Recap Review Week 10
Cowboys win 27-10.
Predicted score: Cowboys 17-0
Since the list of inaccuracies is so long after this recap
gone awry, we might as well start there. First, the obvious: the predicted
starting-QB match-up pitted John Navarre and Drew Bledsoe (at least Warner was
predicted to be out, albeit not for the predicted reason). Instead, rookie Matt Leinart went head-to-head with Tony Romo, who again showed his mettle in just
his third start of the season. And unlike what the recap says, the Cards won’t
be welcoming Kurt Warner back anytime soon, either.
Another glaring error was the predicted Arizona defensive
effort. The expectation that this unit would at least slow the Dallas offense
was never met as Romo and company rolled throughout the game. This coming
despite a slow, sloppy start for the inexperienced quarterback who floated
several ducks in the early going, including an ill-advised fake spike that
Antrel Rolle should have picked and taken 99 yards for a TD, but instead dropped
the sure INT. There was little if any pressure applied to the Cowboys QB
throughout the contest and that showed as Romo became both more comfortable and
effective as the game wore on.
Also, the Cardinals quarterback play was better than was
thought (20 of 38 for 216 yards, 2 INT; predicted: 11 of 29 for 101 yards and 4
INT), but not nearly enough to be competitive. This was a poor performance that
was forced by relentless pressure, despite the defense only registering one sack
all game. The true nemesis of Leinart, however, was the solid play of the Dallas
secondary, with the exception of two big plays - one to Larry Fitzgerald and
Anquan Boldin each.
In the he-got-it-right department, the pickings are slim.
Although the Cardinals did manage to score points, they still lost by 17, as was
predicted. Generally speaking, this was a mismatch that was never in question,
which was expected. Arizona was only competitive in this one until the opening
kickoff. After that point, it was very evident who was controlling this contest,
and it wasn’t the Redbirds.
Of course, if given the opportunity to hedge bets, the
recaps would be undergoing major revisions to reflect the QB decision. Arizona
fans may want to buckle up as this game may be indicative of what they’ll face
for the remainder of the season. These are the results you can expect from an
average team that is being led by a rookie quarterback.
On Tap:
No, the Lions aren’t surprising anyone this year and they
sure aren’t 5-4, but they do have the ability to score points and could make
this season even more depressing by stealing one from the Cards on the road. At
least we know that there will be no undue pressure on the Redbirds in regards to
the playoffs, as they have been all but mathematically eliminated from
contention. If there are going to be any good feelings about this season at all,
Leinart will need to pick up a couple victories as starter. This is a game that
the rookie QB needs to win, if for nothing more than a building block of
confidence.