PFW Blog: Cowboys should be favorites to play Giants in their opener
For some reason, I thought this morning about who the Giants might play in the opening game this season, the one the league showcases on the Thursday before the opening weekend. Since the league has awarded the Super Bowl winner the home-game Thursday opener, the NFL has tried to match up two marquee teams to play in the game. Here are the four games:
2007: Colts 41, Saints 10
2006: Steelers 28, Dolphins 17
2005: Patriots 30, Raiders 20
2004: Patriots 27, Colts 24
In retrospect, the Dolphins and Raiders (even the Saints, for that matter) didn't turn out to be terrific teams, but the Nick Saban and Randy Moss factors played into the first two, and you could argue that Katrina and the Saints' terrific season were the prevailing factors for the matchup last year. Pats-Colts in '04 was a no-brainer, of course.
So who might the Giants open with next season? Based on the '08 home opponents, I'll handicap the field -- and I'll have handicapping guru Mike Wilkening check my math later when he gets back from Indy:
1. Cowboys: I think this is a pretty good bet to be the game, but it should be noted that no divisional games have been chosen before. And Giants-Cowboys is an event anyway, without the Thursday hype. That said, with no other tantilizing matchups, and given the way the teams clashed three times last season (including the playoff gem), my money is on Dallas going to East Rutherford on Sept. 4.
Odds: 3-to-2
2. Redskins: It wouldn't shock me if the league goes with the Redskins (new coach, Sean Taylor factor) and makes a big thing of it. It also could be a decent game, considering the weird storylines of the teams' two matchups last season. The goal-line stand saved the Jints' season in week Three, but the meltdown at home against the 'Skins in Week 15 cast serious doubt about their playoff chances at the time.
Odds: 3-1
3. Eagles: A great rivalry, but again always a spectacle with these teams that could stand on its own or better fit the Monday night or Sunday night profile.
Odds: 4-1
4. Seahawks: I could see the Mike Holmgren factor carrying some weight, and the Seahawks are the best non-divisional opponent on the home slate. But are they a marquee matchup?
Odds: 5-1
5. Bengals: I suppose the Bengals carry some weight in terms of name recognition, and we could have a battle of No. 1 pick QBs (Palmer vs. Eli). It also would be interesting to see Marvin Lewis in the same position now as Tom Coughlin was last season: on the "seat," so to speak. But I have a hard time seeing it.
Odds: 10-1
6. Baltimore: It really starts dropping off. Other than the new coach and Ray Lewis, the most overhyped human being next to Dane Cook, there isn't a lot of value here.
Odds: 15-1
7. Panthers: Sure, pin me down and I'll tell you I think once the free agency and draft are over with, the Panthers will be an improved team. That said, the league sees nada value with a Giants-Panthers matchup in the opener.
Odds: 25-1
8. 49ers: A thrilling battle of quarterbacks -- Eli vs. Shaun Hill!
Odds: 75-1
Posted by Eric Edholm on February 24, 2008 2:29 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)
2007: Colts 41, Saints 10
2006: Steelers 28, Dolphins 17
2005: Patriots 30, Raiders 20
2004: Patriots 27, Colts 24
In retrospect, the Dolphins and Raiders (even the Saints, for that matter) didn't turn out to be terrific teams, but the Nick Saban and Randy Moss factors played into the first two, and you could argue that Katrina and the Saints' terrific season were the prevailing factors for the matchup last year. Pats-Colts in '04 was a no-brainer, of course.
So who might the Giants open with next season? Based on the '08 home opponents, I'll handicap the field -- and I'll have handicapping guru Mike Wilkening check my math later when he gets back from Indy:
1. Cowboys: I think this is a pretty good bet to be the game, but it should be noted that no divisional games have been chosen before. And Giants-Cowboys is an event anyway, without the Thursday hype. That said, with no other tantilizing matchups, and given the way the teams clashed three times last season (including the playoff gem), my money is on Dallas going to East Rutherford on Sept. 4.
Odds: 3-to-2
2. Redskins: It wouldn't shock me if the league goes with the Redskins (new coach, Sean Taylor factor) and makes a big thing of it. It also could be a decent game, considering the weird storylines of the teams' two matchups last season. The goal-line stand saved the Jints' season in week Three, but the meltdown at home against the 'Skins in Week 15 cast serious doubt about their playoff chances at the time.
Odds: 3-1
3. Eagles: A great rivalry, but again always a spectacle with these teams that could stand on its own or better fit the Monday night or Sunday night profile.
Odds: 4-1
4. Seahawks: I could see the Mike Holmgren factor carrying some weight, and the Seahawks are the best non-divisional opponent on the home slate. But are they a marquee matchup?
Odds: 5-1
5. Bengals: I suppose the Bengals carry some weight in terms of name recognition, and we could have a battle of No. 1 pick QBs (Palmer vs. Eli). It also would be interesting to see Marvin Lewis in the same position now as Tom Coughlin was last season: on the "seat," so to speak. But I have a hard time seeing it.
Odds: 10-1
6. Baltimore: It really starts dropping off. Other than the new coach and Ray Lewis, the most overhyped human being next to Dane Cook, there isn't a lot of value here.
Odds: 15-1
7. Panthers: Sure, pin me down and I'll tell you I think once the free agency and draft are over with, the Panthers will be an improved team. That said, the league sees nada value with a Giants-Panthers matchup in the opener.
Odds: 25-1
8. 49ers: A thrilling battle of quarterbacks -- Eli vs. Shaun Hill!
Odds: 75-1
Posted by Eric Edholm on February 24, 2008 2:29 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)
posted by The Gryphon at 10:12 PM
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