| Randolph Charlotin. 29th November, 2007 - 1:02 pm
 If history is a predictor, then the key to the Green Bay versus Dallas game might be to lose. This match-up is very much like the game played between the New York Giants and San Francisco 49ers in 1990.
NY and San Francisco, both 10-1, were the class of the NFC.
The Packers and Cowboys have identical 10-1 records and are well on their ways to claiming division titles. It isn't a total surprise that Dallas is this good, but Green Bay virtually came from out of nowhere. Few expected the Pack would only have one loss after losing to a struggling Chicago Bears team in week 5. But seven weeks later they won six straight and are ready to play for what possibly will be home field throughout the playoffs.
Dallas's loss came a week later in week six. They briefly went back and forth with New England before penalties gave New England the opportunities to put the game away. There were expectations coming into this season after a first round exit from the playoffs last year. Dallas’ quick climb to the top of the NFC might be above what many thought the 'Boys would do this year.
The game pitted a future Hall of Fame quarterback (Joe Montana) against a quality passer (Phil Simms).
Brett Favre is Canton bound. This year he added to his Hall of Fame resume by becoming the all-time leader in passing touchdowns and a memorable overtime win against Denver (84-yard TD pass to Greg Jennings). He's a three-time league MVP, a Super Bowl XXXI MVP and is regarded as one of the toughest players with his consecutive games started streak at 248 and counting. But what he will be remembered for is how he plays the game. He genuinely enjoys every aspect of the sport, from threading passes into tight spots to running for his life while being pursued by defenders. He always gives his best effort, even if that meant throwing a block during a reverse. Going all out led to Favre becoming the all-time leader in interceptions, but having a gunslinger mentality means taking chances to try to win.
It is an approach that Tony Romo has but has successfully dialed back to tremendous success this year. While he doesn't have the Hall of Fame resume, if Romo keeps playing the way he does, in time Romo will. Tony takes after Favre in many ways, from embellishing plays, to throwing with different arm angles, to completing passes while off-balance. So far it has all worked for Romo in his first full season as a starter. If he keeps it up, he should be considered for the MVP. It's an award he will be competing with Favre for.
The Giants and 49ers were the top two defenses in the league.
While both Green Bay and Dallas have good defenses, their offenses take the lead. Dallas and Green Bay are 1-2 offensively in the NFC respectively. With the QBs leading the way, the passing game for both teams are flying high. Romo has his version of Jerry Rice in Terrell Owens and a more athletic Brent Jones-like tight end in Jason Witten. Favre's doesn’t have a receiver with superlative skills, but he has a well-rounded group that makes up the difference in talent with balance. Donald Driver leads the group, Jennings is becoming a great deep threat, and rookie James Jones has played well in a complementary role. Spreading the passes among the receivers worked well for the ’90 Giants.
The defensive philosophies were aggressive with an emphasis on making plays.
Neither will be mistaken for the San Fran and New York units that regularly shut down opponents. Dallas deploys a 3-4 defense that puts the attention on the linebackers. It's not just the alignment that is similar to the Giants and Niners. Outside linebacker DeMarcus Ware gets compared to (unfairly) to Lawrence Taylor. Like Taylor, Ware was handpicked by Bill Parcells to be the primary rush linebacker. Bradie James, Akin Ayodele, and Greg Ellis complete the quartet like Steve DeOssie, Pepper Johnson, and Carl Banks were Taylor's teammates in dismantling offenses. In front of Dallas’ LBs is an aggressive defensive line led by defensive end Marcus Spears. The secondary is anchored by strong safety Roy Williams who hits like Ronnie Lott. Corner back Terrence Newman is the shut-down corner that blankets the top receiver.
Green Bay plays a 4-3 with a rotation of defensive linemen to keep them fresh. Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila is the speed end that best applies pressure during passing situations. He's the closest to Charles Haley on the Packers. Aaron Kampman is a blue collar D-end that produces with non-stop effort. Cullen Jenkins, Ryan Pickett, Johnny Jolly, Corey Williams, work together and unselfishly to make offenses miserable. Right behind them are three young linebackers quickly making a name for themselves. Brady Poppinga, A.J. Hawk, and Nick Barnett are fast and can make plays all over the field. The secondary blends young safetys (Atari Bigby and Nick Collins) with experienced corners (Al Harris and Charles Woodson).
The game was a defensive struggle won by the home team, San Francisco.
This will not be a 7-3 win for the Cowboys. There will be points scored by both teams. Home field advantage goes to Dallas but the edge will be the running game as the 'Boys can pound away with running backs Julius Jones and Marion Barber III. The Packers have the worst rush attack in the league. They've found success starting Ryan Grant but three solid performances isn't convincing enough to believe he can gain yards against anybody, especially running behind a young offensive line.
Whoever wins will be the favorite to claim home field throughout the playoffs. That same advantage didn't benefit the 1990 49ers. Hosting the NFC Championship only meant San Fran had a short trip home after losing a 15-13 street fight to the Giants.
But the NFC Championship is far away. Both teams will be in the playoffs and they'll have to earn their way to play for the conference championship.
Make no mistake, though. Whoever wins Thursday gets a psychological advantage in case they meet again in the playoffs. But as the 49ers and Giants showed in 1990, a regular season win means nothing in the playoffs. If losing a regular season battle leads to winning the NFC Championship, either team would be more than happy to take a step back to get a step ahead when the stakes are higher.
Randolph Charlotin can be reached at lordrc@netzero.net. |
