Dez Bryant vs. Sam Shields
In their NFC Divisional playoff meeting in January, Dallas Cowboys wide receiver had three catches for 38 yards, but had a huge fourth down reception in the fourth quarter overturned by replay.
It was a spectacular leaping catch over Sam Shields and would have gone for 31 yards to the Green Bay one-yard line, but after review it appeared the ball moved and the officials ruled it incomplete. much to the delight of the Packers and the dismay of the Cowboys.
Bryant had some frustrating moments at Washington Monday night when he was largely ignored until the second half. He produced two pass interference penalties against the Redskins in the third quarter, and then took over the game in the final minutes.
He made all three of his catches for 62 yards, including a diving 42-yard reception that put the Cowboys inside the Redskins' ten yard line.
Bryant has missed five games due to foot, ankle and knee injuries this season. He has 26 receptions for 342 yards, a 13.2 average, and 2 TD's. Those numbers are way off from last year’s Pro Bowl campaign of 88 receptions, 1,320 yards and 16 touchdowns.
Shields is quietly becoming a very good shut down corner, and he will shadow Bryant as he did Calvin Johnson in Detroit a week ago (3 catches, 44 yards, 1 TD).
This should be a great matchup, and it is why Shields gets the “big money” in the Green Bay secondary.
Dallas offensive line vs. Packers defensive front
The Packers have done a great job up front in the last month of controlling the line of scrimmage from a defensive standpoint.
Since week ten, Green Bay is holding opponents to just 85 yards rushing per game. Mike Daniels is having an All-Pro campaign at defensive end for the Packers. He leads the defensive line in tackles with 56 and sacks with four. His penetration on running plays has been a key for this defense all season.
Clay Matthews’ presence inside in the run defense has made a big difference since midway through last year, but finding his running mate has proven to be elusive.
Sam Barrington started the season next to Clay but is on injured reserve. Nate Palmer gave it a go through most of this season and is the club’s second-leading tackler. Rookie fourth round pick Jake Ryan got his chance in Detroit and led the team with ten tackles. six solos, a tackle for loss and a fumble recovery.
The Dallas offensive line is still the best in the business with three first round picks and another, La’el Collins, would have been had he not been ensnared in a murder investigation that came to light before the draft. No charges were ever brought against him in that case and the Cowboys signed him as a free agent after the draft.
Left tackle Tyron Smith is the best in the sport. Collins at right guard gets better every week and his talent is unquestioned. Center Travis Frederick ,the Wisconsin product, went to the Pro Bowl last year, and right guard Zach Martin is one of the top guards in the league.
They may not be playing at quite the level they did as a group last year, but they’re not off by much!
One area that perplexes me is short yardage, third and one situations where the Cowboys have converted just 7 of 16 opportunities – worst in the league. You would think behind this line they would excel in this category, but maybe it is more about the backs or the play call in these situations.
On any afternoon, but especially on a rainy afternoon (expected forecast), the big bodies in the trenches will have a lot to say about who wins or loses this game.
