be the one thing that keeps them from the Super Bowl, or it will be the thing that gets them to the Super Bowl and that is pass protection. Here is the real trouble, and it’s symptomatic of an offensive line that has not played a lot together: The Steelers do not handle stunts and twists very well and all that is, is when 2 DL cross at the snap of the ball, what that does is force 2 or 3 offensive linemen to work together and if you don’t work together, you let guys go. That has been a big problem for the Steelers’ offensive line. Mewelde Moore has done a nice job filling in but on 3rd down he does not block as consistently as he needs to. And Ben is a guy who has made so many plays when the defense wins by his movement, he will hold the ball a second longer than he needs to at times. And one other thing, the running game lacks the physical and explosive style it has had for years, Willie Parker should bring that back.
Giants D
Here is the bottom line with the Giants D: You can tell what a defense is all about at the end of games with a lead. They had a lead and what did they do? They blitzed the Steelers on every play. They are playing championship style football.
Washington D
One guy that shows up every week and makes play after play is London Fletcher. No matter who plays them, you better get him blocked. What a player. He is so instinctive just watching him dissect plays as they are unfolding is a thing of beauty.
Beau Hoge throws a touchdown pass:
For more NFL analysis, check out my Web site at MerrilHoge.com.
– Merril
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