kleese Posted September 5, 2005 Share Posted September 5, 2005 First of all, no one should be worried about our MNF game being moved or taken off television. I think the Saints-Giants game is more likely to be moved to Saturday or Sunday night (with the Jets game moving earlier in the day). Even if the game is played Monday Night, it will NOT preempt our game. I'm sure NFL Sunday Ticket will make the game available for people wanting to see Giants-Saints, and it does seem possible that ESPN could get the game, but no way will Redskins-Cowboys NOT be on ABC at the regularly scheduled time. Book it. As for week one, I see a few upsets brewing, and I think the biggest one may be in San Diego: First some background on my thoughts. I like the Eagles to win the East, the Panthers to win the South, the Vikings to win the Central, and whoever to win the west. I think the Falcons will get one wild card. I do not think anyone else from the west of central will get a wild card. IMO, that leaves the last slot to whoever finished second in the East. I think the Giants will go 7-9 AT BEST, so it will all come down to the Cowboys and Redskins-- I really believe that. I think Dallas will rebound this year. The one good thing (for us) is Bledsoe. Dude is totally washed up and he WILL hold them back in 05. But I really like Julius Jones, they have some decent receiving options (Witten is really good), and I think Parcells has really improved the defense this off-season. I see Dallas playing a very rugged, tough, run-oriented style this year-- and I think it will work. And I think San Diego is going to slip this year. I still think they sneak into a wild card, but I could easily see them out of the playoffs-- I'm skeptical about their defense. I respect LT enough though not to toally write them off. But I think Dallas may win week 1. As a matter of fact, I'll predict Cowboys 20, Chargers 17. And I think we'll beat Chicago, setting up a HUGE early season game in week 2, which IMO, will be MUCH more important for us than it will be for Dallas. We NEED that win desperately-- haven't won in Dallas since 1995 and we've been searching for that big division win forever now. That night will be a huge moment for the skins. I'll go as far to say that we'll make the playoffs if we win, and miss the playoffs if we lose. I also kind of like Miami to upset Denver in week one. I do not like the Broncos at all this year, and I've never been a Plummer fan. Now way Miami goes far this year with Frerotte/Feely, but I do think Saban will energize them and ride the defense. Dolphins 19, Broncos 16. Other week one predictions include the Panthers thumping the Saints (just too much going on in New Orleans) and the Cardinals winning in New York. Oh, and the Ravens and Eagles are both going to win as well Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrFrank Posted September 5, 2005 Share Posted September 5, 2005 Interesting. It could happen. But given that the Cowboys are still "gelling" at some spots and that the game is in San Diego plus the LT2 factor, I have the Chargers winning 21-14. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flexxskins Posted September 5, 2005 Share Posted September 5, 2005 You had me until the Miami thing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tarhog Posted September 5, 2005 Share Posted September 5, 2005 First of all, no one should be worried about our MNF game being moved or taken off television. I think the Saints-Giants game is more likely to be moved to Saturday or Sunday night (with the Jets game moving earlier in the day). Even if the game is played Monday Night, it will NOT preempt our game. I'm sure NFL Sunday Ticket will make the game available for people wanting to see Giants-Saints, and it does seem possible that ESPN could get the game, but no way will Redskins-Cowboys NOT be on ABC at the regularly scheduled time. Book it. As for week one, I see a few upsets brewing, and I think the biggest one may be in San Diego: First some background on my thoughts. I like the Eagles to win the East, the Panthers to win the South, the Vikings to win the Central, and whoever to win the west. I think the Falcons will get one wild card. I do not think anyone else from the west of central will get a wild card. IMO, that leaves the last slot to whoever finished second in the East. I think the Giants will go 7-9 AT BEST, so it will all come down to the Cowboys and Redskins-- I really believe that. I think Dallas will rebound this year. The one good thing (for us) is Bledsoe. Dude is totally washed up and he WILL hold them back in 05. But I really like Julius Jones, they have some decent receiving options (Witten is really good), and I think Parcells has really improved the defense this off-season. I see Dallas playing a very rugged, tough, run-oriented style this year-- and I think it will work. And I think San Diego is going to slip this year. I still think they sneak into a wild card, but I could easily see them out of the playoffs-- I'm skeptical about their defense. I respect LT enough though not to toally write them off. But I think Dallas may win week 1. As a matter of fact, I'll predict Cowboys 20, Chargers 17. And I think we'll beat Chicago, setting up a HUGE early season game in week 2, which IMO, will be MUCH more important for us than it will be for Dallas. We NEED that win desperately-- haven't won in Dallas since 1995 and we've been searching for that big division win forever now. That night will be a huge moment for the skins. I'll go as far to say that we'll make the playoffs if we win, and miss the playoffs if we lose. I also kind of like Miami to upset Denver in week one. I do not like the Broncos at all this year, and I've never been a Plummer fan. Now way Miami goes far this year with Frerotte/Feely, but I do think Saban will energize them and ride the defense. Dolphins 19, Broncos 16. Other week one predictions include the Panthers thumping the Saints (just too much going on in New Orleans) and the Cardinals winning in New York. Oh, and the Ravens and Eagles are both going to win as well It would be huge to come out of Dallas 2-0, theres no doubt, but 1-1 hardly seals our doom - thats just a little over the top Miami-Denver's a toss-up, but I do give the Dolphins a chance since its at home with a fired up new coach. I like your Panthers pick, although I think the Saints are a wildcard because of the highly emotional nature of that first game (can work both ways - they may come out on fire). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kleese Posted September 5, 2005 Author Share Posted September 5, 2005 Tarhog-- 1-1 is NOT acceptable. At some point, we simply MUST win important divisional games. I think a loss in week 2 puts us back right where we always seem to be-- I think it would be a horrible mood-setter for the season. If we ever truly want to break out of this 13 year funk, we're just going to have to win games that we've been losing. No one likes to make blanket predictions like that on early season games, but I think our MNF loss to Dallas year had a huge impact on our entire season-- and I believe that impact will be heightened even more this year. It's a must win, IMO. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
laurent Posted September 5, 2005 Share Posted September 5, 2005 I was with you until you mentioned the Dolphins. I live in Dolphins country and catch just about every game and so far I have seen absolutely nothing to convince me that they will win more than three games. Just like last year their defense will keep them in games, but once again their offensive line is what's going to hold them back. The line can't run block and they can't pass block. A really bad combination when you're relying on Frerotte to get your receivers the ball and when you have rookie RB getting the bulk of the carries for the first quarter of the season. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BogeyMan Posted September 5, 2005 Share Posted September 5, 2005 San Diego will also be without Antonio Gates for the opener - huge break for the Cowboys and I think sends the game in their favor. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kleese Posted September 5, 2005 Author Share Posted September 5, 2005 As a follow-up, when was the last time we beat an NFC East team in a game that mattered to BOTH teams at the time it was played? Answer: Probably at Philly in 2001. But we turned right around the next week and lost to Dallas and then Philly paid us back at home two weeks later. We haven't beaten Dallas in a game that mattered since 1997-- that's absolutely amazing. And even that year, we later blew a game at Dallas that probably would have put us in the playoffs. The Eagles have had their way with us, and even though our record against the Giants is decent, we don't seem to beat them when the game matters for both teams--early season losses the last two years have hurt us. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paul55 Posted September 5, 2005 Share Posted September 5, 2005 My only coment is in reference to the week 2 game monday night. I think we will want to win MORE. If we break the curse then we are in for a better season. I don't think any of us have any idea how much a win in Dallas means to Coach Gibbs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tarhog Posted September 5, 2005 Share Posted September 5, 2005 I don't think you'll find anyone who'll argue about the need to win the divisional games, at home AND on the road. But I have faith that a Gibbs/Williams coached team isn't going to mail it in for the rest of the season because they lose a division game on the road. I was at last years MNF loss, and I agree that took some wind out of our sails, because we largely outplayed the Cowboys and had the win within reach. If we can split ALL our division games this year, I think we're a wildcard team. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheREALJBird Posted September 5, 2005 Share Posted September 5, 2005 I agree with Tarhog, I think we can split our division games, although i'd rather have a 4-2 record or something better, but a split wouldn't hurt Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redman Posted September 5, 2005 Share Posted September 5, 2005 Tarhog-- 1-1 is NOT acceptable. At some point, we simply MUST win important divisional games. I think a loss in week 2 puts us back right where we always seem to be-- I think it would be a horrible mood-setter for the season. If we ever truly want to break out of this 13 year funk, we're just going to have to win games that we've been losing. No one likes to make blanket predictions like that on early season games, but I think our MNF loss to Dallas year had a huge impact on our entire season-- and I believe that impact will be heightened even more this year. It's a must win, IMO. You're overreacting. What if we go 2-0 against Philly and the Giants, and 0-2 vs. Dallas? Is our season over then? Have we failed to win a big divisional game then? I think the game could give us a big confidence boost. I'm bracing myself for a loss week 2 though, given Dallas' recent dominance over us, given Gibbs' losing career record vs. Parcells, and given Gibbs' miserable MNF record. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NoCalMike Posted September 5, 2005 Share Posted September 5, 2005 I think Dallas could win based more on San Diego slipping, then Dallas being good. San Diego to me snuck up on a lot of people last season and I think their 12-4 record was a bit inflated. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
laurent Posted September 5, 2005 Share Posted September 5, 2005 Gibbs has often talked about how certain wins can define a team and I think that's what kleese is referring to. In all these years of losing to the Cowboys we've been real close to pulling out a win but one way or another we always found a way to lose. An early win against the Cowboys could set the tone for the rest of the season and give us enough confidence to carry over into October when we face three tough teams in Seattle, Kansas and Denver after our bye. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chachie Posted September 5, 2005 Share Posted September 5, 2005 - haven't won in Dallas since 1995 and we've been searching for that big division win forever now. That night will be a huge moment for the skins. I'll go as far to say that we'll make the playoffs if we win, and miss the playoffs if we lose. I agree. In fact, I say we have to win the first meeting to have a chance in the second. Problem is, the first game is in Dallas on Monday night. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blondie Posted September 5, 2005 Share Posted September 5, 2005 We have to remember HOW Dallas won IN Dallas last year. THAT memory puts the emotion factor in OUR favor....even though that is the first home game for Dallas and they are inducting into the Ring of Honor. I can see Dallas winning at SD.....but not by much. SD might squeak by.....dependig on LT....and if the line can open some holes for him. I don't think SD will have a 12 win season. Blondie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skinsfan12 Posted September 5, 2005 Share Posted September 5, 2005 Almost as important as our winning our first two will be the impact of Dallas losing their first two. The emotional impact will not only charge our team with a much needed winning attitude, but may also result in some doubt around the mediots of the wisdom of rooting against the B&G. We could probably prepare an appetizer of crow soup, in preparation of the crow burgers to be served towards the end of the season. . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bubba9497 Posted September 5, 2005 Share Posted September 5, 2005 BOYS 0-2 Skins 2-0 at the bye The boys defense will not be ready, and they are having problems on the OL. Price was a good pick up, but to new to Dallas to get a lot into the offense at that point. The Skins run D will control Jones like last year, and Bleedslow will be a bullseye for Lavar Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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