I'm glad so many of your are optimistic about our chances, because I'm not

[TruBlueCowboy]

I've read all week how Peyton Manning is supposed to have problems with 3-4 defenses and some of the things other teams have done to beat Manning. The only problem, is when I think of our 3-4:

• When the media talks about these 3-4 defenses that gave Manning problems, they're mainly referring to the Pats and Steelers. Both of those teams were some of the hottest teams in the league when they played the Colts those years, AND they went on to Super Bowl victories. Is that our team?
• Those 3-4 defenses were run by pretty darn good defensive coordinators who gave Manning different looks and had all sorts of creative blitz packages. In other words, very un-Zimmer. LOL
• Those 3-4 defenses had pressure everywhere. We just lost 1/2 of our pass rush. Ware can't do it all, especially since we don't seem to want to use him and Roy Williams like the Steelers did Porter and Polamalu.
• Buffalo played its safeties deep last week. Well, we've got a rookie FS who could blow the game at any minute and poor Roy is underrated in coverage but he does have the same problems as the other hard-hitting lineback... I mean strong safeties in this league.

I think we have the offensive line and running game to eat up the clock but I wonder if we have the defense to do their part. Donovan McNabb tore up our defense. So did Byron Leftwich in the 2nd half. Eli Manning made the big plays when he needed to. The QBs we've shut down are Vince Young (his first start in the NFL), Marc Brunell (just benched), Matt Leinart (rookie), David Carr (never lived up to 1st round expectations) and Jake Delhomme. Delhomme is the only big name QB we've had success against. And you know if that defense doesn't hold, Romo, as good as he's been, might be exposed in a shootout. That's a lot ot ask of him in his 4th start. A QB like him with the Brett Favre gunslinger attitude minus the rifle arm can get in trouble if he's feeling pressured to score on each possession.

Can't wait for this weekend's game. I'm ready to watch my team knock off a legit #1 NFL team. It's been a while since I've watched a Cowboys game where I felt we were the pure underdogs, with a chance to prove that we're one of the few teams that will finish the stretch strong. This reminds me a little of Parcells' first year and that Patriots game.

I hope the results are different this time. Can't wait! :starspin

 

[Wolfpack]

This team CAN beat Indy. Just depends on which team shows up...the smart or the dumb version of the 2006 Cowboys. If you want to go to the show, this game is your ticket there.

 

[preacherman]

This team CAN beat Indy. Just depends on which team shows up...the smart or the dumb version of the 2006 Cowboys. If you want to go to the show, this game is your ticket there.

i totally agree, if the boys start making mistakes with penalties and turnovers and dont take advantage every opportunity, then i think we loose . but i also can see this offense getting over 400yds of offense on their def. they can keep peyton off the field and limit his opportunities. this game also could be a shoot out. which really is what i think it'll be . i feel like the safeties should play back and prevent the big play, make them work for everything, nothing easy.

 

[baj1dallas]

They have every reason to believe they can hang with Indy but you're right, the defense/secondary could give up a big play at the end and lose the game. That's what I worry about.

 

[bbgun]

Actually, I'm pretty damn tranquil. If we win, it'll be a nice surprise. If we lose, well, it was to be expected. And a win over Tampa would quickly cure the blues.

 

[BrAinPaiNt]

Actually, I'm pretty damn tranquil. If we win, it'll be a nice surprise. If we lose, well, it was to be expected. And a win over Tampa would quickly cure the blues.

It is an odd day when we agree. This is one of those odd days.

We have to bring our A game and hope for some lucky bounces of the ball IMO.

If we continue with the penalties we have next to no chance.

 

[BlueStar22]

Actually, I'm pretty damn tranquil. If we win, it'll be a nice surprise. If we lose, well, it was to be expected. And a win over Tampa would quickly cure the blues.

if the second scenario plays out, that means our up and down season continues. We have to win this game no matter what. To hell with Payton Manning and the Colts.



I think our guys will be dialed in, in all phases.

 

[stealth]

win or not if we can finish the game with under 40 yards in penalties I will be happy about the direction we are heading.

 

[ravidubey]

I think we win. Indy will make their share of plays but as long as the defense doesn't panic and we don't make stupid turnovers we should be OK.

Indy's defense is not great like their quarterback is.

I worry about matchups like Tarik Glenn's boys stopping our pass rush, Dwight Freeney whipping Flozell Adams, and Dallas Clark torching Roy Williams, but I think if Romo keeps his head we can take advantages of our balanced offense and chew up some long scoring drives against this team.

 

[sonnyboy]

I've read all week how Peyton Manning is supposed to have problems with 3-4 defenses and some of the things other teams have done to beat Manning. The only problem, is when I think of our 3-4:

• When the media talks about these 3-4 defenses that gave Manning problems, they're mainly referring to the Pats and Steelers. Both of those teams were some of the hottest teams in the league when they played the Colts those years, AND they went on to Super Bowl victories. Is that our team?
• Those 3-4 defenses were run by pretty darn good defensive coordinators who gave Manning different looks and had all sorts of creative blitz packages. In other words, very un-Zimmer. LOL
• Those 3-4 defenses had pressure everywhere. We just lost 1/2 of our pass rush. Ware can't do it all, especially since we don't seem to want to use him and Roy Williams like the Steelers did Porter and Polamalu.
• Buffalo played its safeties deep last week. Well, we've got a rookie FS who could blow the game at any minute and poor Roy is underrated in coverage but he does have the same problems as the other hard-hitting lineback... I mean strong safeties in this league.

I think we have the offensive line and running game to eat up the clock but I wonder if we have the defense to do their part. Donovan McNabb tore up our defense. So did Byron Leftwich in the 2nd half. Eli Manning made the big plays when he needed to. The QBs we've shut down are Vince Young (his first start in the NFL), Marc Brunell (just benched), Matt Leinart (rookie), David Carr (never lived up to 1st round expectations) and Jake Delhomme. Delhomme is the only big name QB we've had success against. And you know if that defense doesn't hold, Romo, as good as he's been, might be exposed in a shootout. That's a lot ot ask of him in his 4th start. A QB like him with the Brett Favre gunslinger attitude minus the rifle arm can get in trouble if he's feeling pressured to score on each possession.

Can't wait for this weekend's game. I'm ready to watch my team knock off a legit #1 NFL team. It's been a while since I've watched a Cowboys game where I felt we were the pure underdogs, with a chance to prove that we're one of the few teams that will finish the stretch strong. This reminds me a little of Parcells' first year and that Patriots game.

I hope the results are different this time. Can't wait! :starspin

I'm here to boost up your confidence with some positive things to consider:

First of all Vegas has us as a 1 point dog. Now last I heard, they're not in the business of losing money. So if they say it's a toss up it's probably a toss up.

This Colt team may just be the weakest 9-0 team ever. And I mean ever!
Do you realize we have a larger point differential.

Points scored DAL 250 IND 249. Points allowed DAL 174 IND 189.

9-0 is 9-0 but come on, I'm supposed to be impressed with a 60 point differential. These guys aren't exactly steamrolling over the league.
They're not the 1993 Cowboys. They're not even the 2005 Colts!

Trust me. We can play with this team.

 

[parchy]

Actually, I'm pretty damn tranquil. If we win, it'll be a nice surprise. If we lose, well, it was to be expected. And a win over Tampa would quickly cure the blues.

This is my approach as well, and it's a pretty nice one to have. In this case at least, you can't really be disappointed either way. It's either happiness or 'eh.'

 

[bbgun]

I was much more worried before the Washington game, and my spidey senses were correct. Can't get a feel for the Indy game.

 

[ThreeSportStar80]

The Cowboys have to play near perfect ball to beat the Colts because if they continue have penalties then it's going to be a LOOOONG day in the office....