Record: [0-1]
Profit/Loss: -1,100
ARIZONA -1.5 & PHILLY +1.5 (6 PT TEASE)
Risking $1,100 to win $1,000
ARIZONA
Okay, I have tried every way possible to come up with a play against Cardinal, but it just ain't gonna' happen! Here are my reasons:
1. Cardinal beat Niner 17-10 on a neutral field last year, and won easily at home 31-14. They did this with backup QB McCown and RB Arrington. The Cardinal had absolutely no running game last year, and still handled Niner easily. This year, they do have a stud RB, his name is Edgerin James. Maybe you've heard of him?
2. Season tickets are sold out for the first time in franchise history. There is actually a waiting list! The new stadium, combined with the addition of Edge, have generated a lot of excitement within the community. The Cardinal can't afford to lose their home opener to the Cardinal! If they do, all of that excitement will be lost.
3. Norv is the offensive coordinator in San Fran now. Enough said! I think the Niner offense will be better this year, not because of Norv, but because they added playmakers Antonio Bryant and Vernon Davis. Also, Eric Johnson returns from injury at tight end. I like Frank Gore a lot more than that bum Kevan Barlow, now with the Jets. However, the offense will need some time to gel under a new system.
4. The Niner defense last year was atrocious! I have never seen a pro defense that bad. San Fran made some improvements on defense to get quicker, but the new pieces will also need time to mesh. Walt Harris and Shawntae Spencer start at DB. Harris is past his prime in my opinion, and Spencer is currently listed as day-to-day with a sore hammy. Not good when you're going up against Boldin, Fitzgerald, and Bryant Johnson!
The public is on Zona of course, and the Cardinal might not cover the 7.5, but they should definitely win the game straight up. If they don't, I won't pick them again this year!
PHILLY
Going with my boys in this one! Not because they're my boys, but because they're the better team. Here are my main reasons:
*New coach in Houston. I like what Kubiak did in Denver, but it's going to take some time for Carr and the rest of the offense to adapt to his system.
*Texan will use two young, inexperienced running backs to start the season. Kubiak had big plans for Dom Davis, but it looks like Davis will never play again, and now Kubiak is stuck with rookie Lundy and second-year tailback Morency.
*The Eagles' players are excited about this team. You should see what they're saying in the papers this week. Offensive lineman Andrews said, "We are going to surprise a lot of people this year, you just watch!" Quotes like this, coupled with McNabb's Super Bowl prediction, tell me that the players see something special that wasn't there last year. After analyzing their roster, I can see why they're excited. I don't think they're going to the Show, but they do have some talent. I like their skill players on offense, assuming everyone can stay healthy (Donovan, Westbrook, Brown, Stallworth, LJ, Lewis, Baskett). Their defense will be tough once again (Brown, Sheppard, Lewis, Dawkins, Jones, Trotter, Kearse, Howard, Walker, Patterson).
I think Houston will be better this year, but it won't happen right away. The Texan will be competitive during the second half of the season. I think they can play with Philly for most of this game, but in the end, I think the better team will win. The Eagles can't afford to lose this game with the Giants coming to town next weekend. McNabb made a bold prediction, and if he and the Eagles don't beat one of the bottom teams in the league, he will come out of this game looking like a fool. McNabb will walk the walk on Sunday! Also, the Texan don't deserve the pick in this game until they prove to us that things are different. Most people think they will be better this year, but it's just speculation at this point. Prove it to me first before I go out on a limb and pick a team that won 2 games last year!
