Jets @ Dolphins

Jets +1
Where to begin with this game? The season started with the Jets not expected to compete and the Dolphins being slated by some for the Super Bowl. The Dean never expected the Dolphins to live up to those expectations but they have shown in the past weeks some reasons why people like them. Their problems start and end at the QB position just as they always have. If they can get any level of consistency from that position they have the other parts. The Dolphins gave the Bears their first loss and shut out the Patriots. The Jets meanwhile have compiled 8 wins against teams with a combined record of 22-36 at the time they beat them. New England is their only win against a team with a winning record and that game was after a Jet bye and a Patriot loss to the Colts on Monday Night.

These teams are very similar. They are good enough in certain areas to exploit another team’s weakness but they struggle to put it all together on a consistent basis. If Chad Pennington can control the ball, make 2-3 plays, and the defense can pressure the Dolphins bad QBs, then the Jets are in good shape to win this game. The Dean can’t find any aspect of this game that is deserving of my confidence, but the Dolphin QB situation doesn’t make the short list of candidates and it tips my favor to the Jets getting a point but playing it conservative at 1-star.

REVIEW: Jets 13 – Dolphins 10

As previewed.

Eagles @ Cowboys

Eagles +7
Eagles versus Cowboys is always a phrase that evokes passion and drama. The drama has been set for tonight’s game and it is a safe bet the passion will be present once the ball is kicked-off, if not before. There are so many battles within the game tonight that it is easy for us wagerers to take our eye off the ball. T.O. versus his old team, Garcia versus T.O., Romo versus Garcia, Parcells versus Reid all while both teams look to secure not only a spot in the playoffs but for the highly-valued position within the playoffs. All that needs to be pushed aside and we must focus our attention to the items that matter.

In looking at this game the large spread in the Cowboys favor is what initially caught my eye. Why is this line so big? Is Vegas telling us something with a TD spread, or is Vegas as mistaken about this matchup as they were in the Saints/Cowboys game? To The Dean the only factor that justifies a full TD line in the Cowboys favor is the physical state of the Eagles defense. Philly enters this game nicked up on the defensive side of the ball. The vast majority of the injured players are listed as Probable or Questionable nonetheless, a seed as been planted. Just how healthy are the Eagles on defense?

Speaking of defense, the Cowboys wish they could point to some injuries as a reason for their recent struggles. Opponents are averaging 30 points a game against Dallas and in their last 3 games teams have averaged 137 yards on the ground. This is in stark contrast to their previous games as their overall average is still under 100 yards a game at 97.9. The Eagles meanwhile have been putting up 28 points per game over the same span and have really settled into a groove with Jeff Garcia at the helm. Make no mistake about it, Garcia is as solid a QB as you can find and is a proven winner. Forget his struggles in Cleveland and Detroit, they have no bearing on what type of QB he is. Those are two very bad organizations that would make Joe Montana look like Ron Powlus.

The Dean can see both these offenses racking up yards on each other and if the Eagles are as banged up as the Injury Report makes it seem, then the Eagles offense is going to have to keep pace. The Dean is one person that believes the Eagles can not only keep pace but they can win this game. Dallas has more playmakers than Philadelphia, so Garcia and Westbrook need to play well. That being said, 7 points is just too many for The Dean to eat, but the injuries are making me cautious. I will be playing the Eagles plus the points for 3-stars.

REVIEW: Eagles 23 – Cowboys 7

As previewed.