Predictions Wildcard Weekend

Each week, I will look into my (never wrong, just misinformed) crystal ball and give my predictions for that weekend’s games. I will prognosticate on all the playoff games each week. Keep in mind, that this is for entertainment purposes only, and that I do not endorse any sort of legal or illegal gambling. That being said…let’s see what’s in my crystal ball!

The crystal ball was mediocre last week, posting a 2-2 record. Not great, but we will take it! Now that it is playoff time, the crystal ball assures me it will rebound this week with a better performance. The crystal ball is now 33-26-1 for the season; which is seven games over .500 (.558 to be exact). With all the great match-ups before us, this week is going to be a challenge for the crystal ball. Let’s see what’s in store for us this weekend.

Last Week: 2-2

Playoffs: 0-0

Overall: 33-26-1


Atlanta @ Arizona: The Atlanta Falcons (11-5) will travel to Arizona to play the Cardinals (9-7). It’s a quirky nuance in the rules where the team with a better record must travel to play a team with a worse record in the playoffs. The Cardinals won their division, so by rule they get the home game. The Falcons have been a huge surprise this season, but the NFL is well aware of them now. The Cardinals played in a sub-par division, but they won enough games to earn their way into the tournament. Unfortunately for the Cards, they will be one and done. The Falcons are clearly the better team, and the Cardinals have been playing poorly as of late. The Falcons are the real deal and should win easily. Atlanta 34, Arizona 23.

Indianapolis @ San Diego: The Colts (12-4) will have to travel to San Diego to play the Chargers (8-8); again, another anomaly in the rules. The Chargers were the winners of a dreadful division, and they should count their blessings just for the invite to the tournament. The good news for the Bolts is that they have been playing playoff quality ball for several weeks. The bad news is, they must face the Indianapolis Colts in the 1st round. Norv must be wondering why…why? This should be a great game, but the Colts are just a much better team. Dungy, in what could be his last season, won’t settle for a 1st round loss. Look for the Colts to make a deep run…they are my favorite to win the Super Bowl…but that’s getting too far ahead. Indianapolis 37, San Diego 29.

Baltimore @ Miami: The Miami Dolphins have gone from worst to first in their division. This time last year, they were 1-15 and on the clock for the 1st pick in the draft. This year they are AFC East Champions. Parcells and Sparano have done a heckuva job down there in South Beach! The Ravens have played beyond their dreams as well, with a Rookie QB who wasn’t supposed to be the starter. The Ravens beat the Dolphins back in Week 7, and were able to tame the wildcat…will they be able to do it again? Yes…the Ravens are a well-balanced team and should be able to handle the ‘Fins. Miami will hang tough and make the Ravens earn it! Baltimore 24, Miami 23.

Philadelphia @ Minnesota: Philadelphia has been on a roll the last few weeks, especially this past Sunday as they annihilated the Cowboys in historical fashion. They gave the Cowboys a beat down that they were not expecting. Minnesota is a good team, but with Tarvaris Jackson at the helm, I think they are too vulnerable. Gus Frerotte is a seasoned veteran, but he got the hook. The Vikings are having trouble selling out for a playoff game…are you kidding me? The Eagles fans are licking their chops and they are scooping up the remaining tickets. It may turn out to be a home game for the Birds? Either way, the Eagles are on a roll, and the Vikings will be their next prey. Philadelphia 24, Minnesota 16.


Short Shots:

The NFL did a disservice to its teams when it changed to an 8-division format. However by doing this, it has achieved its goal, and most teams are still mathematically alive for the playoffs late in the season. Most team’s fans can stay excited until the final week. Unfortunately, you have teams that win their divisions with poorer records than the wildcard teams. And to make matters worse, they are rewarded with a home game? The only positive is that the New England Patriots, at 11-5, are sitting at home, while the Minnesota (10-6), Philadelphia (9-6-1), Arizona (9-7), and San Diego (8-8) are in the playoffs…you gotta love Karma!

Peyton Manning was honored with winning the NFL MVP Award for the 3rd time in his illustrious career. Chad Pennington was honored with the Comeback Player of the Year Award for the 2nd time in his career. In my opinion, Pennington should have won both, but I don’t get a vote…but someday I might?


From The Mail Room:


Jerry P., Philadelphia, PA: Tony Romo is a great quarterback. Just look at his numbers for the last 3 years. Last year should have been a Cowboys super bowl if not for Crayton's dropped pass. Yes Tony has had problems, but after last season he lost even more his quarterback coach. Tony needs a good quarterback coach to help him in some situations and he will win for this team. It took many great ones 3-4 years before they really flourished into a superstar quarterback. If all the right coaches are put in place next year they will win. Tony just needs one playoff win to get started. Go Cowboys no matter what I bleed Blue and Silver. Forever...

Utopia1dc: Jerry, you bring up many good points. I think some people forget that Romo has only been a starter for 2 ½ seasons. He was also an undrafted rookie free agent when the Cowboys signed him. He suffered through the entire draft; 32 teams, 7 rounds and nothing. Romo didn’t come out of college with the pedigree of an Eli Manning, Phillip Rivers, or Matt Ryan, to name a few. He needed a few seasons of grooming just to resemble an NFL QB. Everyone needs to be patient with him. Even Peyton Manning took several years before he had post-season success. And Romo doesn’t even have an ounce of the same pedigree that the Manning’s have! As for the Cowboys winning the Super Bowl if Crayton didn’t drop that sure TD pass…we will never know? But, I think that the Cowboys have something with Romo…let’s wait a few years before we label him a bust. From where he came from…he’s already out-performed anyone’s expectations!

Click To Email Me

Underachievers

This past Sunday, the Dallas Cowboys traveled to Lincoln Financial Field to play the Philadelphia Eagles in what was a win and you’re in the playoffs game. This game had a lot of build-up prior kick-off. The Eagles found out, about 15 minutes before the game started, that the stars had aligned for them; the Bears and Buccaneers had both lost. This game had everything football fans wanted. It was the ‘Boys against the Birds, with their playoff destinies on the line.

Unfortunately, if you are a Cowboys fan, Dallas forgot to show up for the game mentally. Maybe all the drama had finally caught up to them? Maybe the Eagles are just a better team? It doesn’t matter why…we all know what happened! The Cowboys shot themselves in the foot over and over again. They gifted the Eagles two defensive touchdowns, while squandering scoring opportunities of there own on several occasions. That’s not to take anything away from Philly, they made the plays and the Cowboys didn’t!

Defensively, the Cowboys made several mental mistakes in coverage, while offensively Romo wasn’t on the same page as his receivers… maybe not even reading the same book! The ‘Boys have been out of sync all season, but usually one side of the ball would show up. This time, every facet of the team let their fans down. The coaching staff, offense, defense, and special teams…it was an absolute nightmare!

The Cowboys lost a key component in last year’s success, Tony Sparano, who is now the head coach of the AFC East Champion Miami Dolphins. He helped Jason Garrett with the offense last season. It was obvious to any Cowboys fan how much Sparano was missed. If you didn’t know before…you know now! Sparano was why the Cowboys offense excelled last year! The Cowboys were pre-season favorites to win the Super Bowl, but that’s pretty tough to do when you don’t even make the playoffs. What a bunch of…underachievers!


Short Shots:

Several coaches have been fired already, and I’m sure there still might be more to come. Of all of them, I am most surprised with Eric Mangini being fired. The Jets are a good team, but Favre was simply out of gas by the end of the season. Not that I’m making excuses for Favre (because I simply can’t stand the guy), but he was battling injuries throughout the 2nd half of the season…and he’s 39 for God’s sake!

Peyton Manning is in the running for the League MVP. Sure, Peyton has all the stats and credentials for the award. He put the team on his back for the past 9 to 10 weeks, after his slow start due to injury. But, I’d like to nominate Chad Pennington. Chad was ousted in New York in favor of Favre, but Sparano swiped him up in a hurry. Without Pennington, Miami would have still been a cellar dweller. Chad brought instant leadership to a team in disarray. He managed the offense, limited his mistakes, and made the plays necessary to win the AFC East crown! Chad for MVP! Wouldn’t it be something if the Dolphins could win the Super Bowl? From worst to best in one season! It’s unlikely, but it would make for a heckuva story!


From The Mail Room:

Darren J., Philadelphia, PA: Your Cowboys are a disgrace. All you cockroaches should crawl back into the hole you came out of! Dallas Sucks! Go Eagles!

Utopia1dc: Darren, just for the record…I received over 25 similar emails. I picked yours because it was the only one without a spelling or grammatical error! Now, to address your comment; I wasn’t aware that Jerry had signed over a share of the Cowboys to me. But if he did, I wouldn’t care if they lost every damn game because they are worth over a Billion dollars…I’d be rich! They are not my Cowboys; I simply enjoy watching them play (well, not this past game…I’ll give you that much!). The Eagles won, the Cowboys didn’t. Why do Eagles fans always have to get in my face after a win? I have never done that to an Eagles fan…ever!

Click To Email Me

Chokers

This past Sunday, the Cowboys had a 10-point lead against the Pittsburgh Steelers, late in the 4th quarter. Then disaster struck, as the Cowboys were not able to finish off the Steelers. All the Cowboys needed were a couple of first downs and the game would be over. Nope…didn’t happen! The Cowboys let the Steelers tie the game with about 2 minutes left in regulation. Then, Romo gave the entire Steeler Nation an early Christmas present by throwing a pick-6…game over!

The Cowboys are now 8-5, and they are hanging by a thread to the 6th (and final) play-ff spot in the NFC. If the ‘Boys were to win the rest of their games, they would be assured of making the tournament. That’s not an easy task, as the Cowboys have faltered in December the past few years. They must right the ship if they want to be playing in January.

The Cowboys out-gained the Steelers in rushing yards, passing yards, and in total yards. They also had the edge in time of possession. The ‘Boys also had 5 sacks compared to the Steelers 3. The Cowboys lost the most important statistic…the turnovers. The Cowboys had 5 turnovers (the Steelers had 2), and the last one sealed their fate. Deshea Townsend picked off an errant Romo pass to Witten, and returned it for the winning TD!

Last week, I wrote that this game would tell us everything we need to know about the 2008 Dallas Cowboys…What They Are. The Cowboys have under-achieved this year, as they were the preseason favorites to win the Super Bowl. Now, they are battling just to make the playoffs. Maybe, everyone just overrated the Cowboys from the beginning? Maybe, they’re just not good enough? Maybe, they’re just…chokers?



Short Shots:

On a positive note, Tashard Choice of the Cowboys proved to be a capable RB. Choice gained 88 yards rushing (the most allowed by the #1 Steelers defense all season) and another 78 yards receiving on 5 receptions. Not too bad for a rookie RB drafted in the 4th round, in his first NFL start!

Matt Jones (Jaguars) will finally serve his 3-game suspension that was handed out several months ago. Jones had appealed the suspension, but now he will miss the last 3 games of the season!


From The Mail Room:

Frank G., Philadelphia, PA: Your cowgirls are cooked. E-A-G-L-E-S Eagles!

Utopia1dc: Frank, I don’t know if the Cowboys are quite cooked just yet…maybe simmering a little? I applaud your enthusiasm for your Eagles chant, but aren’t they currently trailing the Cowboys?



Click To Email Me

Predictions Week 14

Each week, on Friday, I will look into my (never wrong, just misinformed) crystal ball and give my predictions for that weekend’s games. I will always prognosticate on the Eagles and Cowboys games and then pick two more games of interest (to me, that is, not necessarily to you). Keep in mind, that this is for entertainment purposes only, and that I do not endorse any sort of legal or illegal gambling. That being said…let’s see what’s in my crystal ball!

The crystal ball was on fire last week, going 4-0 for the week. Not too shabby, huh? The crystal ball is now 23-20-1, which is 3 games over .500 (.534 to be exact). Well, enough of the horn tooting…let’s get down to the task at hand. This week is going to be tough because there are a lot of games with play-off implications. The crystal ball is ready for the challenge. Let’s take a peek into the future and see what will happen this Sunday.

Last Week: 4-0

Overall: 23-20-1

Dallas @ Pittsburgh: The Cowboys will travel to Pittsburgh short-handed this week. Marion Barber was left behind to heal his toe, as he did not make the trip to the Steel City. The Steelers are sporting the No. 1 defense in the league, so Romo will have his work cut out for him. Not having Barber may be a blessing in disguise, as it will force the ‘Boys to come out with all their guns blazing. Pittsburgh will pound the rock, as they will try to dominate the line of scrimmage. The ‘Boys will find a way to win, because they must! Dallas 24, Pittsburgh 23.

Philadelphia @ New York Giants: The Birds are in a do or die situation, as they don’t have any room for error. The Eagles find themselves on the proverbial play-off bubble, and that’s being kind. The Birds must win out, and hope for some help to make the tournament. Now that McNabb is back on track, he will keep the offense at full speed ahead. The G-Men are due for a letdown, especially with all the Plaxico Burress distractions this past week. The Eagles will stun their division foes. Philadelphia 31, New York Giants 17.

Minnesota @ Detroit: The Vikings caught a break, as a Judge has given the Williams Brothers a stay of execution. Well, they’re not actually brothers, and they’re not getting executed either. They will be active Sunday, after that…who knows? The Lions are due for a win, as they can’t actually go 0-16…can they? Well, their losing streak will continue, as the Vikings will manhandle them, easily! Minnesota 27, Detroit 9.

New York Jets @ San Francisco: The Jets are reeling from their loss last week against the Broncos. Favre and company will be ready for the 49ers. Look for Thomas Jones to have huge game against a lackluster 49ers defense. Favre will pick apart the secondary as well. The Jets will win in a laugher. This will be a blowout from the get-go. New York Jets 34, San Francisco 13.


Short Shots:


I can’t believe a Judge has actually intervened and blocked the suspension of several players. Sheriff Goodell waited too long to make a decision, and now these players will be able to play when they should be punished…unreal! Where was this Judge when Pacman Jones was suspended?

The San Diego Chargers played well on Thursday night against the Raiders. I think it might be too little, too late for a play-off push. However, they may be able to save Norv his job…if they can win out!



From The Mail Room:


Joe P., Edison, NJ: The barbarian is out for the game versus Pittsburgh. Do you think your Cowboys have a chance?

Utopia1dc: Joe, the loss of Marion Barber will hurt the Cowboys for sure. Tashard Choice will take his place in the line-up, but he is a relative unknown. The ‘Boys will have to rely on Romo and the passing game a little more than they might have if Barber were available. But, I think that this will actually be a good thing…let Romo sling it and hope for the best. Go Cowboys!



Click To Email Me

Reality Mail Bag - 12/04/08

Each week I will answer questions submitted by my loyal readers. I personally read every single email I receive. I will pick out the best five or so to use for the weekly post, as I won't be able to answer all of them. I will also answer one or two questions on my daily posts as well. Now it’s time to open the mail!


Eric F., Philadelphia, PA: What do you think of Kyle Eckel? Have the eagles finally found a true fullback?

Utopia1dc: Eric, Kyle Eckel is a hometown product out of Haverford. He attended Episcopal Academy in Philadelphia, and then went on to star at Navy. He was named MVP of the Army-Navy game two years in a row. He is 4th all-time in rushing at Navy, so he knows how to carry the rock. He is a good blocker as well. What’s not to like? The Eagles would be wise to give him a shot at being their starting fullback…everyone knows they could use one!


James S., San Diego, CA: Norv Turner is the worst coach ever and he has destroyed a great team. Bring back Marty ball!

Utopia1dc: James, I don’t know about Turner being the worst coach ever, but the Chargers have struggled this year, especially defensively. LT doesn’t seem to be running with the same vigor as in previous years either. I was shocked when Marty was fired 2 years ago, but that’s the way it is in the NFL. The Chargers really don’t have a prayer to make the play-offs, even if they win out the rest of their games. Norv will probably be fired after the season…but be careful of what you wish for!


Marc P., Fort Washington, PA: Do the Eagles have any chance in hell to beat the Giants this week?

Utopia1dc: Marc, the Eagles played very well last week, and the Giants may be due for a letdown game. The G-men have had a lot of distractions this week with the Plaixo Burress situation. If the Eagles have any desire of making the play-offs, they must win this game. The G-Men have pretty much locked up the division, so I wouldn’t be surprised if the Birds got the win!


Richard P., Wheeling, WV: Out here in Pittsburgh country we will destroy your cowgirls.

Utopia1dc: Richard, I take it you’re a Steelers fan. Well, your Steelers have been playing very well. They have a balanced attack on offense and a stellar defense to boot. It will be a tough game for the ‘Boys. I don’t think the Steelers will destroy the Cowboys…it should be a close game. We shall see what happens!


Harry S., Ada, Oklahoma: What do you think about McNabb using the excuse about being preoccupied about his wifes pregnancy as his reason for his poor play the past few weeks?

Utopia1dc: Harry, I don’t know where you’re getting your information from, but I heard that interview live, and that’s not what I came away with. McNabb was asked a question, and he answered it. He wasn’t making excuses for his poor play. If that were the case why did he play so well on Turkey Day? I’m sure his wife expecting twins was on his mind, but it had nothing to do with his play on the field. I know that D-Mac has done and said many stupid things…this is not one of them!



Short Shots:


A Judge ruled in favor of Kevin and Pat Williams (Vikings) lawsuit against the NFL. He issued a temporary restraining order, blocking their 4-game suspensions imposed by Sheriff Goodell. This is a very bad precedent being set here. The NFL and the Vikings cannot let these guys play this weekend!


With four weeks left in the regular season, it’s going to go down to the wire for the last few play-off spots. In the AFC, there are 5 teams vying for 2 spots. In the NFC, there are 7 teams vying for 2 spots. It’s time to put up or shut up!



Click To Email Me

Week 13 Review

The crystal ball had a stellar week by going undefeated at 4-0. That puts the crystal ball at 23-20-1 for the season. That’s three games over .500 (.534 to be exact). The crystal ball has a slightly sore back this week. You know…with all that patting itself on the back stuff! Let’s review and see what happened last week.

Last Week: 4-0

Overall: 23-20-1

Seattle @ Dallas: The Cowboys looked good from start to finish. That’s what is expected when you play a team like the Seahawks. Once the ‘Boys had the lead, they never looked back. They kept the pedal to the metal, and didn’t let Seattle back in the game. The only downer was the injuries to DeMarcus Ware and Marion Barber. Both left the game and didn’t return, but they should be fine for this week’s match-up against the Steelers.

Arizona @ Philadelphia: The Eagles got a big win against the Cards. Arizona is a formidable team and the Eagles never let Warner get in a rhythm. The Birds put up a 40-burger (48 points to be exact) on the Cards, as McNabb proved himself as the leader of the team. McNabb was flawless, as he threw for 260 yards and 4 TDs. That’s not too shabby for a QB that everyone wants to run out of town. By winning, the Eagles also kept their play-offs hopes alive.

Tennessee @ Detroit: The Titans disgraced the Lions in a blowout! Tennessee has a well-balanced offense with two quality running backs. Kerry Collins is a very good manager of the offense, but he can still make all the necessary throws when needed. The Titans defense is playing well also. Jeff Fisher has his club firing on all cylinders heading into the play-offs!

Pittsburgh @ New England: At halftime, this game was knotted at 10-10. Offensively, the Steelers hammered the ball with Moore and Parker. Big Ben did his job, but he did have a couple of picks. The Patriots kept it close for a while, but their 5 turnovers sealed their fate. Matt Cassel didn’t stand a chance against the Steelers defense once they fell behind. You just can’t give the ball away that many times to a quality team and expect to win…not in the NFL!


Short Shots:


The Cleveland Browns suffered another injury at QB. After losing Brady Quinn a few weeks ago, they have now lost Derek Anderson as well. It’s now up to Ken Dorsey to try and salvage Romeo Crennel’s job…not a pretty site in Cleveland! Romeo…start packing!

Plaxico Burress posted $100,000 bail yesterday. He is now back out on the streets until March 31, 2009…when he goes back in front of the Judge! Unfortunately for Plaxico, Goodell won’t take as long to render judgment! Plax…just stay inside your house! Shop online if you get bored!


From The Mail Room:


Henry D., Carlstadt, NJ: How can Burress be so stupid. He is gonna cost the giants the superbowl.

Utopia1dc: Henry, I agree 100%…Plaxico Burress is a first rate fool! He has been a distraction to the G-Men all season long. The Giants may be better off without him. As far as costing the Giants the Super Bowl…I don’t know about all that! I don’t see the G-Men repeating!

Click To Email Me

Predictions Week 13

Each week, on Friday, I will look into my (never wrong, just misinformed) crystal ball and give my predictions for that weekend games. I will always prognosticate on the Eagles and Cowboys games and then pick two more games of interest (to me, that is, not necessarily to you). Keep in mind, that this is for entertainment purposes only, and that I do not endorse any sort of legal or illegal gambling. That being said…let’s see what’s in my crystal ball!

The crystal ball was 2-2 last week, and that’s not acceptable. The crystal ball is now 19-20-1 for the season, just a tad under .500 (.488 to be exact). Hopefully this week, it will rebound on the short week. Today is Thanksgiving Day and both the Cowboys and Eagles square off (separately) in very important conference games. Each team needs a win if they want to move on into the play-offs. Let’s take a look at what the crystal ball has to say.

Last Week: 2-2

Overall: 19-20-1

Seattle @ Dallas: The Cowboys are coming off a big win against the 49ers. Owens and Romo both had huge days, and the offense seems to be back on track. Seattle shouldn’t be taken lightly, as they gave Washington all they could handle last week. Though the ‘Hawks lost, they played well against a formidable Redskins team. Look for a close game early, as the Cowboys take over late in the contest. Dallas 31, Seattle 20.

Arizona @ Philadelphia: Last week, the Eagles were grasping at straws for answers, as Reid pulled D-Mac in the second half. Kolb couldn’t provide the Eagles with a spark either. The Ravens defense confused the inexperienced Kolb into many mistakes. Arizona has a big lead in their division, but don’t look for them to be handing out any sympathy cards to the Birds. The Cards are hungry, but west coast teams on the road have not fared well against east coast teams this year. That shouldn’t be a factor though, as this is a late kick-off. In a squeaker, the Birds prevail. Philadelphia 24, Arizona 23.

Tennessee @ Detroit: The Lions are in a world of hurt as they try to get a win. Could a team in this era of parity actually go 0-16? Probably not, but today is not their day. The Titans were stunned by the Jets last week, and they look to avenge their only blemish of the season. The Lions should just pray that the Titans don’t embarrass them as the entire country watches while downing their turkeys. Tennessee 27, Detroit 9.

Pittsburgh @ New England: The Steelers are a force defensively and they will look to shut down Matt Cassel. The one time clipboard holder is playing well with back-to-back 400-yard games. The Steelers need a win to keep their 1-game lead in their division and the Pats don’t want to fall any further behind the division leading Jets. This should be a great game, but the edge must go to the Steelers, as they will bring Cassel back down to Earth. Pittsburgh 24, New England 20.


Short Shots:


Today is Thanksgiving, so we should all give thanks for what we have, and remember that not everyone is as fortunate as we are. I want to send a special shout-out to Je’Rod Cherry for his efforts to raise money for the needy by raffling off his Super Bowl ring. The drawing takes place today.

I wonder what kind of reception D-Mac will receive by the Philly fans as he is introduced at the Linc? The fans should go easy on him. It’s Thanksgiving after all…but it’s also Philadelphia!



From The Mail Room:


Pete F., Philadelphia, PA: If the Eagles lose this week should they play Kevin Kolb to see if he is the quarterback of the future?

Utopia1dc: Pete, even though I am not an Eagles fan, I think that McNabb should never have been pulled last week. At-least not in the manner in which it was handled by Reid. I think Andy is grasping at straws because he knows his job is on the line. Did he really think that Kolb would provide a spark against the Ravens defense? If the Eagles lose, their play-off situation becomes very bleak. At that point it might be a good idea to see what they have in Kolb. The McNabb era looks to be over after this season. Reid could be packing his bags as well!




Click To Email Me

Week 12 Review

The crystal ball had a mediocre week, to say the least. The crystal ball went 2-2 for the week, and is now 19-20-1 for the season. That’s just slightly under .500 (.488 to be exact). We need to give it props for predicting the upset of the year (in my opinion). On the other hand, we must chastise it for the debacle in Denver. Let’s review what happened.

Last Week: 2-2

Overall: 19-20-1

San Francisco @ Dallas: This game started out close, but the 49ers were only able to convert 2 field goals early in the game. The Cowboys defense did their job by not allowing the game to get out of reach, while the offense was struggling. In the 2nd quarter, the ‘Boys offense exploded, as Romo hit Owens on a 75-yard bomb for a TD. After that, it was smooth sailing for Dallas, as Owens had a career-type day with 7 receptions, 213 yards, and a TD. The ‘Boys seem to be back on track to make a push for the play-offs!

Philadelphia @ Baltimore: The Eagles and the Ravens were in a classic defensive struggle at half time, with the Ravens leading 10-7. Then, the unthinkable happened…D-Mac was benched in favor of Kevin Kolb. Reid was so ashamed that he had the QB coach tell McNabb, as he was not man enough to do it himself! Now, I grant you that McNabb was struggling, but to pull him like that…that’s disrespectful! I know I have ripped D-Mac about the OT thing…but he didn’t deserve this! Kolb didn’t fare much better, as Baltimore ran away with this one in the 2nd half.

New York Jets @ Tennessee: The mighty have fallen…just as I had predicted. Favre was tremendous in this game, but the Jets defense held the Titans in check. It took Favre and his new buddies about a month to get used to each other, but now they are hitting on all cylinders. With Thomas Jones and Leon Washington leading the way on the ground, Favre’s aerial attack, and the defense playing well, the Jets are the team to beat in the AFC!

Oakland @ Denver: Boy, was the crystal ball wrong about this one. The Broncos picked a bad week for a let down, because the Raiders came to town ready to rumble. Fargas led the Raiders in the ground game, but McFadden was able to finish the job with 2 TDs. Russell only threw 11 passes, completing 10 of them, as he led his team to victory. Johnnie Lee Higgins returned a punt 89 yards for a TD. That’s his 2nd in as many weeks, as he had a 93-yard punt return for a TD last week against the Fins!


Short Shots:


Brady Quinn will miss the remainder of the season with a broken index finger. That’s too bad, as the Golden Domer had finally gotten his shot to strut his stuff a few weeks ago, when he took over for Derek Anderson. Quinn is clearly the QB of the future in Cleveland, so for the next 5 weeks, Derek will be auditioning for a new job next season.

Adam Jones is back and practicing this week with his fellow Cowboys. He will not be allowed to play on Turkey Day, as he is finishing up his suspension, which ended up being 6 games. This time, Pacman will have to stay out of trouble with no help from the Cowboys. Jerry Jones has taken away the security guards that were assigned to Adam. That’s not necessarily a bad thing…since that’s what got him in trouble in the first place!



From The Mail Room:


Fred S., Amarillo, Texas: Hey, I'm a displaced Eagles fan down here in Amarillo but I am originally from Pottsville. Anyway what the heck is going on with Donovan Mcnabb?

Utopia1dc: Fred, how did you end up in Amarillo? I’ve never been to Pottsville, but it’s not too far from me, but I have been through Amarillo on my way to the Texas Grand Canyon. As for McNabb, he has been given his starting job back for the Turkey Day game. McNabb was severely disrespected by Andy Reid, in my opinion. I don’t see D-Mac returning to Philly next season. The McNabb era is over. The Reid era is in serious jeopardy, as well!



Click To Email Me

Exploding

Yesterday, the Cowboys defeated the San Francisco 49ers, at Texas Stadium, by a score of 35-22. Don’t let the score fool you, the ‘Boys were in cruise control mid-way through the 2nd quarter. The Cowboys defense started off a little shaky, but they were able to limit the 49ers to field goals. After the 1st quarter, the boys trailed 6-0, but that’s when it happened…the game changed in an instant!

The Cowboys got the ball at their own 23-yard line to start the 2nd quarter. After an incomplete pass by Romo, and a 2-yard dive by Barber, the ‘Boys were faced with a 3rd and 8 from their own 25-yard line. The Cowboys were in shotgun formation. Romo was flushed to his right; he looked up and found Owens streaking down the sideline. Romo fired a bomb that landed in Owens hands. Owens broke a tackle and took it to the house, for a 75-yard TD.

From that point on, the Cowboys were unstoppable. Romo threw for 341 yards and 3 TDs. Owens had a career day with 7 receptions for 213 yards and a TD. Until yesterday, 89 yards were the most Terrell had recorded this season, which was against Philadelphia, in week 2. That play alone, could be the spark that the Cowboys needed to get to their ultimate goal!

Owens has been frustrated this year…no doubt! He has remained a good teammate, and has towed the company line. He bit his lip and didn’t throw Brad Johnson under the bus (though he very well should have). Terrell sees the big picture…he sees the prize! Owens knew that he would get his chance, once “his quarterback” was healthy. Terrell knew that when they got their timing back, there was nothing to stop T.O. from…exploding!


Short Shots:


Andy Reid pulled D-Mac in favor of Kevin Kolb to start the 2nd half yesterday. The Eagles only trailed the Ravens 10-7 at half-time. I’m not sure what Big Red was thinking? As expected, Kolb didn’t fare much better, and the Birds laid another egg! For those that want the Kolb era to begin will have to wait, as Reid has named McNabb the starter for the Turkey Day game!

Matt Cassel threw for over 400 yards yesterday. Actually, he has thrown for 400+ yards, 2 weeks in a row…a feat that has only been accomplished four other times. Cassel…I apologize for calling you a professional clipboard holder…sorry!


From The Mail Room:


Josh D., Topeka, Kansas: The cowboys played good and beat san fran but they stink. Do you really think da boyz have a chance to win superbowl?


Utopia1dc: Josh, I do agree that the 49ers are a poor team, but nonetheless, the Cowboys took care of business. You can’t control whom you play, but when you play a lesser team…you got to beat them. And the ‘Boys did just that! As far as the Super Bowl goes…why not? If Romo stays healthy and Roy Williams can get more involved, I think that the Cowboys offense is unstoppable!



Click To Email Me

No Respect For The Game

Just this past Sunday (November 16th), something occurred in the NFL during a post-game news conference that has left me dumbfounded. The Eagles and Bengals played to a 13-13 tie. Usually that would be news in of itself, since ties are very rare in the NFL. In fact, the last tie came in 2002. The last time an Eagles game ended in a tie was, coincidentally, on November 16, 1997 against the Baltimore Ravens. But what’s got my panties all up in a bunch is what Donovan McNabb had to say after the game.

By now, I’m sure you have heard his idiotic statements regarding OT. McNabb did not know that the game would end in a tie, if neither team scored during the 15-minute period…pathetic! If that’s not bad enough, he went on to wonder how the NFL would handle that situation in the Super Bowl or the play-offs…oh my God, he was actually serious when he said this! I am flabbergasted!

Maybe I am being to hard on Donovan? Should he be expected to know every single rule in the NFL? The referees don’t get the rules correct all the time (as in the TD at the end of the Pittsburgh-San Diego game). Should the players be held to a higher standard? Is it even possible to memorize the entire NFL rulebook? Probably not!

As the QB, and leader of his team, D-Mac should know the rules about OT. I don’t expect him to know every nuance of the rulebook, but I do expect him to have knowledge of the game he plays professionally! A game in which has rewarded him financially beyond his dreams. A game in which has made him a household name. A game that he clearly enjoys playing. What’s clear to me is that Donovan McNabb has…no respect for the game!


Short Shots:


Roger Goodell will be one busy man this week as he is about to rule on the fate of several players. Deuce McAllister, Will Smith, Charles Grant, Kevin Williams, Pat Williams, and Grady Jackson are all waiting to see if the Sheriff will rescind their 4-game suspensions. Pacman Jones is also on deck to find out if he is reinstated, so he can rejoin his fellow Cowboys.

Today on my morning commute; I was listening to WIP (local sports talk radio). They were taking a poll to see if the fans wanted the Eagles to win or lose against the Ravens this Sunday. The reasoning was that if the Eagles keep losing that they might fire Andy Reid. It was about a 50-50 split! If it were up to the fans…Andy…start packing!


From The Mail Room:

Bill R., Ft. Worth, Texas: I herd that miles Austin injured his knee against the redskins. Will this hurt the cowboys being able to stretch defenses?

Utopia1dc: Bill, it’s true. Miles Austin sprained his knee against the ‘Skins and he is due to miss 2-4 weeks. With Romo’s pinkie still not being 100%, I don’t know how much the Cowboys will be going deep anyway. The Cowboys spent a lot for Roy Williams; he needs to step up. Austin will be missed mostly as the kick returner.


Ken S., Horsham, PA: i read ur posts alot. Do you think the eagles will fire coach Reed if they not make the playoffs.

Utopia1dc: Ken, thank you for reading, and you’re not too far from me, in Horsham. The Eagles aren’t that bad of a team and I personally like Andy Reid as a coach. If I were the owner…I’d keep him on board. But if the ‘Birds do fall below .500 and miss the play-offs; then maybe it’s time for the organization to go in a different direction.



Click To Email Me

Back In The Saddle

Last night, on Sunday Night Football, the Cowboys and Redskins met in a heated NFC East rivalry. The ‘Boys came to Washington, sporting a 5-4 record, while the ‘Skins were 6-3. The Cowboys welcomed back their offensive leader, Tony Romo, as well as Pro-Bowl corner, Terence Newman. Dallas had already lost to the Redskins earlier this season, and this was a must-win game for the Cowboys.

To say that the Cowboys offense struggled without Romo the past few weeks is an understatement. Though the Cowboys only managed 14 points against the ‘Skins, the offense moved the chains, which kept their defense fresh. Romo was far from perfect, as he threw for two interceptions in the red zone. Romo threw for 198 yards and a TD pass to Rookie TE Marcellus Bennett. Newman contributed as well, as he held Santana Moss to 5 receptions for only 29 yards. T-New also recorded an INT, which stalled a Redskin drive deep into Dallas territory.

The Cowboys took the lead in the 4th quarter (14-10) and never looked back. The Redskins went for it on 4th and 4 at the Dallas 37-yard line. Newman deflected the pass…Cowboys take over on downs with 6:40 left in regulation. The Cowboys milked the clock like they were on a dairy farm. They fed Marion Barber the ball 11 times in a row (1 short dump-off pass from Romo and 10 running). After Barber secured a 4th and 1 play with 1:02 left, Romo kneeled twice in victory formation. The “Closer” (Barber) did his job!

The Cowboys got a much-needed victory, on the road, against a formidable football team in the Washington Redskins. The ‘Boys are now 6-4, and they are in the hunt for a wild-card berth. For the Cowboys to win the division, it would take a miracle, as the G-Men won, once again, and they are now 9-1. Did the Cowboys turn the corner? Are they the same team that started 3-0? Are they the Super Bowl favorites, once again? Hardly! But, they are definitely…back in the saddle!


Short Shots:


Tennessee is now 10-0…that’s amazing considering that they are doing it with Kerry Collins as their QB. Good thing Vince Young had some issues at the beginning of the season!

The Eagles and the Bengals played to a tie. A tie in the NFL is extremely rare, as the last tie came in 2002. What’s amazing is that Donovan McNabb didn’t know that the game ended after 15 minutes if no team scored! What’s more amazing, is that after McNabb was told that by a reporter during the post-game press conference, he wondered what would happen if that occurred in a play-off game or the Super Bowl. Are you kidding me? A QB who has been in the NFL for 10 years, and counts $9.3M against the Eagles cap, doesn’t know this? This is absurd!


New Feature Coming Soon:

I now have an email link set up so that you (my loyal readers) can ask questions directly to me. I will read every question or comment submitted. I will answer them (as many as possible) in a weekly post, called…Reality Mail Bag.

I will also answer questions on a daily basis (when applicable) at the bottom of each post (right after the Short Shots). This section will be called…From The Mail Room.



Click To Email Me

Predictions Week 11

Each week, on Friday, I will look into my (never wrong, just misinformed) crystal ball and give my predictions for that weekend games. I will always prognosticate on the Eagles and Cowboys games and then pick two more games of interest (to me, that is, not necessarily to you). Keep in mind, that this is for entertainment purposes only, and that I do not endorse any sort of legal or illegal gambling. That being said…let’s see what’s in my crystal ball!

The crystal ball was a little off his game last week, as he finished at 2-2. That’s not bad, but we can do better than that. We are 16-16 (.500) for the season, but we are 9-3 in the past three weeks…not bad? Let’s see what’s in store for us this week.

Last Week: 2-2

Overall: 16-16

Dallas @ Washington: The NFC East division title is a pipe dream for either of these teams, as the G-Men appear to be running away with it. The wild-card race though, that’s on...in full force. A win for either team would go a long way in achieving their respective goals. The Cowboys will have the services of Tony Romo and T-New for this contest, while Portis looks like a no-go for the ‘Skins. This game is a must win for the ‘Boys, and I don’t see it as a close game at all. Dallas 34, Washington 17.

Philadelphia @ Cincinnati: The Eagles are licking their wounds trying to recover from their loss against the Giants; a game they could have won…if they could only gain a yard! The Birds need to be careful, because the Bengals are on a 1-game winning streak (hehe)…I think not! The Eagles will rebound easily here. It will be close for a little while, but then the Birds will pull away. Philadelphia 26, Cincinnati 13.

Baltimore @ New York Giants: The G-Men are standing tall after their big win against the Birds, while the Ravens are flapping their wings with authority after their whipping of the Texans last week. Baltimore is tied for 1st place in their division (along with the Steelers) at 6-3. Joe Flacco has been a pleasant surprise for the Ravens, and their defense (even though they have been banged up) has been keeping them in games, while Flacco learns on fly. Upset of the year…the Ravens will down the Giants in OT! Baltimore 23, New York Giants 20.

Tennessee @ Jacksonville: The Titans are the surprise team of the 2008 NFL season. They sit at 9-0 with a 4-game lead over the Colts (and a 5-game lead over Jacksonville). The Jags have been struggling this year at 4-5. Jack Del Rio was expecting more out of his club this year, but he finds himself on the hot seat, as his job is in serious jeopardy. His team will play hard for him and they will hand the Titans their first loss of the season. If you listen closely, you will be able to hear the popping of champagne corks (pop…pop…pop) in Miami, as the ’72 Dolphins celebrate! Jacksonville 17, Tennessee 16.


Short Shots:


Put up or shut up? It’s time for the Cowboys to show why they were the pre-season favorites. No more excuses, as Romo and others return from injury. The time to win is…now!

Jerry Jones said he would welcome back Adam Jones, if Sheriff Goodell reinstates him. That decision could come early next week, but I wouldn’t count on it. I think Goodell will make both Jones’ sweat it out for another week or three! For some reason, Goodell likes making an example out of Pacman!

On the other hand, Matt Jones is still playing football, even after Goodell gave him a 3-game suspension. Whatever Matt Jones has on Goodell…could you please pass it along to Pacman?

All week, the Redskins have been playing up that Portis is 50-50 to play against the Cowboys. Are the ‘Skins trying to hoodwink the ‘Boys, or are they being truthful about his injury situation? Either way, I don’t have time for this gamesmanship, as Portis is on my fantasy team…and I need to know the truth!

Last night, the Jets beat the Patriots to take sole possession of 1st place in the AFC East. Mangini had a smile, from ear to ear, on his face…Belichick looked like he had a bad wedgie. Down with the CHEATERS!

Too Little, Too Late

The Cowboys have a big game coming up this weekend against the Redskins. But aren’t they all big games? Yes, but this is a defining game for the 2008 Cowboys. If the ‘Boys lose…the season is all but over. If they win…they are back in the hunt for the wild-card race. The Cowboys were the pre-season favorites to win the Super Bowl…but that’s why they play the games!

The Cowboys should be in better position (at-least one would hope) than they have been in the previous three games. They will have most, if not all, of their guns a blazing, come Sunday. The Cowboys went 1-2 in Romo’s absence and now they find themselves three games back of the G-Men. The division race is all but done, but the ultimate prize, the Super Bowl, is still within reach. A far reach…but a reach none the less!

If the Cowboys can just win enough games (probably 10) to get into the tournament, they will be a wild-card team that no one will want to face. When the Cowboys have all of their weapons on offense healthy, they should be unstoppable…at-least on paper! Where does a defense start? Marion Barber, Felix Jones, Terrell Owens, Roy E. Williams, Jason Witten, Patrick Crayton, Miles Austin…oh yeah…Tony Romo…that’s a nightmare for a defensive coordinator!

But, first things first, is Romo going to come in after a 4-week lay-off and be at the top of his game? Will Romo and Williams have their timing down, considering they have only practiced a few times together? No and no…but that’s okay! Anything has to be better than what we have seen since Romo has been out of the line-up. Let’s just hope, that it’s not…too little, too late!


Short Shots:


If you were an NFL player, what would be worse…playing for the Lions or the Raiders? It’s a toss up…but at-least the weather is better in California!

Last night, Terrell Owens was on Dave Letterman to promote his new book. Terrell is racking up some frequent flyer miles this week. Dallas to New York, then back to Dallas, and then to Washington, D.C. for Sunday night’s game, and then back to Dallas again.

The Tennessee Titans are 9-0…can they go 16-0? Probably not, but then again, that’s probably a good thing…just ask the Patriots!

The Jets and the Patriots square off tomorrow night in Foxborough, MA. The winner will be in sole possession of 1st place in the AFC East. I bet NFL Network is happy with this match-up! The only person disappointed is John Madden, since he won’t be able to say “Brett Favre” 247 times on national TV!

Week 10 Review

The crystal ball was a little off this past week, going 2-2. That now puts me at 16-16 for the season, right at the .500 mark. Not exactly great, but we will take it, especially since we didn’t get off to a great start. We even had to have a changing of the guard a few weeks back, but this crystal ball knows that it could be next if it falters! Let’s take a look back and see what happened this past weekend.

Last Week: 2-2

Overall: 16-16

Buffalo @ New England: We totally got this one wrong…just downright blew it. The Bills struggled to generate any kind of consistency on offense against the depleted Pats defense. Matt Cassel is starting to resemble an NFL QB, and I may have to eat my own words, as I have ripped him from day one. I’m not quite ready to do that…just yet! The Patriots seem to have found something in RB BenJarvus Green-Ellis (yeah, that’s his real name) as he has been producing when called upon. Buffalo has squandered its 4-0 start by dropping 4 out of their last 5…ouch!

Seattle @ Miami: The ‘Hawks came ready to play and they almost pulled off the upset. I didn’t think it was going to be that close, but Miami hung tough and got the job done. Pennington managed the game fairly well, but it was Ricky and Ronnie that led the way to victory. Williams had his best day in years, topping the 100-yard mark. Both RBs scored while the Fins were in the wildcat formation…Roar! Sparano has them on the right track…only one game back of the Patriots and Jets!

Indianapolis @ Pittsburgh: The Colts went on the road to a hostile Heinz Field and got the job done. Big Ben was hobbled somewhat by his bum shoulder and he cost them the game with several ill-advised throws, which led to three picks. The most costly INT came on the last play of the game on 4th and 5 from the Colts 27-yard line. The Steelers had a shot at the end to pull it out, but it wasn’t meant to be. The Colts got the much-needed victory to get to 5-4. It looks like they must go the wild-card route as the Titans improved to 9-0, and have a 4-game lead over the Colts.

New York Giants @ Philadelphia: The Philly faithful were out in full force to support the Birds in the City of Brotherly Love…but in the end, they got the cold shoulder instead! It was a back and forth game, but the offensive line of the Giants was too much for the undersized Philly front seven. The 3-headed RB monster got the best of the Birds, as they just kept running down the gut of the Philly defense. The Eagles had a chance for redemption late in the game. But on 3rd and 3, and then again on 4th and 1, Andy Reid got to cute for his own good. Two straight running plays by Westbrook were sniffed out by the Giants defense (as well as the entire viewing audience), and the Eagles turned the ball over on downs…game over! Maybe even the season and the Andy Reid era in Philadelphia?


Short Shots:


It looks as if Romo (and many of the injured Cowboys) will be available for this weeks match-up against the Redskins. Felix Jones didn’t practice on Monday, but the consensus is that he will be good to go by Sunday night. Hopefully, this will get the ‘Boys back on track…time is running out!

Andy Reid and his stubbornness have cost the Eagles at-least two games this year. Why is a passing team trying to be a smash-mouth running team on the most crucial plays of a game? I just don’t get it…and neither do the Philly fans!

The woman, who alleges that RB Larry Johnson (KC) spit in her face, is suing him in court for damages. Good for her…that’s just downright nasty!

Today is Veterans Day. I would like to thank all the men and women who have served in the Armed Forces!

Same-old, Same-old

Last night, on Sunday Night Football, the Philadelphia Eagles wasted a golden opportunity. The Birds lost to the New York Giants 36-31, at home. Lincoln Financial Field (The Linc) was as loud as ever. The Philly faithful were out in full force, only to be let down, once again, by the Eagles. Many fans are fed up and frustrated with the team.

If you look at the statistics, the Eagles faired fairly well offensively against a top-notch Giants defense. The Birds managed 300 yards of offense. McNabb threw for 194 yards and 3 TDs (1 INT), with a QB rating of 80.1. That’s not a bad days work, usually! But the Eagles were facing the defending Super Bowl Champions, their defense and turnovers let them down.

The Eagles, even though they were over-matched all game, had a chance to steal a victory. With 3:14 left on the clock, the Eagles had one last chance, starting from their own 14-yard line. The Birds managed to get to the 43-yard line at the 2-minute warning, facing a 3rd and 3. What happened next, still befuddles me this morning, as much as it did last night. Westbrook took the hand-off and bounced outside to the right and gained 2 yards while managing to get out of bounds to stop the clock. 4th and 1…Andy, don’t do it…Andy, don’t do it. He did it anyway!

We all knew what was going to happen next. The fans at the Linc, the announcers, and all of us glued to our TVs…we all knew it! Westbrook to the right…stuffed! Game over! Why…Andy…why? The Eagles were burned earlier in the year with a similar situation in Chicago. You would think that Andy Reid would have known better? He did and he does…he’s just too stubborn…it’s just the same-old, same-old!


Short Shots:


The G-Men are now the clear-cut favorites to win the NFC East and have home field advantage in the play-offs…thanks Eagles!

Matt Jones (Jags) and Joey Porter (Miami) are having a verbal squabble over comments made by Porter. Joey doesn’t understand why Matt is still playing football, since Sheriff Goodell gave him a 3-game suspension? Neither do I!

The Dolphins unleashed the wildcat on Seattle. The ‘Fins scored two TDs in the wildcat formation. Parcells…you pussycat…you! I could have sworn Big Bill was a dog person?

Herm Edwards tried to pull off a “Shanahan” yesterday by going for 2 while only trailing by one, with 23 seconds left in regulation. KC failed on the 2-pt conversion and Herm failed his team. Kick the PAT and go to overtime!

Predictions Week 10

Each week, on Friday, I will look into my (never wrong, just misinformed) crystal ball and give my predictions for that weekend games. I will always prognosticate on the Eagles and Cowboys games and then pick two more games of interest (to me, that is, not necessarily to you). Keep in mind, that this is for entertainment purposes only, and that I do not endorse any sort of legal or illegal gambling. That being said…let’s see what’s in my crystal ball!

The past two weeks, the crystal ball has been on fire, by going 7-1. I am now sitting at 14-14 (.500) for the season…I am primed for the push to the play-offs! Since the Cowboys are on a bye this week, I will substitute a different game in their place. Let’s see what the crystal ball has in store for us this week?

Last Week: 4-0

Overall: 14-14

Buffalo @ New England: The AFC East is up for grabs, as there is a three-way tie for first place and the ‘Fins trail by one game. Both of these teams are coming off a loss. Cassel has been hanging in there, but the Bills defense will prove to be too much for him. The Bills will be able to exploit the Pats defense. New England has caught the injury bug this season and it will show on Sunday. Look for Rian Lindell to kick a 50+-yard FG as time expires to give the Bills a victory! Buffalo 23, New England 20.

Seattle @ Miami: Parcells and Sparano (and the rest of the Cowboys that have migrated to Miami Beach) have pulled the ‘Fins within striking distance in the AFC East. Miami is 4-4; which is three more victories than all of last year. Though defenses have been taming the wildcat formation as of late, Pennington has made them pay for it through the air. Seattle has packed it in for the year, so I don’t expect much from them. Miami 27, Seattle 13.

Indianapolis @ Pittsburgh: The Colts are four games back in their division, but they are in the thick of things for the wild-card race at 4-4. They probably won’t be able to catch the 8-0 Titans (and no that is not a typo), so the Colts will need to play on the road in the tournament. Now would be a good time to show the league that they can, as they go into the Steel City on Sunday. The Steelers are banged up a little and Peyton manning should have his way with them, as he has found a new favorite receiver in Anthony Gonzalez. Indianapolis 31, Pittsburgh 19.

New York Giants @ Philadelphia: This is the match-up of the week, no doubt! The G-Men and their underdog status won’t get them much sympathy in the City of Brotherly Love. The Philly faithful will be out in full force, as they are still riding high off of the Phillies World Series Championship. I am trying to get tickets for this game; as for one week, I will be an Eagles fan…because I want to see the Giants tumble. Come on Philly…do the Cowboys a solid! Philadelphia 24, New York Giants 23.


Short Shots:


Brady Quinn played very well last night in his 1st NFL start. Unfortunately, his defense let him down, as did Kellen Winslow. Maybe the Browns should make a play for DeAngelo Hall…it couldn’t hurt, right?

Tony Romo has been practicing all week. It looks like he should be fine for next week’s game against the Redskins…which has brought tears of joy to Jerry, Wade, and the entire Cowboy Nation!

Ryan Torain of the Broncos tore his ACL in last night’s game. The Denver Broncos are losing RBs at an alarming pace…Torain will be the 4th RB placed on IR this season. I hope the Broncos are current on their health insurance policy!

Cowboy Nation…repeat after me (for this week only): E-A-G-L-E-S…Eagles! May the football gods please forgive us?

Good Bye...Not Goodbye

The Cowboys have a bye this week and it could not have come at a better time. The ‘Boys are in a tailspin, as they have plummeted to the bottom of the NFC East, at 5-4. All hope is not lost though! Heading into this season they were the “en vogue” pick to represent the NFC in the Super Bowl. They were the clear-cut favorite to win the whole enchilada! Now, they must regroup, get healthy, and somehow salvage the season.

Getting Romo back isn’t going to cure all the Cowboys problems…but it provides hope. The Cowboys need to, somehow, go into Washington and beat the Redskins next week. Following the ‘Skins, the Cowboys have two favorable match-ups against San Francisco and Seattle…both games at home.

Many of the so-called experts, who picked the Cowboys, are the same ones whom are trying to bury them now. It’s funny to see them flip-flop back and forth. And surely, they will be the first ones to climb back on the bandwagon, once the Cowboys start winning again.

The next three weeks will define this season for the Dallas Cowboys. If the Cowboys can pull off a 3-game winning streak, they will find themselves at 8-4, with a good shot at accomplishing their goals. If they can do this, then this will have been a good bye…not goodbye!


Short Shots:


Rumor has it that the Raiders are going to release DeAngelo Hall today. The Raiders gave the Falcons a 2nd round pick for Hall, and then signed him to a lucrative contract! Once again, proving that Al Davis is a buffoon!

Jerry Jones…as tempting as it is…please do not sign DeAngelo Hall!

The Browns have benched Derek Anderson. Brady Quinn will start for Cleveland on Thursday night against the Denver Broncos. That’s great, but is that going to make Braylon Edwards stop dropping every other pass that hits him between the 1 and the 7 on his jersey?

Barack Obama will be the next President of the United States. Whether you are Republican or Democrat, whether you voted for him or not…all Americans must unite and work together for a common goal…to fix the economy!

Week 9 Review

The new crystal ball is on a roll. Last weeks debut at 3-1, was followed with perfection…4-0 this week! That brings our prognosticating record to .500 for the season. We had a slow start to the season, but now we are on a mission. I am not one to gloat (yes I am!)…so let’s see what happened:

Last Week: 4-0

Overall: 14-14

Dallas @ New York Giants: The Cowboys got humiliated in this debacle. The Dallas defense tried to keep them in the game early, as they scored on a pick-6 by Mike Jenkins…that was the lone highlight for the ‘Boys. The G-Men pounded the rock and shredded the Dallas defense. As we thought…the Giants were too much for the Cowboys!

Philadelphia @ Seattle: The Birds had a scare early in the game, as Koren Robinson scored on a 90-yard TD pass from Seneca Wallace! But then, as expected, the D-Mac and Westbrook show took over, as the Eagles reeled off 26 unanswered points. And you know what…the Birds showed pity, as it could have been a lot worse for the ‘Hawks. The Birds are chirping…chirp…chirp!

New England @ Indianapolis: The Patriots stumbled into Indy with a laundry list of injuries…too bad! The Colts took advantage of the situation, as Peyton Manning hooked up with Anthony (don’t call me Tony) Gonzalez for two TDs. It was a hard fought game…a game the Colts desperately needed! In the end, Adam (yeah, I used to be a cheater but now I’m not) Vinatieri kicked a 52-yard FG with 8:09 left in regulation. The Colts defense then preserved the victory with back-to-back takeaways! Cheaters…never prosper!

Tampa Bay @ Kansas City: Surprisingly, the Chiefs came to play in this contest. The Chiefs were winning 24-3. Jon Gruden had his “Chucky” face on…somebody please tell him Halloween was Friday! That must have spooked Garcia, as he proved he could still throw the ball at his advanced age. Garcia hooked up with his new favorite receiver, Antonio (I used to be a Cowboy until I threw my sweaty jersey in Parcells face) Bryant for a TD. The Bucs were successful on the 2-point conversion, sending the game into OT. Matt Bryant kicked a 34-yard FG in OT to give the Bucs a dramatic come from behind victory!


Short Shots:

The Cowboys are glad to hit the bye week, as they need to get healthy for a late season push for the play-offs. The Cowboys could learn a lesson from watching Byron Leftwich come in and save the day for the Steelers after Big Ben went down.

During his press conference after the loss to the G-Men, is it just me, or did Wade Phillips’ face look like he ate a bad tuna fish sandwich? I bet Wade is going through Tums like it’s candy!

The Detroit Lions blew a big lead against the Bears on Sunday and remain the only winless team in the NFL. Trick or Treat? Smell my feat! The Lions went down in defeat!

Today is Election Day…so don’t forget to vote! Don’t have time? Don’t feel like it? What’s the difference? Keep in mind that many men (and women) paid the ultimate price to give you that privilege…exercise it!

Bottom Of The Barrel

Yesterday, the Cowboys got their collective butts kicked at the Meadowlands by the G-Men. There is plenty of blame to go around for sure. But, did we not expect this? Wasn’t it obvious (it was to me…read more here) that the ‘Boys had no shot at winning this game? Everyone knew it…the coaches…even the players!

For the past few weeks, everyone has been toting the company line, saying the right things, rallying behind Brad Johnson. Yeah, yeah, yeah…we all know that the Cowboys were just hoping to stumble into the bye week with their heads above water. You know what? They did, as they limp in at 5-4, with a chance to right the ship.

Hopefully, after the bye, the Cowboys can turn the switch “on”…though, that is easier said than done. I do like their chances though! With Romo coming back, that will bolster the offense. The addition of Roy Williams hasn’t really panned out so far…but it will, once the Cowboys are healthy. And, don’t forget about Felix Jones either…he will add a little “juice” to the offense as well.

Defensively, the Cowboys should get T-New back, and possibly Adam Jones…that should help as well. So, there is a pot of gold at the end of this rainbow. We just need to patient as the Cowboys start crawling out of this hole that they have dug for themselves! Again, that’s easier said than done as the Cowboys find themselves in the cellar of the NFC East…at the bottom of the barrel!


Short Shots:


Brad “noodle arm” Johnson got the hook in favor of Brooks Bollinger in the 2nd half of yesterdays debacle. Brooks played fairly decent after his pick…which he threw on his very first pass!

T.J. Houshmandzadeh is half way there (on his 2 win prediction) as the Bengals got their first win of the season. Yeah for T.J.!

Indy got a big win against the Patriots last night…I like it when the cheaters lose! Boo for Belichick!

For the Cowboys and their fans (myself included)…thank God it’s the bye week!

Why The Cowboys Are Struggling

Heading into Sunday’s game against the Giants the Cowboys find themselves in a must-win game that they have no chance of winning. The Cowboys are struggling, no doubt because of their many injuries…but that’s too easy of a cop-out. Let’s take a look at why the ‘Boys are struggling even before the injuries started piling up:


1. Paging Terrell Owens…anyone…anyone? Where has Terrell Owens, the self-proclaimed best receiver in football, been all season long? We could easily blame Brad Johnson here, but T.O. was struggling to be part of the offense before Romo went down! I love me some me…just get open and catch the ball!

2. Marion Barber is not the real deal. I’m sorry…but he isn’t! Barber is a nice closer or change of pace back. His per carry average is way down since he has been the starter. The Cowboys paid a lot of money to a RB that is not a feature back. I know this is an unpopular stance in Cowboy Nation, but I have been saying this for years about Barber. Everyone wanted Barber as the feature back…be careful of what you wish for!

3. Jason Garrett…Head Coach in waiting? Let’s not anoint him before his time. Last year everything went pretty smooth…not so this year. Before we crown him as a head coach…let’s see him string together a few good seasons as a coordinator first! With the weapons the ‘Boys have on offense…any QB should be able to put up good numbers…did you hear that Mr. Noodle Arm?

4. The defense has not lived up to the hype. The Phillips 3-4 has shown little imagination. Wade was brought in because of his knowledge of the 3-4 defense. Last week was a good start, but the ‘Boys will need Wade to spice it up to get the results they need!

5. The Offensive line is…well…offensive. They have been billed as the best offensive line in the NFL. They have 3 Pro-Bowlers on the line and a boatload of Jerry’s money in their pockets. The Cowboys should be using their meat upfront to pound the rock…but they can’t…why?

I believe that these are the main reasons why the Cowboys find themselves in this position. These concerns were there before Romo went down with his pinkie injury. It was just a little harder to see, as he was masking many of these issues. Having said all this, I believe the Cowboys can turn this season around after the bye week. A win against the G-men would be huge…but don’t count on it!