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Post by Mr. Backlund on Oct 8, 2007 12:45:45 GMT -5
Dallas still hasn't played a really good team yet. But they are the best in the NFC. I'm not saying I really disagree that New England and Indy are on a different level than the rest of the teams in the NFL, but if that is the case, Dallas is a small step behind, in a class of their own. New England hasn't really beaten any good teams either. Yeah, they pounded an underachieving San Diego team, but Dallas did the same to the Chicago, who were (are) very much on the same level as San Diego. All together, the teams NE have beaten have 7 wins between them. The teams Dallas have beaten, assuming they beat Buffalo tonight, will be 6 wins combined. I'd say they have both played some pretty mediocre teams. On the other hand, Indy has beaten teams with very nice looking w/l records and have handed a few of those teams their first and only losses. As much as I'm not really looking forward to next week's game, I am. I want to have confidence that Dallas can hang with NE, but the fact is, I really don't know if they can. This game will be a good test to see where they stand in regard to the "elite" teams of the NFL. Also, who is gonna deny NE is the cream of the crop? It looks like a team that my nephew started up his Madden game and threw together on fantasy mode. Tom Brady, Moss, Stallworth, Adalius Thomas, Seau, Samuel, Harrison is returning.. and that is just scratching the surface. One question: How the hell is THAT fair? I'm not trying to trash the Cowboys and think you bring up really valid points, but the catch is in how New England is winning. I think we can all agree that if this was the NCAA Div 1-A (or whatever they're calling it now), the Colts would be the unanimous #1 without question. The level of competition they've played is outstanding, they're the defending champions, and they've shown they can blow teams out, beat the tight, or even come from behind to prove their ability and level of play (something neither of the other top teams has done thus far). It seems like a minor point, but I think adversity is something that may be a concern for New Englad and I'm inclined to believe will be a major issue for Dallas to overcome. New England, despite not playing a killer schedule, has simply dominated every facet of the game against their opponents. Tom Brady already has over 16 TDs and 1,300 yards passing, if teams try to shutdown Moss, there are at least 3 receivers waiting to kill teams in the wings, and any running back plugged in is guaranteed 100 yards and a touchdown almost automatically. The defense is equally as stingy and has major components returning to the lineup in the coming weeks. Simply put, they're scary. Dallas, despite its flawless record, has shown some hiccups and why I think they're slightly below the level of play these two teams are on (despite being the best of the rest, without question). The defense has steadily improved, but is it because they played aenemic offenses (and Rex Grossman) or have they really improved since allowing the Giants and Dolphins (for their standards) to post gaudy numbers? I also mentioned above about not really facing true adversity at all this season. One thing that I'm curious to see is what happens when they're not rolling the way they want to, TO is upset and jawing at Romo and Wade Phillips has to do something. The laid back approach is great when things are going good, but I know they're going to have a true test sooner than later. How they answer will be key in realizing what the team is made of and where they're going. All in all, though, I think this season, more than any other, really shows you how incosistent everything is and how matchups are key. Outside of Indy and New England (and why I ranked them the way I did), I think you really have to look at all the teams on a week-by-week basis and see how they compare to the team they're playing, as records really seem to mean little, unless they're on one extreme of the other.
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Post by Mr. Backlund on Oct 8, 2007 12:57:46 GMT -5
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Dr. T is an alien
Patti Mayonnaise
Knows when to hold them, knows when to fold them
I've been found out!
Posts: 31,373
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Post by Dr. T is an alien on Oct 8, 2007 12:58:33 GMT -5
You guys want some scary news? My Colts thrashed a decent team with 6 starters out, and they have the bye week this week. They expect all but Morris (out for the season) to be back for their next game in two weeks.
Granted, TB was hurt by losing their back-up for Williams, but Indy's back-up HB got 122 yds and 2 TDs in his very first start, so a team can make due with a back-up. Hell, after Randle El got hurt in the first half (after racking up 100 yds receiving), Washington was reduced to using a batch of receivers who collectively had 0 catches for the season before their blow-out of the Lions. Injuries hurt, but good teams still win without their best players (even sure-fire HOFers like Marvin Harrison).
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HoagieWithPastrami
Dennis Stamp
Enroll now in the Ben Roethlisberger motorcycle safety course!!!
Posts: 3,665
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Post by HoagieWithPastrami on Oct 8, 2007 13:05:10 GMT -5
The disparity between the top two teams (Colts and Patriots) and everyone else is so dramatic, its insane. The NFL, like College Football this year, is all based on how teams matchup against each other and nothing makes sense if you try and draw a conclusion on what happened the previous week. Look at Chicago, who got blown out of the building last week by Detroit. This week they take it to an undefeated Green Bay team and finally see a return to form by their defense while Detroit gets taken behind the barn by a very mediocre Redskins team. The only consistent thing in the NFL right now are the inevitable wins by Indy and New England. Coughyou'reforgettgingDallascough COUGH::Dallashasn'tbeatenanybodyandtonightagainstBuffalo'snodifferent::COUGH And I agree that the Colts should be the #1 team in the NFL so far. The Patriots are hyped up, and they're definitely good, but most of their wins have come against mediocre teams at best (that might change next week against Dallas if they can win). As for the Cowboys, their conference sucks, and they've beaten up on HORRIBLE teams. But a very injured Colts team destroyed a decent Tampa team (Tampa wasn't as good as their record.... but they're not a bad team), and a pretty good Titans team. Also, you can argue that the Broncos, while not elite, are certainly not a pushover. The Colts are undefeated, and have played the toughest schedule. And for the most part, have blown out their opponents. And if you want to look beyond the undefeateds to the one loss teams... I think that a VERY injured Pittsburgh Steelers team (3 Pro Bowlers out... no starting wide receivers) absolutely kicked the crap out of a good Seattle team yesterday. But I guess ESPN can't pay attention to that because the quarterback isn't in a million commercials.
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Post by LuckyD 8402 on Oct 8, 2007 13:23:51 GMT -5
Mr. Backlund: Agreed 100% with everything you said.
Also, midway through the season, Dallas welcomes their #2 receiver back to an offense that is ranked # 1 in many areas. Not to mention, Newman is back to starting on defense. Had he played week 1, no way the Giants put up that many points through the air. Teams have been very noticeably picking on Reeves, but with Newman back and when Henry comes back from his ankle sprain, Dallas has one of the best corner duos in the league. Greg Ellis is expected to be worked back in slowly from this point and Tank Johnson lines up after week 8.
I don't expect Dallas to go undefeated, but if anyone can beat a team like New England or Indianapolis, it's Dallas.
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Post by Mr. Backlund on Oct 8, 2007 13:25:58 GMT -5
Coughyou'reforgettgingDallascough COUGH::Dallashasn'tbeatenanybodyandtonightagainstBuffalo'snodifferent::COUGH And I agree that the Colts should be the #1 team in the NFL so far. The Patriots are hyped up, and they're definitely good, but most of their wins have come against mediocre teams at best (that might change next week against Dallas if they can win). As for the Cowboys, their conference sucks, and they've beaten up on HORRIBLE teams. But a very injured Colts team destroyed a decent Tampa team (Tampa wasn't as good as their record.... but they're not a bad team), and a pretty good Titans team. Also, you can argue that the Broncos, while not elite, are certainly not a pushover. The Colts are undefeated, and have played the toughest schedule. And for the most part, have blown out their opponents. And if you want to look beyond the undefeateds to the one loss teams... I think that a VERY injured Pittsburgh Steelers team (3 Pro Bowlers out... no starting wide receivers) absolutely kicked the crap out of a good Seattle team yesterday. But I guess ESPN can't pay attention to that because the quarterback isn't in a million commercials. Not to split hairs with you, but Pittsburgh has had a very light schedule, as well. I'd almost suggest that the Steelers have had a schedule just as easy as the Cowboys have, irregardless of standings and record. The Seahawks are a very mediocre team with an offensive line that hasn't been the same since Minnesotta "stole" the best guard in the game from them. The defensive has been erratic and inconsistent, as well. If we're looking at the Steelers schedule, through the first two games of the seasons were free tickets and San Fran isn't fooling anyone now that the annual "sexy playoff" pick is over with analysts. I understand the Arizona game had more on the line than just a win for the Cardinals (and their head coach), but the Steelers seem to have issues when their running game gets slowed down. Roethlisberger still strikes me as a QB who is told to manage a game and to not do anything to mess it up, not a guy who's going out there and making all the throws and leading his team. They're no doubt a good team, but there's chinks in the armor for them. The only problem is, teams have to be able to stop the run and its a huge order to try and stop the Steelers from doing just that.
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Post by Insomniac on Oct 8, 2007 14:25:33 GMT -5
Greg Ellis is expected to be worked back in slowly from this point and Tank Johnson lines up after week 8. Greg Ellis doesn't get enough credit for what he does for this team. Their pass rush gets much better with him in the lineup. After he went down with the injury against the Cardinals last year, it was right around that point that the team fell apart on the defensive side of the ball. They lost his pass rushing, and teams were able to figure out this defense better. With Ellis back, Newman in the starting lineup tonight, and Tank Johnson in a few weeks (Who I think is overrated but still better than any other current option at NT), the defense will just fine and will be in good shape for the second half of the year.
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Post by Kevin Hamilton on Oct 8, 2007 19:38:49 GMT -5
Here comes MNF.
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Post by Tyfo on Oct 8, 2007 19:42:18 GMT -5
The Bills just did the fake punt with the punter running for the first down.
As a Panther fan, I dont feel so crappy about giving up the same play yesterday now.
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Post by Kevin Hamilton on Oct 8, 2007 19:44:39 GMT -5
good punt.
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Post by Mister Pigwell on Oct 8, 2007 19:45:46 GMT -5
Ya that was.
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Post by Kevin Hamilton on Oct 8, 2007 19:46:30 GMT -5
Ninety eight yards to paydirt!
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Post by Tyfo on Oct 8, 2007 19:46:58 GMT -5
Ninety eight yards to paydirt! Now 99
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Post by Kevin Hamilton on Oct 8, 2007 19:47:00 GMT -5
whew, dodged the safety. don't do that again.
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Post by Kevin Hamilton on Oct 8, 2007 19:47:26 GMT -5
crap.
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Post by Mister Pigwell on Oct 8, 2007 19:47:48 GMT -5
Damn we can't break their run defense!
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Post by Tyfo on Oct 8, 2007 19:47:49 GMT -5
Hit Crayton down the sideline, 99 yard TD...
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Post by Tyfo on Oct 8, 2007 19:48:12 GMT -5
God damn
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Post by Kevin Hamilton on Oct 8, 2007 19:48:17 GMT -5
double crap.
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Post by Mister Pigwell on Oct 8, 2007 19:48:53 GMT -5
Threw it right to him.
Come on Romo you're better then that!!!
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