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Dallas Cowboys vs. New England Patriots - The overrated game of the week
Posted 10-12-2007 at 04:47 PM by Mike
But yeah, it has my interest.
Let me start off by saying this is the most overrated game of the season. Everyone is hyped up for this game, and 99.9% of the country is predicting an easy victory for the New England Patriots.
The one fact about this game is that it is relatively unimportant for both teams, compared to most of the games that each will play. This is a non-divisional, and non-conference game. The loser will be 5-1 through the first 6 games of the season, which is a very nice record to have.
With that said, let me throw out my keys to the game for the Dallas Cowboys:
So, what do I think will happen, you ask? Let me give you my prediction.
Both of these high scoring offenses come down to earth for most of the game. Both teams will bring a ton of defensive pressure on the quarterbacks, and both will make a few calculated tests on the secondaries early as well.
In the end, the chip that was placed on the shoulder of the Dallas Cowboys from a near touchdown pointspread against them at home, and everyone prediction a loss for Dallas, will work in the favor of America's Team. The oddsmakers got the pointspread right, but they didn't get the teams right....
Dallas 31 - New England 20
Let me start off by saying this is the most overrated game of the season. Everyone is hyped up for this game, and 99.9% of the country is predicting an easy victory for the New England Patriots.
The one fact about this game is that it is relatively unimportant for both teams, compared to most of the games that each will play. This is a non-divisional, and non-conference game. The loser will be 5-1 through the first 6 games of the season, which is a very nice record to have.
With that said, let me throw out my keys to the game for the Dallas Cowboys:
- Blitz and Blitz often - The Patriots offense is successful because they protect Brady well and he has all day to throw the ball. It isn't easy to get to him, and the risk is big because he can burn you, but Dallas has the defense to bring pressure on Brady, and the offense to counter if the defense gets burned.
- Bradie James on Special Teams - Special teams must be improved this week, and it looks like James can be a factor in this important unit this week. In a game like this, field position is very important.
- Run the damn Ball - This one I am sure to get some flack on, but the fact is, Dallas needs to establish the running game, and the only way they do that is more carries for Julius Jones. The running game needs some consistency to work, and constantly rotating running backs is not the way to do that.
So, what do I think will happen, you ask? Let me give you my prediction.
Both of these high scoring offenses come down to earth for most of the game. Both teams will bring a ton of defensive pressure on the quarterbacks, and both will make a few calculated tests on the secondaries early as well.
In the end, the chip that was placed on the shoulder of the Dallas Cowboys from a near touchdown pointspread against them at home, and everyone prediction a loss for Dallas, will work in the favor of America's Team. The oddsmakers got the pointspread right, but they didn't get the teams right....
Dallas 31 - New England 20
Total Comments 1
Comments
 |  I've read a bunch of your comments, Mike, and I must say I concur with almost all of it. I will say this about the game, though - after forcing the Pats into a three and out on the first second half posession and then running the ball down their throats to take the lead and building upon the momentum gained in the 17-7 second quarter, something happened that got them out of their game plan and exposed their somewhat inexperience in big games....the interferance call. Any reasonable person could tell this was a terrible call but it was no reason to get their feathers ruffled. To me, it seemed like they went into 'shootout mode' after the ensuing touchdown and abandoned the run, just like you pointed out. 14 carries is embarassing when you have a line that big with two pretty darn good backs. I mean, if you have the ball, they don't! Maybe I'm just being a homer but I really thought that they could have won that game. They seemed to have Brady rattled at times; he made some pretty uncharacteristic throws a few times. But between the questionable calls and the legit ones and the lack of a running game and healthy secondary, it was all too much to overcome. We can only hope for another crack at 'em early next year. P.S. My God, can sombody PLEASE show Roy Williams how to play pass defense - he's such a liability back there sometimes. |
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