Official NFL Thread 2008-09 Super Bowl 43 - Pitt 27 Ariz 23

[WestCoastJoe]

NFL Point Spreads For Week 3 - Week Three NFL Football Point Spread - NFL Spreads 9/21 - 9/22, 2008

Date & Time Favorite Spread Underdog

9/21 1:00 ET At Atlanta -5.5 Kansas City
9/21 1:00 ET At Buffalo -9.5 Oakland
9/21 1:00 ET At Tennessee -5 Houston
9/21 1:00 ET At NY Giants -13.5 Cincinnati
9/21 1:00 ET At Washington -3 Arizona
9/21 1:00 ET At New England -12.5 Miami
9/21 1:00 ET At Chicago -3 Tampa Bay
9/21 1:00 ET At Minnesota -3 Carolina
9/21 4:05 ET At Seattle -9.5 St. Louis
9/21 4:05 ET At San Francisco -4 Detroit
9/21 4:05 ET At Denver -5.5 New Orleans
9/21 4:15 ET At Philadelphia -3.5 Pittsburgh
9/21 4:15 ET At Indianapolis -5 Jacksonville
9/21 4:15 ET At Baltimore -2 Cleveland
9/21 8:15 ET Dallas -3 At Green Bay

Monday Night Football Point Spread

9/22 8:35 ET At San Diego -9 NY Jets
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9/21 4:15 ET At Philadelphia -3.5 Pittsburgh

Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger has a 13-2 career record against NFC teams. The Steelers are 25-2 when Roethlisberger has a 100-plus passer rating, and the quarterback is aiming for a fourth consecutive game with a 100-plus passer rating. ...

A couple of hard hat teams. Not sure the Steelers are as tough as they were under Cowher, but they still knock heads.

Steelers
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9/21 8:15 ET Dallas -3 At Green Bay

The Packers are 5-0 all-time against the Cowboys at Lambeau Field (including playoffs). ... The Packers have won 19 of the past 22 games under coach Mike McCarthy. ... When RB Marion Barber has 11-plus carries, the Cowboys are 21-1. ... Cowboys rookie Felix Jones set a team record with 247 kickoff return yards last week against the Eagles.

Classic old rivalry going back to the days of Lombardi and Landry, who actually coached together early in their careers with the Giants, Lombardi the OC, and Landry the DC.

Packers
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9/21 1:00 ET At NY Giants -13.5 Cincinnati

Giants QB Eli Manning is 16-4 in the past 20 games (including playoffs), and has won four of the past five against AFC teams, including Super Bowl XLII. ... Giants WR Plaxico Burress has three career 100-yard receiving games against the Bengals, and his teams are 8-2 against the Bengals.

Coughlin almost lost his job early last year when the Giants and Eli were struggling. What a difference now.

Giants
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[notahomer]

I'm gonna go Philly over Steelers and Dallas over Packers

I haven't seen Rodgers. I know this doesn't matter but that Cowboys/Eagles game was a barnburner. How with their defenses play against this week. Both have to tighten up, I'm guessing.

[WestCoastJoe]

I'm gonna go Philly over Steelers and Dallas over Packers

I haven't seen Rodgers. I know this doesn't matter but that Cowboys/Eagles game was a barnburner. How with their defenses play against this week. Both have to tighten up, I'm guessing.

Aaron Rodgers looks good for the Packers. Head Coach Mike McCarthy and GM Ted Thompson have done a great job with that franchise.

There have been a few NFL games already that have opened up the Offense. They must be learning something from the CFL.

[notahomer]

There have been a few NFL games already that have opened up the Offense. They must be learning something from the CFL.

I NEVER thought I'd see a Coach go for a 2pt conversion (Good you win/ Miss you lose). Then again for most of the time I've followed NFL 2pt converts weren't an option.

[Dan_Payne_fan!!]

Go Hawks, went down for the game last weekend, my ears are still ringing from all the NOISE haha

[Dan_Payne_fan!!]

What a huge block by Matt Hasselbeck for Julius Jones to get the Touchdown!

[Wakesbetterthanyou]

Whooooo!!! How bout them Cowboys???

[WestCoastJoe]

Cowboys (3-0-0) 3 10 7 7 27

Packers (2-1-0) 3 3 3 7 16

DAL: T. Romo (17-30, 260) , M. Barber (28-142)

GB: A. Rodgers (22-39, 290) , G. Jennings (8-115)

Them Cowboys are looking OK.
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Steelers (2-1-0) 3 3 0 0 6

Eagles (2-1-0) 0 10 0 5 15

PIT: B. Roethlisberger (13-25, 131) , H. Miller (4-63)

PHI: D. McNabb (24-35, 196) , H. Baskett (8-85)

Eagles win the championship of Pennsylvania.
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Bengals (0-3-0) 3 10 0 10 0 23

Giants (3-0-0) 0 10 3 10 3 26

CIN: C. Palmer (27-39, 286) , T. Houshmandzadeh (12-146)

NYG: E. Manning (26-43, 289) , D. Ward (9-80)

Eli doin' a lot better than Peyton.
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Dolphins (1-2-0) 7 14 7 10 38

Patriots (2-1-0) 0 6 7 0 13

MIA: C. Pennington (17-20, 226) , R. Brown (17-113)

NE: M. Cassel (19-31, 131) , W. Welker (6-55)

Parcells latest reclamation project ahead of schedule. Looks like Cassel ain't quite ready to play like Tom Brady. I guess Belichick didn't bother to steal film of the lowly Dolphins.

That high school QB keeper/option play the Dolphins ran about 4 times for TDs looks cool. We should set it up for Buck/Jarious and Charley/Stefan.

[CartWheelFan]

Nice come back and win in OT by the Buccs!

[notahomer]

I'm gonna say "SO WHAT" on the Seahawks win. Holmgren was happy but the Rams just haven't been getting it done for quite awhile. I don't think the Seahawks troubles are over, I think this will be a long season. Holmgren said "thats how we gotta play" but this wasn't a team to measure yourself by, IMO.

Cowboys looked better on defense against the Packers. I'm still amazed at how poor clock management has been in late games against the Cowboys this season (Eagles last week-Packers this week). Cowboys defence is getting their opponents to take stuff that won't get points on the board and chews up TIME. GET OUT OF BOUNDS, that extra yard isn't worth the 45 seconds coming off the clock.

[WestCoastJoe]

NFC East teams, 1, 2 and 3.

USA Today ranks the NFL teams ...

1 DALLAS COWBOYS Last rank: 1 Total points: 382

Notes: Looking like the best team in football right now. (Ten first-place votes)

2 N.Y. GIANTS Last rank: 2 Total points: 371

Notes: Despite a close call, the defending champs remain unbeaten. (Two first-place votes)

3 PHILADELPHIA EAGLES Last rank: 6 Total points: 348

Notes: Besting the Steelers, hanging with the Cowboys, boost their stock.

4 TENNESSEE TITANS Last rank: T8 Total points: 334

Notes: Not missing Vince Young in the least.

5 DENVER BRONCOS Last rank: 11 Total points: 328

Notes: Imagine how good they would be with a defense.

6 BUFFALO BILLS Last rank: T8 Total points: 326

Notes: Everyone's surprise team living up to the hype right now.

7 GREEN BAY PACKERS Last rank: 5 Total points: 312

Notes: Loss to the Cowboys doesn't diminish what they're doing.

8 PITTSBURGH STEELERS Last rank: 3 Total points: 311

Notes: Ben Roethlisberger's injuries could be a concern.

9 NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS Last rank: 4 Total points: 273

Notes: Brutal loss to the Dolphins raises questions.

10 CAROLINA PANTHERS Last rank: 7 Total points: 250

Notes: Got Steve Smith back, then suffered first loss.

11 SAN DIEGO CHARGERS Last rank: 13 Total points: 246

Notes: Much better than the 1-2 record indicates.

12
TIE WASHINGTON REDSKINS Last rank: 19 Total points: 237

Notes: Jason Campbell starting to come into his own.

12
TIE TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS Last rank: 16 Total points: 237

Notes: Brian Griese (67 passes) figures to keep starting -- if his arm doesn't fall off.

14 INDIANAPOLIS COLTS Last rank: 10 Total points: 224

Notes: No Bob Sanders means opponents can run all over them.

15 ARIZONA CARDINALS Last rank: 12 Total points: 216

Notes: Yet another Cardinals breakthrough season derailed?

16 JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS Last rank: 20 Total points: 209

Notes: Running game got healthy in a hurry against the Colts.

17 BALTIMORE RAVENS Last rank: 22 Total points: 185

Notes: The QB (Joe Flacco) struggled, but the defense looked good. Sound familiar?

18 N.Y. JETS Last rank: 15 Total points: 184

Notes: Need to find a way to get the Brett Favre magic going.

19 NEW ORLEANS SAINTS Last rank: 14 Total points: 177

Notes: Offense not good enough to cover the defensive problems.

20 MINNESOTA VIKINGS Last rank: 18 Total points: 172

Notes: Back in the win column as the Gus Frerotte era has begun -- again.

21 SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS Last rank: 23 Total points: 162

Notes: Promising start, but they haven't really beaten anyone.

22 CHICAGO BEARS Last rank: 17 Total points: 157

Notes: They don't want to be in the kind of shootout they lost to the Bucs.

23 ATLANTA FALCONS Last rank: 25 Total points: 126

Notes: It probably won't last, but two wins is a good start for QB Matt Ryan.

24 SEATTLE SEAHAWKS Last rank: 24 Total points: 110

Notes: Worked out some frustrations beating up on the Rams.

25 MIAMI DOLPHINS Last rank: 30 Total points: 100

Notes: Maybe they should run the wishbone with Ronnie Brown.

26 OAKLAND RAIDERS Last rank: 26 Total points: 81

Notes: When the coaching clouds settle, there's a decent team under them.

27 CLEVELAND BROWNS Last rank: 21 Total points: 72

Notes: Is there a bigger disappointment to start the season?

28 HOUSTON TEXANS Last rank: 27 Total points: 67

Notes: They might have found a running back in rookie Steve Slaton. But is he durable enough?

29 CINCINNATI BENGALS Last rank: 27 Total points: 62

Notes: Need to use the overtime loss to the Giants as a building block.

30 DETROIT LIONS Last rank: 28 Total points: 38

Notes: Owner's son wants to fire Matt Millen. Who doesn't?

31 KANSAS CITY CHIEFS Last rank: 31 Total points: 33

Notes: The Tyler Thigpen era got off to a rough start.

32 ST. LOUIS RAMS Last rank: 32 Total points: 13

Notes: If you're in St. Louis on a Sunday, you're better off going to see the Arch.

[WestCoastJoe]

Dave Gross, Canwest News Service

Published: Friday, September 26, 2008

WASHINGTON @ DALLAS

TV: NETHD/FOX at 1 pm

Washington (2-1) at Dallas (3-0) (-11.5) -- ESPN, CBSSportsline, AOL.com, SI.com and Yahoo all have the Cowboys listed as the best team in the league and it's hard to argue (besides, just ask them). Now that Tom Brady has exited, Dallas's attack is the NFL's most ferocious. Jason Campbell has improved each week and Santana Moss seemingly scores every week, but the Redskins won't have enough to hang in and the Cowboys look like they're on a mission.

Take Dallas.

GREEN BAY @ TAMPA BAY

TV: CTV/FOX at 10 am

Green Bay (2-1) at Tampa Bay (2-1) (-1.5) -- The Packers want to bounce back quickly after a loss to Dallas, the best team in football (if you don't believe me, just ask them), while the Bucs scored a relatively impressive win in Chicago (the Bears' defence appears to be aging). Aaron Rodgers continues to be a major story and was effective against Dallas's athletic defence. No, we're not sold on Brian Griese.

Take Green Bay.

BALTIMORE @ PITTSBURGH

Monday 5:30 pm (CBS)

Baltimore (2-0) at Pittsburgh (2-1) (-7.5) -- The Steelers' second straight smash-mouth matchup brings them back home. This might have been a lock if RB Willie Parkerwas healthy, but no Parker means the Steelers go to the pass game. The Ravens' pass defence will cause enough problems here to keep this tight.

Take Baltimore.

My picks in the Parlay lottery: Dallas, Green Bay and Pittsburgh.

[notahomer]

Man that division is tight (as always). I agree, I think the Cowboys win again. Zorn is getting a trial by fire as the headguy!

I will go Ravens over the Steelers. Big Ben is looking roughed up--I certainly do not see this game as an offensive masterpiece for either team (compared to the EaglesCowboys MondayNighter for e.g.).

I will pick the Bucs over the Packers just so one of us can be right in this one, WCJ. Rodgers is looking fine, I just thought the clock management SUCKED during the last game.

I do try to catch the Seahawks and I know they are not going to look awful this week but thats only cuz they on a bye. If Wins over the Rams are something to build on, I think its gonna be a bad year.

[notahomer]

Skins won making the NFC East its usual dogfight. The TV Crew was saying how perhaps TO was being worked too much into the Offence. Not much of a running game and getting Owens the ball is part of the reason why.

A few surprises. StLouis waited until the second half before the Bills took over. The Chiefs beat the Broncos! The Raiders stayed in their game until late before fading to the Chargers. The Bears/Eagles game had quite a few fumbles/INTS.

Steelers/Ravens on MNF- I'm sticking with the Ravens. Maybe the lowest scoring MondayNighter of the year. Now thats out there, I'm sure to eat my words.

[WestCoastJoe]

Redskins (3-1-0) 0 17 3 6 26
Cowboys (3-1-0) 7 3 7 7 24

WAS: J. Campbell (20-31, 231) , S. Moss (8-145)
DAL: T. Romo (28-47, 300) , J. Witten (7-90)

How bout them Redskins? I would have bet on the Cowboys, but I'm a fan of Jim Zorn since his days with the Seahawks. Actually saw him play in the old KingDome. Zorn was a very surprising pick as Head Coach, never having been one at any level. Snyder might have got it right this time.
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Cardinals (2-2-0) 0 0 21 14 35
Jets (2-2-0) 0 34 0 22 56

ARI: K. Warner (40-57, 472) , S. Breaston (9-122)
NYJ: B. Favre (24-34, 289) , L. Coles (8-105)

Good for Brett Favre. Can't root against this guy, even if he seemed messed up in his retirement flip-flops.
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