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Monday, December 30, 1996

Panthers' defense to test consistency of Cowboys' offense

By Jean-Jacques Taylor / The Dallas Morning News (Dec. 30, 1996)

IRVING, Texas (KRT) - Coach Barry Switzer liked what he saw in the Cowboys' offense in their first playoff game. Now, he wants to see it again.

There's no guarantee that will happen.

The Cowboys expected to dominate Minnesota - and they did in a 40-15 blowout on Saturday. The Cowboys don't expect to dominate Carolina, one of the NFL's top defensive teams this season.

The Panthers, 8-0 at home, allowed only two teams to score at least 20 points this season.

But the Cowboys, who had scored seven touchdowns in their previous seven games, gained 438 yards, including 255 yards rushing, against Minnesota.

"We were a total offensive football team for the first time this year," Switzer said. "Your opponent has a lot to do with how much offensive success you have. We expected to run the football like we did. We expected to protect like we did and we expected to throw like we did because we knew (Minnesota) was not as talented as we were."

A month ago, Emmitt Smith rushed for 155 yards and three touchdowns against Washington and it appeared the Cowboys' season-long slump was over. Then the Cowboys scored two touchdowns in their final three games.

The Cowboys' mission is to find some offensive consistency.

"There were a lot of moments when we were running the football and making plays in the passing game that we seemed like the old days," Aikman said. "It's going to be tough for us to accomplish our goals, but we've had a tough regular season."

If the Cowboys can run the ball like they did against Minnesota, their quest for a fourth Super Bowl championship in five seasons will become easier.

Smith, who said he felt healthier than he has all season, ran well and frequently made the first tackler miss for one of the few times this season.

"I came in and watched film of him and he looked at the top of his game," Switzer said. "That's the Emmitt I knew last season. He made a lot of key plays Saturday."

The Panthers use a 3-4 defensive scheme and blitz on nearly every play to often confuse their opponents. Although the franchise is only in its second season, Carolina is not a typical expansion team because of its veteran defensive players like linebackers Kevin Greene and Sam Mills.

The Cowboys will need another strong week of preparation to move the ball against the Panthers.

The total focus was on preparation and the intensity level was high last week," Switzer said. "We had more people taking notes and asking questions.

"The players worked hard in July to get where they are now and they're going to do everything in their power to make themselves better."

(c) 1996, The Dallas Morning News.

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