Week 2 Preview; "Texas Two-Step"

Let me makes this very plain and clear; there is NO MUST WINS IN WEEK 2 FOOTBALL!

You know what it actually is? It’s not that teams must win these games to prevent being 0-2, it’s that nobody wants to deal with their media two weeks in a row after a loss. And the NFC East might just have the worst media in the NFL. Reporters everywhere, who want to pressure the teams into a win, pressure them to make a statement or comment that will fill the newspapers and blogs the next day. You can lose the first two games and still win a Super Bowl, both Dallas and the New York Giants have already proven that.

The Dallas Cowboys have their home opener as the Bears come into town. Dallas didn’t trust their offensive line last week with two subs in, luckily, both Marc Columbo and Kyle Kosier have been practicing this week and are expected to start. This should allow the Cowboys do be more creative in their offensive playcalling. So you Jason Witten fans, no need to worry, he’ll be more active now that he won’t be asked to stay in and block as much. Also, “Beware of D-Ware”. His injury wasn’t as serious as it first looked on the field on Sunday Night, and he was practicing again on Thursday. The Bears’ Jay Cutler is known for making mistakes when under pressure, look for guys like Mike Jenkins and Keith Brooking to have big plays in pass defense if Ware can get to Cutler.

My call: Cowboys 24, Bears 13

The Philadelphia Eagles will start Mike Vick, his first start since 2006. And just like last time when he was in the NFL, there’s no sure-fire way to defend against him. He isn’t as fast or accurate, but still a weapon under center. Fantasy alert: Start him. He can easily give you 300 combined yards on the ground, and in the air. Unfortunately for the Eagles defense though, they will go without Stewart Bradley. Luckily, they’re taking on the Detroit Lions. Need I say more? The bigger upset is if Vick can’t do it against a team that barely belongs in the NFL.

My call: Eagles: 17, Lions 6

On to last week’s winning teams, both teams could’ve easily lost their week one openers. Washington took the game when Dallas turned in sloppy play, and the Panthers were in the Redzone multiple times before turning the ball over to the Giants repeatedly. But don’t get me wrong, a win is a win. We’ve seen times when a team plays sloppy, and yet the other team still can’t capitalize (see Dallas@Buffalo in 2007). You take the win, learn from the mistakes, and move on.

“Texas Two-Step” was a Washington headline this week as they take on their second Texas team in a row when they face the Texans. Houston just came off one of their biggest wins of their short franchise history last week, beating the Colts for just the second time…EVER. Meanwhile, Washington squeaked away a win over arch-rival Dallas. This gets my upset alert of the week. Houston coming off an emotional high, and then goes to play in-state rival, Dallas next week; this is your typical sandwich game. Look for Washington to capitalize on more Texas mistakes, and you Arian Foster fans look out, this isn’t the Indy defense we’re talking about, it won’t be as easy to run against this Jim Haslett team.

My Call: Redskins 17, Texans 13

Ladies and Gentlemen: this is our main event!

Well, not really. The Manning-Bowl is overhyped if you ask me. These guys aren’t hitting each other, their not going toe-to-toe. Now Ronde Barber and Tiki hit each other, gameplanned against each other, that was a competition. Quarterbacks don’t face each other, they face the defenses! So until I see Peyton at middle linebacker, or Eli covering a slot receiver, I won’t call this the “Manning-Bowl”.

If the Washington game got the upset alert, this one gets my Blowout Alert. Peyton runs off of emotion, not like Phillip Rivers emotion, but the “I will not lose!” emotion. Do not for one second think that the Colts won’t let Peyton fling the ball all over the field and run up the score on the G-Men. The Giants will try to do what the Texans did and rush the passer with just their front four. Peyton loves scorching defenses when they blitz, but if guys like Osi and Tuck can get good edge pressure, the Giants have a better chance. But I don’t think so. If you have a Colt receiver on your fantasy team, there’s no reason not to start them. If you have a Colt running back though, put him on your trading block.

My call; Colts 31, Giants 10

The UFL, not the XFL

You know where the XFL failed, when they decided to go all in, put all their eggs in one basket and try to compete with the NFL.

I’m not saying compete as in put their games on Sundays and try to steal ratings from them, but the XFL obviously went after NFL fans and thought that they’d exist in a world where we all know NFL is king.

That’s why I like the UFL; they’re not trying to be a competitor with the NFL, but more of an alternative. They air their games during the week on the Versus and HDNet channels, they allow their players to break contracts to go to the NFL, they understand that NFL is still King.

When the XFL started advertising, they advertised themselves as better than the NFL. They advertised rule changes; there were no fair catches, coin tosses, or extra point kicks. They said their game was more aggressive; they allowed pass interference and made you physically earn the opening possession. And all and all, it failed. Fans weren’t fooled by the product they put on the field. A nice truck made out of shitty parts is still a shitty truck.

And that’s mainly where the UFL and XFL are different. For one, the UFL didn’t put all their eggs in one basket. The XFL tried a big launch with key market teams and air their games on NBC. Suddenly fans realized that the players weren’t at the caliber that they are use to watching, ratings dropped, and NBC backed out.

Secondly, like I stated earlier, the UFL is trying to coexist with the NFL. They haven’t put teams in key NFL markets. They have teams in places like Omaha, Sacramento, and Hartford (plus one coming to VA, Beach in 2011) just to name a few. They haven’t made drastic rule changes to make their game seem better, just subtle ones to make it different (such as how overtime isn’t sudden death, there’s no “tuck rule” and touchdown celebrations are allowed).

As for the product on the field, the names of players and coaches alike will sound familiar to the average football fan. Former AFL head coach, and Jon Gruden’s brother, Jay is one familiar coach you’ll recognize. Add him along with names like Jim Fassel, Dennis Green, and General Manager Rick Mueller, and you know that these players are being coached and managed by experienced veteran coaches. Afterall, sometimes you’re only as good as the gameplan allows.

Then the list of names like Dante Culpepper, Jeff Garcia, Tatum Bell, Dominic Rhodes and Ahman Green show you that this league has experience under the helmets too.

Will the UFL beat the NFL in ratings, or drafting high profile college athletes? No. But what they will provide you is quality football, entertaining games, and your football fix during the week as you wait for your favorite NFL teams to play on Sunday.