Two words: Trap. Game.
Your 3-0 Cowboys believe their poop is perfume. The 0-3 St. Louis Rams are injured, insulted and, incredibly dangerous. Not to win the game, mind you, but to cover a monster spread of almost two touchdowns.
The Cowboys are clearly superior, even headed toward special. “They’re starting to remind me of our ’92 team,” said former quarterback Troy Aikman. “Both teams were coming off playoff seasons and both started 3-0 and started thinking ‘Maybe we’ve got something here.’” The ’92 team, of course, won Super Bowl XXVIII in Pasadena. These Cowboys should beat the Rams, but it won’t be easy.
In the past two weeks quarterbacks Trent Green and Rex Grossman have bolstered the stats and strut of the Cowboys’ secondary with pathetic play. Even with Rams quarterback Marc Bulger nursing sore ribs, look for the Rams -- playing without leading rusher Steven Jackson -- to throw the ball to receivers Torry Holt and Isaac Bruce early and often.
Dallas leads the NFL with a plus-7 turnover margin, but it’s allowing more than 250 yards per game passing. Without the interceptions, St. Louis will be able to move the ball. I see the Rams scoring some points, and one of these weeks the Cowboys’ offense isn’t going to surpass 34 points. Right?
Bill Parcells would be hanging mousetraps around Valley Ranch and telling his players not to eat the cheese this week. Wade Phillips better have a similar motivational ploy up his Fix-It sleeve.
I started with a mythical bankroll of $1,000, courtesy of Bodog sports online gaming. First, because their site is easy to navigate. Second, because they’re based in Costa Rica and have had minimal success tracking me down in the past. I’ll analyze each Cowboys game and make a wager every Friday. With any luck, by Christmas it’ll be iPhones for everyone.
STARTING BANKROLL: $1,000 SEASON RECORD: 2-1 CURRENT BANKROLL: $1,390 PENDING: Rams +13 ½ for $50