Fansided

Predictions for the NFL Divisional Playoff games

By James Simpson II

Dec 22, 2013; Baltimore, MD, USA; New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) greets Baltimore Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco (5) after the game at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mitch Stringer-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 22, 2013; Baltimore, MD, USA; New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) greets Baltimore Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco (5) after the game at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mitch Stringer-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 28, 2014; Green Bay, WI, USA; Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (12) reacts after the Packers beat the Detroit Lions 30-20 at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 28, 2014; Green Bay, WI, USA; Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (12) reacts after the Packers beat the Detroit Lions 30-20 at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports /

No. 3 Dallas Cowboys (12-4) at No. 2 Green Bay Packers (12-4)
Sunday January 11, 2015 1:00 pm on FOX

In my opinion, this is the best game of the Divisional Playoff round and the one I’m looking most forward to watching. It’s the Ice Bowl 2.0 at Lambeau Field. Two of the five greatest NFL franchises in history going at it. Two MVP candidates in quarterbacks Aaron Rodgers and Tony Romo facing off against one another. I will not go as far as saying this matchup has a chance to turn into a greater game than that Ice Bowl, yet this one has the makings of matching the 1967 NFL Championship Game in terms of sheer drama.

The Packers come into this contest with their likely MVP in Rodgers suffering from a left calf injury and that could slow his mobility down given that he’s the best quarterback ever at throwing accurately on the run/move. Yeah EVER. The Packers have a nice run-pass balance (8th in passing, 11th in rushing) that makes them extremely dangerous that involves playmakers like 1,000 yard runner Eddie Lacy and 1,000-yard receivers Randall Cobb and Jordy Nelson. On defense they have one of the best defenders in Clay Matthews leading the way.

The Cowboys on the other hand, can match anything the Packers offense can do. They own the best offensive line in football, the best running back this season in DeMarco Murray, a top eight quarterback in Tony Romo, and top-five level receiver in Dez Bryant, and one of the statistically best tight ends ever in Jason Witten. In Dallas Wild Card comeback win Sunday against the Lions, they showed resiliency and the mental fortitude that many critics questioned past Cowboys teams for not having. The Cowboys bend-but-don’t-break defense with no stars on the defensive side has worked out well this year under the guidance of defensive coordinator Rod Marinelli.

This one is a plain toss-up and one that could go either way. The Packers were undefeated at home in the regular season at 8-0, while the Cowboys went undefeated on the road at 8-0. Something’s got to give. One historic fact that I came across right after the Cowboys defeated the Redskins in Week 17 was that there have been only six teams since the NFL-AFL merger in 1970 that have finished the regular season undefeated on the road – including these 2014 Cowboys – and they were the 1984 49ers, 1989 49ers, 1990 49ers, 2001 Rams, and the 2007 Patriots. Four of those five teams made the Super Bowl (1984 49ers, 1989 49ers, 2001 Rams, 2007 Patriots) and two of those five teams won the Super Bowl (1984 49ers, 1989 49ers).

That stat alone makes me feel confident in picking Dallas in this game, including the myth that the Packers have some kind of superior advantage at Lambeau Field. In this 21st Century, the Packers are only 4-5 at home during the playoffs and 1-2 with Aaron Rodgers starting (Remember the Packers 2010 Super Bowl run happened with them winning three straight away games before advancing to the Super Bowl). This one’s hard to predict folks but I’m feeling a vibe with this Dallas team. I know the Packers will be hard to take down in Lambeau with Rodgers at the helm but this Dallas team is built to do it.

The Pick: Cowboys 27-23

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