I'm not sure I can remember a more overhyped regular season game than the one between the Patriots and Cowboys this Sunday. It's been labeled a superbowl preview, TO vs Moss, Brady vs Romo, etc, etc. If it's going to be such a great game, why have ALL the experts picked the Pats to win? A better game might actually be the Redskins at Green Bay. At least the experts are about 50/50 on that one.
On paper the Pats and Cowboys look almost the same. The #1 and #2 offenses, the #2 and #8 defenses, great QB play, a dominating receiver, both undefeated and both have yet to play anyone. The Dallas opponenets have a combined record of 6-19 and have been outscored by 213 points. The Pats opponents are 7-17 and have been outscored by a total of 152 points. Two teams that look pretty similar on paper that are being hyped to death, yet no one's picking Dallas to win (except for "analysts" Emmit Smith and Michael Irvin). What gives?
This is what gives. Tom Brady is superperb and is very careful with the ball. Tony Romo slings it all over the place, see the Bills game. Randy Moss is a lot better than TO. Belichick is a better coach than Wade Phillips. That's what the 'experts' see. Here's the way I see it:
Yes, the Cowboys will put up some points, maybe 24 to 30 points. The fact is that the Cowboys defense, most notably the secondary just doesn't match up to the talent level on the Patriots offense. In addition, Cowboys starting cornerback Anthony Henry and his 4 interceptions is probably not playing this week. His replacement is Jacques Reeves. Statistically he's the most picked on corner in the league right now. He's been thrown at 57 times for 34 catches, 4 TD's and has no interceptions. Mr. Reeves, this is Mr Moss and Mr Stallworth and Mr Welker. Have fun. The Pats should also have a notable edge in field position as the Cowboys are near the bottom of the league in kick returns while the Pats are near the top.
Watch for the Pats to start the game in a spread formation, forcing Dallas to play nickel and dime with 3rd and 4th stringers then exploiting the D with a balance of passes and runs from the spread formation. This is the kind of game they've been saving Maroney for.
Watch for Dallas to try to turn this into a shootout. The Pats will get ahead early and the Cowboys will abandon the run with Romo slinging it wildly. No one has scored more second half points than the Cowyboys so don't count them out (but the Pats are #2 in second half scoring). Dallas knows it can't cover the Pats receivers, so they will probably blitz early and often with the hope that they'll force some turnovers.
The Cowboys score one late to make it close, but the score won't be indicative of the Pats dominance.
Patriots 37
Cowboys 29
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Hello? Anyone home?
Very impressive. The Dallas game went almost exactly the way you said.
The Dolphins, save for Ronnie Brown and Taylor are just a terrible team right now, and the injuries just make it that much worse.
I thought the treatment of Cassel was pretty poor. Is that how you learn to play? Let's scare the $#*% out him so he'll be afraid to ever throw a pass again. Nice.
I also thought the fake spike was uncalled for. The game was already a blowout, and they're going to do trick plays on top. Not Cool.
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