NFC Divisional Playoffs Betting – Cowboys Meet Packers for Ice Bowl Reunion

Dallas Cowboys at Green Bay Packers (-6, 52.5 o/u)

The talk leading up to the Dallas Cowboys’ (12-4, 8-0 away) Divisional Playoff game against the Green Bay Packers (12-4, 8-0 home) has to do with the Ice Bowl – otherwise known as the 1967 NFL Championship Game – in which the Packers and Cowboys duked it out in -15 degree weather.  While the weather will play a factor this weekend, conditions won’t be nearly as harsh.

The consensus among NFL pundits is that the Cowboys will win or lose behind DeMarco Murray and the run game. Murray led the NFL in rushing this season with 1,845 yards and 13 touchdowns.

“It starts with their running game,” said Packers defensive coordinator Dom Capers. “This is the best test we’ve had. This will be a challenge.”

The good news for the Packers, who struggled to stop the run at times this year, is that the run defense has been better lately,  giving up only 86.4 yards rushing over the last eight. The bad news is that, even if the Packers shut down Murray, the Cowboys still have QB Tony Romo – an NFL MVP candidate – under center.

The veteran signal caller is playing the best football of his career this year – particularly late in the regular season.  Over the last five games, he has 14 touchdowns to only one pick (for a 129.4 passer rating). Furthermore, on the road this season (where Dallas is a perfect 8-0), he’s thrown 20 touchdowns to only two interceptions (for a 121.8 passer rating).

“I think people appreciate Tony as having the skills that he has,” said Cowboys owner Jerry Jones. “I hope [critics] see that he’s made some pretty impressive plays and had big games. The only thing that will ever get them off his back totally would be to get that Super Bowl win.”

As far as Aaron Rodgers is concerned, the Packers quarterback has a slight tear in his calf, which could affect his ability to move around in the pocket.

Rodgers, who this season passed for 4,381 yards with 38 touchdowns to only five picks, said, “I’m going Sunday. Just a matter of how.”

Depending on Rodgers’ health, the Packers may have to rely on running back Eddie Lacy. The former Alabama back rushed for more than 1,130 yards this seasons scoring nine TDs.

Rodgers injury makes betting this game a bit dangerous. Considering that the weather will be a factor and Rodgers may not be at full speed, the under (52.5) is the safe play.

(Photo credit: Brien Giesen (flickr) [https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nd/2.0/legalcode]. Photo has been cropped.)