Game Preview/Predictions

[DH]

So I'm sitting in bed last night thinking about Sunday's game (Eagles/Houston; not Mets/Dodgers) and I was trying to get a grasp on what was going to go down. Since XL, both teams have made some moves –some good, some questionable, some that make you say hmmm. From the Eagles perspective, we've had a pretty successful offseason what with the draft, free agency and the sprinkling of trades here and there that landed us Donte', Baskett, etc. Not to mention the banishment of you know who.

Houston had an interesting offseason, too. I dont think theres a person in the world who thinks they shouldn't have drafted Reggie Bush now, but I think their draft class will turn out to be a good one nonetheless. Ryans, Winston and Spencer were all solid additions to a team that is also sporting a new coach from a fairly successful program. Throw Eric Moulds onto the field and Houston looks a lot better than they did a year ago.

So, how does all this translate onto the field on Sunday? farged if I know, but here's what I see going down...

Offense:
I feel more comfortable with this offense than I did in any of the pre-TO years. Now I know that's not saying much, but it's a positive nonetheless. Adding Stallworth to this offense was a must, and all the other WR's should benefit from it. Well, maybe not Greggie but you get the point. Figure Stallworth and Reggie to catch between 10-12 balls between them, and score a TD or two. Anything Baskett and/or Avant can provide on top will just be gravy. LJ will start his Pro-Bowl campaign with a bang. I see a big game from him. Coming out party, maybe? Westbrook's health scares me, as does the backup situation, but as long as 36 and 28 can stay healthy (which I can't imagine happening for 16 games) we'll be in decent shape. I see 36 carrying the ball about 20 times, with Buck and Tapeh sprinkled in the mix on short yardage situations. The O-Line is as good as we've seen it in a while. As long as Runyan and Thomas can hold Mario and Weaver in check, I think the guys in the middle will be able to protect the lanes. They should also be able to create some running room for the backs. Donovan is Donovan. If all the pieces fall into place, I expect him to put up MVP type numbers.
Houstons offense is a weird one. David Carr can count the number of tiles on the ceiling of Reliant Stadium, but when he stays on his feet, he's proven to be a serviceable QB. Not worthy of a #1 pick, but he can do the job. If he can get protection, I can see him having a decent afternoon. Andre Johnson should bounce back from last year, and I expect him to have a big day on Sunday. He'll be the WR Carr locks in on when Moulds is smothered. I can see Johnson having over 100 yards and a TD. Outside of Johnson and Moulds, Houston doesn't have a WR on the roster that has done much in the NFL. The WR's need to play well, because I can't imagine Wali Lundy making much of a difference. I just hope he doesnt turn into a James Mungro on us. Behind Lundy, Vernand Morency and good ol' Ron Dayne should get some touches, but the running game is something that should be snuffed out early and often. Houstons O-Line is a work in progress with Charles Spencer slated to start at LT, and the possibility of Eric Winston flanking him on the right side. This is something that needs to taken advantage of – the pressure needs to be put on ALL DAY LONG.

Advantage: Eagles

Defense:
I love the Birds D. With the exception of the LB spot, I'm hard pressed to find any holes. The front 4 have looked strong through the summer, and getting Bunkley in to give Darwin a blow is going to be a refreshing sight. Howard's versatility around the line is a major plus, and hopefully he can help Kearse get back to his freak ways. The secondary is back, and hopefully ready to get back to its 04' form. If they play like they did pre-05, we should see a couple of coverage sacks and hurries on Carr. You can also bank on Carr throwing a few bad balls a game, so I'd predict a few picks are in the DB's future come Sunday. As far as the LB's are concerned, I'd say I'm a bit worried for the duration of the season, but not so much for Sunday. Trot will be animal as always, and I'm hoping Dhani and his poor tackling ability is masked by the play of the rest of the D. I'm excited to see McCoy flying around the field, and to see Gaither play in nickel situations. As long as they can minimize the mental errors, it's a successful afternoon for the young LB's. Should be interesting.
I like Houstons D. They have an above average front 4, with the potential to become a very good front 4 in the near future. Although he's not Reggie Bush, Mario Williams should turn out to be a real good end, and flanked by Anthony Weaver they make a dangerous set of DE's to protect against. Seth Payne and Travis Johnson (who I wanted in the draft last year) are big loads in the middle and can play the run fairly well too. Payne can also get to the QB, so Jamaal better be ready for action. I think Payne and Mario will cause some problems on the right side. The DB's are shaky and that's a great thing for us. Dunta Robinson is OK, but after that you have Lewis Sanders, Dexter McCleon and Phil Buchanon. I not scared of any of those guys...even with our WR's. Houston's LB's are average. I like Morlon Greenwood, but he's moving to the weakside to make room for rookie DeMeco Ryans. Starting the rook at MLB is definitely the way to go for the Texans, but you know he'll make his share of mistakes come gametime. Shante Orr is decent, but again this isnt a crop of LB's I'd be afraid of. 

Edge: Eagles

Special Teams:
You know what youre getting with Akers and Dirk. No analysis needed. KR and PR should be status quo w/ the exception of Mahe possibily not being able to go. Should be interesting seeing Lito back there.
Kris Brown & Chad Stanley your typical K/P duo. Phil Buchanon can return with some serious speed and that's something that concerns me. I have a bad feeling he's going to run one back.

Edge: Even

Prediction:
I think we'll win the game...I'm just not sure how. This is the first season in a while where I can't get a gauge on how this team will finish the year; or perform in games for that matter. I can see us taking it to them, or just squeaking it out in the end. If we play to our capability, I see a fairly competitive first half, and then a pull-away victory in the second. Donovan goes 23-34, 247 yards, 2 TD; Stallworth and LJ each catch one for 6, and the D takes one to the house. I'll guess a forced fumble by Juqua, recovered by Dawk and taken the distance. Carr goes 21-39, 229 yards, 1 TD & 2 INTs. Andre Johnson has a big day with over 100 yards and a TD. Buchanon runs one back.

Eagles 27 Houston 14

[Diomedes]

...I can't imagine Wali Lundy making much of a difference. I just hope he doesnt turn into a James Mungro on us.

Ouch.  Painful memory.

[reese125]

I see 36 carrying the ball about 20 times

I dont want to see this..hes not that kind of back

[rjs246]

I would bet anyone on this board $20 that Westbrook won't get 20 carries in this game.

[PoopyfaceMcGee]

I would bet anyone on this board $20 that Westbrook won't get 20 carries in this game.

I'd set the O/U at 17, so 20's not out of the question.

[Magical_Retard]

more like 20 carries for the whole RB crew, not counting mcnabb.

[PhillyPhanInDC]

I'm betting he meant 20 touches. 

[phillywin2k5]

considering hes coming off a sprain i wouldnt take that bet either. Besides they will be giving Buckhalter and Tapeh a few carries between them as well. I see Westy with 13-14 carries Buck with 5 and Tapeh with 2, Moats possibly with one.

[DH]

I don't think it's out of the question for him to carry the ball 20 times. A little high? Yea, but not impossible.

[reese125]

expect a blowout if he get 20 carries (he is injured) and the other RB's get 7+. I dont expect a blowout here in this game

[DH]

He's injured? Hmmmm.

Where the hell have I been all summer?

[PoopyfaceMcGee]

He's injured? Hmmmm.

Where the hell have I been all summer?

Busy following your favorite sports team.

Also, your avatar's on IR.

[DH]

Damn, I'm missing everything.

I cant wait for baseball season to end so I can get back to paying attention to football.

[rjs246]

Anyone who neglects the NFL preseason in favor of baseball should be evicted from Earth.

[DH]

Anyone who neglects the NFL preseason in favor of baseball should be evicted from Earth.

SRLSY!

Did I do that right, Fred?