xiayun wrote:
The game was really in doubt for only a couple of minutes, after TO juggled the ball to the defender. I don't see why Cowboys shouldn't feel good about this game overall. They still have holes on defense, giving up 300+ yards and missed numerous tackles, but their offense was a machine tonight and could've scored 40+ points if not for a TO miscue and failed 4th-and-1 conversion.
Bottom line why the Packers didn't win...
1. Favre was not playing like he has up to this point. He was taking too many
shots down field instead of the "dink and dunk" that has gotten them this far.
Throw the short pass and let the receivers get the extra yards. That's what
they are good at. Take the shot when it's there, but don't force it. With
Grant at RB, you get a few nice gains there too. When Rodgers took over, that's
exactly what they did and they came back. In the postgame press conference,
GB's coach said the game plan was to take those risks. Well then that's his fault
not Favre's.
2. The Packers defense couldn't get to Romo. Kampman almost got there a
few times, but for the most part Romo had all day. That is where they missed
KGB. With him in the other DE spot opposite Kampman, it provides mismatches
that free up one or the other to get the pressure. With both healthy, I think
they could get more pressure on Romo, despite what is obviously a gigantic
OL for Dallas.
3. The refs made at least 3, at best questionable calls, that went against
Green Bay. The Al Harris strip early on, where one ref ruled forward progress
had been stopped, and the other signaled Green Bay ball. The ref they went
with didn't have a clear view of the ball. WTF? The pass interference call
toward the end was ridiculous. There was a little contact that didn't slow up
the receiver. That happens on every play. Then the legs got tangled. That
resulted in 1st and goal and 7 points for Dallas. The third bad call was the spot
of the ball on a 3rd down run by Grant. How that was short is beyond me.
That forced a field goal instead of a potential TD.
4. CB Bush who filled in for injured Woodson in the first half. He kept getting beat
all day. The absence of a second quality corner was very apparent all game.
5. As has been the case all year, the Packers can't defend the middle of the field
being dominated by the Tight End.
The Packers, if healthy, can play much better than they did today defensively. The
Cowboys played well, but they can also play better. I hope if they meet again, both
teams are healthy. I have no problem saying congratulations to the Cowboys if they
win when there are no bad calls or major injuries to make it easier. This game tonight
was marred by those factors.
