The Crystal Ball 2007 Week 1

Its’ here, it’s finally here! The off season dragged on like December for a child waiting for Christmas. Sure the promise of Santa was waiting at the end of the month, but the days lumbered on as though the 25th would never arrive. But we are finally here. The season starts tonight! Oh, how excited I am, as I am sure you are as well. It is so nice to have familiar sights and sounds back, like John Madden slipping into some incoherent rambling during a broadcast, new Peyton Manning commercials and new Monday Night Football hosts. I feel like I am at the bottom of the stairs, still in my PJs, with freshly fallen snow blanketing the world outside as I stare at a brightly lit tree twinkling in the morning light. Beneath it are gifts of every shape and size, wrapped in paper that comes in a multitude of colors and patterns. No one knows what they contain, but I need not ponder any longer. I can finally unwrap them and revel in what they bequeath to me the fan. Sure, there will probably be socks or a horrible sweater in a few, but surely one must contain a zeppelin or a can of Simonize, or perhaps the greatest gift of all, a Red Rider 200 shot range model air rifle, oops, I mean an NFL championship victory for my team. Sorry, I got carried away for a moment.

In any event, it’s here finally, the season kickoff. And our season is kicking off as well. As teased last week, we have a bunch of new features, a new streamlined format and more fun to make this a better experience for you, the football consumer. So sit back, relax and enjoy as we delve into another season of NFL mania.

Recap

Well, unfortunately there is nothing to recap. Sure, we could go over the most meaningless slate of preseason games played this year, but who wants that? It’s like being offered a slice of baloney when you know there is steak waiting for you. Nope, no thank you. I’ll wait for the steak. Let’s just move on.

NFL, the alternative Universe

Patriots safety Rodney Harrison suspended for 4 games for using HGH. Ok Pats fans, will this be your excuse if you don’t make the Super Bowl? How much whining will we hear out of Boston over this? Surprising we did not hear more about this, probably because no one dares sully the name of the Patriots! Must be a mistake, since a team led by the Mr. Wonderful Tom Brady certainly would never cheat! Now, instead of just being jerks, they are cheating jerks.

Jags get rid of Leftwich. Seriously, what is wrong with some teams? If they did not feel Leftwich was going to be their guy, why did they wait until a week before the season to decide this? Now, they are going with David Garrard, and if you think he is the answer to their QB questions, I have some lunar real estate that can only increase in value to sell you. This is how the Jags are creating an excuse for their fans when they have a sub par season.

Leftwich looking at finding a job, with rumors of him signing on with Baltimore.

Cowboys quarterback coach Wade Wilson was suspended for using performance enhancers. Wilson contends they are to improve his quality of life as he struggles with diabetes. I have no trouble with that. I he needs a little help coping with a tough disease, so be it. But why suspend him? Will they really give him an edge in instructing Tony Romo? Crimoney. I know the NFL wants to keep all illicit drugs and usage away from the game, but this might be going a touch too far.

Hmmm, guess I was right about Strahan after all since he reported after camp but before the season begins. Seems he just wanted to either, A) avoid training camp or B) make it all about him or C) try to extract more money but failed. I’m going with D) all of the above.

Speaking of the Giants, together with the Jets they unveiled the plans for their new stadium this week, an uber football mecca to be built in New Jersey. Huh, I thought they were both New York teams. I know Giants stadium is in the Meadowlands, but you would think perhaps they could find some way to build in the Empire state. No matter, the stadium looks fantastic. But will it be as nice as the Colts new home, scheduled to open next year, or even the Cowboys new digs, Jerry Jones’ one billion dollar baby? You know, I love football, but it seems beyond crazy to spend one billion dollars on a football stadium. There must be something better that can be done with that money, like say feed a continent.

Former Steeler coach Bill Cowher apparently feels the cream of the AFC North is the Bengals and Ravens. Cowher said on NFL Network about Baltimore and Cincinnati that, “Those two teams, I think they’re still the top two.” But followed that by saying about his former charges, “And still I think Pittsburgh, they’ve got a chance with their schedule to get off to a good start, they’ve got a chance to be a team to be contended with.” I guess we need not worry about Cowher being biased in his new broadcasting gig.


Upon Further Review

Looking at the quarterback situation in Jacksonville really chafes me. Now, I can understand when two people who work together do not get along, a change needs to take place. This seems to be the case with Byron Leftwich and Jack Del Rio. Ok, that is completely understandable. What bugs me about it is the fact that this could have been avoided without sacrificing the future of the Jaguars, this season, and the loyalty of the fans. According to many reports, this animosity between Leftwich and Del Rio has gone on for months and perhaps longer. The team has been soured on Leftwich for some time, and quite unhappy with his training, discipline and outlook toward competing. Ok, fine. Then why did you let the problem drag out until a week before the season? If Leftwich was such an issue, then plan ahead. I mean, it’s not like this is the first time they’ve met Leftwich. By now they should know a little bit about him as a player and a person. The Jaguars were one of many teams that had a chance at Brady Quinn in the draft and passed over him. If they really thought Leftwich would end up being a liability, they should have drafted Quinn and put him on the shelf, much like Cincinnati did with Carson Palmer. Let Quinn learn for a year and then give him the job. They could have played with Garrard for that year, and fans could have been excited knowing they had a strong quarterback that would be their future in the wings. Right now, Jaguar fans are sitting around wondering who is running the asylum. Plus, it seems as though the team is planting the seeds for excuses for a lousy season. If the Jaguars go 6-10, they can just blame it on the mess at quarterback, and how that is Leftwich’s fault. No, no it is not. It is Del Rio’s fault for poor planning and shortsightedness. Fans will forgive a crappy season if they think the team is moving in the right direction and the promise for a better tomorrow is there. Bungle fans did when they saw John Kitna as their starter and Palmer sitting on the bench. Jaguar fans, do not take this slap in your face sitting down. Demand a better team and accountability from your coach. For the sake of the fans, I hope Garrard does do well. No one likes to see fans screwed by their team. Ask Raider fans about that one.

And on another note about this, let’s just take the Jaguars at face value regarding their assessment of Leftwich and assume that perhaps he does not take training or discipline seriously enough. He still is a decent quarterback with experience, and perhaps he just needs a change of scenery. Many careers have been revived with a new team and new coaches. Patriot fans and coaches are banking on this regarding Randy Moss. With his talent and experience, Leftwich could be an excellent addition for any team with a shaky quarterback situation. Keeping this in mind, why did the Chiefs not jump on Leftwich like a starving man on a sandwich? The combination of Huard/Croyle will not get the KC into the Super Bowl, heck they could not get them into the Super Bust! They need a more reliable answer at the position, and Leftwich could have provided that. No, they picked up a no name gentleman off the waiver wire, thus killing any potential excitement for the season for Chiefs fans. Yet another organization that seems to have zero common sense in their operations department.

The Steeler bandwagon is suffering from severe axle hop thanks to all the people rapidly jumping off their band wagon. Almost every prediction I have seen says they are an 8-8 team and destined for third in the division. There have been a few at 9-7, but not many and absolutely no one says they will win the division. I wish someone could explain how they will finish behind Cincinnati, since the Bungles did absolutely nothing to upgrade an atrocious defense in the off season. Yet, many think the Bungles will do quite well, with more than a few predicting at least a wild card, and a few going so far as to say they will win the division. The Ravens lose a key defensive player, and Ray “Me First” Lewis is yet another year older and even slower to rush and pile on a tackle and take credit from someone else. As is Steve “I missed my season ending injury last year” McNair.

Yet both of these teams seem to be everyone’s darling while Pittsburgh, still with essentially the same team that won the Super Bowl less than two years ago, can do no better than 8-8 to most people. And mind you, last year’s losing was caused by a banged up quarterback and a coach who did not care about the team, more about seeing if he can get paid. Yep, paid, that unfortunately is what it was all about. Cowher wanted Mike Holmgren money, and when he did not get it, his care went out the window and so did the team. So of course now he is going to say the best team in the division is not Pittsburgh, it does well for him and his wallet if they fail. See, Cowher wants to show the Rooney’s that they made a huge error in letting him walk. So if the Steelers falter this season, they look stupid for not throwing obscene money at him, Cowher looks great for predicting the outcome of the division and even more attractive to franchises looking for a new coach. If other teams out there see the Steelers fall then they think, wow, Cowher really was the key to their success, we need him on our sidelines. If they see Pittsburgh win, however, Cowher does not look like the uber coach he wants crappy teams with bad coaches to believe, and his potential market value drops. Nice to see that even with your boyhood team it’s still all about the money. But I am getting off track.

So, everyone thinks the Steelers will be nothing more than mediocre. Ok, fine, then why is everyone also predicting big things? Willie Parker is a fantasy darling now, with everyone saying pick him up in your draft. There have been numerous reports about Roethlisberger and his improvement and dedication during the off season. And to top that off, I have read no less than 1478 times how Santonio Holmes is going to have a breakout year. Wow, makes you feel good about your chances, does it not? But, wait, if all those things do come to pass, how would it be possible for this team to finish only 8-8, especially since their defense is as stout as ever? Oh, that’s right, it could never happen. So why would these predictions so contradict each other, sometimes from the same people in the same breath? I have narrowed it down to two things, either hating or laziness. I doubt its hate, since no one has room for hate, just no room to love anyone but Brady and company. It is laziness, plain and simple. Look at the other predictions, they are just as bad. No one does research or takes into account changes in personnel, staff, coaches or team psychology. They just look at additions and subtractions, and swap a game or two between the win or loss column. That’s all. That is not predicting, its just laziness and shows how pointless these exercises are. This is why every year we see a team that “shocks” everyone by being so good and one that “stuns” everyone by being so bad. Last year no one could believe how good the Saints were, but you could see it coming with the way they built themselves and how their psychology changed. Perhaps not to the degree they did it, but certainly a lot better than most of the 4-12 predictions people were putting out. Well, here is hoping that this season’s “shocker” is a team that also wears black and gold. It will be fun to watch all the experts backpedal all season, wondering where this dominant team came from. Then I can sit back, smirk and say that they have always been there, all of you have just been too lazy and too enamored with the Patriots to notice.


Steelers Around the World

As the NFL works to expand the appeal of football internationally, one of the key components to their plan is to schedule more games overseas. We have seen a game in Mexico City, and this year we will see one played in London. I for one am a big proponent of this idea, as I would love to see a game overseas featuring the Steelers. So for fun, every week we will take a look at a new city across the globe where I would love to watch the Steelers play and the best choice for an opponent there.

This week we head to merry old England and feature swinging London. While we will see a game there this year, I say we give our English brethren yet another game. London has so much to offer as a host city, starting with the game locale Wembley Stadium. This famed stadium has been host to some of the most famous musical and sporting events in the world including the Olympics, the World Cup and Live Aid. Built in 1922 and designed to accommodate 120,000 fans, the stadium has held many memorable events in its storied history, with people regularly clamoring for tickets just to witness events on its hallowed field. The stadium and its long history is equivalent to combining Lambeau Field, Yankee Stadium and Fenway Park. The world over knows about Wembley. It recently went through some upgrades and now is even better than ever, as we will see on display later this season.

Why London and Wembley? Obviously the history is appealing. Wembley Stadium would be enough of a draw. But outside of that is London itself. Filled with historical buildings and sights, a fabulous culture and fantastic people, London would provide an excellent destination to see a football game. The fans there are passionate, and I imagine would help teach us about soccer as we teach them about what we call football. So grab a basket of fish and chips and settle down for a rousing NFL tilt! Plus, who would not want to get their picture taken with Big Ben in front of Big Ben?

The opponent? Why the New England Patriots of course. What better way to thank our biggest world ally than defeating a team called the Patriots right in their own backyard?

Super Bust watch

The Super Bust, the biggest game of the season. Nope, you are not reading this wrong. For those new readers out there, the Super Bust is a concept created here last season to help fill the non football void created during the week between the conference championship games and the Super Bowl. This game would pit the two preseason Super Bowl favorites that did not make the big game against each other the weekend before the NFL Championship. Brilliant in its simplicity, the Super Bust allows fans to have one more weekend of football, and show everyone that picking Super Bowl teams before the season begins is merely an exercise in futility. The Super Bust would have a permanent home in Las Vegas, allowing many fans who cannot afford a nice vacation for the Super Bowl a chance to get out and shake off the winter doldrums somewhere warm and fun. The list of benefits is never ending. Here is a short list of all the things the Super Bust could provide.

- A chance for two fan bases to see their team in action one more time before next season
- An added opportunity for one team to end their season with a win.
- Some extra earnings for players
- A chance for each organization to strengthen their team monetarily and physically with added income as well as additional draft choices
- An opportunity to show how futile picking Super Bowl winners before the season really is
- An extra football game when we really need one
- A weekend of football and fun in Las Vegas
- A perfect excuse to go to Las Vegas (like you need one anyway)
- An excuse to have another big game party, this one where the game really does not matter
- A chance to use the game as a warm up to your real party the next week for the Super Bowl. Try out those far out recipes you think may not work on the real game day. Almost like a Party Pre Season.
- Staving off football withdraw for another two weeks
- Another game for the NFL Network to air, giving more practice to both their broadcast crews and technical crews as well as increasing demand for the network itself
- Something for the sports media to talk about during the dead time when all other Super Bowl stories and angles have been beaten to death
- food and service industries seeing a bigger bump in production and sales, thus adding more stimulus to the economy
- Businesses around the world that have a stake in football seeing an increased profit, adding even more stimulus to the economy
- The advertising industry having another forum to debut killer commercials, almost like an exhibition commercial season
- Better play from the preseason favorites during the regular season, since none of them would want to play in the Super Bust

Now, I have yet to see commissioner Goodell move on this idea, and normally that would tweak me big time. But as his hands have been full with many other issues this off season, so it is completely understandable as to why this game has not yet become official. In the meantime, we will name our starters for the game and the alternates, and hope Goodell keeps an eye on them as well.

This season it was way too easy, everyone seems to think they know who will be in and win the big game.

NFC Representative: The New Orleans Saints

The Saints had a monster year last year with a revamped offense and a new coach. They looked fantastic all year, revitalized hope in the Gulf Coast region and were easily the best feel good story of the year. This season, their offense looks even stronger and they are working hard to build upon their new culture of winning.

Why they will make the Super Bust: The Saints have a much harder schedule this season, they have lost a few veteran leaders on offense and defense, their defense does not seem to be overly improved and while last year was fantastic, they played with a ton of emotion. That cannot last forever. The Saints will have a good season, but not Super Bowl good.
Alternate: The Philadelphia Eagles


AFC Representative: The New England Patriots
The Patriots went all the way to the buzzer in the AFC championship game on luck, talent and a patchwork receiving corps. The culture of winning and team first is as strong as ever in Foxboro, and with a key defensive addition and a new receiving corps, they look to be unstoppable on paper.

Why they will make the Super Bust: The Patriots have too much buzz and everyone talking about how their additions will make the difference. But Tom Brady still managed to throw for over 3500 yards with a bunch of who dats and nobodies, so I doubt a few name receivers will make that big of a difference, especially when one is a time bomb and broken down. All the new faces also will provide an issue of chemistry and team cohesiveness at least at the beginning of the season, and without Seymour and Harrison for the first quarter of the season, their defense will initially struggle when they need it most.
Alternate: The San Diego Chargers

There you have it, the combatants for the Super Bust. We will check in with them from time to time, to follow their progress on making it to the big game before that super thingy.

Idiot of the week

This week’s Idiot is Rich Eisen of the NFL Network. On the Monday broadcast of NFL Total Access, the show opened with the story that Charlie Frye will be the first week starter in Cleveland. But Rich could not get why Browns would only name a starter week to week as opposed to naming one permanently. Terrell Davis and Marshall Faulk both had excellent observations and explanations for coach Crennel’s move, but Rich seemed stuck on this point. Rich, this one is easy. Crennel knows his best quarterback is Brady Quinn. He also knows that A) Quinn is not ready and B) he is not about to sacrifice his future franchise starter to the Pittsburgh defense on opening day. That is just foolish. But he also wants Browns fans to have some hope that they will soon see the future of the franchise under center. So he sends out Frye, his sacrificial lamb, and keeps the competition open so fans know that while Quinn is sitting momentarily, his time will come and it could be soon. Come on Rich, you are smarter than that, I know it. Bad way to start the season Rich.

This week’s Games

Once again, I will spend the season attempting to conjure the winners of each match up as I go head to head in competition with others attempting to do the same in a little friendly competition. Please use these expertly researched picks at your own risk. Just to clarify, we do not work with point spreads or final scores or the over under or any other betting form, this is merely straight up picks, who will win and who will lose. With that being said, let us reset the tally counter for the new season.

Last week 0-0
Season to date 0-0

So fresh and pristine, I love it. Now, let’s see if we can soil it. As always, away teams are listed first and a new twist, season records! Yes, I know that means zip this week, but it will mean something by, say, week seven.

This week may be the hardest of the entire season, as you really do not know what teams have up their sleeve. No one has shown a tendency or pattern, and you have no idea what new talent will break through. With that in mind, the pattern this week will be to go with the home teams. Home teams typically get a bump from their jazzed up fans. But enough already with the explanations and nonsense, we’ve waited long enough. On to the games!

Thursday

New Orleans (0-0) vs. Indianapolis (0-0)

The Saints look strong again. I believe they will show everyone last year was not a fluke. Their offense could even be more devastating than last year. But who really thinks they are beating Peyton Manning in his stadium, in front of his fans, on national television with the entire football world watching on the night he is crowned a DEFENDING Super Bowl champion? Not me.

Colts over Saints


Sunday

Kansas City (0-0) vs. Houston (0-0)

The Matt Schaub era officially begins in Houston and all 14 Texan fans are beside themselves with joy. Whether it is more successful than the David Carr era has yet to be determined, but it will get off to at least an equally successful start. Carr won his first game, and Schaub will too. Just so I have it on record that I said it before they collapse, the Chiefs will have a lousy season. A patchwork offensive line that will give no quarterback time or pave any path for Larry Johnson, Johnson who will show effects early from sitting out of camp and later in the season because he ran so much last year, a thin receiving corps and unremarkable defense will all combine to form a bouillabaisse of bad football. I predicted last season they would stink with their offensive line starting to retire. They only partially stunk. This year, another of their stalwart offensive line stars hung up his cleats, and the team is far worse off without him. It will show mightily.

Texans over Chiefs

Miami (0-0) vs. Washington (0-0)

Cam Cameron started off his tenure in Miami with bad decisions, namely not drafting Brady Quinn and then trading for 37 year old Trent Green as his quarterback. Now Cameron, and unfortunately Dolphin fans as well, must live with these decisions. How long before Green gets injured and the Cleo Lemon era begins again? Washington is hoping for more development out of Jason Campbell. And while the Miami defense looks tough, I think Campbell can handle an aging Jason Taylor and Joey Porter with a bad wheel.

Redskins over Miami

Denver (0-0) vs. Buffalo (0-0)

Everyone seems to be excited about Denver, but I have trouble seeing it. A new running back albeit one who has loads of experience and a desire to burn the Bills, questions all through the defensive line and a second year quarterback who has the talent, but has yet to show the grasp of the position in a real game do not seem so show a strong start for me. Mind you, I think it will come together, but such things take time. Buffalo on the other hand also has a new running back, however one with no experience, but does have a quarterback who seems to be getting it, an excellent deep threat receiver and new middle linebacker who will soon be the toast of the NFL. Their biggest problem is the rest of the defense which has been decimated by free agency departures and injury. So who to go for, as each team seems to have just enough flaws to make one wonder. Wait what’s this; Denver has lost its last three road openers. Ok, that makes it easier. Home team wins again.

Bills over Broncos

Carolina (0-0) vs. St. Louis (0-0)

I cannot tell which direction these teams are heading. It seems down, but they show flashes of brilliance from time to time enough to make you wonder. St. Louis has a much better running back in Stephen Jackson, so take that for what it’s worth.

Rams over Panthers

Pittsburgh (0-0) vs. Cleveland (0-0)

As always, I am slightly biased for one of these teams. Take a guess who? But putting that bias aside, this is still a pretty easy pick. And with the proximity of the two cities, it may look more like a home game for Pittsburgh anyway.

Steelers over Browns

Atlanta (0-0) vs. Minnesota (0-0)

How many dog fighting taunts will the Falcons hear on the road this season? Far too many to count I imagine. Shame too, since they are not the ones who deserve it. They should be happy they do not play in Philadelphia this season. I like Minnesota’s tough defense and ball control offense. Atlanta, well, we have no idea what they have in store just yet. They could be the outcast kid who nobody likes and use that as inspiration for a monster season, or just fall apart. Tough call, but for week one, I side with the home team yet again.

Vikings over Falcons

Tennessee (0-0) vs. Jacksonville (0-0)

Vince Young electrified fans everywhere with his derring do upon taking the starter’s job last season. Unfortunately, supporting cast has not really improved all that much this year, and now teams know what to expect from him. The Jaguars have created a mess at quarterback, and it will bite them hard at some point. Still, they can pull off a win at home if their defense is still strong.

Jaguars over Titans

New England (0-0) vs. New York Jets (0-0)

Ok, just so I follow, the Patriots are the darling of the NFL because they signed a few players in free agency? And now, they will begin their march toward their inevitable championship? Just trying to put the facts together, that’s all. Oh wait; here are a few things that might cause them to stumble. No Rodney Harrison or Richard Seymour for the first four weeks, they have Asante Samuel but he has not played since mini camp and is out of shape, Randy Moss has a bad hamstring so who knows what to expect there, and they cut Reche Caldwell last year’s leading receiver and created a perfect bad karma move. Add to this that Caldwell has been looking to get a job with the Jets, and it all adds up to a potential upset. Sounds like too much drama, and we never even touched on the team chemistry issues and Brady’s new baby mucking up his head. One last thing, do not underestimate the bad blood between the teams and how much Mangini would love to win just to stick it to Belichick. Me, I’m taking the Jets with new running back stud Thomas Jones.

Jets over Patriots

Philadelphia (0-0) vs. Green Bay (0-0)

I like Green Bay’s defense. They look tough and stingy. Of course, that could just be the fumes from the preseason still lingering. The real problem is they have no running threat. How many games can the defense keep them in if the other team consistently keys on Favre? Not enough. If someone from their buffet of backs steps up, I’ll re-evaluate, until then, I find them shaky against a good team.

The Eagles are a good team and with McNabb back and looking sharp, they look ready to reclaim the division and conference. That should be the difference here.

Eagles over Packers

Detroit (0-0) vs. Oakland (0-0)

Woof. Its pretty much all I can say. I have heard and read just a smidgen too much about the Detroit offense and how will it explode. Uh huh, really, exactly how? Sure they drafted Calvin Johnson, who could be a game breaker, but what else did they do? They still have Kitna at quarterback, Kevin Jones is still banged up and they are turning to Tatum Bell at running back and their offensive line is still offensive. Plus, their defense still stinks. I think the word everyone is looking for is implode, much like what most Lion fans wish Matt Millen’s head would do.

On the other side, we have the Raiders. Yikes. These guys are so bad JaMarcus Russell wants nothing to do with them. What does that tell you? They do, however, have a good defense, believe it or not. And Lane Kiffin has been smart by installing a run oriented ball control offense. If Daunte Culpepper can show his knee is healthy, they might have a chance to win a few games. But I guess that would require him to beat out starter Josh McCown. Who knows, this game is just crappy enough to annoy me and send me toward the wrong pick. Wow, I wonder what kind of omen this is for the season me picking the Raiders.

Raiders over Lions

Chicago (0-0) vs. San Diego (0-0)

Now here we have a good match up, one that could have been the Super Bowl last year if not for some atrocious coaching. The Bears still are running with Grossman, for good or bad. Who knows which, but if he does not hold onto the ball better, the Bear faithful will go bananas. For the moment his job is safe, I mean what Bears fan really feels strongly about Brian Griese?

As for the Chargers, well, I am not convinced Norv Turner is the answer. Sure, he is an unbelievable offensive coordinator, but head coach? Ask Skins fans their thoughts on his team leadership. A.J. Smith may have won his battle with Shottenheimer, but he may lose the war by hamstringing an uber talented team and failing to deliver a championship. Plus, 10 bucks says Tomlinson has nowhere close the season he did last year. But today, sing it with me. San-Di-e-go, Super Char-gers!

Chargers over Bears

Tampa Bay (0-0) vs. Seattle (0-0)

Seattle’s slow fade continues. If you don’t believe me, what how much closer this division race is come December. Tampa Bay, there is nothing slow about that fade. Amazing is it not how one coach can almost completely destroy a Super Bowl team. Forget this one, without Alstott on offense to save the bacon; the Buccaneers will sink off the Puget Sound.

Seahawks over Buccaneers

New York Giants (0-0) vs. Dallas (0-0)

Please, this one is easy as cake. With all the infighting, sniping and basic me-first attitude that has become the Giants, they have no chance. They are working on self destructing before the season even starts. Although I’ll give a few points to Eli for smacking back at Tiki, but only a few since he should have done it sooner. As for Dallas, I am not jumping on the Wade Phillips love train just yet, but he will make the defense tougher. The bigger question is Tony Romo. Is he the real deal or a flash in the pan? Will the playoff meltdown affect him, or make him stronger? I do not think he will answer them definitively on Sunday night, but he’ll give us a peek at the answer key.

Cowboys over Giants

Monday

Baltimore (0-0) vs. Cincinnati (0-0)

The first of two games for a Monday night extravaganza, and the only one people will watch. Chad Johnson has promised something special for his first touchdown of the season, and I for one cannot wait to see it. However, I may have to, since they open against the Ravens. With Adalius Thomas gone, the Ravens may suffer on defense, but they still have Ed Reed and that is saying something. While the Raven offense has never impressed me, it impresses me more than the Bungle defense.

Ravens over Bengals

Arizona (0-0) vs. San Francisco (0-0)

Who, exactly, will watch this game other than me? Who is clamoring for the Cardinals and 49ers in prime time? You got me. The Arizona offense looks fantastic, but they still have a questionable line. Their defense is terrible, as usual. The 49ers have been slowly building a solid team, and are better all around than their Monday night combatant. Ken Whisenhunt will find out how far he really has to go to turn this team around.

49ers over Cardinals