I wouldn't want to be a quarterback in Sunday's NFC divisional playoff game. The Vikings led the league in sacks this year with 48, Of those, 25 have come at the Metrodome.
On the other side, the Cowboys were seventh in sacks with 42. Of those 42, 23 came on the road.
One would think the Cowboys' leading pass rusher, OLB DeMarcus Ware, would be at a disadvantage in rushing the passer since he's on the road against a team that can run the ball.
But seven of Ware's 11 regular-season sacks and three of his five forced fumbles came on the road. And his best game of the season was at the Superdome against a then-undefeated Saints team that finished the season as the sixth-best running team.
We'll talk about Ware vs. Bryant McKinnie as the matchup of the week. But McKinnie will have plenty of help. The last time the Vikings left him one-on-one with an elite pass rusher, McKinnie got spanked by Carolina's Julius Peppers and had to be pulled from the game.
The other matchup of the week that will be discussed is Cowboys left tackle Flozell Adams vs. Jared Allen. Adams is at a distinct DISADVANTAGE (A TYPO/BRAIN BURP FROM ORIGINAL POST) by being on the road and not being able to hear the snap count. Also, Allen is a different player at home.
Of Allen's 14 1/2 sacks, 9 1/2 came at home. He had at least one sack in five of the eight home games, including 4 1/2 against the Packers. Of Allen's five forced fumbles, three came at home.
With the Cowboys being so hot right now, I think it's assumed that Ware will be the most dominant pass rusher in the game. But it's hard to discount Allen considering where the game is and the fact Allen has had a week to rest.
