Cowboys Have Inside Track to Home-Field Advantage in Playoffs

A few observations from the Cowboys' 37-27 win that gives them the inside track for the #1 seed in the NFC playoffs:

1. You have to wonder what the Packers' offensive gameplan was last night. Continually throwing deep isn't what the Packers have had great success at this season, and last night it resulted in Brett Favre throwing two interceptions in 20 minutes and having to leave the game with an injury. Aaron Rodgers came into the game and moved the ball with short passes and let the talented Packers receivers gain yards after the catch. It's that formula that got the Packers to 10-1 in the 1st place, so did Favre stray from the plan or was going for low-percentage plays how they saw themselves beating a 10-1 team on the road?

2. I'm still not sure how the officials saw pass interference on Trumain Williams in the 4th quarter. Williams never altered Miles Austin's path and their legs got tangled, which does not constitute PI. That was a 42-yard penalty that set up the touchdown that gave the 'Boys a 10-point lead midway through the 4th quarter.

3. I question the decision by Mike McCarthy to kick the field on 4th and inches from the Dallas 35-yard line. You're down by 10 and haven't stopped the Cowboys' offense too many times that night. You need two scores, and one of them can be a field goal, but under those circumstances, I think you need to score the touchdown first.

Favre suffered a separated left shoulder and had a "funny bone" injury to his right elbow. Packers starting left guard Daryn Colledge was benched midway through the 2nd quarter.

Tim Cowlishaw of the Dallas Morning News writes that last night's win gives the Cowboys a huge lead for home-field advantage throughout the playoffs. Cowboys defensive back Nate Jones, a player I had never heard of, made the biggest play of the game last night.

Michael Felger of the Boston Globe writes that the New England Patriots will have to cut some big checks in the off-season to keep Randy Moss and Asante Samuel.

Buffalo Bills running back Anthony Thomas isn't expected to play this Sunday.

Two of the worst teams in the NFL will meet up in Miami this Sunday.

If the Miami Dolphins go 0-16, will Cam Cameron be back?

Pittsburgh Steelers fullback Dan Kreider tore his ACL, likely ending his stint with the team.

Cleveland Browns rookie cornerback Brandon McDonald earned a pair of game balls last week.

The Baltimore Ravens could have three starters back for Monday night's game against the undefeated Patriots.

Cincinnati Bengals running back Rudi Johnson implies that he's a mudder.

Indianapolis Colts running back Joseph Addai has "magic feet".

Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback David Garrard didn't expect to have a higher quarterback rating than Peyton Manning.

Tennessee Titans kicker Rob Bironas doesn't want to hear any talk about his consecutive field goal streak.

Houston Texans offensive lineman Chester Pitts was arrested on Thursday.

San Diego Chargers running back Michael Turner always knew he'd have to wait to get his touches in the Chargers offense.

The Denver Broncos believe that running back Travis Henry won't be suspended for one year when NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell makes his decision today.

Sam Mellinger of the Kansas City Star writes that the Kansas City Chiefs and San Diego Chargers are heading in different directions.

Oakland Raiders head coach Lane Kiffin spent a second consecutive day deflecting questions about collegiate job openings.

According to New York Giants tight end Jeremy Shockey, the Giants offense had a players-only meeting earlier this week.

Philadelphia Eagles quarterback AJ Feeley took all the snaps with the 1st team offense in practice Thursday.

The words of Sean Taylor are helping Washington Redskins defensive coordinator Gregg Williams prepare for this Sunday's game.

During his career, Detroit Lions quarterback Jon Kitna hasn't played his best football in December.

Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson appears to ready to return to action.

Chicago Bears defensive end Alex Brown has always performed well against the New York Giants.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Michael Pittman isn't expected to play this week.

New Orleans Saints wide receiver Marques Colston has avoided the sophomore slump.

Carolina Panthers defensive end Mike Rucker says the defense hasn't played well enough to ridicule the offense, which they were rumored to have done.

Sorry, Falcons fans. Head coach Bobby Petrino says he's staying.

Seattle Seahawks defenders know they'll have their hands full with Eagles running back Brian Westbrook.

The Arizona Cardinals have signed punter Mitch Berger to replace Mike Barr.

San Francisco 49ers quarterback Alex Smith can't lift his arm over his head without feeling pain.

Some St. Louis Rams would like a different selection of music played during games in the Edward Jones Dome to make it a more lively atmosphere. Oh, and the Rams home game against Atlanta this Sunday won't be shown locally.

Cowboys-Packers Prediction

Since we've got a Thursday game tonight, it's prediction time!

While everyone is talking about this being the NFC Championship game, I think that's a bit premature. Both teams are very good, but both teams have weaknesses that make them beatable in any stadium, and on any Sunday, so let's not go "crownin' the asses" of the team that wins tonight, ok?

Tonight, I'm taking the Packers (+7) over Dallas. Not only that, I think they're going to win the game. As much as the absence of Charles Woodson scares me, who besides Terrell Owens and Jason Witten are threats in the Cowboys' passing game?

Conversely, don't you have to like the 5-6 receivers the Packers can throw at a secondary that Ken Hamlin and Pat Watkins covering the deep ball? I sure do.

The New England Patriots like "experience" at the linebacker position.

A pair of Buffalo Bills legends made the semifinalist list for the 2008 Hall of Fame ballot.

New York Jets wide receiver Laveranues Coles saw a lot of himself in Sean Taylor.

Do you remember (when the Miami Dolphins were good)?

The Pittsburgh Steelers players prefer grass. (And Ricky Williams has asked to be traded to Pittsburgh.)

After the season is over, the Cleveland Browns are expected to offer the highest tender possible to restricted free agent quarterback Derek Anderson.

Former Baltimore Ravens linebacker Adalius Thomas took a swipe at the Baltimore media.

The Cincinnati Bengals aren't expecting Heinz Field to be any less sloppy than it was on Monday night.

The Indianapolis Colts are among the league leaders in dropped passes.

Despite missing several key players on defense, the Jacksonville Jaguars remain in the hunt for the division title.

The Tennessee Titans are a below average team on 3rd and 1 situations.

Houston Texans running back Ahman Green might practice today.

Environmentalists aren't thrilled with the San Diego Chargers $1 billion waterfront stadium plan.

Denver Broncos tight end Tony Scheffler has fully recovered from his broken foot.

Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Brodie Croyle might not be able to play on Sunday.

Oakland Raiders head coach Lane Kiffin says he hasn't heard from any colleges about their head coaching vacancies.

For the Dallas Cowboys, it's "win tonight or freeze later".

New York Giants running back Brandon Jacobs isn't optimistic about playing this Sunday.

The father of Washington Redskins safety Sean Taylor addressed the team on Wednesday and told them "Go win this next five and make the playoffs".

Philadelphia Eagles head coach Andy Reid reiterated on Wednesday that if he's healthy, quarterback Donovan McNabb will start on Sunday against Seattle.

Green Bay Packers cornerback Al Harris must control his emotions tonight.

An injury has paved the way for Mr. Irrelevant to be signed back to the Detroit Lions active roster.

After the death of his former college teammate, Minnesota Vikings tackle Bryant McKinnie hopes to take the negative energy inside him and "turn it into something positive".

The Chicago Bears December 6th game against the Washington Redskins may be pushed into that weekend.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Luke McCown is at the front of the line to replace injured starter Jeff Garcia this Sunday.

New Orleans Saints defensive tackle Brian Young is expected to play this week.

The rehab on Carolina Panthers quarterback Jake Delhomme's elbow is on schedule.

The Atlanta Falcons are attempting to sign linebacker Michael Boley to a long-term extension before he hits free agency after the season.

Seattle Seahawks running back Shaun Alexander returned to practice on Wednesday. Now the question is "How do they use him?".

Arizona Cardinals safety Adrian Wilson was placed on injured reserve.

San Francisco 49ers head coach Mike Nolan regrets not doing more early on to help first-year offensive coordinator Jim Hostler.

Former St. Louis Rams running back Marshall Faulk the last one to wear #28 for that franchise.

Packers Tab DT Justin Harrell

With Marshawn Lynch heading to Buffalo, Ted Thompson, the GM of the Green Bay Packers, opted to shift gears and go defense with the Packers 1st round pick by selected former Tennessee DT Justin Harrell.

Mac's Instant Analysis: I thought that maybe Green Bay would add Miami TE Greg Olsen or Tennessee WR Robert Meachem, but there are few DTs in the draft as good as Justin Harrell, and there are a TE (or two) Green Bay could take in round 2, and there are plenty of RBs and WRs Green Bay can get later.

A bit of surprise to see Harrell go this high, but he's a 6-4, 300-pound tackle who at times dominated in the best college football conference in the nation.