PRO FOOTBALL — January 17

DALLAS at MINNESOTA
NFC Divisional Playoff
(Vikings -2.5, Total 45.5) — [private] In the last month, Dallas has put an end to New Orleans’ unbeaten season, pitched shutouts over the Eagles and Redskins, and beat the Eagles pretty handily in the first round of the playoffs. Everybody is getting very excited about them, and the perception is that they are the team in the NFC playoffs that has the most momentum. In his last seven games, Tony Romo has 13 TD passes with just two INT’s. There is that three-headed running game, which includes a big play back in Felix Jones, and the Cowboys have rushed for 377 yards in the last two games.

Meanwhile, it is also perceived that Minnesota may have peaked too early, and they did not come down the stretch with a particular degree of strength, losing to Arizona, Chicago and Carolina in the last five games. The number has reflected all this, giving a lot of respect to the Cowboys, who have won one playoff game since 1996. Let’s keep a few things in mind, though. One is that Minnesota got a thorough workout against the Giants in the regular season finale, scoring a 44-7 rout and taking out some frustrations in the process. The week of rest has to do some good for Brett Favre, and while we recognize that Romo has been on a hot streak, Favre has been making plays and taking care of the ball all season long (33 TD’s, 7 INT’s). He still has the best and most explosive running back on the field at his disposal in Adrian Peterson (1383 yards), even though we concede that Peterson hasn’t reached 100 yards for seven straight games. In a game where both teams have quality pass rushes, we see Romo as the guy more likely to make the key mistake, especially in the Metrodome, where the Vikes have won all eight games this year, beating three playoff teams along the way.

Watch Favre deal with Dallas pressure by hitting tight end Visante Shancoe and wide receiver Percy Harvin on short patterns. And there isn’t a Cowboy corner who can go up for a ball with Sidney Rice. The Cowboy defense may be in a better place right now, but they still have a lot of work to do on offense to keep pace with Minnesota, which averaged 33 points as the home team.

THE PLAY: MINNESOTA -2.5 ***

(All information is for news matter only; All games are graded on a scale of 1-4 stars. Lines are subject to change)
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