- Messages
- 79,281
- Reaction score
- 45,652
by Adam Schein
Updated: September 17, 2009, 6:12 PM EDT
231 comments
1. The Giants will have the better backfield in Dallas Sunday night.
This is a bust.
Sure, Tony Romo is coming off a career-best performance in passing yards last week. But if you want to beat NFC Defensive Player of the Week Justin Tuck and his Giants defense, you need balance, power and sizzle.
And that's what will happen Sunday night.
When Marion Barber gets his touches, Dallas wins. The Cowboys are 27-4 in games when the pounder gets at least 11 touches. I expect 20 against New York. Felix Jones is going to be an electrifying factor as a runner and receiver out of the backfield (and that's not even including what I anticipate on special teams).
There's a lot at stake for Dallas on Sunday night as they open up Cowboys Stadium. One hundred thousand fans are expected. Remember what happened when they closed Texas Stadium? I think Le'Ron McClain is still running. Wade Phillips will have his defense ready and the incredible Brandon Jacobs and Ahmad Bradshaw combination will be, relatively speaking, held in check.
2. The Jets have a better chance for an upset than the Giants.
Call it a boom.
You know how much I respect Tom Brady. But that New England offensive line looked shaky against the Bills. And the Jets' defense is vastly superior to Buffalo's in both talent and scheme.
Brady needs some help in the run game. I don't think he'll get it with Kris Jenkins, David Harris and the Jets' run D, which held Steve Slaton to 17 rush yards Sunday.
Rex Ryan and his players are treating this game like the Super Bowl. You can debate and debunk the intelligence of that, but I think some games are bigger than others, and that's the case for the Jets. Ryan came in with his guns blazing when he declared that he "isn't here to kiss Belichick's rings" during the offseason.
The Jets will be physical. The Jets will blitz. Darrelle Revis matches up well with Randy Moss. While the Wes Welker factor totally favors the Pats, I think the Jets' defense could make a huge statement.
I do think the Giants-Cowboys game will come down to the wire. I toyed with the Giants. But I'll give Dallas the nod at home.
3. Houston will get punched in the mouth again.
When we talked with Kerry Rhodes this week on the Sirius Blitz, he said he felt the game against Houston was in the Jets' favor after New York's first two defensive series, when the Jets were physical and got no response from the Texans. Bart Scott echoed those same sentiments on SNY TV during the week.
"My Texans" are getting a bad rap. And thus, this is a big-time boom.
And the challenge this week is going to arguably be even more difficult, going on the road in the division to face a physical Tennessee defense. The Titans are coming off a tough loss against Pittsburgh, a game they could've won by double digits. Tennessee has dropped Houston five straight times in Tennessee. And the Titans' defenders feel like they own the relatively brittle Matt Schaub.
4. The Chargers need a healthy LaDainian Tomlinson to beat Baltimore.
As much as I love LT and still believe he is primed for a big season, this is a bust.
Sure, the Ravens' defense against the banged-up San Diego offensive line scares me.
But playing at home, the Chargers defense, loaded with talent, will be focused and humbled after not showing up against Oakland Monday. Let's be honest for a minute. If Oakland had a halfway decent quarterback, the Raiders would've won the game.
On the flip side, I was a bit confused why Baltimore threw the ball so much in Week 1.
Phil Rivers and Antonio Gates should make plays against the Baltimore defense.
And without disrespecting Tomlinson, Darren Sproles gives the San Diego offense a spark, doesn't he?
5. The Cards will win on the East Coast.
It's a boom. It better be a boom.
Playing in Jacksonville (good seats still available, as per usual) isn't like playing in New England or Washington. You can seemingly count the fans on your hands during games.
'Zona lost a tough one against division rival San Fran last week. We all know about the potential for a Super Bowl hangover. I still think the Cardinals win 11 games this year. Jacksonville is out of sorts. The Cards should be able to run the ball, Larry Fitzgerald and Kurt Warner should be able to dominate and the Cards should be able to win in front of a small gathering on Sunday.
Arizona cannot start 0-2.
6. The Colts' offense will explode in Miami.
Call this a bust.
Peyton Manning won't have Anthony Gonzalez at his disposal. Indy's running attack was still very underwhelming last week, even in a win against the Jags. I think Joey Porter, Jason Taylor and the Miami offense can overpower the Indy offensive line and force Manning into some plays he doesn't want to make.
7. The Bills' season is over.
I still haven't recovered from the Bills loss, and I am not a player or fan.
Poor Dick Jauron.
But there were some tremendous positives. Alex Van Pelt actually did a great job calling plays. We saw some good things from Trent Edwards. The defensive line did an excellent job.
And even better news -- Tampa is next on the schedule.
Buffalo will start the season 1-1. Just make sure Leodis McKelvin has a road map with him at all times.
8. Jay Cutler bounces back.
You know I love Cutler. But this is a bust, even with Troy Polamalu out for the Pittsburgh defense.
I think you need to go backward here.
I don't think Matt Forte gets on track this week after averaging just 2.2 yards per carry against Green Bay. You just don't run the ball against the Steelers.
Thus, Pittsburgh will pounce on the Chicago offensive line.
Yes, Cutler beat the Steelers in 2007 with a 106.7 passer rating. And, yes, Chicago is at home. But when we talked to Pittsburgh coach Mike Tomlin on Sirius NFL Radio this week, while happy with the win, he made it very clear he thinks the Steelers need to clean things up in a lot of areas.
Additionally, Cutler is coming under a tremendous amount of heat from media and fans in Chicago for his play and body language.
Cutler and Chicago could be in for a long day.
9. Minnesota is best play in a knockout pool.
Look, I am not saying the Vikes are going to lose. I mean, who would be stupid enough to pick against the Vikings in Cleveland or Detroit? (Yes, I got all of your e-mails on picking the Browns, and my mother is still proud of me.)
But this is a bust.
I think Jim Schwartz's team does have some pride and will show up for the home opener. Calvin Johnson is a match-up problem.
In my survivor pools, I'm rolling with the Packers at home against Cincy. I think Green Bay has every single matchup, and I love the Packers' defense this week.
And if you got eliminated by picking the Bengals last week, well, you should just quit.
For a daily Boom or Bust on New York Sports, watch Schein and Chris Carlin weeknights at 6 EST on SNY (DIRECT-TV 639).
Listen to Schein and Rich Gannon on the Sirius Blitz from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. EST. on Sirius NFL Radio Channel 124.
Follow Schein on Twitter at twitter.com/AdamSchein
http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/story/10083608/Boom-or-bust:-Cowboys-to-open-new-home-strong
Updated: September 17, 2009, 6:12 PM EDT
231 comments
1. The Giants will have the better backfield in Dallas Sunday night.
This is a bust.
Sure, Tony Romo is coming off a career-best performance in passing yards last week. But if you want to beat NFC Defensive Player of the Week Justin Tuck and his Giants defense, you need balance, power and sizzle.
And that's what will happen Sunday night.
When Marion Barber gets his touches, Dallas wins. The Cowboys are 27-4 in games when the pounder gets at least 11 touches. I expect 20 against New York. Felix Jones is going to be an electrifying factor as a runner and receiver out of the backfield (and that's not even including what I anticipate on special teams).
There's a lot at stake for Dallas on Sunday night as they open up Cowboys Stadium. One hundred thousand fans are expected. Remember what happened when they closed Texas Stadium? I think Le'Ron McClain is still running. Wade Phillips will have his defense ready and the incredible Brandon Jacobs and Ahmad Bradshaw combination will be, relatively speaking, held in check.
2. The Jets have a better chance for an upset than the Giants.
Call it a boom.
You know how much I respect Tom Brady. But that New England offensive line looked shaky against the Bills. And the Jets' defense is vastly superior to Buffalo's in both talent and scheme.
Brady needs some help in the run game. I don't think he'll get it with Kris Jenkins, David Harris and the Jets' run D, which held Steve Slaton to 17 rush yards Sunday.
Rex Ryan and his players are treating this game like the Super Bowl. You can debate and debunk the intelligence of that, but I think some games are bigger than others, and that's the case for the Jets. Ryan came in with his guns blazing when he declared that he "isn't here to kiss Belichick's rings" during the offseason.
The Jets will be physical. The Jets will blitz. Darrelle Revis matches up well with Randy Moss. While the Wes Welker factor totally favors the Pats, I think the Jets' defense could make a huge statement.
I do think the Giants-Cowboys game will come down to the wire. I toyed with the Giants. But I'll give Dallas the nod at home.
3. Houston will get punched in the mouth again.
When we talked with Kerry Rhodes this week on the Sirius Blitz, he said he felt the game against Houston was in the Jets' favor after New York's first two defensive series, when the Jets were physical and got no response from the Texans. Bart Scott echoed those same sentiments on SNY TV during the week.
"My Texans" are getting a bad rap. And thus, this is a big-time boom.
And the challenge this week is going to arguably be even more difficult, going on the road in the division to face a physical Tennessee defense. The Titans are coming off a tough loss against Pittsburgh, a game they could've won by double digits. Tennessee has dropped Houston five straight times in Tennessee. And the Titans' defenders feel like they own the relatively brittle Matt Schaub.
4. The Chargers need a healthy LaDainian Tomlinson to beat Baltimore.
As much as I love LT and still believe he is primed for a big season, this is a bust.
Sure, the Ravens' defense against the banged-up San Diego offensive line scares me.
But playing at home, the Chargers defense, loaded with talent, will be focused and humbled after not showing up against Oakland Monday. Let's be honest for a minute. If Oakland had a halfway decent quarterback, the Raiders would've won the game.
On the flip side, I was a bit confused why Baltimore threw the ball so much in Week 1.
Phil Rivers and Antonio Gates should make plays against the Baltimore defense.
And without disrespecting Tomlinson, Darren Sproles gives the San Diego offense a spark, doesn't he?
5. The Cards will win on the East Coast.
It's a boom. It better be a boom.
Playing in Jacksonville (good seats still available, as per usual) isn't like playing in New England or Washington. You can seemingly count the fans on your hands during games.
'Zona lost a tough one against division rival San Fran last week. We all know about the potential for a Super Bowl hangover. I still think the Cardinals win 11 games this year. Jacksonville is out of sorts. The Cards should be able to run the ball, Larry Fitzgerald and Kurt Warner should be able to dominate and the Cards should be able to win in front of a small gathering on Sunday.
Arizona cannot start 0-2.
6. The Colts' offense will explode in Miami.
Call this a bust.
Peyton Manning won't have Anthony Gonzalez at his disposal. Indy's running attack was still very underwhelming last week, even in a win against the Jags. I think Joey Porter, Jason Taylor and the Miami offense can overpower the Indy offensive line and force Manning into some plays he doesn't want to make.
7. The Bills' season is over.
I still haven't recovered from the Bills loss, and I am not a player or fan.
Poor Dick Jauron.
But there were some tremendous positives. Alex Van Pelt actually did a great job calling plays. We saw some good things from Trent Edwards. The defensive line did an excellent job.
And even better news -- Tampa is next on the schedule.
Buffalo will start the season 1-1. Just make sure Leodis McKelvin has a road map with him at all times.
8. Jay Cutler bounces back.
You know I love Cutler. But this is a bust, even with Troy Polamalu out for the Pittsburgh defense.
I think you need to go backward here.
I don't think Matt Forte gets on track this week after averaging just 2.2 yards per carry against Green Bay. You just don't run the ball against the Steelers.
Thus, Pittsburgh will pounce on the Chicago offensive line.
Yes, Cutler beat the Steelers in 2007 with a 106.7 passer rating. And, yes, Chicago is at home. But when we talked to Pittsburgh coach Mike Tomlin on Sirius NFL Radio this week, while happy with the win, he made it very clear he thinks the Steelers need to clean things up in a lot of areas.
Additionally, Cutler is coming under a tremendous amount of heat from media and fans in Chicago for his play and body language.
Cutler and Chicago could be in for a long day.
9. Minnesota is best play in a knockout pool.
Look, I am not saying the Vikes are going to lose. I mean, who would be stupid enough to pick against the Vikings in Cleveland or Detroit? (Yes, I got all of your e-mails on picking the Browns, and my mother is still proud of me.)
But this is a bust.
I think Jim Schwartz's team does have some pride and will show up for the home opener. Calvin Johnson is a match-up problem.
In my survivor pools, I'm rolling with the Packers at home against Cincy. I think Green Bay has every single matchup, and I love the Packers' defense this week.
And if you got eliminated by picking the Bengals last week, well, you should just quit.
For a daily Boom or Bust on New York Sports, watch Schein and Chris Carlin weeknights at 6 EST on SNY (DIRECT-TV 639).
Listen to Schein and Rich Gannon on the Sirius Blitz from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. EST. on Sirius NFL Radio Channel 124.
Follow Schein on Twitter at twitter.com/AdamSchein
http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/story/10083608/Boom-or-bust:-Cowboys-to-open-new-home-strong
