The Game of the Season...The Way I See It

I'm starting to get nervous. Little butterflies are already starting to invade my mid section just thinking about it. This weekend's game vs. New England is, in my opinion, the biggest game Dallas has played since their last Super Bowl. I am sitting here trying to think of another game Dallas has played, since beating Pittsburgh in Super Bowl XXX, that had an importance equal to this weekend's game but I can't think of one. There have only been a handful of times, since the merger, that two 5-0 teams or better faced each other. And this is probably the most important game of any of those.

The game is important to both teams but it would hurt New England more if they lost than if Dallas lost. The NFC, as everyone knows, has been down for a while and this year is no different. There are really only a few contenders to challenge Dallas for home field advantage in the playoffs. Yes, the NFC is that bad that I'm talking about Dallas having home field advantage in the playoffs after only the 4th game. The only NFC teams that even look like they might challenge are Green Bay and maybe Seattle...I think Washington is a fraud (Campbell reminds me of a better than average Quincy Carter - Quincy wasn't really even that good). Don't get me wrong...I'm not totally counting out Philly but they look like they have some issues to solve. Anyway, if Dallas keeps rolling the way they have, things should set up nicely for them in the playoffs. However, the AFC is quite a bit stronger and if New England looses a couple of games, Indianapolis could very well get home field advantage (Indy's schedule isn't overly difficult). So, in the end, a loss on Sunday would be more costly to New England than to Dallas because New England has to keep pace with Indy.

This past Monday night in Buffalo, Dallas' offense managed to put 25 points on the board despite 6 turnovers, not much of a running game to speak of and horrible, awful, terrible games from it's 2 most talented players (Romo and TO Owens). And despite being mugged much of the night, Witten had over 100 yds receiving. The offense had a pretty poor night, overall, but still managed to pull out the win.

Dallas' defense played well though. They bent but didn't break. They allowed only 3 points for the entire game (the other 21 came on INTs returned for TD and a kickoff return for a TD). They stopped a 4th and 1 (with Marshawn Lynch running the ball) when Buffalo's crowd was really getting into it. However, as good as they played, they weren't really tested. Buffalo, not once, threw the ball down the field...just little dinks and dunks here and there. And with Newman not 100% (a 100% Newman WOULD NOT have been chased down by a WR) plus Anthony Henry being out, the defense is really going to have it's hands full on Sunday.

New England has been (and probably will be) the team of the decade. They have been the most dominate team since 2001 winning 3 out of 4 Super Bowls and doing it without superior talent and in the free agent era. I really did think the 90's Cowboys would be the last dynasty due to free agency and parity in the league but I was wrong. New England is a well oiled machine and has been for a while. And this year's team is better than any they have had in the past.

This year's Patriot team was pretty much dubbed the best team in the NFL from the start of training camp back in August and they have lived up to their billing, which few teams seldom do. Not only do they have one of the best all time QBs in Brady but now they have given him some cool weapons to use like Randy Moss, Donte Stallworth and Wes Welker. Add to those a pretty freaking good RB in Maroney plus an awesome TE in Watson and what you've got is an offense that could set all time offensive records. Their offense is currently ranked #2 in the league (Dallas is #1).

The Patriots defense is just as good as the offense (their not the '85 Bears or the '00 Ravens defenses...but their aren't far from them). I mean when you start looking at names like Tedy Bruschi, Rosevelt Colvin, Rodney Harrison, Asante Samuel, Junior Seau, Mike Vrable and Vince Wilfork you can see how New England's defense is currently ranked #2 in the league (Dallas is #8). They are fast, smart and do what Belichek tells them to do. Belichek is a defensive guru and if your team has a weakness, he can usually find it...and exploit it.

So, looking at the game as objectively as I can, I think New England leaves Sunday with a W (I pray I'm wrong). I think that Romo will be fine...that game on Monday was not the norm for him and he will bounce back to have a good game as I think TO Owens will as well. In fact, I think the whole offense for Dallas will bounce back and have a good game despite playing the Patriots defense. However, I think New England's offense will be too much for Dallas' defense and I will give you the one main reason...Randy Moss. Every time he has played the Cowboys, and I mean EVERY time, he has had a HUGE game. And this Sunday will be no different. I'm not sure how to stop Moss. But if they can, by double teaming him, Brady can just go to Stallworth, Welker or Watson...oh and don't forget about Maroney either.

No, I think the game will match the hype. I think it will be a good game and each team will do it's share of damage to the other. But in the end, I think New England will have a little too much for Dallas. My prediction: New England - 38 Dallas - 28. I really do hope I'm wrong. And if I am wrong, then all that respect Dallas fans have been crowing about will start to be given and the Cowboys will be seen as a consensus front runner to win the NFC. But even if Dallas looses, this could be a preview of another game in Arizona on 2/3/08. And it's pretty dang hard to beat the same team twice in the same season that's for sure.