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Predictions for NFL Wild Card Weekend

By James Simpson II

Dec 21, 2014; Arlington, TX, USA; Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo (9) throws in the pocket against the Indianapolis Colts at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 21, 2014; Arlington, TX, USA; Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo (9) throws in the pocket against the Indianapolis Colts at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 28, 2014; Landover, MD, USA; Dallas Cowboys running back DeMarco Murray (29) scores a touchdown during the second quarter against the Washington Redskins at FedEx Field. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 28, 2014; Landover, MD, USA; Dallas Cowboys running back DeMarco Murray (29) scores a touchdown during the second quarter against the Washington Redskins at FedEx Field. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports /

NFC Wild Card

No. 6 Detroit Lions (11-5) at No. 3 Dallas Cowboys (12-4)
Sunday January 4, 2015 4.40 pm on FOX

If there’s one team that is built to beat the defending champion and the NFC’s No. 1 seed Seattle Seahawks, it’s the 2014 version of the Dallas Cowboys. The explosive trio of Tony Romo, Dez Bryant, and DeMarco Murray similarly rivals the Cowboys Big Three of the 1990s of Troy Aikman, Emmitt Smith, and Michael Irvin. They run the football better than any team (second in rushing) and they have the best run blocking and passing blocking offensive line in football. There lethal throwing the football and their kicking game is dependable. While Dallas defense isn’t great or that talented by any stretch of the imagination, they are deceptive and are fast to the football. Over the last couple of years, these Cowboys have been prone to fall apart down the stretch in December but not this year. In December, they’ve been utterly dominate outscoring their four opponents 165-79 and their offense is clicking averaging 41.2 points per game. Oh yeah, they went 4-0 during the month too.

It’s a surprise to see the Lions here, I’ll tell you that, especially with Matthew Stafford being off this year based on his standards and Calvin Johnson being injured most of the season and not nearly as effective as he usually is. The Lions haven’t been the dangerous offensive team this year that they are accustomed to being but there run defense led by Ndamukong Suh (first in the league) has been a big revelation, given how poorly the Lions have been on that side of the ball the last few years.

(Note: News came out Monday that Suh would be suspended for the Dallas game because he intentionally stepped on the leg of Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers in Sunday’s game. Suh appealed the suspension and won the appeal. He will play Sunday.)

This game will be a battle of who can control the line of scrimmage and even with Suh in the lineup; I can’t vision a scenario where the Lions front four will have success slowing down Dallas’ well-oiled running machine with the league’s leading rusher in DeMarco Murray. The Lions passing game isn’t as scary as in year’s past but is still more than capable of making the Cowboys defensive backs sweat some, but to what extent. This game is all about Dallas in my opinion. Their focused, in a zone, and are just a more complete football team that can hurt you in more ways than the Lions can. I applaud the Lions for overachieving this season but the Cowboys are playing like a team on a mission and a team that is looking to erase the “Will find a way to choke in a Big Game” stigma that has been following this team the last five years. This is a different Cowboys team folks and there out to show that in the playoffs.

My Pick: Cowboys 41-20

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