The Physical, Ground-Oriented Cowboys Were Built to Win in Cold Green Bay

IRVING, Texas — There has been a lot of talk this week about the cold temperatures expected at kickoff for Sunday's divisional playoff game between the Dallas Cowboys and the Green Bay Packers.

It's actually the first playoff game between the two teams at historic Lambeau Field since the legendary Ice Bowl game in 1967 when temperatures were 13 degrees below zero.

"We want to do exactly what we have been doing and that's been the mantra the entire year," center Travis Frederick said. "We want to be physical and run that ball. We want to mold the game based on what we have been doing."

What the Cowboys have done for much of the season is control the game and the clock with their running game while keeping the opposing offense off the field. That will be paramount against the Packers and quarterback Aaron Rodgers, who has 25 touchdowns and no interceptions in eight home wins in 2014.

The Cowboys’ dominance on the ground also opens up big plays in the passing game, which has allowed quarterback Tony Romo to have his best and most efficient season throwing the ball.

Romo passed for 34 touchdowns and nine interceptions, and also led the league in passer rating and completion percentage.

Despite those big numbers, when Romo talks about the Cowboys’ style of play all season and what they will count on for success against the Packers, he talks about the ground game.

"We want to play a physical game every week," Romo said. "That’s who we are. I think we hang our hat really on not only being a tough, physical team, but a tough-minded football team who just go and do their job. Regardless of the score, regardless of what the weather is, who you’re playing, be the best version of yourself. Show everybody who you are. That’s what our football team has been doing."The Packers have outscored their opponents 310-146 in the first half this season. But that advantage drops to 84-69 in the third quarter, and they have been outscored 92-133 in fourth quarter.

If the Cowboys can keep the game close, their physical, ground-oriented style of play should take over in the fourth quarter.

Again, that is why Garrett built this team the way he did. It's built to win on the road and in the frigid conditions expected in Green Bay on Sunday.

"We believe strongly in being a physical football team," Garrett said. "You want to be able to run the football. We feel like we have guys who can do that. That is one of the real assets of the offensive line that we have. They can control the line of scrimmage physically. It’s all about what’s best for our football team. It’s good for our football team when DeMarco is running the ball well and we control the game by running the football. That’s been a formula for success for us all year long.”



Source http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2323211-the-physical-ground-oriented-cowboys-were-built-to-win-in-cold-green-bay