*COMP PLAY 4 "SHOWTIME SUNDAY" ....ENJOY!
Dallas +4.5 (28-24 BIG DOG WINNER!)
-SD and Dallas both have stud RBs in the backfield, who will be the main weapon of their offensive attacks this year.....However, in this game, Dallas will have an edge in the receiving department as they have their All-Pro TE Whitten, who finished last season ranked 2nd in the league in receiving with 87 catches for 980 yards, available for this season opener against the Chargers......SD, meanwhile, will have to wait out another game suspension that TE Gates will need to serve out....And, his absense in today's game will definately take away that threat he always brings to any games...
Taking TE Gates place today will be backup Justin Peelle...Peelle doesnt bring a pass catching threat to the offense like Gates does...and he has only 10 receptions, 2 TDs....The absense of Gates in this game will also allow the Dallas defense to focus more on stopping Tomlinson, as well as, putting more pressure on QB Brees, especially on obvious passing situations......Both offenses will rely heavy today on running the ball to set up the play action...but again, I feel that Dallas will have a decided advantage because they bring a more balanced attack with more reliable skilled position players...Bottom line, without Gates in this game...Brees, should find it very uncomfortable, while the Cowboys new 3-4 defensive scheme implimented for this season, should provide more opportunities for them run their Blitzing packages, which should further make it uncomfortable for him today..
Last season, the Chargers weakness on defense was in the secondary...ranking 31st in the league, allowing 253.3 ypg through the air....This secondary from last season returns, which should of meant..much better play.....however, in the preseason, they have continued to looked shaky in the exhibition games and that is not a good sign that the necessary and important of improvement in the secondary had been made ....Dallas's new QB Bledsoe is a veteran...who, although excited about his opportunity to play for Dallas,...is also coming into this season with a bit of a chip on his shoulder as he didnt like how the Pats and then the Bills gave on him....He definately has a goal to prove all of them wrong...and having the opportunity to work again under Parcell, and also, with a atop notch RB in Jones,....not to mention having WR Glenn to throw to again should accerlarate this process.....Unlike at Buffalo or NE, Dree wont be asked to carry the entire weight of the team on his shoulders....A big advantage for Dallas is the fact that Bledsoe has played under Parcell, in NE, and also with WR Glenn as well...should simply provide her a familiarity that will allow him to get this offense off to a fast start....
*Some Stats, Trends, and Info..
-The Cowboys lead the series 5-2
-Dallas has won three of the last four against the Chargers and are currently 3-1 in games played in San Diego.
-Dallas has the best NFC opening day record with 31-14-1....and the Cowboys are also 16-7 on the road openers as well.
With Brees nursing a sprained ankle sustained in SD's final preseason game...as well as, the absence of Gates in this game...I have to go with the Cowboys and take the points as the Chargers will probably be forced to go to Tomlinson a great deal, and this plays into the hands of the Cowboys, who strength on defense is defending the run....
Go Dallas!