A game between two unlikely early season playoff contenders will square off in Dallas in the final wildcard playoff game. The Lions have had a brilliant season under new head coach Jim Caldwell finishing the season at 11-5. The always emotionless Caldwell had an abysmal season as the Ravens offensive coordinator last season. The 2013 Ravens averaged a league low 3.1 yards per carry under Caldwell but nonetheless has had success managing Detroit this season. On the Dallas side of things the Cowboys have managed to shock peoples expectations this season. Early season predictions counted on Dallas being on of the worst teams in the NFL. Jerry Jones has done a great job of shattering those expectations by building one of the most dominant offensive lines in recent memory. I discussed this in a previous article https://defpen.com/why-the-success-of-the-2014-dallas-cowboys-starts-up-front/. Ndamukong Suh and the rest of the Lions defensive line will do their best to win the line of scrimmage battle. The following keys to the game reside below.
WHY Detroit WILL WIN
1. The Lions have that dangerous playoff sleeper feel to them
Saturdays victory for the Baltimore Ravens should be a reminder of why number 6 seeds are often times extremely dangerous. Last season both 6 seeds won their first round playoff games. In fact there have been two 6 seeds to win the Superbowl including the 2006 Steelers and 2011 Packers. There is no reason the Lions cant pull off a win just as Baltimore did so as the other number 6 seed. The fact that most experts will be picking Dallas will only feed the Detroit fire. A majority of the Detroit roster will be playing their first playoff game giving them a nothing to lose attitude. This Lions team is more dangerous than they have been given credit for. Golden Tate must be itching for a playoff game vs. his former Seahawk team. I expect Tate to be running routes like a man possessed in order to accomplish that feat.
2. The Lions have the number one ranked run defense
The emergence of Cowboys back Demarco Murray has been no secret around the league rushing for over 1,800 yards breaking Emmitt Smith’s single season record. Bad news for Cowboy fans is the Lions will be Murray’s toughest test yet this season. Detroit has built a sort of brick wall defensive line. Ndamukong Suh leads the way with his nasty and physical presence. Nick Fairly is his side kick up the middle making life miserable for running backs. Opposing teams have averaged only 69.3 rushing yards per game against the lions run defense. Broncos, who rank 2nd allow an average of 79.8 yards per game. The Lion front seven is a scary group to say the least. The battle of the line of scrimmage will be extremely fascinating as Dallas is regarded for having the leagues best offensive line. The winner of that battle will most likely win the war advancing to the next round.
3. Tony Romo is due to choke not…..
The Cowboys have been fantastic down the stretch but there are some concerns based on recent history. Dallas has one playoff win in their last seven games. Tony Romo has a career 1-3 record being mediocre in each game. Romo also has the infamous botched snap in the 2006 wildcard game against Seattle. Dallas is currently on a four game winning streak which obviously has to be encouraging. Americas team just has a sort of to good to be true feeling to them. Not even the biggest die hard Cowboy fan could have predicted a 12-4 record for this team and if they did tell them to stop lying to him or herself. Dallas may actually be at a disadvantage playing at home amassing a 4-4 record at Texas Stadium this season. The Cowboys were amazingly 8-0 on the road something that has been done only eight other times. Is Dallas due for a epic meltdown? Anything is possible come playoff time.
WHY Dallas WILL WIN
1. Detroit is fairly overrated
Detroit was able to win 11 games with just one victory over a team above .500. That game came way back in week three while the Packers were still in that early season funk. Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers soon told fans to R.E.L.A.X. and later lead the pack to a division crown. A week 12 game at New England may have shown the Lions true colors as they were blown out 34-9. Detroit is also 0-4 on the road against playoff teams (Carolina, Arizona, New England, Green Bay). The possibility of the Cowboys knocking the reality back into the Detroit is a real possibility. Do we really know how good Detroit is when you play a bunch of games facing the NFC South and AFC East? The NFC South is footballs weakest division, while the AFC East hosts the pathetic Jets and a pair of inferior opponents barring New England. Are the Lions contenders or do the stats match their pretender status?
2. Scott Linehan knows them like the back of his hand
Most People outside the Dallas or Detroit circle are not familiar with Scott Linehan but maybe you should be. After being fired from the Saint Louis Rams head coaching position Linehan found a new home in Detroit during the 2009 campaign. After spending 5 seasons in the motor city Dallas hired Linehan to be the “passing game coordinator”. Dallas essentially has two offensive coordinators with Bill Callahan being in charge of the rushing attack. Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo has enjoyed a great deal of success under the new passing game coordinator. My guess would be Scott Linehan will be thirsty for revenge after being let go by the Lions following the conclusion of the 2013 season. After spending 5 years with Lions quarterback Mathew Stafford, Linehan will be spending a lot of time with defensive coordinator Monte Kiffen on taking away his preferred passing tendencies. Mathew Stafford is often seen throwing the ball at different arm angles something Linehan is awfully aware of. Don’t be surprised if the Cowboys defense is well prepared jumping a couple of routes here and there.
3. Dez Bryant absolutely wants to prove he is the leagues best receiver
Cowboys wide receiver Dez Bryant is in a contract year and will be a man on a rampage during this postseason. Lions wide out Calvin Johnson is regarded as the leagues best but Bryant is out to prove other wise. Following a loss to Philadelphia in week 13 where Bryant was heavily criticized he came out two weeks later and put on a show. In the rematch with Philly Dez reeled in three scored and over 100 yards. With Calvin Johnson on the opposite sideline Bryant will be looking to show he is the better player. Dallas also has deeper group of play makers at the receiver position. Dez is often helped by the emergence of Terrence Williams and Cole Beasly making it difficult for teams to double cover Dez Bryant. I also haven’t mentioned tight end Jason Witten who always finds ways to get open in the middle of the field. Ill take the offensive talent surrounding Tony Romo over Detroit’s any day of the week. Detroit corner Darius Slay will have his hands full after failing to contain Green Bay’s Randall Cobb last week.
Overall I went back and fourth on this game having a difficult time picking a winner. In the end I see no reason why Dallas can’t keep the momentum going by beating a Lion team that is not a good as they appear. Jason Garrett has done an incredible coaching job this season and has to have the tactical advantage over Jim Caldwell who goes 10 minute stretches without saying a word. Former Lions offensive coordinator Scott Linehan will have the biggest impact on this game without ever really being noticed. Mathew Stafford will be X factor making his second career playoff start looking for his first postseason victory over Dallas.
