Manster68
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This has been a very interesting week listening to the radio from Dallas and Philly.
Over in Eagle Land, the mood has been fairly mixed. Some fans call in and predict that McNabb is unstoppable. Scores of 27-10 and 31-7 got blurted out. One of the talk show hosts did comparisons of each unit. According to him, Dallas is only better than Philly in Secondary and Wide Receivers.
Several Eagle fans call up and are very concerned about how the Eagle defense is going to cover Dallas’ receivers. The rationalization here is that the host asked how big the Jaguar defenders were. They are thinking that if Jacksonville can shut down Dallas’ defense (according to these guys), then Sheppard and Brown can also.
On the Dallas side, there seems to be a guarded confidence that the Cowboys are going to get it done.
So here is how I see it.
Fans from each side say “Look at who they played.” This argument is clearly won by the Cowboy fans. Check this out:
Passing Defense from Eagle opponents:
Houston 32nd
Green Bay 31st
NY Giants 29th
San Francisco 24th
Granted, Philly took part in their low rankings. However, seeing how these teams got killed by their other opponents in the air sort of dilutes what McNabb and company have accomplished.
Passing Defense from Cowboy opponents:
Jacksonville 23rd
Washington 26th
Tennessee 16th
This isn’t a whole lot better. Dallas was able to move the ball with ease also. The Jax-Wash game was a major player lowering their ranking also. The Titans are more known for their pathetic run defense, rather than their pass defense.
The bottom line here is Jacksonville and Washington still have post-season aspirations, whereas maybe only the Giants are still dreaming for the post season. Dallas has played tougher opponents.
Another aspect of this game is how many still think the Cowboy offensive line has not improved from late last season. Hey, that is not Torrin Tucker or Rob Petitti out there now. That is now 1st round pick Marc Colombo and 2nd round veteran Flozell Adams out there. Big difference there folks!
Also, Andre Gurode has taken over for Al Johnson at center and is becoming a beast. Rivera is healthy again and Kyle Kosier is exceeding expectations.
So, from week 16 last season to now, FOUR of the FIVE interior linemen are new faces. This unit is becoming more effective and cohesive each week.
There is a reason why Bledsoe has been sacked only three times so far this season.
Oh yeah, if Philly’s defense was so stellar, then why are they ranked 21st?
See, I know that the Cowboys can move the ball on the Eagles, but I am not so sure how Philly will move the ball on Dallas. Especially with a nicked up Westbrook and Reggie Brown. Greg Lewis is going to find out that there is a big difference between Ahmed Carroll and Terrance Newman or Anthony Henry.
The only way Dallas loses this game is the same as the Jacksonville game. That is, if Bledsoe has another horrendous day. If Drew has a solid game, Dallas wins.
And if Philly fans think McNabb is going to get 300 yards passing on this defense, they are dreaming.
I think Dallas wins convincingly….24-10.
Over in Eagle Land, the mood has been fairly mixed. Some fans call in and predict that McNabb is unstoppable. Scores of 27-10 and 31-7 got blurted out. One of the talk show hosts did comparisons of each unit. According to him, Dallas is only better than Philly in Secondary and Wide Receivers.
Several Eagle fans call up and are very concerned about how the Eagle defense is going to cover Dallas’ receivers. The rationalization here is that the host asked how big the Jaguar defenders were. They are thinking that if Jacksonville can shut down Dallas’ defense (according to these guys), then Sheppard and Brown can also.
On the Dallas side, there seems to be a guarded confidence that the Cowboys are going to get it done.
So here is how I see it.
Fans from each side say “Look at who they played.” This argument is clearly won by the Cowboy fans. Check this out:
Passing Defense from Eagle opponents:
Houston 32nd
Green Bay 31st
NY Giants 29th
San Francisco 24th
Granted, Philly took part in their low rankings. However, seeing how these teams got killed by their other opponents in the air sort of dilutes what McNabb and company have accomplished.
Passing Defense from Cowboy opponents:
Jacksonville 23rd
Washington 26th
Tennessee 16th
This isn’t a whole lot better. Dallas was able to move the ball with ease also. The Jax-Wash game was a major player lowering their ranking also. The Titans are more known for their pathetic run defense, rather than their pass defense.
The bottom line here is Jacksonville and Washington still have post-season aspirations, whereas maybe only the Giants are still dreaming for the post season. Dallas has played tougher opponents.
Another aspect of this game is how many still think the Cowboy offensive line has not improved from late last season. Hey, that is not Torrin Tucker or Rob Petitti out there now. That is now 1st round pick Marc Colombo and 2nd round veteran Flozell Adams out there. Big difference there folks!
Also, Andre Gurode has taken over for Al Johnson at center and is becoming a beast. Rivera is healthy again and Kyle Kosier is exceeding expectations.
So, from week 16 last season to now, FOUR of the FIVE interior linemen are new faces. This unit is becoming more effective and cohesive each week.
There is a reason why Bledsoe has been sacked only three times so far this season.
Oh yeah, if Philly’s defense was so stellar, then why are they ranked 21st?
See, I know that the Cowboys can move the ball on the Eagles, but I am not so sure how Philly will move the ball on Dallas. Especially with a nicked up Westbrook and Reggie Brown. Greg Lewis is going to find out that there is a big difference between Ahmed Carroll and Terrance Newman or Anthony Henry.
The only way Dallas loses this game is the same as the Jacksonville game. That is, if Bledsoe has another horrendous day. If Drew has a solid game, Dallas wins.
And if Philly fans think McNabb is going to get 300 yards passing on this defense, they are dreaming.
I think Dallas wins convincingly….24-10.
