kleese Posted December 16, 2005 Share Posted December 16, 2005 Last Week: 12-4 Season: 136-70 In honor of our huge game this week, I've decided to dedicate all of this space to Redskins-Cowboys. Here are my quick picks for the week. Patriots 20, Bucs 17 Giants 23, Chiefs 21 Broncos 19, Bills 13 Cardinals 31, Texans 23 Panthers 27, Saints 17 Dolphins 20, Jets 10 Steelers 24, Vikings 14 Colts 27, Chargers 24 Titans 21, Seahawks 20 (not a typo ) Jaguars 26, 49ers 7 Bengals 30, Lions 24 Raiders 28, Browns 21 Rams 24, Eagles 21 Falcons 17, Bears 13 Ravens 16, Packers 13 Now, for the only one that really matters... Dallas at Washington: As a quick memo, let me say that in this thread, I am doing my best to eliminate all fan-based emotion. I fully plan on posting something quite the opposite later, but for the purposes of my selection, I'm really trying to simply analyze the game minus personal feelings (not easy). Dallas is such a hard team on which to get an accurate read. They've had a rollercoaster season where their offense can go from dreadful (at the Giants) to superb (Chiefs) in one week. Their defense has at times been dominant (first 57 minutes versus Redskins, both Giants games), and at other times the defense has been shredded like files at Enron (last three minutes of Redskins game, last week versus Chiefs). All six of their previous road games have gone down to the wire, including a great win in San Diego and a bad loss in Oakland. Even the 49ers played with Dallas until the final gun. So, the only real trend regarding the Cowboys is that there really isn't much of a trend at all-- except that it will probably be close in the 4th quarter. The Redskins have also played their fair share of nail-biters, but in their case, it's more predictable. The Cowboys have been inconsistent within their consistency, winning and losing games 13-10, then turning around and winning or losing games 27-24. The Redskins have more or less stayed the course: Keep it conservative, keep it close, win in the end. Virtually every game has been a grind for the Redskins, points always at a premium. So, it makes perfect sense, based on these two recent histories, that this game is going to be decided in the 4th quarter. Drew Bledsoe is extremely dangerous when given time to throw. Terry Glenn has emerged as one of the best deep threat WR's in the NFL, and Keyshawn Johnson and Jason Witten give Bledsoe two more reliable targets that can also stretch the field. The Cowboys can really move the ball through the air, even as their running game sputters along most weeks. This could spell big trouble for the Redskins, as their one glaring weakness on defense is getting pressure on the QB. The Redskins manage to blitz and scheme and grind it out week after week, but they do leave themselves exposed in the secondary-- and a good QB with dangerous receivers could make them pay. But all in all, the Redskins defense versus the Cowboys offense isn't going to determine the outcome of this game. Both of those units are solid, and both will probably play to a stand-still. This game hinges on two factors. 1. The Redskin offense verus the Cowboy defense. As mentioned earlier, the Cowboys defense has been a bit schizo this year, looking dominant one week and soft the next. Mark Brunell got off to a fast start this year, but he has gradually worn down, and lately the Redskins passing attack has been margainalized to dump-offs and screens. This is forcing the Redskins to run their offense in an imaginary box around the line of scrimmage, which makes it very easy for the opposing defense to focus on stopping Clinton Portis. Somehow, despite the predictability, the Redskins have managed to move the ball JUST enough in the past few weeks to control the ball, score enough points, and allow their defense to seal the victory. But in a game like this, banking on that strategy is dangerous business. Chances are the Redskins are going to need more than "game management" from Brunell if they are to win this game. And that leads to the final key...... 2. Magic. I said I'd try to keep emotion out of this, but only a fool would ignore homefield advantage and the fan's involvement in the outcome of this game. The weather looks ugly at best, and dreadful at worst, which probably plays into the hands of the home team. The Cowboys rely on moving the ball through the air, and that task becomes more difficult if rain, sleet, and snow are falling on the field. In addition to the weather, this is the most highly anticipated game at Fed Ex field since it opened in 1997. The fans will be rocking, it will be hard for Bledsoe and company to hear, and the Redskins should be fired up and confident. I think when this game boils down, both units on both sides of the ball will play to a virtual stalemate. This game is going to turn on emotion, intangibles, and maybe some luck. Recent history says the Redskins lose that type of a game. But slowly but surely, Joe Gibbs is making recent history ancient history. Redskins 20, Cowboys 17. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jerrarde Posted December 16, 2005 Share Posted December 16, 2005 :wewantd: good analysis. Go Skins Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
edgun88 Posted December 16, 2005 Share Posted December 16, 2005 Nice post -- i dont like some of your picks though:silly: :dallasuck Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
adamyesme1111 Posted December 16, 2005 Share Posted December 16, 2005 Giants 23, Chiefs 21 I dont think the Giants are good enough to end the Chiefs playoff hopes because the Chiefs are gonna be coming in there pumped up and wanting to go to the playoffs Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigRay Posted December 16, 2005 Share Posted December 16, 2005 Pretty good picks disagree on just two I think the Chiefs will beat the Giants do not think they will stop Larry Johnson. I like Green Bay over The Ratturds.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iheartskins Posted December 16, 2005 Share Posted December 16, 2005 Excellent analysis kleese. As you note, the fans are going to play a major part in this game. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JCB Posted December 16, 2005 Share Posted December 16, 2005 Good stuff, man, and more rational than I would be. I don't know why but something about James Thrash's return this week makes me feel just a bit more confident than I otherwise would. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheGreek1973 Posted December 16, 2005 Share Posted December 16, 2005 I dont think the Giants are good enough to end the Chiefs playoff hopes because the Chiefs are gonna be coming in there pumped up and wanting to go to the playoffs i have to agree. Without Pierce the Giants defense will not be a force, especially when it comes to stopping the run which right KC is the top 3 team in the NFL IMO. It will come down to Eli being able to beat KC and I just don't see that happening. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
budski Posted December 16, 2005 Share Posted December 16, 2005 The fans are going to be a major factor in this game. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Capt'n Obvious Posted December 16, 2005 Share Posted December 16, 2005 Good picks and great analysis of the game. Homefield advantage is a big plus we have in this one. :dallasuck Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GoCommiesGo Posted December 16, 2005 Share Posted December 16, 2005 Good anaylsis kleese. The fans are going to need to get rowdy to make it hard for Bledsoe and the offense. GO SKINS!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dpike619 Posted December 16, 2005 Share Posted December 16, 2005 I don't know why but something about James Thrash's return this week makes me feel just a bit more confident than I otherwise would. I feel the same way. Just having another veteran like him on the offense(especially at WR) gives me a lot more confidence that they can get it done. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skinstzar Posted December 16, 2005 Share Posted December 16, 2005 We want Dallas, We want Dallas, We want Dallas. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
santanamoss89 Posted December 16, 2005 Share Posted December 16, 2005 Good picks. I hope your wrong in the Giants and Bears game though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kleese Posted December 16, 2005 Author Share Posted December 16, 2005 A little reverse psyche with the Giants pick? I've been picking them to lose all year and have been getting it wrong. So......................... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Woofer Posted December 16, 2005 Share Posted December 16, 2005 Nice read. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
#1SkinsFan Posted December 17, 2005 Share Posted December 17, 2005 Giants over Chiefs??????? Come on' man, we need them to lose!!!!!!!!!!!!! Otherwise, good read and intelligent post! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kleese Posted December 17, 2005 Author Share Posted December 17, 2005 OK, OK, I get it. With Pierce out, I am now officially changing my pick. Chiefs 23, Giants 20 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom [Giants fan] Posted December 17, 2005 Share Posted December 17, 2005 OK, OK, I get it. With Pierce out, I am now officially changing my pick.Chiefs 23, Giants 20[/Quote] :whew: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sknsrbck26 Posted December 17, 2005 Share Posted December 17, 2005 You should of picked the Chiefs in the beginning but we won't hold it against you. WE WANT DALLAS Sorry Tom:dallasuck :gaintsuck Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fmorris Posted December 17, 2005 Share Posted December 17, 2005 Great work Kleese! Here's hoping the Chiefs can pull it out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FightForOldDC21 Posted December 17, 2005 Share Posted December 17, 2005 we got this skins Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Major Harris Posted December 17, 2005 Share Posted December 17, 2005 as always, a great read w/ good analysis. thanks kleese. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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