Has a 5-0 NFL team, playing at home, ever been a five-point underdog? That's what the Dallas Cowboys are for Sunday's game against the New England Patriots. And I think that might be just the sort of "disrespect" that gets the Patriots fired up. According to USA Today, the Patriots opened as four-point favorites but quickly moved up to five based on the early betting. Most people seem to believe that the Patriots, also 5-0, should beat the Cowboys by at least a touchdown.
Looking at their results, it's hard not to agree. Yes, the Cowboys have played very well this year, at least until a Monday night game that they barely survived. But the Patriots have been other-worldly. The advanced stats at Football Outsiders rank the Patriots as the second-best team of the last decade through the first five games of the season, second only to those ridiculous out-of-nowhere 1999 Rams.
Overall, the Cowboys look like a very good team while the Patriots look like an absolutely dominant team. That would seem to translate to the Patriots winning, even in Dallas. But that's why they'll play the game, and that's why all of us will be watching.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
10-10-2007 @ 9:37AM
rln2433 said...
Wow, not one comment on cheating!!!
Are we finally moving on from that?
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10-10-2007 @ 10:20AM
ttune0907 said...
Don't worry....there are those that know nothing else but finding any way possible to criticize. Too bad, because this should be one he.. of a ballgame. Real discussion of the two teams strengths and weakness would be so much more fun to be involved in leading up to this game.
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10-10-2007 @ 10:21AM
eeluk said...
yawn
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10-10-2007 @ 12:02PM
James said...
only 5 points? well, the game is in Dallas, so they get three points there,,if it was in New England, my guess would it should be more than 8 points...will be a good match up, if Dallas, particularly TO didn't suck so bad on Monday against the Bills, the spread would be alot tighter,,,short week for cowboys (less time to prepare) maroney probably coming back, so Pats will have 1-2 punch for their run game, the recievers are firing on all cylinders, who can cover moss 1 on 1? if they double - itsd trouble,,the bills offensive line held the cowboys defensive attack,,so Im pretty sure pats will do the same, but probably better,,i hope its a good game, but I will still enjoy the blow-out
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10-10-2007 @ 12:42PM
TJ said...
It should be a great game. It wont be a blowout James.
Cowboys win a close game.
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10-10-2007 @ 1:00PM
Kustie the Klown said...
I guess we should just crown the Pats victors and not even trifle with playing the actual game LOL.
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10-10-2007 @ 1:17PM
sutton said...
klown is a good name,but then again id be scared to use my real name. COWBOYS by 2 TDs
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10-10-2007 @ 1:36PM
mattbaha said...
Dallas will run all over NE as they try too hard to shutdown Romo/Witten/TO.
Play action kills them late in the game.
Dallas 27
NE 13
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10-10-2007 @ 1:38PM
mattbaha said...
I'd like to also add that New England is notorious for cheating.
Thank you.
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10-10-2007 @ 2:06PM
BlueStarDude said...
Let's see, the Pats were upset at how they played in their blowouts of the Bengals and Browns. The Cowboys were thrilled with their blowout of the Rams and their narrow escape from losing to the mighty Bills. Tha't one reason the Pats are on a whole different level.
Pats: 34
Boys: 23
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10-10-2007 @ 2:17PM
Bill said...
Pats have never seen a QB or TE as good as Romo and Witten. They've never seen a better secondary. They've never played a mistake free football team like this one.
The Pats are clearly in for a thrashing here, why bother heading to Dallas at all?
Bill
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10-10-2007 @ 2:28PM
RedSkinsRuleSomeDay said...
The Patriots are not notorious for cheating. In fact, there is not one instance of proof that they have cheated. They did use a camera illegally, but that was confiscated BEFORE it could be used. As a result, no cheating has ever been proven EVER in the history of the Patriots franchise. The only evidence of cheating has been rumored by those who have lost games against the Patriots. Their motives are suspect.
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10-10-2007 @ 4:32PM
jsharpe0047 said...
Hey look I'm a Pats fan but I can't exactly condone Rodney Harrisons actions. He borderline cheated. HGH isn't exactly steriods, but it is on the banned substance list. And heck it's benefits are even disputable. I don't even think his 4 game suspension was warranted due to it being HGH. However, the Pats are not infallible when it comes to cheating the system. Moreoever, NO TEAM IS! Thus, you could argue that any team that has had a player get suspended for using a substance on the banned list has cheated the system. Yep even smoking weed could be considered cheating. There are proven physiological evidence that it can be beneficial to an athlete.
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10-10-2007 @ 4:36PM
joe wallace said...
Real analysis. The only way you can compare the two teams is how they played against the same opponents. Sorry, Cowboy fans. You had a difficult time against a team that the Pats' practice squad could have beaten. Oh, wait, the practice squad was almost in the game in the fourth quarter. LOL. To quote the late great Ron reagan, "Facts are stupid things." LOL maybe not a blowout, because the defense is very good and very fast, but the Cowboys' offense? Romo is only comparable to Brady in height. That is not to say that he is a bad QB. In fact, he is very good. But if this guy had trouble against the second string of a team already LAST in defense, I shudder to think how he will find success this week.
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10-10-2007 @ 4:43PM
Bill Walters said...
5 points? The cryboys are going to need at least 25 just to make it a game.
Come on Cryboys... welcome to the AFC where football is played by men
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10-10-2007 @ 4:45PM
jsharpe0047 said...
Ya know Bill I'd agree with your sarcasm if it werent that the Pats do seem to always allow a good TE to run the table at times. Antonio Gates was really the only weapon that had any production for the Chargers, ya he was limited but he still was able to make some big plays. The Pats will need good pressure on Romo and will probably want to disguise their coverage like Buffalo did. Hell it seemed to work! I'm not terribly worried about stopping Barber, although he'll probably pound for about 3yards per carry. The usual tag line for the defense this week will be to bend but not break. As far as the Pats offense is concerned, well I can't really comment cuz I see no flaws. I guess the only thing to be worried about is if Brady is on his game. God I'm spoiled.
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10-10-2007 @ 5:07PM
Bill said...
My only concern is pass protection. If Brady gets time the Dallas secondary will look like the turkey after the Thanksgiving meal.
Bill
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10-10-2007 @ 5:19PM
jsharpe0047 said...
mmmmmmmmmm.........Turkey...
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10-10-2007 @ 5:38PM
David said...
Something to ponder about Sunday's match-up. PATS coaching and defense has always confused young quarterbacks on their first encounter. Peyton Manning in 2003 and 2004. Philip Rivers in last year's playoffs. Big Ben in the playoffs a few years ago. This game will be decided not by the offenses --but by the PATS Defense. The PATS will shut down the Cowboys' running attack and force Romo to beat them via the pass. Look for many PATS blitzes/sacks and interceptions. TO will be well defended, forcing Romo to look elsewhere. Romo is very good, but young and still learning. He will have his greatness in time.
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10-10-2007 @ 5:50PM
Gene said...
It doesn't even matter what happens in this game, because the Colts will destroy either of them.
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