The Devils Advocate

[NamVet4]

The Cowboys are giving six points to the visiting Redskins… Now we all know you usually get 3 for the home field advantage… Now Dallas gets 3 more for . . . ? ? ?
Dallas, after last weeks surprising performance against the Chargers have the 10th best passing yards/gm on defense and the 20th best rushing yards/gm on Defense! Against this rushing defense the Redskins have the 4th best rushing yards/gm…. A scheme anchored by Portis and Betts who put up 162 combined yards against a more than passable Bears defense.(No TD's though!)
The passing game for the Redskins was suspect in the game against the Bears, but Dallas managed less than 200 yards total passing against a Charger pass defense that ranked 31st in 2004 (avg 253.3)
So where do the Cowboys get the 3 points?
Kicker Billy Cundiff, who ranked 29th in his percentage kicking rating for 2004 was cut in August! Enter Jose Cortez for 2005! Granted the Redskins are without the leg of John Hall for this game, but is a rookie Redskins kicker worth 3 points in all important early schedule – emphasize that point – NFC East Conference game?
There is almost certainly something to think about when we get to the QB’s!
Drew Bledsoe has the ignominious pleasure of being sacked 140 times over the past three years, and he has been criticized for holding onto the ball too long in his quest to make a big play. And this is a conundrum for the Tuna who has labored mightily to provide enough offensive weapons to help Bledsoe overcome this deficiency. A'la Julius Jones ! And if there is anything that Bill Parcells knows as well as he knows horses, it is that Coach Williams will be sending the house at his QB! At 33 years of age, Bledsoe still has zing in the wing, but he runs like he’s in a vat of pudding. Toss in Bledsoe’s indecisiveness and Dallas’ poor offensive line, and you’ve got a handy ingredient list for disaster. For this they get 3 additional points?
Mark Brunell will be 35 years old, barely, on game day. Five years ago he was the projected starter for the Jaguars. In June of this year he was described as “Brunell played behind a terrible line, so he often didn’t have enough time to make plays. But he has gone from a scrambling fantasy stud to a stumbling NFL backup.” Well fate, fortune, physical impairment and a debatable decision by Coach Gibbs has Brunell starting in the “bowl with a hole “on Monday evening. But there is no denying that in comparison to last season Brunell has indeed found the fountain of youth as far as his arms and legs go. Add to that the fact that he is playing behind a decidedly better offensive line and has receivers who can catch the ball more than once out of every four times it is thrown. The onus is now for him to make the completions and improve over a league poor 50% completion mark!

So the odds makers in Vegas, who always live by the creed that the house rarely looses, have set the odds at Dallas -6 for this prime time Monday Night adventure. Go figure!

You can figure out where I am going to lay my “jacksons” Are you going to play?

[inevitable]

Originally Posted by NamVet4

At 33 years of age, Bledsoe still has zing in the wing, but he runs like he’s in a vat of pudding.

haha

Seriously though, I really, really agree with your comments.

As usual, the 'Skins, on paper, are a much better team at 4/5 positions on the football field. What it comes down to is heart and desire, imo. Dallas seems to be able to pull it together and make ridiculous plays when it matters. We shall see. Whatever happens in this week before Dallas (at least Jansen can't break another thumb, and hopefully John Hall doesn't pull a quad driving to and from practice) we need to go into that stadium with a go-get-it balls-to-the-wall mentality, and take the crowd out of it early. I'll take the Redskins, as always, and I think we'll see they're the better team in the first half. But as always, it will come down to who can stop who in the 4th quarter.

[redskin_rich]

Originally Posted by NamVet4

So the odds makers in Vegas, who always live by the creed that the house rarely looses, have set the odds at Dallas -6 for this prime time Monday Night adventure. Go figure!

You can figure out where I am going to lay my “jacksons” Are you going to play?

The oddsmakers are laying the points the best way to divide up the bettors. If they were to go much less than 6, the betting percentage would be way too high on Dallas and Vegas doesn't like that. I'm surprised its not higher given our recent history playing Dallas.

That said, I'll take the Skins and the points, its still early we're 1-0 and I can be optimistic.

[HAWGZHEAD]

Can I get a hundred on the Skins then please lol.

[RedskinsVision]

I'll take the Skins' to flush the Girls' in the Toilet Bowl. J. Jones and Bledsoe will be met in the back by Lavar.. et tu, Lavare?

[IowaSkinsFan]

The Devils advocate?

Isn't that Minnesota Mike?

[smoak]

Originally Posted by IowaSkinsFan

The Devils advocate?

Isn't that Minnesota Mike?

Not since he accepted his new position.... Now I guess he is a wild advocate??

Dallass is getting three b/c they owned us and we'll continue to be a sub par team until we beat them. Plain and simple, it is time to beat the living snot out of the play ground bully and earn a little respect. No excuses. No last minute miracles. No whining about refs. Just beat the ever living crud out of Dallass or we'll be 7-9 or worse again this year. This is a playoff game pure and simple.

[Patrick]

Originally Posted by NamVet4

So the odds makers in Vegas, who always live by the creed that the house rarely looses, have set the odds at Dallas -6 for this prime time Monday Night adventure. Go figure!

You can figure out where I am going to lay my “jacksons” Are you going to play?

LMAO ..... Excellent Andrew ........ and let's something else to consider.

Last time Burnell started against Dallas (as a Redskin) he had an solid day passing (25-43/325) with a poor running game (90 total yards) in a close game ( 18-21 Dallas) played at FedEx. ..... Regardless of the numbers from last week - Washington has improved the O-line and Dallas has improved their D. ..... only 6 point for the favorites against one of the WORSE teams as thought by many of the so-called sport experts. hmmmmmmm......
I'll take those 6 points !!!!!!!!!!!!!

[redskinz#1fan]

Originally Posted by smoakme

Not since he accepted his new position.... Now I guess he is a wild advocate??

Dallass is getting three b/c they owned us and we'll continue to be a sub par team until we beat them. Plain and simple, it is time to beat the living snot out of the play ground bully and earn a little respect. No excuses. No last minute miracles. No whining about refs. Just beat the ever living crud out of Dallass or we'll be 7-9 or worse again this year. This is a playoff game pure and simple.

This is exactly how I feel. We need to put these guys in their place. I am so tired of hearing how the Cowboys are this and that. The damn fans run around here all the time talking stuff about how good they are. PLEASE! It is time that we go uot and show the entire league who we really are. We win this game and the season is wide open for us, we lose and this could be a big problem for us. IMO

[The Skinsinator]

I noticed the spread too yesterday in USA Today. I figured around 3-4, but 6 was a bit surprising. I don't gamble, but would like my chances with the Skins and that spread.

[Axegrinder]

I believe coach Williams will have something special for the ex-Bills QB.
After all,Williams knows Bledsoes strengths and weaknesses.
What's the name of the Dallas 2nd string QB?
I'll take the 6 points.

[CowboyKilla]

I wouldn't go Fountain of Youth just yet about Brunell.
Lets give him 6-9 weeks and see how he does and what our record is.
Before annointing him "BACK." Cause in Washington, he's never BEEN.
I really do hope he leads us to glory.