Post by prossman on Dec 20, 2008 7:15:25 GMT -7
MySA.COM: Orsborn: Cowboys vs. Ravens: 5 things to watch
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Cowboys vs. Ravens: 5 things to watch
Here¡¦s what Express-News Cowboys beat writer Tom Orsborn says you should keep an eye on during tonight¡¦s game:
1. Will the Cowboys play with plenty of emotion or come out flat?
With tonight¡¦s game being the last regular-season outing at Texas Stadium, the wild-card hopeful Cowboys are expected to play with plenty of fire. Of course, the same was expected in 2005 when Dallas inducted Michael Irvin, Troy Aikman and Emmitt Smith into the Ring of Honor at halftime of a Monday night game against Washington. Instead of treating those legends to a win over a rival, the Cowboys fell 14-13 after giving up two long fourth-quarter strikes. And after back-to-back games against two division champions (Pittsburgh and the New York Giants) it¡¦s quite possible Dallas could suffer an emotional letdown, although quarterback Tony Romo says it won¡¦t happen. ¡§It¡¦s hard mentally for sure for a lot of guys to continue to play at that level week in, week out,¡¨ Romo said. ¡§But I think this team has had to do it for an extended period now, and it¡¦s almost becoming second nature that each week is almost a must-win.¡¨
2. Romo spreading the ball around
Dallas is 7-2 this season when Romo completes passes to seven or more players. Last week, he connected with a season-high nine receivers in the 20-8 win over the Giants. Since the Ravens¡¦ second-ranked defense probably won¡¦t allow many big plays, Romo will have to be patient again and look for his check-down options, especially dual-threat back Tashard Choice, whose 309 yards of total offense in the past two games is the most by a Cowboys rookie back since Julius Jones had 358 in consecutive games against Chicago and Seattle in 2004.
3. Beware the bruiser
The Cowboys rank seventh in the league in rush defense after having shut down several speedy, shifty backs, including Frank Gore, Brian Westbrook and Julius Jones. Dallas, though, has struggled against the two big backs ¡X the Giants¡¦ Brandon Jacobs (117 yards) and the Rams¡¦ Steven Jackson (160 yards) ¡X it has faced. The Cowboys face another bruiser tonight in Baltimore¡¦s 6-foot, 260-pound Pro Bowl fullback Le¡¦Ron McClain, who has rushed for 86 yards or more in three games this season.
4. Baltimore¡¦s version of ƒoThe Playmaker
No safety is better at jumping routes than the Ravens¡¦ Ed Reed, who leads the team this season with five interceptions, two of which he¡¦s returned for touchdowns. Romo can¡¦t afford to lose track of Reed. But that won¡¦t be easy because Reed isn¡¦t easy to track because he freelances a lot. Bottom line: The guy is always around the ball. In addition to his TDs via interception returns, he has one score this season on a fumble return.
5. Protecting the ball
Romo was turnover-free last week against the Giants, but he¡¦s facing a Ravens team that is tied for the league lead in interceptions with 22 and has a plus-14 turnover ratio in its nine wins. Baltimore¡¦s Joe Flacco has struggled this season with pressure, throwing 12 interceptions and fumbling 10 times. Considering the Cowboys lead the league in sacks with 53, it could be a long game for the rookie.
Prediction: Cowboys 17, Ravens 13
Bob Lilly and other members of the ¡§Doomsday¡¨ defense who will be on hand for the postgame farewell ceremony will watch with pride as DeMarcus Ware and Co. close down Texas Stadium with another big defensive performance.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cowboys vs. Ravens: 5 things to watch
Here¡¦s what Express-News Cowboys beat writer Tom Orsborn says you should keep an eye on during tonight¡¦s game:
1. Will the Cowboys play with plenty of emotion or come out flat?
With tonight¡¦s game being the last regular-season outing at Texas Stadium, the wild-card hopeful Cowboys are expected to play with plenty of fire. Of course, the same was expected in 2005 when Dallas inducted Michael Irvin, Troy Aikman and Emmitt Smith into the Ring of Honor at halftime of a Monday night game against Washington. Instead of treating those legends to a win over a rival, the Cowboys fell 14-13 after giving up two long fourth-quarter strikes. And after back-to-back games against two division champions (Pittsburgh and the New York Giants) it¡¦s quite possible Dallas could suffer an emotional letdown, although quarterback Tony Romo says it won¡¦t happen. ¡§It¡¦s hard mentally for sure for a lot of guys to continue to play at that level week in, week out,¡¨ Romo said. ¡§But I think this team has had to do it for an extended period now, and it¡¦s almost becoming second nature that each week is almost a must-win.¡¨
2. Romo spreading the ball around
Dallas is 7-2 this season when Romo completes passes to seven or more players. Last week, he connected with a season-high nine receivers in the 20-8 win over the Giants. Since the Ravens¡¦ second-ranked defense probably won¡¦t allow many big plays, Romo will have to be patient again and look for his check-down options, especially dual-threat back Tashard Choice, whose 309 yards of total offense in the past two games is the most by a Cowboys rookie back since Julius Jones had 358 in consecutive games against Chicago and Seattle in 2004.
3. Beware the bruiser
The Cowboys rank seventh in the league in rush defense after having shut down several speedy, shifty backs, including Frank Gore, Brian Westbrook and Julius Jones. Dallas, though, has struggled against the two big backs ¡X the Giants¡¦ Brandon Jacobs (117 yards) and the Rams¡¦ Steven Jackson (160 yards) ¡X it has faced. The Cowboys face another bruiser tonight in Baltimore¡¦s 6-foot, 260-pound Pro Bowl fullback Le¡¦Ron McClain, who has rushed for 86 yards or more in three games this season.
4. Baltimore¡¦s version of ƒoThe Playmaker
No safety is better at jumping routes than the Ravens¡¦ Ed Reed, who leads the team this season with five interceptions, two of which he¡¦s returned for touchdowns. Romo can¡¦t afford to lose track of Reed. But that won¡¦t be easy because Reed isn¡¦t easy to track because he freelances a lot. Bottom line: The guy is always around the ball. In addition to his TDs via interception returns, he has one score this season on a fumble return.
5. Protecting the ball
Romo was turnover-free last week against the Giants, but he¡¦s facing a Ravens team that is tied for the league lead in interceptions with 22 and has a plus-14 turnover ratio in its nine wins. Baltimore¡¦s Joe Flacco has struggled this season with pressure, throwing 12 interceptions and fumbling 10 times. Considering the Cowboys lead the league in sacks with 53, it could be a long game for the rookie.
Prediction: Cowboys 17, Ravens 13
Bob Lilly and other members of the ¡§Doomsday¡¨ defense who will be on hand for the postgame farewell ceremony will watch with pride as DeMarcus Ware and Co. close down Texas Stadium with another big defensive performance.