Chicago Bears (1-0) at Dallas Cowboys (0-1)

All I can say is that I would like both teams to win... and, of course, when I was watching that last three seconds of the fourth quarter, I ended up going through a whole mess of emotions that simply cannot be summed up into words. We went from a win to a loss in a matter of seconds... and it was our own fault, which is like salt in the wound. Salt in a gunshot wound. And the wound is self-inflicted...

So, after one game, the stats look as follows:

Tony Romo	282 Yards	66.0%	1 TD - 0 INT
Marian Barber	39 Yards	8 Carries	0 TD
Felix Jones	38 Yards	8 Carries	0 TD
Miles Austin	146 Yards	10 Catches	1 TD
Dez Bryant	56 Yards	8 Catches	0 TD
DeMarcus Ware	6 Tackles	0 FF	1 Sack

What this means is this: Romo is on pace for 4,512 yards (It's possible, and I'll take that), Miles Austin is on pace for 2,336 yards (won't happen), and that the Cowboys have NNNNOOOO rushing game and are trying to trade Choice. Dez Bryant has shown that he has game.

Here are the concerns about the Cowboys:

* 5/13 on third down.

* 12 Penalties for 91 Yards

The 38.5% on third down isn't going to blow teams away and it really won't win you a lot of games. Now, if you are getting 38.5% on third down but averaging two third downs per game, ROCK ON. But with 13 third downs, you gotta convert more than five.

The Cowboys rank second in penalties, with only the Jets being tagged for more (14 for 125 yards). As far as yardage is concerned, there are three teams with more yards penalized (Jets, Bears, Giants). This game could see a LOT of penalties come Sunday. I... can't... wait. There's nothing I love more than litter on the field.

Now, the Bears look like this:

Jay Cutler	372 Yards	65.7%	2 TD - 1 INT
Matt Forte	50 Yards	17 Carries	0 TD
Matt Forte	151 Yards	7 Catches	2 TD
Devin Aromashodu	71 Yards	5 Catches	0 TD
Brian Urlacher	8 Tackles	0 FF	1 Sack
Lance Briggs	10 Tackles	0 FF	1 Deflection

Jay Cutler looked good in that game. He's on pace for close to 6,000 yards, which will not happen. In fact, I honestly expect him to get picked off twice in the game against the Cowboys. Why? I don't know, I just have that weird feeling that it will. I want to say there will be three pickoffs on Cutler Sunday.

Cutler also got sacked four times against the Lions and I don't think the Cowboys will sack Cutler that many, more like two. DeMarcus Ware will be playing, so two seems completely possible. The key to Dallas winning really relies on what happens with containing Matt Forte and making sure Cutler doesn't explode again. Can the 'Boys do it, while Romo stays Romo and plays catch with Austin and Bryant?

Forecast: To answer said question, I think the Cowboys can take care of Forte and Cutler enough. I will even go on to say that Romo will play a good game of catch with Austin, Bryant, and Jason Witten. In fact, if Witten doesn't get more catches Sunday, the Cowboys will be in jeopardy of losing. If Witten grabs six catches, then I think the Cowboys win it hands down. Will Witten catch six? Probably not. Will he catch four? Yes. Is four enough? I think so. Prediction: Cowboys win in a close one and move to 1-1 with a score of 21-17.

Game 16: Lions vs. Packers

Here's a breakdown of some KILLER stats.

• Lion's Offense: 30th out of 32
• Lion's Passing: 26th out of 32
• Lion's Rushing: 30th out of 32
• Lion's Defense: 32nd out of 32

And just for grins, we'll do the rest of this....

Quarterback Comparison

Name	QB Rating	Comp-Att	Comp %	Yards	TD-Int	Fumbles
Dan Orlovsky	74.3	121-213	56.8%	1,391	6-6	3
Aaron Rodgers	91.4	320-505	63.4%	3,730	25-13	8

Rodgers is better. His interceptions total is a bit of a concern, especially when you combine it with the fumbles.

Rushing Comparison

Name	Carries	Yards	TDs	Catches	Yards	TDs
Kevin Smith	210	884	7	36	279	0
Ryan Grant	293	1,097	4	15	93	1

Grant is the better 'back.

Receiving Comparison

Name	Catches	Yards	TDs	Fumbles
Calvin Johnson	69	1,229	10	3
Shaun McDonald	35	332	1	2
Michael Gaines	23	260	1	3
Greg Jennings	75	1,191	9	1
Donald Drivver	68	901	4	0
Jordy Nelson	32	357	2	0

Packers are better here... too. Surprise.

Defense Comparison

Name	Tackles	Sacks	Ints-TD	Deflections
Paris Lenon	115	1.5	0-0	3
Leigh Bodden	66	0.0	1-0	12
DeWayne White	37	5.5	1-0	2
Nick Collins	67	0.0	6-3	13
Charles Woodson	60	3.0	6-2	15
Aaron Kampman	56	9.5	0-0	1

Wow. The Lions have only 4 picks this season. DeWayne White leads the Lions with the 5.5 sacks. Collins and Woodson, both with the Packers, have more interceptions than the ENTIRE team of the Lions... Forecast: Lions finish 0-16. Why? Well, they have the worst defense. The Packers have the #11 offense with the 9th best passing. And that... well, that's enough to send the Lions packing (pun intended). Score: 27-10.

Home Field

Sports Picks up to Halloween

Sports Picks up to Halloween

Friday
Stars (5-3-1) vs. Oilers (3-6-1)
Stars beat Oilers earlier this month in Edmonton. Look to see them do it again but in Dallas. Stars 4-2.

Saturday
Stars (5-3-1) vs. Coyotes (4-6-1)
Should be a good game. Dallas will be playing a back-to-back and Tyson Nash looks really good. Coyotes and Stars tie: 3-3

FC Dallas (13-10-11) vs. Rapids (13-7-13)
The records are actually Wins-Draws-Loses, by the way. In the point system, Dallas is ahead of them by 3 points. They are playing here, and honestly, the Rapids just stink on the road (3-4-9) with a winning percentage of .313. Dallas, however, has a winning percentage of .656 at home. Dallas is going to tear them a new head: 3-1. Yes, that’s tearing a new head in the world of Soccer.

Sunday
Cowboys (4-3) vs. Cardinals (2-4)
As far as points scored, Dallas doesn’t look all that bad. But, I am not all that impressed personally. The reason the ‘boys have won what they have is because the defense is stellar. The defense, however, seems to give up with the remainder of the 4th quarter to go… it varies game to game. I think that Dallas’ offense will be average at best during this game and Arizona will be held down a bit. Josh McCown has shown spark with a 2-1 mark in his last three and the game the Cards lost was by 4 to Carolina (4-2). I think if Arizona is in the game going into the final quarter, they realistically have a chance. And looking at the Cowboys season, they more than likely will be very much into the game at that point in time. The problem with Arizona is the rushing game. Arizona has not had a leading rusher over 54 yards. So the Cowboys will be thinking pass on just about every down and that will hurt Arizona’s chances in the long “run.” (Pun not intended, but in a way, it is) Cowboys take this one: 20-17.

Panthers (4-2) vs. Vikings (2-4)
In what is shaping up to be a very good division for the NFC South, Carolina stands as third. Delhomme, Foster, and Peppers are on the injured list. Delhomme is the one I am concerned about. Vikes are 0-3 on the road and Cats are 2-1 at home. Cats are coming off a well needed bye, and that will give them the well needed edge. Culpepper throws an interception 6% of the time. So, for every 20 passes, 1 is a pick. For every touchdown he throws, he connects twice to his opponent. Panthers 24-20.

Bears (3-3) vs. Lions (3-3)
The battle for the top. At least in their division. Chicago gives up only 11 points a game. Bears, however, are 0-2 on the road this year. The Liars, I mean Lions, are 2-1 at home. Where is Barry? On average, the Bears give up 15 points a game on the road. The two have played already this year, Bears destroying Detroit 38-6. Well, I don’t see that this time, but I do see the Bears taking this one. Look for Jones to be Barry re-incarnated. The guy has 3 games already over 130 yards! I think he takes that Pink Floyd song a little seriously (Run! Run! Run…). The thing, though is the Bears passing game… or lack there of. Bears win this one: 20-10.

Sunday Night - picks from Sat and Sun

Saturday

Stars vs. Avalanche – preseason? Yes it is. After missing a few decades, Hockey is back in business. Who will win this? Who cares, its preseason. We are just interested in who is going to have the jersey pulled over their head and beaten to a pulp. Will I watch? No, I will be at the Ranger’s game. Would I watch if I wasn’t at the game? Nope. I watch hockey in the paper only. Well, maybe once in a while… but I’m not one to plan my day around it. I think a 1-1 tie on this, just for grins.

Sunday

Stars vs. Oilers - again? But they just played yesterday. I think 2-1 win for the Stars on this. Maybe I might find a nut on this, who knows.

Panthers vs. Patriots – Patriots have won 3 Supers in the last 4 years, including the last two. Panthers, well, as much as I like the mighty, mighty boss cats, I think are a little more than out-matched. Patriots over the Cats 38-14.

Bears vs. Lions – Lions and Tigers and Bears, oh my. Lions surprise with a slaughter of Green Bay in week 1. Can the bad news Bears step up? They would need a “little” more offense. Top rusher for the Bears in week 1?: Mr. Jones had 31 yards on the ground and averaged 2.1 per rush. Well, the defense for the Bears looks great. But so does the Lions. Well, let’s look at it like this, if the Bears hold the Lions to 0 points, I think they may have a chance. But I think the Bears will step up some to the challenge, but it won’t be enough. Lions over the Bears in a triple overtime thriller (just kidding) 24-10.

I just wanted to show you that I did pick, but was unable to post due to not having every game I wanted done. This is what I had by Friday. I missed on the Panthers and the Bears. Oh well. I will post again tomorrow morning/afternoon. Laters.