Reason for (Cautious) Optimism

[Southpaw]

Originally Posted by TAFKAS

I hear what you're saying. The problem is when someone says I'm as fanatical as the next fan when they win, yet I can't risk getting my heart broken by picking them to beat a better team then it's hard not to think "well how convenient for this bandwagoner"

Understand that I'm not saying you are jumping off and on a bandwagon, I'm just saying it can give that impression

For the record. I am NOT anything close to a bandwagon fan. I was positive they could beat the Seahawks last year in the playoffs, and I was crushed when they lost. Just like I was sure they were going to beat the Vikings in the opener, and I was just as crushed when they lost that game. I'm loyal to the point that it confuses me when other fans are like "the NFC East is back!!!". Why would any Redskins fan be happy about that? I hate the rest of the NFC East, and I wish they all played like the Texans.

Anyway, It's not at all that I'm scared to pick Washington, for fear of being heartbroken. I just try to look at the game realistically, and realistically, they're overmatched. It'll take near perfect execution and a good amount of luck for Washington to beat Jacksonville. I don't think having that frame of mind makes me a bandwagoner.

[Southpaw]

Originally Posted by hesscl34

You just gotta know Southpaw. He is always pessimistic, and more often that not he picks the Skins to lose... and he knows I rib him for it regularly!

I play a few football pools, and I'm actually 2-1 in picking Skins games. The only time I was wrong was when I picked them to beat the Vikings...

[hesscl34]

Originally Posted by Southpaw

I play a few football pools, and I'm actually 2-1 in picking Skins games. The only time I was wrong was when I picked them to beat the Vikings...

UM, AND when you picked them to lost to the Texans 17-10!!!

[illdefined]

Originally Posted by hesscl34

UM, AND when you picked them to lost to the Texans 17-10!!!

ouch is that true?

[Southpaw]

Originally Posted by hesscl34

UM, AND when you picked them to lost to the Texans 17-10!!!

I picked them to beat the Texans, 17-10. I was wrong about the score, but I was right about the victory. I admit they played better, than I expected in that game.

[hesscl34]

Originally Posted by Southpaw

I picked them to beat the Texans, 17-10. I was wrong about the score, but I was right about the victory. I admit they played better, than I expected in that game.

Southpaw you'll come around when we put a few Ws on the board in a row!! I look foward to it!!

[Beemnseven]

For the record, I predicted a sqeaker of a win against the Vikings, a loss to the Cowboys, and another squeaker of a win in Houston.

My best week so far in picking the games straight up was Week 2 ... I was 11-4. I sucked with my picks in Weeks 1 and 3.

Yeah, I'm pessimistic this week. I look at what the Jags did to Pittsburgh's "Fast" Willie Parker and that vaunted Steeler O-line -- held them to 26 yards rushing. Then, take a look at what they did to Peyton Manning and the Colts in Indy: 48 yards rushing, and limited Manning's production to a very un-Peyton like 14 for 31 and 219 yards passing.

Now tell me, what in anyone's right mind could convince me that our offense -- which struggled against the Vikings, was stopped cold in Dallas, with all the penalties they've racked up -- can run the ball, and pass it effectively against Stroud, Henderson and the other guys that make up one of the top defenses in the league?

I've seen nothing to make me believe otherwise. The only thing I can hope for is for the Jags to have an "off" day.

[illdefined]

Originally Posted by Beemnseven

I've seen nothing to make me believe otherwise. The only thing I can hope for is for the Jags to have a "off" day.

thats why the NFL is great. any given sunday. the belief that any team on an "on" day is better than any team on an "off" day.

while you're right Jax looks super tough, i would honestly just be happy to see this team play to their potential even if its during a squeaker loss.

[Meast]

Originally Posted by D'BOYZ

Man the 74yds play Portis run/ catch because in reality that was a run even thought technically is a pass I was screaming in the end for him to cut to the middle he had the hole field open but he wanted to go close to the sideline and got tackle.

Great play tough it really shows how different this team it's with him on the field

I was also screaming for him to cut up the middle...why the hell were you?

[hesscl34]

Originally Posted by illdefined

thats why the NFL is great. any given sunday. the belief that any team on an "on" day is better than any team on an "off" day.

while you're right Jax looks super tough, i would honestly just be happy to see this team play to their potential even if its during a squeaker loss.

Where is Coach Janky Spanky when you need him???

[onlydarksets]

Originally Posted by illdefined

while you're right Jax looks super tough, i would honestly just be happy to see this team play to their potential even if its during a squeaker loss.

OK, you lost me there. You can rationalize a loss as a "step forward" because of good play, but for a team that's not the 49ers, Texans, or Raiders, you shouldn't be content with a loss.

[illdefined]

Originally Posted by Meast

I was also screaming for him to cut up the middle...why the hell were you?

one thing warpath does is slowly convert dallas fans.

[illdefined]

Originally Posted by onlydarksets

OK, you lost me there. You can rationalize a loss as a "step forward" because of good play, but for a team that's not the 49ers, Texans, or Raiders, you shouldn't be content with a loss.

in the grand scheme of a season, they're have been plenty of times when a loss has meant more to a team than a win etc. don't get me wrong, i'm never 'content' with a loss, but seeing this year's team click on all cylinders and find its identity means everything to the season, and it can happen in a win or a loss.

[SmootSmack]

Originally Posted by Beemnseven

Now tell me, what in anyone's right mind could convince me that our offense -- which struggled against the Vikings, was stopped cold in Dallas, with all the penalties they've racked up -- can run the ball, and pass it effectively against Stroud, Henderson and the other guys that make up one of the top defenses in the league?

True, but then again I'm probably not the only one who thought Oakland had no shot at all against the Skins last year.

[Beemnseven]

Originally Posted by TAFKAS

True, but then again I'm probably not the only one who thought Oakland had no shot at all against the Skins last year.

Yep, that could have been one of the top ten upsets of the 2005 season.

But if that's what we're reduced to, hoping for a miracle, the improbable victory against a team that just happened to have an "off day", what does that tell us about this season already?