The Machine hasn’t been this excited since Draft Weekend!  Tonight’s game is a microcosm of the 2012 season; it’s chock-full of storylines, drama, hope, rivalry, despair and Tony Romo!  Here are some random thoughts that are keeping us from getting any kind of actual work done today:

• The replacement referees certainly have taken a beating during the preseason and rightfully so.  But just how bad are they really?  If you didn’t know they were ‘replacement’ referees would you be placing every call under a microscope?  Less we forget the real referees make terrible, game altering calls on a regular basis too.  These replacements aren’t immune to the scrutiny and media blood bath.  The last thing they want to be is Thursday morning’s headline.  Our prediction: they swallow the whistle for the last 4 minutes and let the players play.
• We like David Wilson’s chances of scoring a touchdown fumbling in this one.  This kid is electric a fumbler.
• Jason Spleen won’t suit up for this one.  In fact we don’t like his chances for Week 2.  In fact, if at all possible try to move him in your fantasy league; we just don’t see him finishing in the top-15 this year.
• Vegas has it Giants -3.5.  That sounds about right.  There are a lot of people out there claiming the Cowboys will win because the Giants don’t play their best football until their back is against the wall; evident by 3-1 record down the stretch last year to finish at 9-7 and their subsequent Super Bowl run.  The Machine doesn’t buy it.  While the G-men certainly embrace the ‘must-win’ edge, this veteran group will have no troubles getting up for the season opener against Jerry’s Boys.
• The real battle to watch is in the trenches.  Can the Cowboys offensive line open holes to get De Murray going early?  Can they give Romo time to throw against the best pass rush in football?
• JPP O/U 1.5 sacks.  OVER
• Prediction: Giants 27 Cowboys 23