This is the first time the Thursday night opener will feature a divisional matchup. It had been reported that the Seahawks were being considered. However, with the news that the NFL will have to move the start time up to 7pm EST, to allow NBC to cover the Republican National Convention, and John McCain's acceptance speech, it is possible that any west coast team was eliminated from consideration.
Jim Zorn will certainly start his head coaching career in the spotlight. This will either be very good for him, or very bad, however, no one will say it isn't a compelling storyline.
UPDATE-- Apparently Mike Garraffalo of the NJ Ledger didn't think so highly of a Giants/Seahawks matchup anyway.
I mentioned before I expected the league to break form here and schedule a divisional game because the next-best opponent on the home slate is Seattle. Not exactly opening the season with a bang in that one
END
Well, that's one part of my schedule prediction that's out the window. :-]
ReplyDeleteOnly 14 of our 32 openers have been in Seattle.. It would be nice if that got up to 15 this year.
Anon... Nobody likes the fact that Seattle gets treated like South Canada, but please don't use the F word on this site. Say they are a bunch of ass clowns or something, but don't go across the line.
ReplyDeleteDKSB, I will trade it all for your Thanksgiving projection to come true.
ReplyDeleteEven though it will put us at an extreme disadvantage, It would be fun to spend thanksgiving in Dallas with the Seahawks. That way I would have an excuse to escape the would be inlaws!
Good luck Zorn. That is one heck of a game!
ReplyDeleteI hope they win, but I must say I like the Giants a lot. But ranking them #2? That's not going to last long. Here is my tedious list as far as top 10 teams this year:
1. Colts - Always solid, will be over their SB year.
2. Patriots - I see them lower than this, but they have too much quality to fall beneath 8th place. CB is a big question, but 7th pick sure helps.
3. Cowboys - Tedious placement. But they have good coaching and a lot of talent.
4. Jaguars - The team to beat, great talent and grueling D.
5. Seahawks - I could see us higher, but will be conservative. Great off-season moves, and with MH in his last year, expect the best. I see Matt as a MVP candidate.
6. Giants - They were 10-6 last year, I don't expect much more than a lot of energy.
7. Browns - Their line is amazing, and offense goes from there. The D could use help, but with a good draft, they could explode.
8. Chargers - Look for them to be good, but inconsistent. Their QB just isn't much to talk about.
9. Vikings - AP brings a lot behind that mauling line. And their QB really showed class later in the year. The D is fine.
10. Packers - A. Rogers? No can do. But look for that line to really help him develop into an OK QB in his first full year. The D will be great for 1 more year.
Steelers and Bucs will be fighting in the trenches, but I just don't see Garcia holding up, and the Steelers D is on the decline.
Props to the Eagles and Redskins, they will be there when the playoffs come.
Sleepers: Broncos (Cutler ripping it up) and Jets (good off-season).
Worst: San Francisco, Falcons and Chicago.
Just some thoughts, thought I would lay out my (tedious at the moment) opinions.
I happen to think the Texans and Vikings are the sleepers of the year. Tavaris Jackson is not as bad people paint him to be, it is like nobody allows growing pains for young QBs. For some reason, I have a feeling that the Texans are going to play well for Kubiak. I see Mario and DeMeco leading the D and Andre Johnson playing a Steve Smith like role on O. Jets are not going anywhere and will swallow all that cap space in a 4-12 season.
ReplyDeleteHere's a possibility: The last two years, they've had a kickoff weekend MNF double-header featuring two west-coast teams in the late game...
ReplyDeleteCardinals @ Seahawks, 7:30 pm local time on Sept. 8th, anyone?
I would love nothing better than for DKSB to be a prophet and have a Thanksgiving game in Dallas. We have relatives out the wazoo in the Ft. Worth/Dallas area and would fly out to visit everyone and then go to the game in our Seahawk Blue.
ReplyDeleteWe would have to leave our daughter with the relatives since I've heard the Dallas crowd can be pretty gnarly.
True Story: I related a story to a friend back in Texas about the first time we attended a Seahawk game with my 85 year old father. He had never been to a professional football game and was as giddy as a schoolboy. My dad had heart and breathing issues and the only seats we could get were in the nosebleeds. While we were trying to get my dad up the stairs to our seats SLOWLY, no fewer than four sets of fans on the aisles offered to switch seats with us so my dad wouldn't have to climb up any more stairs. He graciously declined the offers and we finally made it up to our seats. Dad was dumbfounded and said, "You don't get more classy than these fans!" He already liked the Hawks, but he was a die-hard fan from that day forward.
My friends reaction to the story? (Stated proudly) "Well, no one in Texas Stadium would have done that."
Exactly.
I would like to go on record wishing Jim Zorn nothing but the best, may he go 15-1 :)
ReplyDeleteI am sure the guy in NY would not want to see the defending champs have the crap kicked outta them by a team they managed to avoid in last years playoffs..
ReplyDelete:)
Mr. Steffes...you love my parents and don't forget we would be going to the game WITH them (they of course would be cheering for the cowboys...america's team)
ReplyDelete:-)
The Seahawks don't bring enough pizazz to kickoff weekend for some ink-stained hack from jersey, do they?
ReplyDeleteHmmm... That's kinda interesting given how the last couple Seahawks/Giants games have gone, and how Seattle has dominated the mighty NFC east since 2005.
Yeah, I have to say it's gotten under my skin how little respect is given to the team with the 3rd best record in the NFL since 2003...
What an asshat! Not exactly opening with a bang--but playing the Redskins is?! Oh, when was the last time the Giants beat Seattle?! hUh?! I cant hear you Mr. Asshat writer! Thats right, years and years!
ReplyDelete