ESPN Mosley: My Predictions: Cowboys will win 10 games
Posted by ESPN.com's Matt Mosley
OK, I've returned from watching an hour of our SportsCenter special NFL schedule show with Trey Wingo at the helm. In checking some of the Web sites dedicated to covering NFL East teams, I came across Todd Archer's game-by-game schedule analysis of the Cowboys.
Here's how I would break it down for the Cowboys:
Sept. 13 at Tampa Bay -- Going up against a brand new coach and a below average starting quarterback. You could do a lot worse in terms of a road game. Just ask the Redskins. I have the Cowboys winning this game.
Sept. 20 New York Giants -- Lots of emotion tied up in the new stadium's first game. Jerry Jones will make sure to provide a nutty atmosphere -- and he won't have to go out of his way. I think the Cowboys take care of business to improve to 2-0.
Sept. 28 Carolina Panthers -- After an emotional win over the Giants, the Cowboys come back to earth with a loss on "Monday Night Football." If you're scoring at home, they're 2-1 now.
Oct. 4 at Denver -- Most of us thought this would be the first road game. It will be another opportunity to play against a first-time head coach. And DeMarcus Ware could feast on Kyle Orton. This could be a huge game for Tony Romo against an overmatched defense. 3-1
Oct. 11 at Kansas City -- Guess what? ANOTHER first-time head coach in Todd Haley, who loves coaching against his old team. This time, though, he doesn't have Larry Fitzgerald. Give me the Cowboys in a close one. 4-1
Oct. 18 BYE -- This is a little earlier than Wade Phillips wanted.
Oct. 25 Atlanta -- Cowboys welcome a playoff team from '08. I think Matt Ryan will face a much different type of pressure this season. Now, he's expected to perform like a stud quarterback. He might take his lumps in this one. Cowboys improve to 5-1.
Nov. 1 Seattle -- The Cowboys love seeing the Seahawks come to town. Matt Hasselbeck should be banged up at this point. Cowboys improve to 6-1. Dallas rejoices.
Nov. 8 Philadelphia -- Cowboys are haunted by the 44-6 loss. They perform much better, but still lose to an Eagles team that is just getting hot. 6-2
Nov. 15 at Green Bay -- Strange to have back-to-back seasons with a trip to Lambeau. Last year's win appeared to be the start of something big. We all know what happened, though. A much-improved Packers team hands the Cowboys their second straight loss. 6-3
Nov. 22 Washington -- Redskins walked into Texas Stadium last year and pushed the Cowboys around. It won't happen this time around. Cowboys bounce back with a 27-17 win to improve to 7-3.
Nov. 26 Oakland -- The Thanksgiving matchup we've dreamed about for years. Kidding. Cowboys take care of business to improve to 8-3.
Dec. 6 at New York Giants -- Last year was an embarrassment when the Cowboys had to play Brad Johnson and Brooks Bollinger in the Meadowlands. But even in a close one, the Giants still find a way. 8-4
Dec. 13 San Diego -- Norv Turner shows up with something to prove. He felt like he was the best man for the Cowboys' job -- especially for Tony Romo. The Chargers are at their best late in the season. Norv gets his revenge. 8-5
Dec. 19 at New Orleans -- We fall in love with the Saints every offseason. Well, I'm not doing this year. They'll put up some great offensive numbers, but they won't stop anyone. Cowboys take care of business to improve to 9-5.
Dec. 27 at Washington -- I think Jim Zorn will still have the Redskins playing well -- or at least hard -- at this point in the season. And Jason Campbell and Devin Thomas will shred the Cowboys' secondary. Remember you heard it here first. 9-6
Jan 3 Philadelphia -- Love the fact the NFL went right back to this matchup. And I hope it actually means something. This time, the Cowboys take care of business at home. 10-6
OK, I'll do this with the other teams Wednesday -- if you guys are interested.
OK, I've returned from watching an hour of our SportsCenter special NFL schedule show with Trey Wingo at the helm. In checking some of the Web sites dedicated to covering NFL East teams, I came across Todd Archer's game-by-game schedule analysis of the Cowboys.
Here's how I would break it down for the Cowboys:
Sept. 13 at Tampa Bay -- Going up against a brand new coach and a below average starting quarterback. You could do a lot worse in terms of a road game. Just ask the Redskins. I have the Cowboys winning this game.
Sept. 20 New York Giants -- Lots of emotion tied up in the new stadium's first game. Jerry Jones will make sure to provide a nutty atmosphere -- and he won't have to go out of his way. I think the Cowboys take care of business to improve to 2-0.
Sept. 28 Carolina Panthers -- After an emotional win over the Giants, the Cowboys come back to earth with a loss on "Monday Night Football." If you're scoring at home, they're 2-1 now.
Oct. 4 at Denver -- Most of us thought this would be the first road game. It will be another opportunity to play against a first-time head coach. And DeMarcus Ware could feast on Kyle Orton. This could be a huge game for Tony Romo against an overmatched defense. 3-1
Oct. 11 at Kansas City -- Guess what? ANOTHER first-time head coach in Todd Haley, who loves coaching against his old team. This time, though, he doesn't have Larry Fitzgerald. Give me the Cowboys in a close one. 4-1
Oct. 18 BYE -- This is a little earlier than Wade Phillips wanted.
Oct. 25 Atlanta -- Cowboys welcome a playoff team from '08. I think Matt Ryan will face a much different type of pressure this season. Now, he's expected to perform like a stud quarterback. He might take his lumps in this one. Cowboys improve to 5-1.
Nov. 1 Seattle -- The Cowboys love seeing the Seahawks come to town. Matt Hasselbeck should be banged up at this point. Cowboys improve to 6-1. Dallas rejoices.
Nov. 8 Philadelphia -- Cowboys are haunted by the 44-6 loss. They perform much better, but still lose to an Eagles team that is just getting hot. 6-2
Nov. 15 at Green Bay -- Strange to have back-to-back seasons with a trip to Lambeau. Last year's win appeared to be the start of something big. We all know what happened, though. A much-improved Packers team hands the Cowboys their second straight loss. 6-3
Nov. 22 Washington -- Redskins walked into Texas Stadium last year and pushed the Cowboys around. It won't happen this time around. Cowboys bounce back with a 27-17 win to improve to 7-3.
Nov. 26 Oakland -- The Thanksgiving matchup we've dreamed about for years. Kidding. Cowboys take care of business to improve to 8-3.
Dec. 6 at New York Giants -- Last year was an embarrassment when the Cowboys had to play Brad Johnson and Brooks Bollinger in the Meadowlands. But even in a close one, the Giants still find a way. 8-4
Dec. 13 San Diego -- Norv Turner shows up with something to prove. He felt like he was the best man for the Cowboys' job -- especially for Tony Romo. The Chargers are at their best late in the season. Norv gets his revenge. 8-5
Dec. 19 at New Orleans -- We fall in love with the Saints every offseason. Well, I'm not doing this year. They'll put up some great offensive numbers, but they won't stop anyone. Cowboys take care of business to improve to 9-5.
Dec. 27 at Washington -- I think Jim Zorn will still have the Redskins playing well -- or at least hard -- at this point in the season. And Jason Campbell and Devin Thomas will shred the Cowboys' secondary. Remember you heard it here first. 9-6
Jan 3 Philadelphia -- Love the fact the NFL went right back to this matchup. And I hope it actually means something. This time, the Cowboys take care of business at home. 10-6
OK, I'll do this with the other teams Wednesday -- if you guys are interested.
posted by The Gryphon at 7:55 PM
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