HOW 'BOUT THEM COWBOYS!!!

While wasting a small portion of my life surfing the internet in hopes of finding even a tidbit of interesting Super Bowl information, I stumbled across something that exceeded my hopes. While perusing Fox Sports’ website, I came across an article that described a NE Patriots victory over the NY Giants in a computer simulation (1,000 games played, with the Patriots winning by an average score of 30-16). The simulation was conducted by whatifsports.com, and upon further investigation, the site is a dream come true. Not only can you simulate Super Bowl pairings, but you can create matchups between any two teams from any year (this includes not just the NFL, but five other major sports as well).

This got me thinking, which two teams would I want to settle a score more than anything in the world? How about one of the 1990’s dynasty teams of the Dallas Cowboys against the most productive iteration the current crop of Indianapolis Colts. I decided on the 1992 Cowboys (they of the first title run) playing on the road (the computer takes home-field advantage into account as well) against the 2006 Colts. After all, I’ve had many a fight with obnoxious Indy fans about such a potential matchup, so this could be a great way to end the debate.

Before we kick things off (tee hee, no pun intended), I will run down some of the criteria that gets used in determining the outcome of each game. I will then simulate ten games, post the results, and then average the results into one final score. Simply put, “What If? Sports” crunches numbers on every conceivable stat for both teams, takes a look at tendencies of all sorts (not just “will they run or pass in this situation” type scenarios, but also how teams handle late-game pressure and things of that nature), potential weather conditions, and home-field advantage (if you don’t select a neutral site). Obviously things are a tad more complex, but this will give you an idea of what is taken into account when simulating these matchups.

Now, onto the main event. So without further ado, I give you the 1992 Dallas Cowboys at the 2006 Indianapolis Colts:

Game 1
Dallas 38
Indianapolis 20
Player of the Game:
Emmitt Smith (22 carries for 204 yards and one touchdown)
Quarterback Play:
Troy Aikman: 18-23, 214 yds, 3TD, INT
Peyton Manning: 18-25, 269 yds, 2TD, INT

Game 2
Dalls 28
Indianapolis 16
Player of the Game:
Emmitt Smith (21 carries for 121 yards and one touchdown)
Quarterback Play:
Troy Aikman: 14-22, 158 yds, TD
Peyton Manning: 24-33, 261 yds, TD

Game 3
Dallas 40
Indianapolis 16
Player of the Game:
Emmitt Smith (22 carries for 243 yards and two touchdowns)
Quarterback Play:
Troy Aikman: 17-23, 213 yds, 2TD, INT
Peyton Manning: 20-34, 222, TD, INT

Game 4
Dallas 38
Indianapolis 6
Player of the Game:
Troy Aikman (19-26, 305 yds, 4TD, INT)
Quarterback Play:
Troy Aikman: (above)
Peyton Manning: 20-32, 241 yds

Game 5
Dallas 26
Indianapolis 18
Player of the Game:
Emmitt Smith (22 carries for 160 yards and a touchdown)
Quarterback Play:
Troy Aikman: 16-28, 160 yds, 2TD, INT
Peyton Manning: 19-29, 222, TD

Game 6
Dallas 44
Indianapolis 21
Player of the Game:
Emmitt Smith (27 carries for 316 yards and four touchdowns)
Quarterback Play:
Troy Aikman: 11-19, 154 yds, TD
Peyton Manning: 19-35, 299 yds, TD

Game 7
Dallas 37
Indianapolis 15
Player of the Game:
Emmitt Smith (24 carries for 229 yards and a touchdown)
Quarterback Play:
Troy Aikman: 11-21, 139 yds, 2TD
Peyton Manning: 19-34, 250 yds, TD, 2INT

Game 8
Dallas 49
Indianapolis 35
Player of the Game:
Emmitt Smith (22 carries for 237 yards for two touchdowns)
Quarterback Play:
Troy Aikman: 14-19, 163 yds, 3TD
Peyton Manning: 27-37, 334 yds, TD, INT

Game 9
Dallas 41
Indianapolis 17
Player of the Game:
Emmitt Smith (22 carries for 222 yards)
Quarterback Play:
Troy Aikman: 12-18, 196 yds, 3TD
Peyton Manning: 18-31, 260 yds, 2TD

Game 10
Dallas 22
Indianapolis 16
Player of the Game:
Emmitt Smith (28 carries for 176 yards)
Quarterback Play:
Troy Aikman: 11-25, 142 yds, TD, INT
Peyton Manning: 20-31, 207 yds, TD

Wow. This worked out better than I could have hoped. Let’s take a glance at the final stats:

Overall Record:
Dallas: 10-0
Indianapolis: 0-10

Players of the Game:
Emmitt Smith (9), Troy Aikman (1)

Average Score:
Dallas 36.3
Indianapolis 18

I would gloat a little bit if it were not for the fact that I expected this result. However, I will say this: “HOW ‘BOUT THEM COWBOYS!!!”

Now, for funsies, lets simulate a couple of more games:

First up, the 2007 Patriots against the 2006 Colts at the RCA Dome:

New England 35
Indianapolis 30
Player of the Game:
Peyton Manning (29-39, 406 yds, 2TD)
Quarterback Play:
Tom Brady: 15-23, 185 yds, TD
Peyton Manning: (above)

Hmm, not exactly as resounding as I had hoped. Oh well, a win’s a win. Now, on to the next matchup:

2007 New England Patriots at the 1972 Miami Dolphins

Oh yes, there will be blood.

New England 34
Miami 3
Player of the Game:
Tom Brady (19-26, 216 yds, 4TD)
Quarterback Play:
Tom Brady: (above)
Earl Morrall: 7-17, 46 yds, 3INT
Bob Griese: 4-12, 23 yds, INT

So, Mercury, where’s your bride at?

(And that was not a jab at the New York Giants, so to counter-act that last comment, I am knocking on wood to prevent a jynx.)