PACKERS-COWBOYS PREDICTIONS: Sorry Tony, “experts” staying true to Green Bay

GREEN BAY – Good morning, and happy Packers-Cowboys day, Wisconsin.

Moreover, happy Tony Romo day to Burlington.

We are a mere two hours from kickoff at Lambeau Field between the visiting No. 3 seed Dallas Cowboys (13-4) and No. 2 Green Bay (12-4).

Burlington Standard Press News Editor Jennifer Eisenbart is on the scene in the parking lots, scouring for the best Burlington-based tailgate. If you’re tailgating and are from Burlington, comment here or tweet me @mikeramczyk17, and we’ll try to get you in next week’s paper.

I will be heading to the field shortly, where I will have a close-up view of the big, muscle-bound NFL players, highlighted by Burlington native Tony Romo.

Romo is having the best year of his career. His 113 quarterback rating leads the NFL, just ahead of second-place Aaron Rodgers (112). Today, Rodgers is battling a calf injury, and he has been limited in practice all week.

However, Rodgers was a full participant Friday, and he attended the walk through Saturday.

The Packers’ vagueness on Rodgers’ injury could be a chess move to keep the Cowboys guessing. For all we know, A-Rodg is 100 percent and will resemble his MVP form in today’s game.

Green Bay’s worst nightmare will be Dallas’ ability to rush the passer. If the Cowboys can get home on Rodgers or at least force him to step up in the pocket and even scramble outside, the slightest over-extension can lead to re-aggravated calf.

Since it’s a do-or-die scenario and Green Bay is two wins from the Super Bowl, Rodgers will play hurt, but a 75-percent Rodgers isn’t good enough to beat Seattle and maybe not even Dallas.

Romo single-handedly overcame a 13-point second-half deficit to lead the Cowboys to victory over Detroit last week.

Along with running back DeMarco Murray, who led the NFL in rushing yards this season, Dallas puts up a lot of points and can score from anywhere on the field. Murray’s threat to break off a big run at any time will keep Green Bay’s defense honest, and it should minimize pressure-filled passing situations for Romo, which have haunted him in the past.

The Packers’ X-factor will be second-year running back Eddie Lacy, who has amassed 1,100 rushing yards this season. Lacy has been on a tear of late and has made finding holes and dragging tacklers look easy against top defenses like Buffalo, Detroit and Tampa Bay.

I would imagine Green Bay only wants Rodgers to throw the ball 20-25 times, so Lacy and change-of-pace back James Starks can tote the rock 25-30 times. If Rodgers can throw sparingly and focus on efficiency instead of volume, I guarantee a Packers win.

A lifelong Burlington resident and acquaintence/friend of Romo, I’d love to see him play well and continue his potential Hall of Fame resume. Tony was someone that always pushed me to be great on the sports fields, as he never accepted anything less than victory. He is the most competitive person I’ve ever met, and the fact that my buddy and I only beat him once ever in tackle football in the neighborhood in about 100 football, basketball and baseball pick-up games tells you that the guy doesn’t enjoy losing.

Romo is a great player and an even better person. He consistently comes back home every summer to teach his football camp to area youth, and he also returns for friends’ weddings and to dine at his favorite Burlington restaurants, Fred’s and Napoli’s.

Though he has a security detail at times in his hometown, out of necessity, anyone could approach Tony in Burlington and politely ask for an autograph. He’s a genuine guy, just a chip off the old block from a small town. His discipline, work ethic and leadership qualities are extraordinary, and he makes everyone around him better.

With all that being said, I can’t go against my Green Bay Packers.

While some Burlingtonites who have been with Tony since Day One like head varsity football coach Steve Tenhagen and basketball coach Steve Berezowitz are going against their Packers roots to take Tony, I can’t go there.

I’d say at least 100 Burlington football fans are now Cowboys fans strictly because of Tony. He’s that magnetic, and his charismatic personality draws people to him.

I’ve been a Packers fan my whole life. I started watching in the 1980s when they were terrible, and I’ve seen the playoff blunders of Brett Favre and even Rodgers. Despite the two Super Bowl titles in my lifetime, it’s still only two shots at a championship in 20 years.

These opportunities don’t come along every year, and I understand as a former player that winning is very hard. There’s always someone better than you, no matter how hard you try.

Rodgers could tear his calf muscle today and never be the same. It could affect his career. You never know. Any player could suffer a career-ending injury today, you just don’t know. You can’t take things for granted in the NFL, teams are simply too talented.

So instead of riding with my hometown boy, I’m going with Green Bay.

The Packers’ offense is too hard to stop with the threat of Lacy and Rodgers. Rodgers is on an entirely different level from any other QB in the league. His quick release, arm strength, pocket awareness and mobility are elite. His expertise in reading defenses can’t be matched. He knows what you’re going to do before you do it. Every time.

Romo is getting there, but he isn’t quite there. Romo has a great running game, the best offensive line in the league and a defense that plays hard.

But the Green Bay Packers don’t lose at Lambeau Field, at least not this year. They are doubling up opponents to the tune of 40-20 in each game, and this won’t be any different.

Rodgers, who now has Lacy in tow along with a great offensive line and a defense full of young, hungry playmakers, isn’t going to let this opportunity pass. He has lost two of his last three home playoff games, and he can’t lose another.

Both Romo and Rodgers are trending up, and I believe both teams will be here again next year. While both are now in their 30s (Romo’s 34 and Rodgers 31), they have a lot left in the tank, and they should each have at least five more years in the NFL.

But today is about the Packers. They will continue their Lambeau dominance and go try to make history by upsetting the Super Bowl champion Seahawks.

As for Romo, he’s already won. The Burlington High School grad who wasn’t recruited by any Division 1 colleges and wasn’t even drafted has shown that hard works pays off.

Tony Romo is one of the NFL’s elite quarterbacks, and nobody deserves it more.

Congrats on a remarkable season, and I hope you win MVP, Tony.

But all good things must come to an end.

PREDICTIONS

Sports Editor Mike Ramczyk: Green Bay 38, Dallas 24

News Editor Jennifer Eisenbart: Green Bay 42, Dallas 41