No matter how you slice it, the Dallas Cowboys/Minnesota Vikings playoff match up Sunday at high noon, is even across the board. Both teams have multiple players playing at high levels and can break the game open at any time. The attention and focus on these play makers will be at an all time high. This is expected of course. It’s who focuses on the other players that might be the difference.
High powered offenses normally get the ball to their main weapons when they want. Brett Favre has had his best season ever at the age of forty. He’s been amazing this year. It doesn’t hurt that Favre has Adrian Peterson in the backfield. At any point in the game, Peterson can take it to the house. With Favre at QB, who can ad lib with the best, Peterson is more dangerous on broken plays. So is the receiving core of Sidney Rice, Bernard Berrian, and rookie speedster Percy Harvin.
The Cowboys also have been thrilled with the emergence of game breakers they didn’t think they had. Miles Austin has proven he take beat you deep or take it all the way regardless of where he catches the ball on the field. Jason Witten is always dangerous and Felix Jones is the speedster Dallas has been waiting for. Don’t forget about Tony Romo, who’s playing the best football of his career. Romo has been more careful with the football this year and has that Jedi motor in his back pocket when he needs it. He’ll pull that mad scramble out when needed to make a play.
Defense and special teams always play a huge role in this game. Sunday will be no different. Both have outstanding defenses and the ability to sway the momentum with the blink of an eye. Viking DE Jared Allen is a beast and nearly impossible to contain. DeMarcus Ware and Anthony Spencer are quickly becoming the most feared combo pass rushers in the game. Percy Harvin is a threat on special teams any time he touches the ball. He’s scored two touchdowns and so has Cowboys return man Patrick Crayton.
With so much attention being paid to the front line players, and attention should be paid to these game breakers, which backup or behind the scenes guy is going to step up? That could be the difference in this game.
Minnesota will be totally focused on stopping Miles Austin, Felix Jones, Jason Witten and not letting Tony Romo beat them. For the Cowboys, they will try to slow down Peterson, contain Harvin, stop Sidney Rice and not let Favre get in a groove. Most of the attention will be on these players and it should be. It’s the other guys that will make the difference on Sunday.
Backups are backups for a reason. They’re not good enough to start or there’s a stud in front of them on the depth chart. Chester Taylor is a solid running back but hasn’t put up big numbers this year. However, he’s still dangerous and has a chance to make a big play if nobody is paying attention. Tashard Choice is the Cowboys third string running back and runs the “Razorback” a few times a game. He’s been in the picture a little more often than Taylor. Though Vikings are aware of him, they better keep a closer eye on him.
However, both teams have secret weapons. I mean secret! The Vikings have third string TE Jeff Dugan. Jeff Dugan? Who the hell is he? He’s scored two touchdowns all year for the Vikings. The Dallas Cowboys have John Phillips. He’s the third string TE for the Cowboys. He’s scored one touchdown all year for the Cowboys. Why in the world would either of these guys matter? With so many superstars and game breakers on both sides of the ball, why would they matter? This is the time when a play or two gets called that we haven’t seen all year. Goal line situations is where you’ll see Dugan and Phillips sneak in the lineup and make a play. The one nobody expects and the play no one is watching for.
All it takes is one play to change a game and at times only one to win a game. It’s win or go home time in the NFL. Jeff Dugan has two touchdowns and John Phillips has one. Players with such minimal contributions to their squads can’t make a difference at this time of the year. It’s the superstar players that make the plays and win the big games. However, when you least expect it, the guy in the background, the player you least expect to make a play, makes a play. Then we find out who he is. Third string tight ends Jeff Dugan and John Phillips. Keep an eye on them.
Remember this. It only takes one touchdown to make a big statement. Which one of the two third string tight ends will be a surprise star on Sunday? Which one will be the hero of the game? Jeff Dugan or John Phillips…..
SURPRISE!! Remember me? Number 11…my name is Roy Williams, wide receiver for the Dallas Cowboys. It’s my turn to make a play! I catch the winning touchdown Sunday in Minnesota.
Dallas 27 Minnesota 23
