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Show deep. The Vikings seem much more able to take care of their priorities than the Cowboys, though Tom Landry noted, You cant ever tell." DALLAS AT MINNESOTA What to look for: Sunday, Dec. 2810:30 A.M. Channel 5 There has been a script in The Cowboys will take a twilight lead, sugar plums will dance in their heads. But then Fran Tarkenton will march the Vikings on a late drive to vietdry, running out the clock in the process. The trend is Hollywood. It is Tarkanton. In a very controversial game of 1974, Tarkenton led the Vikings into range for a Fred Cox last second field goal, which beat Later, NFL authorities told Dallas, 23-2the Cowboys an official had made a mistake and Dallas had actually recovered a fumble in the drive. But the victory stuck. Then in preseason this year, though preseason is overrated, T arkenton led his club 75 yards in 16 plays to beat Dallas, with 39 seconds left. Most do not expect the NFC playoff game to come to that, though Minnesota seems capable if it does. At this time the general consensus is that the Vikings are the class team in the NFC for the third straight year and that the Cowboys drew a kind of black spot by having to visit Bloomington in the first round. However, the Cowboys, a definite warm weather team, sometimes have unorthodox feelings. Listen, Im glad we're playing the Vikings, said safety Cliff Harris. "I hope it's snowing and hope the field is frozen. We don't care. We think we'll win. The Vikings are likely to win by playing their game. Offensively Tarkenton operan offensive ates a rare combination which can be very explosive but also very powerful. Few can match running back Chuc Foreman and wide receiver John Gilliam. Minnesota feels it must block middle linebacker Lee Roy Jordan to beat Dallas. Defensively, the Vikings must contain Rober Staubach, especially on key third down scrambles. Dallas has priorities of pressuring Tarkenton, slowing down Foreman in his rushes and keeping Gilliam from escaping recent Minnesota-Dalla- s definite1 ganes. 16-1- I 1975 26, WHEN MINNESOTA HAS THE BALL Tarkenton gives Dallas fits. He operates a multiple oflense which, unlike Dallas, does not shift. Ordinarily, he will come up with unusual plays early in a game to keep a defense guessing and then settle into a pattern, which for him is unpredictable. Against Dallas, he will likely roll out more, using bootlegs, scrambles. Foreman will be used on quick openers, lay-opasses and sooner or later, the Vikings will try to get Gilliamdeep. ff WHEN DALLAS HAS THE BALL Due to Minnesota's pressure 3 defense, an rush, Staubach is apt to stay on the move, rolling out to throw and using n passes. He has mostly carried 4-- 2(i. Remember Super Bowl Friday. Salt The when over the Baltimore Colts? Well, only Jets remain on the roster from that memorable January 12, 1S89 game in the Orange Bowl. They are Namath, Winston Hill, Randy Rasmussen and Emerson Boozer. The Colts have only three players still with the club from that game Mike Curtis, Rich Volk and David Lee. Coach Don Shula of the Colts, of course, is now the Miami coach and Weeb Ewbank, the Jets boss, has retired. four Lake III Joe Namalh made good on his guarantee of a New York Jet win RON YARY YS. ED (TOO TALL) is likely Yary, a veteran to deal with Jones, who has been up and down in his second season, with occasional help from the tight end or a back. JONES All-Pr- HARVEY MARTIN VS. STEVE RILEY Tarkenton considers Martin one of the leagues best pass rushers. He ll be a major factor in the game. Riley has good size but theres a question as to whether or not hes quick enough to deal with Martin. all-o- play-actio- the offense this season and has been especially successful on third down scrambles. Again, Dallas will use the spread on some long yardage situations. In this formation, Staubach ordinarily lays off to his backs. THE COACHES This was supposed to be a transition year for Dallas and even Tom Landry is surprised the club went 1 This club is unlike his playoff teams of the past, power teams with definite consistency patterns. Most feel Landry has done his best job. Bud Grant has done an amazing job keeping the Vikings on top after two straight Super Bowl disappointments. He has also brought in top backup people and those who feel the Vikings will fall due to age will get poor waiting. QUARTERBACKS Definitely center attractions. Tarkenton has never been better, breaking Johnny Unitas' career passing records and seeming to age like Jack Daniels. Staubach has done as much for his team as any quarterback. Tarkenton scrambles to throw. Staubach scrambles to run. Both do this well. OFFENSIVE LINES Talent, ability is very close in this area. Guards Ed White and Blaine Nye and tackles Rayfiold Wright and Ron Yary are RECEIVERS Minnesota definitely has better receivers out of the backfield and Gilliam is the most dangerous catcher on the field. However. Dallas is just about as potent with its trio of Drew Pearson, Golden Richards and Jean Fugett, a big tight end with speed to get deep. RUNNING BACKS Foreman is far above the field in this area. Dallas must use all four of its running backs to be most effective, though Robert Newhouse has been a steady performer and Preston Pearson has shown definite breakaway 0-- 4. ability. DEFENSIVE 1973 ALAN PAGE VS. BURTON LAWLESS AND JOHN FITZGERALD Dallas will double Page at times In the past the Cowboys have controlled him on the run, trapping him and using false direction plays. But it is doubtful Lawless, a rookie, can handle him. LINES Dallas has tremendous potential with young linemen such as Harvey Martin and Ed Jones but the Vikings, with Alan Page, Carl Eller, Jim Marshall are proven and have the edge. LINEBACKERS The Vikings have the edge here. However, though Jordan and Dave Edwards aren't the players they once were theyre able to perform up to former potential in a given game. SECONDARY Due to unsureness of Mel Renfro (toot problems) the Vikings have an edge, though there is no better hitter safety in football than the Cowboys' Cliff Harris. Viking safety Paul Krause has 10 interceptions but seldom makes a tackle. Bobby Bryant is an excellent cornerback. Cowboy strong safety Charlie Waters has come on strong the second half of the season. KEY MATCHUPS: RAYFIELD WRIGHT CARL ELLER VS. This has been the classic confrontation since 1971. Eller claims Wright gives him more trouble than anybody he faces. This is due to Rayfield s fine balance and quickness. He generally controls Eller, which few others do. CHUCK FOREMAN VS. D. D. LEWIS Lewis will havs some of the responsibility holding down Foreman on short passes. Nobody has stopped him, though Lewis, at least, must make a sure tackle and keep him from making long gainers. JOHN GILLIAM VS. MEL RENFRO Both clubs OR MARK WASHINGTON use the flip formation and so can put a receiver on any defensive back they wish. Renfro is having foot problems and so Tarkenton doubtless will test him long. DREW PEARSON VS. NATE WRIGHT OR BOBBY BRYANT Pearson is almost impossible to stop with single coverage on medium range passes. Bryant will catch him at times but, mostly, will cope with Golden Richards, the split end. MICK TINGELHOFF AND ED WHITE OR ANDY MAURER VS. LEE ROY JORDAN Tingelhoff has had some outstanding games against Jordan and 'he Vikings must control him to move the ball on the ground. Dallas will make a more concentrated effort to keep the blockers off Jordan. Linebacker Roy Winston is NOTES still having shoulder problems and Fied McNeill is expected to start. On passing downs, Matt Blair replaces McNeill Chuck Foreman, hit in the eye by a snowball in Buffalo, is all right Rayfield Wright sat out the Cowboys final game with a knee problem but will play . . . Benny Barnes could possibly replace Mel Renfro, depending on how his chronic On passing foot problem is going downs, rookie Randy White, a linebacker-dowlineman, is a key. Hell come in on a prevent defense, sometimes rushing and sometimes dropping back as a linebacker is playing with very . . . Roger Staubach sore ribs on his left side. Fie missed the ... n season finale. STARTING LINEUPS: DALLAS COWBOY OFFENSE No. Nome 83 Goioen Rtchaids WR. 73 Rafoh LT 66 Burton Lawless. LG 62 John Fitzgerald C 61 Biame Nve, RG 70 Rayfield Wrkiht RT 84 Jean Fuoeft. 7 6 88 Drew Pearson, WR 12 Roger Staubach. OB NIy 26 44 Preston Pearson-R- pla Bei on; g arc Ha Pit ag1 jus Ba 19 Wt. iJ 26U 250 250 255 260 226 175 195 198 Robert Newhouse. RB ....200 DALLAS DEFFNSE 72 Ed Jones, LE 75 Jethro Pugh, LT 63 larrvCol RT 79 Harvey Martin RE 52 Dave Edwards, LI B 55 Lee Roy Jordon. MLB 50 D. D. Lewis, RlB 46 Mark Washington, LC 20 Mei Renfro RC 41 Charlie Waters, $$ 43 CliH Harris, FS at 70 250 250 250 225 270 2i8 186 182 193 190 MINNESOTA VIKINGS OFFENSE No. Name 8: Jin' Lash WR 78 Steve Rney LT 66 Andy Maurer, lG... 53 Mick Tmoe'hoH C... 62 Ed White. RG 73 Ron "Yary, RT 83 Stu Voignt, TE 42 10 44 49 JohnGi'iiam MINNESOTA in An lot WR ... Ft an Tarkenton Chuck Foremar EdMarinaro. na: wh 03 rec R8 RB .... Oe DEFENSE 81 Can Eller, LE 69 89 70 56 50 54 43 20 24 22 Doug Sutherland, LT Alan Page RT Jim Marshal! RE Wally Hilgenberg LlB Jeff Siemon. M; B 240 FredMcNeiil, RlB 2F Nate Wright LC Bobby B'yant RC Terry Brown. SS Pau1 Krause, FS... 250 25 22 23! 180 172 200 th in op se |
