Week 2 -- Mon Sep 15 10:00:26 PDT 2008

From: Jeff
To: mnf@doobie.com
Subject: It's Monday...

...and apparently, this was the week of the comeback.  Somebody better tell the financial markets.

So, this is going to be an abbreviated Monday morning mailing, because I woke up in Vegas this morning.  What happens in Vegas could be happening to you.

The Denver Broncos combined some luck, some bad calls (the instant replay system was broken for part of the game, and at least two calls that should have been overturned weren't -- including a fumble near the end of the game), and the coaches' cojones to pull out a 39-38 victory over the San Diego Chargers.  After a touchdown with 29 seconds to go in the game, the Broncos chose not to kick a game-tying extra point... but went for the game-winning two point conversion.  QB Jay Cutler made it look easy, passing the ball over the middle for the win.  Denver goes to 2-0.  The Chargers start their season with a shocking 0-2 record.

Indianapolis went to Minneapolis and started out by giving up 15 points through the third quarter.  The Vikings ground defense put Peyton Manning on the ground over and over again, and shut down the Colts running game (20 yards, total).  For three quarters, the Colts were just outplayed, but the Vikings overall weakness when throwing the ball (or defending against the throw) came back to haunt them.  A handful of very key completions late in the game brought the Colts back into the game, and ultimately set up Adam Vinatieri for the game winning field goal.  Manning's numbers were awful (26 for 42, 1 TD, 2 Int)... but I guess the Vikings were just a little bit worse.  Indy goes to 1-1, Minnesota falls to 0-2.

Washington hosted New Orleans in what turned out to be one of the better games of the week.  The two teams traded scoring drives for three quarters, before Redskins QB Jason Cambell started to really hit his stride, completing a critical fourth and two, and following up with a 67 yard toss to Santana Moss.  The 'skins finished the game 29-24.  The primary difference in this game?  Drew Brees's two interceptions (including one that effectively ended the game).  That great sucking sound you hear... that's just The Saints.

Aaron Rogers and Green bay went to Detroit and blew out the Lions 48-25.  The Packers are still looking like a very legitimate team, despite the changes under center... their 2-0 record speaks for itself. 

Guess who else started out 2-0.  The Arizona Cardinals.  This week, they beat Miami 31-10 under the experienced guidance of QB Kurt Warner (yes, he's still playing, and playing quite well).  The Dolphins were never really in this game, and it's looking more and more like the money they spent for Chad Pennington will be money wasted.  Chad and the Dolphins go to New England next week.

The New York Giants continue with their temporary dominance of the NFC East, by crushing the St Louis Rams 41-13.  At least one Manning brother showed up to play this week.  The Giants defense did the rest, sacking Brad Bulger six times, and getting through the St. Louis offensive line on virtually every play.  The Rams are 0-2. The Giants are 2-0, and for the moment, are at the top of the NFC East.

Which brings us to tonights game...


The Game:

Tonight, the 1-0 Philadelphia Eagles go to Dallas to take on the 1-0 Cowboys.  Both teams opened their seasons with convincing victories, and are looking to this game to establish themselves as the team to beat in the NFC East (which is likely the toughest division this season).   This should be quite a game.


The Line:

The Cowboys are favored by 6.5.  The over/under is 46.

Last week, the Smart Money went 2-1.  It is now 2-2 for the season, representing a loss of 4.5%.  The S&P 500 has gone down about 1% in the same period of time.

The week, the Smart Money takes the over and the Eagles. 


The Bar:

Anybody who can make it to the Pink Taco at the Hard Rock Casino is encouraged to do so.  If you're looking for something a little closer to home, may I suggest a place that's treated us fairly well over the years:

Kezar Pub
770 Stanyan Street near Waller.
Two blocks from the N, steps from the 7, 71, 6 and the other Haight Street busses.

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