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Dallas Cowboys: The Preferred Path Through LA

By Daniel Ruppert

ARLINGTON, TEXAS - JANUARY 05: Dak Prescott #4 of the Dallas Cowboys during the Wild Card Round against the Seattle Seahawks at AT&T Stadium on January 05, 2019 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
ARLINGTON, TEXAS - JANUARY 05: Dak Prescott #4 of the Dallas Cowboys during the Wild Card Round against the Seattle Seahawks at AT&T Stadium on January 05, 2019 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images) /
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Before the Dallas Cowboys knew they were going to play the Rams in LA, it was the preferred course to the Super Bowl, here is why.

Roll the clock back a few week to when the Dallas Cowboys shocked the football world by not only beating the New Orleans Saints, but completely shut down the vaunted offense. Fast forward to the second weekend of the NFL playoffs, and there was a chance the Cowboys could face the Saints once again. Instead, the Eagles won, and the Dallas Cowboys were headed off to Los Angeles.

Some people had asked me why I would rather have seen the Cowboys head to LA instead of “earning” the Super Bowl by going to face a Saints team they beat once this season. That, is exactly why I think heading to LA is the smarter move. There are several reasons for my feelings, however, to start beating a team twice in a season is hard.

Look, some may feel the Saints will need to knock the rust off after a bye week. Sure, that is possible, however, a rested Sean Payton with a rested Drew Brees is a lot scarier than a rested Sean McVay and Jared Goff. Add in the fact Payton and Brees would probably be looking for revenge, letting them face a hungry Eagles team is the smarter path.

The next reason is that Jared Goff has not been all world over the past few weeks. Some of that probably has to do with Todd Gurley being out, but between his recent performance and Gurley may needed to knock some rust off, the Cowboys may have the advantage. The Cowboys defense has been playing like a Super Bowl team, another advantage Dallas.

If the Cowboys win and the Eagles upset the Saints, then the Cowboys get the NFC Championship game at home. If the atmosphere during the Seahawks game was any indication, the Eagles game would be the best home-field advantage the Cowboys have had, maybe ever. Playing the Rams might be the best thing for the Cowboys.

There is one other thing we are not even talking about. The fact that the Cowboys have a ton of fans in Los Angeles. Between having their training camp in California and LA not having a team for a period of time, this game could almost be a sort of “home game” for the Cowboys. If they win and the Eagles win, the Cowboys would have had what amounts to three home games.

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However, before we get ahead of ourselves, the Cowboys have to face fairly scary Rams team. While many will point to the strong offense, it is the defense that should give pause. Aaron Donald lined up against Connor Williams or Xavier Sua’Filo has to be something the coaching staff will have to plan for. If they can keep the Rams defense off balance, the defense should be able to keep the Rams close or behind.

Next. How the postseason is unfolding perfectly for the Dallas Cowboys. dark

Well, here we go CowboysNation. Another playoff game, another week of excitement, another game for us to watch. What will happen is anyone’s guess, and there will be a ton of people to weigh in on the game. However, this path is the best option for the Cowboys to make the Super Bowl. But first, bring on the Rams.

  • Published on 01/08/2019 at 14:01 PM
  • Last updated at 01/08/2019 at 13:01 PM
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