Sunday's Card (Sept 10th)

[Irish]

Chicago (-3.5) over GB
Chicago has played well against GB and the Packers have not looked to sharp this preseason. Granted I do not put much faith in the preseason but still it does show the packers are not clicking yet. T. Jones and the Bears offensive line have been very productive against GB and I should think they will be this sunday. Grossman gives the bears some passing ability and when healthy last season made the offense stronger. I like the Bears defense against the decision making ability of Farve. I think Brett will make a few mistakes and it could result in some good field position for the bears. The Packers are a strong home team but I think the Chicago defense should limit what they can do. Grossman will have some players to look to and he has to be sharp early or it could be Griese coming in. Either way the runing game for the Bears should pound the ball and then grossman can hit a WR when the LB's pack the box. GB made some improvements at CB and LB through free agency and the draft but I am not sure if it will be enough. I am hoping Grossman becomes the difference maker he was once considered, in this hard nosed game I look forward to seeing the Bears defense against a poor GB O-line a returning injured RB, a poor WR corp and a QB that will attempt risky throws. All that said GB vs the Bears will be hard fought but I am hoping Jones ontinues to build on last years improved rushing output.

Cheers
Irish

 

[Irish]

Saints (+3) over cleveland
Both teams are rebuilding but IMO this will come down to talented playmakers and the advantage goes to NO. Yeah cleveland plays well at home but the saints after last year are road tested. Having Drew Brees and Deuce McAllister will be hugh in the offense today not to mention the mismatches Reggie Bush will create. On the browns offense they get Winslow back but Frye is still a bit green and considering how bad the Saints defense has looked he should be just fine. Mostly a play for talent and points, Horn, McAllister, Brees, Bush should be eough to keep them in it on offense regardless of defense and I'll take the 3 but IMO NO can win outright. Always tough in the Dawg pound by I am just not sold on the cleveland offense considering the lost their best o-lineman and players haven't been stepping up.

Cheers
Irish

 

[Irish]

Dallas (ML) over JAX
The cowboys have all the parts to make some noise this season. On Offense the boys will have many weapons for Jax to keep off the board all day. Not saying JAX defense isn't one of the best in the league because it is but in these close games I think there is an edge with the cowboys. The cowboys finally have a defense that Parcells can use and they are quick and play make, which also has improved from last season. I know there are some questions in the kicking game for dallas but I think TO and Glenn have some great plays to open Whitten and he should have a big game. One thing I like to about TO sitting out this preseason is the other WR stepping up and making plays. This is big because Bledsoe has had some success against JAX and now he has the weapons and the cohesiveness on O-line to be solid on offense. Not saying Dallas will walk away with this, but it will be a hard nosed battle and IMO dallas has an impressive team. Also like the balence at RB for Dallas, if Jones is starting slow Barber comes in and they are both playing to stay on the field. The Jags have fred taylor in the backfield and he is solid but Greg Jones out and he was a very good GL back, the other backs in JAX do not run with his same power. Also on Defense JAX lose on of its motivators and run stoppers in henderson, so even with a hardhitting secondary Dallas can mix it up on them.

Cheers
Irish

Cheers
Irish

 

[ajoytoy]

Irish,

gl on those plays...on the first one with ya

 

[trolln4walii]

GL today Irish. With you on the Bears and Cowboys. Can never tell you enough how much I enjoy your analysis each week in both football forums. Thanks for all you do. Here's hoping that this season is your most profitable ever :toast:

 

[RexBudler]

gl to you today and this season buddy

 

[roymunson]

Tampa Bay Defense???

Tampa Bay Defense???

Irish what about the TB def??? Balt is making them look pretty bad,,,,,YIKES:scared

 

[thom24ad]

NO looking good so far...like the card and that Jack/Dallas game is a real toss up...I just felt I had to play at least one homedog...good luck to us Irish...

Any thoughts on tonight's game...kind of think older brother puts a whipping on younger brother...

 

[Irish]

INDY (-3) over G-men
Well the brothers meet in a spotlight game. Both have great ability and both have playmakers around them. Both sides have solid defenses and can generate turn overs. Both coaches are decent and will have good gameplans. Shockey is questionable, Buress is in the coaches dog house and Payton coming off being embarassed by Pitt in their last game give me my reason for the play. I like the secondary recivers for Indy and I feel they will have more speed than the giants can handle. NYG has talent and I am sure Eli will play well but I also like Payton's experience in this game. Yeah he can win the big game and has played bad in the postseason but I expect him to use everything and audible into good checks. I expect this game will be very good and both teams will be ready to play. I would like to see the colts defense force some turnovers like they did last season. Both teams come out ready to play but I think the colts will execute a little crisper.

Cheers
Irish

 

[Irish]

Indy/NyG OVER (10) 1st quarter

Think both teams have 15 plays scripted, one team will score and the other should get close, both teams will have ability to make big plays and if one scores a TD and the other a FG then its a push but based on the offensive potential well see how the first 15 plays for both teams turn out

Roy - TB has a good defense but remeber they are getting up there in age and Rice is solid on end, Brooks in the middle and Barber deep but there are holes. QB like McNair he can find them and now he is back with Mason he has a possesion guy, not too mention heaps hands.

Cheers
Irish.