From: v077mdph@ubvmsd.cc.buffalo.edu (Snoopy)
Newsgroups: rec.sport.football.pro
Subject: Re: One fan's opinion on the big one
Date: 26 Jan 93 19:40:00 GMT
Distribution: na
Organization: University at Buffalo
News-Software: VAX/VMS VNEWS 1.41

In article <1993Jan26.073927.21780@netcom.com>, gordons@netcom.com (Gordon
Storga) writes...
><44038@sdcc12.ucsd.edu> kprashan@sdcc3.ucsd.edu (hyderabadi) writes:
> 
>Ok.  No flames, just my counter-opinion.
>>Buffalo
>>Offense: Explosive passing game, feeds off the running game, great RB 
>>         and backup, QB will take chances.
> 
>Inconsistent on all counts, either due to injuries or mental errors.

	Inconsistent mainly due to errors by Kelly, and he seems to have
improved.

>>Defense: Superstars who play a lot on emotion, physical up front, solid LBs
>>         and average secondary.
> 
>Again, very suspect.  How many points did they give up to Houston?  That
>wasn't that long ago.

	I don't think so.  True, the Bills gave up 35 points in little over a
half, and another 3 while in a prevent defense.  For most of that second half,
though, they gave up nothing.  Also, the defense virtually won the game at
Miami, and did well against Pittsburgh.

>>Dallas
>>Offense: Controlled aggression, great set of WRs+TE, great RB, 
>>         conservative QB who won't lose the game for you by forcing passes.
> 
>Agreed.  Coaching is the concern here (at least, my concern).
> 
>>Defense: Solid, average pass-rush, secondary could be a weak point if
>>         the line can't put enough pressure, good run defense.
> 
>That "average pass rush" helped Dallas to #1 defensively in 3rd down
>conversion, when your pass rush is usually the most tested.  Not a good
>interception team, but they limit your average yards per pass play real
>well.  And BTW, that is the #1 defense against the run, and it faced
>some of the better running games in the league.

	The Dallas pass rush isn't all that great.  They had a good defense in
spite of it, rather than because of it.

[stuff deleted for lack of comments on my part]

>>          How will Dallas' defense react to the no-huddle? We don't know.
> 
>I tend to think of the no-huddle as an offense in thrid-and-long all the
>time.  Dallas has the top defense in passing situations.

	I think this is important for Buffalo.  Dallas relies very heavily on
situation substitutions.  Getting the interval between plays down to 10-15
seconds will make it virtually impossible for Dallas substitute defensively.
That great third-down defense won't be on the field then.  I would expect this
kind of offense to confuse and fatigue the Dallas defenders.

>>Dallas can't afford to fall behind by 10+ points, their offense takes
>>time to score. 

	Very true.

>Tell that to Alvin Harper - their last TD drive against SF went length 
>of the field in 39 seconds.  The difference in offenses here is that
>Dallas can use up the clock when they need to.

	Dallas can move the ball quickly if they have to, but their offense
really isn't meant for that situation.  Moreover, the Bills can run out the
clock if they want to.  Their offensive line is better than Dallas's, and they
have two excellent running backs.

>>               Buffalo is the only AFC team that can physically match Dallas 
>>up front on both the offensive and defensive lines.
> 
>Probably true.
> 
>>Should be a doozy.. take Buffalo +7
> 
>I don't see anyway Dallas can lose, but I've watched the NFL long enough
>to know that there are no guarentees.  It should be a great game, but a
>big third quarter from Dallas will ice it early.

	I think a truly objective analysis shows this to be a very closely
matched set of teams.  Also, they haven't really played against one another.
Those two factors are my reasons for thinking it will be a great game.

>Gordon

Snoopy