Let's tally the hate, shall we?

[ScipioCowboy]

After perusing the various sports-related websites and listening to several pundits, especially those at ESPN, I can say with absolutely no reticence that a number one seed has never been so disrespected.

I rarely post about the media, and I realize much of this has been said before. But I'm astounded by the number of experts picking against the Cowboys.

Let's tally them:

Every analyst at CBS.sportsline.com is picking against the Cowboys.

Sean Salisbury, Seth Wickersham, Merril Hoge, and Keyshawn Johnson - all of ESPN - are predicting a Giants' victory.

Virtually every analyst on the east coast is predicting a Giant's victory.

Pat Kirwin of NFL.com likes the Giants.

At the NFL Network, Brian Baldinger, Sterling Sharpe, and Steve Marriuci have taken up the pro-New York banner, and are discussing the upcoming game entirely from a Giants' perspective. In fact, Baldinger and Sharpe are as giddy as school girls at the prospect of New York beating Dallas.

Mike Golic of ESPN radio ranked every quarterback remaining in the playoffs, and placed Romo in only the fifth slot...behind Eli Manning.

The media pundits have pontificated at length about the Giant's unstoppable momentum and Manning's vastly improved play. I've apparently underestimated the the impact of parity on today's NFL if a one-game winning streak classifies as great momentum. It's true the Giants played a tighly contested game against New England, but so did Philadelphia and Baltimore, neither of which even made the playoffs.

Even more remarkable is this recent change of attitude towards Manning; the New York media and fans regarded him with nothing but disdain just three weeks ago. It seems his tremendous 185 yard performance against Tampa Bay - the weakest and most offensively inept of all division winners - has managed to change hearts and minds.

Forgive me if I remain skeptical, however.

Tampa Bay stacked 8 men in the box, selling out to stop Brandon Jacobs, yet Manning could only muster 185 yards without a single pass over 20 yards.

The media's complete lack of respect for Dallas as a number one seed is unheralded, in my opinion. Hopefully, it gives the Cowboys some added motivation.

 

[Tehboogieman]

the media's just tryin' to make a game out of this.

 

[Duane]

Who gives a rat's *** what they say? It's not like anything they say or write will make a difference in the outcome of the game.

 

[ScipioCowboy]

Who gives a rat's *** what they say? It's not like anything they say or write will make a difference in the outcome of the game.

Then what would we talk about?

 

[Duane]

Then what would we talk about?

What Romo does in Mexico?

 

[ScipioCowboy]

What Romo does in Mexico?

Touche.

 

[Yakuza Rich]

Obviously you can add Skippy to the list. He was utterly ridiculous today on ESPN's First Take to the point where Marcellus Wiley and Jay Crawford thought he was insane. He had such hatred for Dallas and then when they talked about Owens making All Pro he was just outright seething. You'd think that somebody who hates a team could keep control of himself just to make it not so obvious. Skippy couldn't.





YAKUZA

 

[the kid 05]

I think its out very own Sr. anyalist Hostile whos signature area reads "Embrace the Hate", When your the best at what you do you usually are hated the most (look at us and now NE)

 

[Chocolate Lab]

Good thread -- I almost posted something similar.

One's I've seen that I'd add are Shaun King and the guy with him (I think Schlereth), plus Jim Mora on NFLN.

It's a long list.

 

[Nors]

We already beat them twice for a reason. They are injured, less Shock and relying on Eli.

book a W

 

[Echo9]

Good thread -- I almost posted something similar.

One's I've seen that I'd add are Shaun King and the guy with him (I think Schlereth), plus Jim Mora on NFLN.

It's a long list.

It doesn't even bother me at this point, some of the reasoning behind the choices are just so flimsy.

Add Marino and Carter from Inside the NFL. Collinsworth and Costas picked Dallas. There's definitely a correlation there.

 

[cajuncocoa]

Obviously you can add Skippy to the list. He was utterly ridiculous today on ESPN's First Take to the point where Marcellus Wiley and Jay Crawford thought he was insane. He had such hatred for Dallas and then when they talked about Owens making All Pro he was just outright seething. You'd think that somebody who hates a team could keep control of himself just to make it not so obvious. Skippy couldn't.





YAKUZA

Skippy is quite possibly the biggest idiot on ESPN.

And that's really saying something!!!

 

[Route 66]

Instead of being upset with the media, you should love it because it actually makes it that much more enjoyable. If we make it to the big game, it will be a bumpy ride all the way on the media train.

 

[ScipioCowboy]

Good thread -- I almost posted something similar.

One's I've seen that I'd add are Shaun King and the guy with him (I think Schlereth), plus Jim Mora on NFLN.

It's a long list.

You're correct. I'd forgotten about Shaun King. I'm surprised at Jim Mora, however. He's been shilling for Dallas all season.

 

[SlwSVT]

Unbelievable the lack of respect for a number 1 seed and a 13-3 record. The Giants loss 5 out of there 6 games against playoff teams, yet they look like the world beaters right now. Only one thing left to do before the media crowns the Giants and that's stomp those G-girls all over the field! It's time to get that physical domination back, that we had all season. I hope our lines beat up the Giants lines and stomp them into the turf!

 

[Undisputed]

Well, to be fair to CBS's analysts, they actually pick against the spread. If you check out Harmon's "forecast" for example, he actually picks the Cowboys to win 27-21.

ESPN and the rest of the media pretty much look split 50/50 to me, as far as who wins this game. Not THAT bad. You'd expect a little different when talking about a #1 vs. a #5. But hey, the Giants are a good team and a division rival. Deadly combination.

Can't wait til Sunday.