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| Playoffs Divisional Round Cowboys - Vikings Preview |
The Minnesota Vikings (12-4) earned the NFC No 2 seed and a first round bye.The week rest was for sure very welcome by their 40-year-old quarterback Brett Favre. Favre came out of retirement to join Minnesota,and proved he’s still among the league’s top QBs,leading the Vikings to a 10-1 start.They struggled after that,losing 3 of the next 4 games,but Favre finished the season with a powerful statement,going 25 of 31 for 316 yds with 4 TDs and no interception as the Vikings routed the Giants 44-7. That season-ending game provided a much needed boost of confidence,and the week rest could benefit not just the 19-year veteran QB,but the entire Minnesota team after the long grind of a 16-game season. “I can see a spunkiness,”coach Brad Childress said after his team reconvened this week, “which is what you want this time of year.Guys that are bright-eyed,mentally and physically.” Dallas coach Wade Phillips was able to defeat Favre both in a 2007 matchup and in a playoff contest following the 2002 season,when he was Atlanta’s defensive coordinator. However,Favre threw for 33 TDs and only 7 interceptions in his first season with the Vikings,and Phillips knows it won’t be easy to beat him again. “He’s had so many big games and won so many big games,put the team on his back so many times.” Philipps said of Favre “He just has great experience,and everybody has seen what a great player he is.And he’s come back and played probably as well as he ever played this year.So he’s in top form.” So is the Cowboys’offense.Dallas has outscored the opposition 99-31 during its four-game winning streak,and Tony Romo excelled in that span,completing 66.7 percent of his passes with 6 TDs and earning a 100.0 passer rating. Romo has many weapons at his disposal,and he’s enjoyed distributing the ball to various receivers. “It’s problematic when all of a sudden you see Patrick Crayton catching balls on third down,then you see Tashard Choice getting a first down,then you see Roy (Williams.”Romo said “It’s tough and that’s part of what you try to do as an offense.” Dallas’ deep corps of running back also helps take pressure off Romo.Marion Barber was limited to 3 carries in last week’s opening victory over the Eagles,but Choice and Felix Jones picked up the slack combining for 190 yds on 30 carries,including a 73-yd TD run by Jones. Barber was the only player to miss practice Wednesday,but Phillips hopes his leading rusher will suit up Sunday in his home state.A healthy backfield of Barber,Choice and Jones might be impressive ,but they won’t intimidate Minnesota’s veteran defensive front that held nine opponents below 100yds on the ground during the regular season. “They have to come here and do it.They ran on Philly,but that’s Philly.”said defensive tackle Pat Williams “We’re the Vikings.” The Vikings,who were essentially a running team before Favre,need to resurect their running game.Star back Adrian Peterson gained 1,383 yds this season and scored 18 TDs,but posted only three 100-yd games -none after Nov.15-,and also lost 6 fumbles. A big part of the reason is that Peterson doesn’t get to carry the ball as often with Favre at quarterback. The Vikings are 8-0 this season at the Metrodome,with the last five of those wins coming by 17 points or more.They’ve also won three straight home meetings with Dallas -including a 27-10 playoff victory Jan. 9, 2000- since a 23-17 defeat Sept.17, 1995. That’s history,but the Cowboys will have to overcome it Sunday,as well as Favre and the Vikings defensive front to keep their winning streak going. It’ll be an interesting matchup,between a team on a roll (Dallas) and a team well rested and well prepared (Minnesota) to face them. I would give a slight advantage to the Vikings,but the Cowboys are very confident and will try to build on their success in their last four games. Take your pick and check out the odds and our Special Promotions for the NFL’ playoffs second round at BetPhoenix.com Sportsbook. 
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The Dallas Cowboys (12-5) have won four straight games,including a 34-14 victory over Philadelphia last Saturday on the playoffs wild-card weekend to end a 13-year postseason drought.
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