NFC Playoff Picture: Why the Cowboys and 49ers Are the Packers' Biggest Threat

It's Week 16 and the NFC playoff picture is becoming clearer. The Cowboys are back on track and the 49ers pulled off an incredible win at home. The Packers have been rolling through the season with reckless abandon. They have set scoreboards on fire and silenced hostile crowds.

At the start of Week 15, the Packers were 13-0 and coming off of an impressive win against the Raiders. They were going for perfection and these last few games were only a formality.

Apparently no one called the Chiefs to tell them to bow down and "kiss the ring."

The Chiefs led 6-0 at the half and went on to win 19-14, handing the Packers their first loss of 2011. I would like to imagine that Chiefs interim coach Romeo Crennel's speech went something like this:

"He's worried! You cut him! You hurt him! You see? You see? He's not a machine, HE'S A MAN!" —Rocky IV (1985)

The Chiefs controlled the line of scrimmage, ran the ball effectively, stayed aggressive on defense and kept Aaron Rodgers on the sidelines. A simple enough game plan, or so it would seem.

I see only two teams with the ability to follow this blueprint and beat Green Bay in the NFC playoffs: the San Francisco 49ers and the Dallas Cowboys.

The 49ers do not possess the offensive firepower to go toe-to-toe with the Packers. Instead, they bring an offensive scheme designed to limit turnovers and control the clock through short passes and the running game. It's your prototypical West Coast Offense.

In addition, the Niners have one of the league's best special teams units and a punter in Andy Lee, who can pin teams inside the 20 almost at will.

Accompanied by a physical defense that will bring 60 minutes of pressure and pain to the Packers' offense, Rodgers will be spending his limited time on the field with his back to the end zone and rookie linebacker Aldon Smith in his face. The 49ers defense not only leads the NFL with 35 takeaways and a -25 turnover differential, but Smith is ranked fifth in the NFL with 13 sacks.

On the other hand, the Cowboys could survive a playoff shootout with the Packers. Dallas has scored 30 or more points five times this season. Furthermore, of their six losses only one had a point differential higher than six.

When the Cowboys bring their "A" game, they are one of the best teams in the NFL. Tony Romo is having a great year. He has thrown for almost 4,000 yards and has 29 touchdowns along with only nine interceptions.

Dallas' offense is currently ranked 11th in the NFL in rushing. Running back Felix Jones is rejuvenated after missing four games with a high ankle sprain. He rushed for 108 yards against the Buccaneers, with backup Sammy Morris chipping in with 53 yards and an average of 4.4 yards per carry. If Romo can limit the turnovers, he can take advantage of the Packers' 31st ranked pass defense.

Defensively, the Cowboys will look to make Rodgers uncomfortable. The Cowboys are seventh in the NFL in sacks and linebacker DeMarcus Ware will be leading the charge with his 16 sacks this season.

Against the Patriots in Week 6, Dallas' defense held Tom Brady to under 300 passing yards, forced four turnovers and limited offensive stalwarts Wes Welker and Rob Gronkowski to a combined 119 receiving yards.

While both of these teams should be the most feared teams in the playoffs, we have to wonder which teams will show up. Will we see the Cowboys who blew a 27-3 third quarter lead against the Lions? Will the 49ers play like the team that got beat up and down the field in Arizona by a backup quarterback? Regardless, both teams can rest knowing that the Packers are mere men and not machines.

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