Once again its on, December is here. And you know what that means for the Dallas Cowboys?? Not a got damn thing! All this December collapsing stuff is waaaay overblown. I mean seriously, people act like some mythical being descends down upon the Cowboys and curses them on December 1st. Get real!
In 2008 we were basically what the Giants are now, an injury-riddled team just trying to make the playoffs. In 2007 we were 2-2 after December 1st, but we rested our starters in the last game and lost to a team who needed the win to make the playoffs. (For a second, lets just pretend like we played our starters the entire game and won. We go 3-2 and have a winning record in December. Then what?? Does that stop us from losing to the eventual Super Bowl champs?? Does that stop us from going 1-4 down the stretch the next year?? Exactly, so why do we tend to make all this hoopla about the Cowboys and the month of December?? I don't get it.)
Sorry, I just had to get that off my chest.
Okay, now as far as the Giants go, like the Michael Jackson movie, this is it. If they lose this game they're playoff hopes will start dimming in a major way. And you know what?? I love it! My Cowboys smell the blood in the water. We know we have a chance to virtually eliminate one of our biggest foes, and I like it.
The only 2 things that worry me about this game is this: Nick Folk has missed 4 of his last 8 field goal attempts and DeMarcus Ware's fractured wrist. Folk is fucking' up, bottom line. I don't trust him at all right now. If he can't make the kicks in Cowboys Stadium with the roof closed, how can I expect him to make them in Giants Stadium in the swirling winds?? Ware is still set to play, but he uses his hands a lot to get around defenders so I'm worried he may be significantly less effective.
That's where my worries end.
I choose to focus on the good things like 1) Eli Manning not exactly making it reign in the month of December himself, especially at home, 2) Brandon Jacobs not having a 100-yard rushing game on the season, 3) Ahmad Bradshaw being hobbled, 4) the Cowboys not allowing a single 100-yard rusher on the season, 5) the Giants secondary being banged up, 6) the Cowboys secondary now starting Mike Jenkins instead of Orlando Scandrick who got torched in the 1st meeting, 7) the Cowboys not allowing a single 100-yard receiver since the Scandrick debacle, and 8) Miles Austin was riding the bench the 1st game and now being the person who makes our offense go. I'm loving it! Cowboys winners, Giants losers.
2) Titans (5-6) @ Colts (11-0)
Never in the history of Week 13 has a 5-6 team posed this much of a threat to an undefeated team. With the way Vince Young and Chris Johnson (who doesn't get nearly enough love in the MVP conversation) have been playing coupled with the way the Colts have let teams lead them into the 4th quarter should make for an interesting affair.
Here's the reality of the situation though: In the Titans 5 game win streak, they've beaten Jacksonville, San Francisco, Buffalo, Houston, and Arizona without Kurt Warner. Not exactly Murderers' Row.The Colts are an entirely different horse to tame. While I doubt the game will be as one-sided as their meeting in Tennessee a few weeks back, I just don't think the Titans have what it takes to beat Indy in Indy. Its a shame to because how great would it be if the Titans ran the table and ended up 10-6 and in the playoffs?? Colts winners, Titans losers.
3) Vikings (10-1) @ Cardinals (7-4)
All signs point to Kurt Warner returning from his concussion this week, but I don't care who is under center for the Cards, the Vikes are still gonna win. Besides, one hit from Jared Allen and Warner could be right back on the sideline. Vikings winners, Cardinals losers.
4) Ravens (6-5) @ Packers (7-4)
It took the Ravens an overtime field goal to beat the immortal Dennis Dixon last Sunday night. I simply don't think they are gonna be able to hang with a Packers team that has essentially been resting since halftime of their Thanksgiving game at Detroit. Aaron Rodgers (another guy who should be getting more MVP consideration) is going to shred the Ravens tired defense Monday night. Packers winners, Ravens losers.
5) Eagles (7-4) @ Falcons (6-5)
This game looked much more enticing before the season started. Michael Vick's return to the city that once loved him. Matt Ryan and Donovan McNabb going head to head for playoff leverage. Michael Turner against Philly's run defense.
This game has NONE of that. Vick barely sees the field, Matty Ice is out with turf toe, and Michael Turner is out with a high ankle sprain he re-injured last week. Plus, the Eagles big play threat, DeSean Jackson, is out as well. So much better before a 2009-10 season snap. Eagles winners, Falcons losers.
6) Patriots (7-4) @ Dolphins (5-6)
The Dolphins fucked up royally! Had they beat Buffalo last Sunday, they'd be 6-5 heading into this game. Win this game, and the Dolphins would be tied for the lead in the AFC East.
Instead, they're 5-6 and about to get beat like a drum because, as we discussed before, Bill Belichick and the Pats don't lose back-to-back games. They just don't. Patriots winners, Dolphins losers.
7) Texans (5-6) @ Jaguars (6-5)
After losing all 3 of the "biggest game in Texans history" I'm predicting Houston bounces back strong. They're all but out of the playoff race and the pressure is off. This is when the Texans truly thrive and rally to finish the season 8-8. Its what they do. Texans winners, Jaguars losers.
8) Saints (11-0) @ Redskins (3-8)
Classic trap game. Coming off a super exciting win over the Pats Monday night, the Saint now have to travel to D.C. and battle the elements. The Saints are gonna be down 4 defenders, and maybe with all the hype, they overlook the 'Skins.
Unfortunately for the Reskins, they can't close, so even if they somehow have a lead heading into the 4th, still expect them to cough it up somehow. Saints winners, Redskins losers.
9) Raiders (3-8) @ Steelers (6-5)
Big Ben is going to play, and sadly for the Raiders, they're secondary will as well. This game will be closer than many might expect, but the Steelers can't afford to drop this game. Steelers winners, Raiders losers.
10) 49ers (5-6) @ Seahawks (4-7)
I really have no stats to back this up, but in this division rivalry, I'm just gonna take the better team. 49ers winners, Seahawks losers.
11) Broncos (7-4) @ Chiefs (3-8)
I don't have the exact stat anymore, but the Broncos have a terrible record playing in Arrowhead. I think it was something like Denver is 1-14 in their last 15 games there. Whatever it was, it wasn't good. I think KC got their upset out of the way a few weeks ago against Pittsburgh though and have reached their quota. Still, I wouldn't be surprised if KC won, but Denver needs this win more. Broncos winners, Chiefs losers.
12) Lions (2-9) @ Bengals (8-3)
The Bengals don't really blow many teams out, but I'm not sure the Lions can hang. I saw them play on Thanksgiving and besides a fumbled gift on the first play of the game, they couldn't move the ball whatsoever. Uhhh, not a good thing. Bengals winners, Lions losers.
13) Chargers (8-3) @ Browns (1-10)
Be serious, this was a win back when the 2009 schedule was released. Chargers winners, Browns losers.
14) Buccaneers (1-10) @ Panthers (4-7)
Its sad it took a broken finger for the Panthers to not play Jake Delhomme. I think Matt Moore gives them a better chance to win, but Carolina is a defeated team at this point so I don't expect much from them. Buccaneers winners, Panthers losers.
15) Rams (1-10) @ Bears (4-7)
The Bears are terrible, but the Rams are just worst. If they couldn't take the Seahawks last week, how can I expect them to take down the Bears?? Bears winners, Rams losers.
Thursday Game
1) Jets (5-6) @ Bills (4-7)
I never got a chance to post my write-up and pick before this game, but basically I talked about Toronto being an anti-homefield advantage. I also touched on not trusting Mark Sanchez, and ultimately picked the Bills. Didn't work out. Jets won, Bills lost.
Last Week: 10-5 (.667)
Overall Record: 121-70 (.634)
This Week: 8-8 (.500)
