Why the Cowboys will win Sunday

NFL Picks: Divisional Playoff Edition

I’m going to do this a little differently this week. I’ll have my picks for this week’s four playoff games (Jennifer’s will be added Saturday) just like I’ve done every week, but I’m going to begin this with a sort-of essay on this weekend’s Cowboys-Giants game.
As a Cowboys fan, I’ve been truly sick of hearing all the talking heads on sports radio and on ESPN feed me a ton of bull about why Dallas will lose this week. Things like:
• Tony Romo’s head is still in Mexico with Jessica Simpson
• Terrell Owens’ ankle will slow him down
• Eli Manning’s finally coming into his own
• Dallas looked like hell their past four games
• The Giants are 8-1 on the road this year
• You can’t beat a team three times in one year
• Wade Phillips has too much pressure on him to win
• etc. yadda etc.

Bleh. Truly sick of it all.
So I’m here to speak the truth, brother. I’m here to soothe the troubled souls of Cowboys fans who are starting to believe all the doom and gloom forecasts. Consider the following:
• Romo in Mexico: The only reason people know Tony Romo went to Mexico this weekend is because some fat guy with cheetos breath hid in some bushes with a long lens and got a photo of him — gasp! — reading while sitting near a pool with Jessica Simpson and her family around. For all we know, he could have been reading the playbook. Consider that players in the past have spent their bye weeks losing $20s at strip clubs, doing lines in bathroom stalls or worse. Tony Romo went to a tranquil beach for a few days with a girlfriend. Please.
• Owens’ ankle: I recall Owens playing in a Super Bowl with a barely healed broken leg. He played amazingly. He’ll do well.
• Eli Manning: Yes, he’s played well, but I’m more worried about the Giants’ running game with Jacobs and Bradshaw. But consider Dallas only allowed one 100-yard rusher this year, and that was Clinton Portis in Week 17 in a game that only mattered to one team. Eli may play well, but that may not be enough (recall Week 1). My money’s on him throwing an early interception, getting the Eli face and his wheels falling off.
• Dallas looked like hell: This is true, I won’t argue that. But they did beat Detroit (which at one time was 6-2), and they beat Carolina pretty easily in the only game that mattered (for home field). The loss to Philly was a fluke game that they only lost by 4 despite 43 turnovers and the loss to Washington was a trap game anyway, what with the Skins’ riding the Sean Taylor high (did anybody bring up that they lost to Seattle by 21 this week? … sorry, mean).
• Giants 8-1 on road: That road loss was to Dallas. Next issue.
• Beat a team 3 times: This argument really baffles me. Don’t you think your chances of beating a team INCREASE if you’ve already beaten them twice in a year? What in the world gives a team an advantage when they’ve lost to a team twice already? Proves you can spin anything the way you want to if you truly try.
• Wade Phillps pressure: I’ve never been a coach, but by this time of year, what could Wade Phillips do to ruin this game? He doesn’t call the plays, he doesn’t take the snaps and he doesn’t kick field goals. I guess he COULD call two timeouts in a row and blow it at the end, but what are the odds?
• Etc. yadda etc.: What people fail to realize is Dallas is one of the only teams this year (New England also) that beat New York by simply outscoring them. The Giants do have a great offense and a great defensive line … but the secondary is poor, and teams with solid receiveing corps (Dallas, New England, Green Bay) have put up big points on them this year.
Consider this — many thought New York would win the opener, and they did not. New York hosted Dallas riding a six-game winning streak and got beat handily. And the Giants also struggled in the second half of the season, getting ripped by Minnesota, barely beating a bad Bears team, edging Philly, losing to the Skins, beating Buffalo thanks to a flukey second half and then finally putting up strong games against New England and Tampa Bay.
Simply put, they’re not on the same level as Dallas this year. I’m more worried about Green Bay next week.
So, I hope that helps you out, Cowboy fan … Now for my picks:

at
Line: Cowboys by 7.5
My pick: I think the Giants win this one. Whatever.
Cowboys 35, Giants 24
Jennifer: Jennifer’s actually picking the COWBOYS. Couldn’t bring herself to go against America’s Team.

at
Line: Packers by 8
My pick: I think Seattle has a chance in this one, but only because the cold will stifle Green Bay’s offense. Still, the Packers’ defense is rested and too good.
Packers 24, Seahawks 20
Jennifer: Go Pack, Go Pack, Go Pack, PACKERS!!

at
Line: Patriots by 13
My pick: Jacksonville had a great run this year, but they’re not strong enough to be the team to knock New England from its date with destiny. Now, Indy on the other hand …
Patriots 31, Jaguars 21
Jennifer: Jennifer says the PATRIOTS will win, and she’ll get to see Tom Brady on HD.

at
Line: Colts by 8.5
My pick: I have a feeling San Diego’s just happy with their win last week. I know that thought process doesn’t go into their preparation or even mental state when they play each week, but still …
Colts 33, Chargers 17
Jennifer: Jennifer cheered the COLTS to the Super Bowl last year. What will she do when they face New England next week?

OUR RECORDS
Straight up:
Jennifer 2-2 (162-98 overall)
Billy 2-2 (162-98 overall)
Against the line:
Billy 3-1 (127-125-8 overall)