Hello football fans,

I know your as excited as I am that Thursday night football is once again here to make Thursdays actually meaningful. I love Thursday football, especially when its two teams that have had a full week to prepare for the game (I think they should have it all year long using the teams that are on the previous bye-week to play the next week on Thurs, but thats another blog). This weeks matchup promises to be a battle of two powerhouses which both have near guarenteed playoff clinches of homefield with a win.

What to Expect: While everyone willbe watching the onfield play, the more significant contributor to this may be the players who will remain off the field. Coming into this matchup DAL is by far the healthier team, with only Patrick Crayton being slightly banged up, but the teams #2 WO should be back to full strength after a week off. GB on the other hand has several quite noteworthy injuries to mention. First and foremost is Charles Woodson, who will likely be forced back into action at significantly less than %100. This is significant in that GB has two of the best shutdown cornerbacks in the league in Woodson and Harris, and if Woodson doesnt play or is somewhat less effective than normal then this creates a mismatch for T.O. (who has scored at least one TD in his past 6 games) in the secondary. The play of the CBs will factor largely on this game, as the GB defense has put up at least one INT in 16 of their last 17 games. Safety Nick Collins figures to play this week but will also be playing injuried which will further contribute to the problems in the secondary. The last significant banged up player is DE Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila. Biamila factors largely into one of the best pass rushes in the league with his 9.5 sacks already this season, his play will be necessary to continue it's success. Tony Romo is a playmaker and GBs 18th ranked pass defense will need key players like Biamila to put adequate pressure Romo and the 5th ranked pass offense, which should exploit the weakened secondary. This game promises to be an exciting one, as both teams rely a great deal on the pass (especially the deep play), while DAL actually has a running game with Barber. Look for GB to attempt to exploit Roy Williams, however if this starts to work look for DAL to bring him help over the top. This game will be a battle of man-coverage, which both teams are no stranger to. Both teams are pass-oriented, so look for a significant amount of points to be scored, as both teams have receiving depth and several deep threats and neither is especially good against the pass ( DAL #21 ranked and GB #18 ranked). The difference I believe will be in the running game, which will enable DAL more managable third downs and allow easier conversion of those third downs, while GB will struggle in this discipline with a league worst 32nd ranked rushing game which should produce a great deal of 2nd and 3rd and long yardage situations.

History: As you all can read by checking any sports-related website, the history significantly favors Dallas. Here we go, Brett Favre has NEVER won in DAL, and GB has been dominated ever since Favres debut in the league in 1991 (in that time Favre has won 2 games vs DAL, both were @ Lambeau Field). GB has on the otherhand won 7 straight road games, looking for a franchise record 8th straight. DAL has won every game this season with the exception of a defeat to the hands down best team in the league the NewEngland Patzillas.

Pick: I look for Romo to have all day in the pocket and even when pressure comes to be able to scramble and make something happen. The DAL offense being too dominant especially in terms of their ability to control the ball and the game via the run. I see Favre having a solid day, but the GB offense not being able to keep up with the DAL firepower as their defense will not be able to stop Romo. Also i believe GB will lose the turnover battle will may have a huge impact on the final result. DAL -7 ; 35-21 DAL

Thats all for me until the wkend, lets start the week off right. you know its time to stack that money.

cheers.

christner