The headline says it all. Tonight's contest between the top two teams in the NFC South has all the makings of the best Monday Night Football game of the season. Two top-notch quarterbacks, two high-flying offenses, and quite alot at stake should make this a terrific game. If the Falcons win, they clinch the NFC's top seed, and a coveted first-round bye. The Saints, on the other hand, remain solidly in the playoff picture, but need a victory to avoid a season sweep by their rival. On that note, a loss backs New Orleans up against a wall-depending on how league play shakes out, they would need to win their season finale against the competitive Bucaneers, a team that's also fighting for their playoff lives.
A key number in this game:19-1. That's Matt Ryan's record at home as a starter, and that gives him a significant advantage tonight. That also works against the Saints, who struggled on the road last week against the Ravens' vaunted rushing attack. When it comes to that department, Atlanta also has the edge, as they rush for an average of nearly 123 yards per game, eighth-best in the league. If RB Michael Turner gets at least 25 carries and a score (as he has in two of Atlanta's past three games, both wins), I predict a Falcons victory.
On the other hand, if both teams rev up their respective aerial attacks, the points will fly. In that type of a contest, I think the defending Super Bowl champs have the edge-they know how to pull out close victories, as they've shown in games against Dallas and Cincinnati this year. Any comments or thoughts on the game? Feel free to post below, and read Beau Knows later this week for a complete look at the upcoming Michigan State-Alabama Capital One Bowl.
--Beau
Showing posts with label NFL. Show all posts
Showing posts with label NFL. Show all posts
Monday, December 27, 2010
Sunday, December 26, 2010
National Football League Preview
Week 16 in the NFL is upon us, and as always the pressure on teams to produce and perform is enormous. That's certainly the case this week, as there are several key games kicking off, each with post-season implications.
The most notable of these games in my mind is the looming Jets-Bears duel at 1:00pm. The Bears are 10-4 and control their own destiny in the NFC North after a powerful dismantiling of the rival Vikings-they got excellent play across the board from their offense (Jay Cutler delivered multiple scores and threw no picks), defense (that unit held the Vikes to 14 points), and special teams (Devin Hester exploded on a second-half punt return for a score). A similar effort will be needed if the Bears want to replicate results like that on Sunday. The Jets, on the other hand, are nearly as good as the Michael Vick-led Eagles that Chicago knocked off so convincingly earlier this year, and they have the recent victories to prove it.
They're riding a decisive win last weekend over the Steelers, and staying on the road today shouldn't be that tough for a Rex Ryan team that's 11-4 under him in games away from the Meadowlands. A more important factor is the weather, and specifically, the wind conditions at Soldier Field. How accurately will Mark Sanchez be able to deliver the ball under pressure from Julius Peppers and strong wind gusts? We'll have to wait and see.
In the NFC West, things are still very tight, and the Rams and 49ers head into today's clash each needing to win to stay alive. St. Louis and the Seahawks sit atop the NFL's worst division with six wins each, but San Fran can keep themselves in it if they knock off Sam Bradford and Co. today. The rookie has performed admirably this season, delivering 17 touchdowns and topping 3,000 yards. What's more, if he leads the Rams to victory today. they'll have surpassed their win total from the previous three years combined-if that's not motivating, I'm not sure what is. These two squads are nearly even in rushing, passing, and total yards per game, so the deciding factor could be special teams-the Rams average nearly 25 yards a kickoff return, while the 49ers bring it back just a shade over 21 yards on average. In a game of inches, that could make all the difference.
Despite their struggles this season, the Colts also have a shot at a nice finish to the year, in a contest that should have the atmosphere of a playoff game. Peyton Manning leads the Colts into Oakland looking to wrestle away the AFC South from the Jaguars-if they win today, they do just that. The performance of Manning will clearly be key in that one, as he has a passer rating that's 20 points higher on the road than at home. On the opposite sideline, Oakland needs to ride Darren McFadden hard-his versatility in running for 100 yards while at the same time catching four passes was key in their win over the Broncos last week, and they desperately need standout play from him today. The former Arkansas star could easily hit those numbers though, as Indy's defense will be playing without anchors Dwight Freeney, Robert Mathis, and Gary Brackett. I wouldn't be altogether shocked to see Oakland take down the Colts, but as long as Manning is that the helm, I don't see that happening.
With every week, the pressure grows. With every game, playoff implications shift, and the entire season boils down to one thing: victories. Win and stay alive. Lose and see opportunities slip from your grasp. Most teams today have one shot at survival....who will seize it?
--Beau
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| Jets QB Mark Sanchez will start today in Chicago despite a sore throwing shoulder. Photo courtesy of rotoworld.com |
They're riding a decisive win last weekend over the Steelers, and staying on the road today shouldn't be that tough for a Rex Ryan team that's 11-4 under him in games away from the Meadowlands. A more important factor is the weather, and specifically, the wind conditions at Soldier Field. How accurately will Mark Sanchez be able to deliver the ball under pressure from Julius Peppers and strong wind gusts? We'll have to wait and see.
In the NFC West, things are still very tight, and the Rams and 49ers head into today's clash each needing to win to stay alive. St. Louis and the Seahawks sit atop the NFL's worst division with six wins each, but San Fran can keep themselves in it if they knock off Sam Bradford and Co. today. The rookie has performed admirably this season, delivering 17 touchdowns and topping 3,000 yards. What's more, if he leads the Rams to victory today. they'll have surpassed their win total from the previous three years combined-if that's not motivating, I'm not sure what is. These two squads are nearly even in rushing, passing, and total yards per game, so the deciding factor could be special teams-the Rams average nearly 25 yards a kickoff return, while the 49ers bring it back just a shade over 21 yards on average. In a game of inches, that could make all the difference.
Despite their struggles this season, the Colts also have a shot at a nice finish to the year, in a contest that should have the atmosphere of a playoff game. Peyton Manning leads the Colts into Oakland looking to wrestle away the AFC South from the Jaguars-if they win today, they do just that. The performance of Manning will clearly be key in that one, as he has a passer rating that's 20 points higher on the road than at home. On the opposite sideline, Oakland needs to ride Darren McFadden hard-his versatility in running for 100 yards while at the same time catching four passes was key in their win over the Broncos last week, and they desperately need standout play from him today. The former Arkansas star could easily hit those numbers though, as Indy's defense will be playing without anchors Dwight Freeney, Robert Mathis, and Gary Brackett. I wouldn't be altogether shocked to see Oakland take down the Colts, but as long as Manning is that the helm, I don't see that happening.
With every week, the pressure grows. With every game, playoff implications shift, and the entire season boils down to one thing: victories. Win and stay alive. Lose and see opportunities slip from your grasp. Most teams today have one shot at survival....who will seize it?
--Beau
Tuesday, December 14, 2010
Vikings-Giants and Ravens-Texans
Counter to my belief, Brett Favre's streak of consecutive starts came to an end last night, and without Favre under center, the Vikings struggled mightily on both sides of the ball. His replacement, Tarvaris Jackson, completed just 50% of his passes and threw one pick, and after leaving the game in third quarter, HIS replacement, third-stringer Joe Web, passed for a mere eight yards on two completions.
The winning quarterback didn't play much better, as Eli Manning tossed two interceptions and put up just 187 yards through the air.
But, the key to the Giants' win last night was their ground game. The G-Men ran for 213 net yards, thanks to efforts from Ahmad Bradshaw and Brandon Jacobs. If they get that kind of production from those two backs every game (and particularly next week against Philadelphia), they'll be in good position to knock off the Eagles in that divisional race,as they currently sit tied up. The magnitude of that rivalry will definitely be amplified going into this weekend's showdown.
As good as New York was on the ground, the Vikings were equally bad at getting their own running game going. The Giants' efforts in holding Adrian Peterson to 26 yards were extremely impressive, and I'm interested to see how they'll contain dual-threat QB Michael Vick on Sunday.
The second game had a much more dramatic finish, if not the same drama surrounding the players (i.e. Brett Favre). Despite Matt Schaub's Herculean efforts in carrying the Texans back from an 21-point deficit, it was his mistake that led to a Houston loss, as Josh Wilson took back his errant throw for the Ravens' final, sudden-death score. That loss marks the fourth time this season that Gary Kubiak's team has come back from at least 14 points down to either tie or lead....and lost.
The comeback wasn't all Schaub, however. Andre Johnson took over the game as well, hauling in nine passes for 140 yards and two touchdowns, one of them a deep bomb in which he burned Ravens safety Ed Reed. But, the former Miami Hurricane would come up even bigger, as he snagged a Schaub throw in the back of the endzone to pull the Texans within two. Those two plays, along with his overall effort, were among the better efforts I've seen from a receiver this year.
The fact that the Texans completed 31 throws on the Ravens' secondary (on a whopping 61 attempts), exposed that unit, yet it wasn't enough, and at this point that's perhaps the biggest thing that can be said about the Texans right now. In a game where they had all the momentum, they couldn't take advantage of their opportunity to seize control.
Jon Harbaugh's crew, on the other hand, ultimately did just that thanks to big plays. While Joe Flacco did connect with veteran Derrick Mason for two scores, Baltimore got its biggest boost off of a David Reed kick return, and the Wilson pick-six to end the game. The cornerback's positioning and great read on the throw gave him a shot, and the rest is history.
The way they achieved it wasn't the prettiest game the Ravens have ever played, but a 'W' in the win column certainly looks good this late in the season.
--Beau
The winning quarterback didn't play much better, as Eli Manning tossed two interceptions and put up just 187 yards through the air.
But, the key to the Giants' win last night was their ground game. The G-Men ran for 213 net yards, thanks to efforts from Ahmad Bradshaw and Brandon Jacobs. If they get that kind of production from those two backs every game (and particularly next week against Philadelphia), they'll be in good position to knock off the Eagles in that divisional race,as they currently sit tied up. The magnitude of that rivalry will definitely be amplified going into this weekend's showdown.
As good as New York was on the ground, the Vikings were equally bad at getting their own running game going. The Giants' efforts in holding Adrian Peterson to 26 yards were extremely impressive, and I'm interested to see how they'll contain dual-threat QB Michael Vick on Sunday.
The second game had a much more dramatic finish, if not the same drama surrounding the players (i.e. Brett Favre). Despite Matt Schaub's Herculean efforts in carrying the Texans back from an 21-point deficit, it was his mistake that led to a Houston loss, as Josh Wilson took back his errant throw for the Ravens' final, sudden-death score. That loss marks the fourth time this season that Gary Kubiak's team has come back from at least 14 points down to either tie or lead....and lost.
The comeback wasn't all Schaub, however. Andre Johnson took over the game as well, hauling in nine passes for 140 yards and two touchdowns, one of them a deep bomb in which he burned Ravens safety Ed Reed. But, the former Miami Hurricane would come up even bigger, as he snagged a Schaub throw in the back of the endzone to pull the Texans within two. Those two plays, along with his overall effort, were among the better efforts I've seen from a receiver this year.
The fact that the Texans completed 31 throws on the Ravens' secondary (on a whopping 61 attempts), exposed that unit, yet it wasn't enough, and at this point that's perhaps the biggest thing that can be said about the Texans right now. In a game where they had all the momentum, they couldn't take advantage of their opportunity to seize control.
Jon Harbaugh's crew, on the other hand, ultimately did just that thanks to big plays. While Joe Flacco did connect with veteran Derrick Mason for two scores, Baltimore got its biggest boost off of a David Reed kick return, and the Wilson pick-six to end the game. The cornerback's positioning and great read on the throw gave him a shot, and the rest is history.
The way they achieved it wasn't the prettiest game the Ravens have ever played, but a 'W' in the win column certainly looks good this late in the season.
--Beau
Monday, December 13, 2010
Monday Night Football "Doubleheader"
For the first time since 2005, a second, unscheduled Monday night game will be played right alongside ESPN's prime time contest. For the second time in as many instances, the game was moved because of Mother Nature, and it speaks to the NFL's efficiency that they were able to come up with a solution so efficiently once again.
The Vikings and Giants kick off the first of two contests this evening. However, neither squad will have home-field advantage, as Roger Goodell acted quickly to move the game to Detroit following the collapse of the Metrodome. You have to wonder how both teams will be affected by this last-minute change in plans, and although Tom Coughlin is a skilled motivator and task-master, I believe we'll see more of an effect on the Giants, who flew halfway back across the country just to play this one after spending a night in Kansas City.
The biggest storyline on the Vikings’ sideline, however, is undoubtedly Brett Favre, as it typically is. The ailing quarterback said he wouldn’t have played had the game been held on Sunday, and he remains a last-minute decision , according to interim coach Leslie Frazier. As recently as this afternoon though, the Vikes’ coach said it was “doubtful” that he would play. Although Tarvaris Jackson was effective in leading the Vikings to a win over the Bills, he did toss three picks. Say what you will about Favre and his play this season, but his experience clearly puts him ahead of the fifth-year back-up, and with Minnesota fighting for their playoff lives, they need him under center. However, as of right now, it looks like Jackson will start for Minnesota.
Just an hour and ten minutes after those two teams kick off, the Ravens and Texans will go toe-to-toe. After losing control of the AFC North following a loss to the Steelers, Baltimore will undoubtedly need a better offensive output- in falling to Pittsburgh by three points, the Ravens gained just 269 total yards on offense.
However, the Texans need this one even worse than the Ravens. At 5-7, Houston is on the outside looking in at the playoff picture, despite a 1,230-yard effort from unheralded running back Arian Foster. A win tonight rides not only on his shoulders, but on the arm of QB Matt Schaub. In four of their five wins, he’s thrown at least two touchdowns, and in three of those same wins, Foster has topped 100 yards. To keep pace with the Ravens, that duo will have to play at a high level. Along with strong offensive contributions, Gary Kubiak and defensive coordinator Frank Bush (now on the sidelines instead of the coaching booth) will need to orchestrate a quick turnaround for a unit that’s given up an average of 388.9 yards per game.
With both contests overlapping tonight, it’ll be a busy time across the country. Check back here tomorrow for a wrap-up of those games and more thoughts from the wide world of sports.
--Beau
Sunday, December 5, 2010
College Football and the NFL In Review
This past Saturday, we saw a whole slate of college football games with titles on the line. On the other hand, today in the NFL, no actual championships were played for, yet there were clear reminders that in effect, a title is always on the line in this league-one loss can shift the balance of power, and make or break a team's season.
Looking at college football's Championship Saturday, several teams stayed true to form, and played their way into marquee bowl games. The Auburn Tigers ran away from South Carolina on their way to a 56-17 SEC championship game victory and BCS National Championship berth. That effort was perhaps the most impressive of any all weekend, as the Tigers seized control with three first-quarter scores, and allowed the Gamecocks only 10 points the rest of the way. Despite the controversy surrounding Tigers star Cam Newton, I believe we'll see him accept the Heisman Trophy in New York City next weekend, as a result of his performances in both the title game and throughout the season.
The Tigers' opponent in that BCS championship game, the Oregon Ducks, also paved their way to Glendale with a decisive win, knocking off Oregon State in Corvallis by 17. In this instance, there is no BCS controversy whatsoever. The two best teams in the country, both undefeated, will square off in the national title game, a contest which promises lots of offensive fireworks.
In other championship games, Oklahoma delivered an upset by knocking off a highly-touted Nebraska team. The fact that the Sooners got to Husker QB Taylor Martinez seven times on defense is impressive, and the fact that they rallied to win after being down by as much as 17 is equally astounding. Bob Stoops' crew now have until New Year's Day to prepare for a 4-loss Connecticut team coming off a narrow win over South Florida. That could be one of the more lopsided games in BCS bowl history if the Sooners play full-throttle against what should be an overmatched UConn team.
Across the country, Virginia Tech punched its own ticket to a BCS bowl by beating FSU in Charlotte. Hokies QB and ACC Player of the Year Tyrod Taylor was instrumental in that win, setting the Va. Tech single-season record for TD passes with three scoring throws in leading Tech to a 44-33 victory, and a trip to the Orange Bowl.
The weekend's impressive football action didn't stop on Saturday, however. The Saints and Bengals played one of the better games of the day in battling to a 23-20 decision. New Orleans showed toughness and focus in delivering a win, and despite the hype surrounding Terell Owens and Chad Ochocinco, Cincy hasn't been able to win ballgames this year.
In another notable game, the Indianapolis Colts now find their playoff hopes in jeopardy after a narrow overtime loss to the Cowboys. Indy fell behind 17-0 early in uncharacteristic fashion, and Peyton Manning's four-interception effort certainly didn't help their comeback cause. More surprisingly, Manning found his top target, Reggie Wayne, 14 times for a total of 200 yards, and yet still found himself on the losing end.
Looking at other teams who've experienced struggles, the Denver Broncos dropped their eighth straight game this year, falling to the Chiefs in a 10-6 defensive struggle. That team is a far cry from the squad that opened last year on a six-game win streak.
But, next week and later on this season, we might see stories like these reversed-champions will fall, winners will cede control to their rivals, and as always, the games will go on. For more on the world of pro and college sports, keep reading later this week.
--Beau
Looking at college football's Championship Saturday, several teams stayed true to form, and played their way into marquee bowl games. The Auburn Tigers ran away from South Carolina on their way to a 56-17 SEC championship game victory and BCS National Championship berth. That effort was perhaps the most impressive of any all weekend, as the Tigers seized control with three first-quarter scores, and allowed the Gamecocks only 10 points the rest of the way. Despite the controversy surrounding Tigers star Cam Newton, I believe we'll see him accept the Heisman Trophy in New York City next weekend, as a result of his performances in both the title game and throughout the season.
The Tigers' opponent in that BCS championship game, the Oregon Ducks, also paved their way to Glendale with a decisive win, knocking off Oregon State in Corvallis by 17. In this instance, there is no BCS controversy whatsoever. The two best teams in the country, both undefeated, will square off in the national title game, a contest which promises lots of offensive fireworks.
In other championship games, Oklahoma delivered an upset by knocking off a highly-touted Nebraska team. The fact that the Sooners got to Husker QB Taylor Martinez seven times on defense is impressive, and the fact that they rallied to win after being down by as much as 17 is equally astounding. Bob Stoops' crew now have until New Year's Day to prepare for a 4-loss Connecticut team coming off a narrow win over South Florida. That could be one of the more lopsided games in BCS bowl history if the Sooners play full-throttle against what should be an overmatched UConn team.
Across the country, Virginia Tech punched its own ticket to a BCS bowl by beating FSU in Charlotte. Hokies QB and ACC Player of the Year Tyrod Taylor was instrumental in that win, setting the Va. Tech single-season record for TD passes with three scoring throws in leading Tech to a 44-33 victory, and a trip to the Orange Bowl.
The weekend's impressive football action didn't stop on Saturday, however. The Saints and Bengals played one of the better games of the day in battling to a 23-20 decision. New Orleans showed toughness and focus in delivering a win, and despite the hype surrounding Terell Owens and Chad Ochocinco, Cincy hasn't been able to win ballgames this year.
In another notable game, the Indianapolis Colts now find their playoff hopes in jeopardy after a narrow overtime loss to the Cowboys. Indy fell behind 17-0 early in uncharacteristic fashion, and Peyton Manning's four-interception effort certainly didn't help their comeback cause. More surprisingly, Manning found his top target, Reggie Wayne, 14 times for a total of 200 yards, and yet still found himself on the losing end.
Looking at other teams who've experienced struggles, the Denver Broncos dropped their eighth straight game this year, falling to the Chiefs in a 10-6 defensive struggle. That team is a far cry from the squad that opened last year on a six-game win streak.
But, next week and later on this season, we might see stories like these reversed-champions will fall, winners will cede control to their rivals, and as always, the games will go on. For more on the world of pro and college sports, keep reading later this week.
--Beau
Sunday, November 28, 2010
Any Given Sunday...
Across the NFL, so many different story lines can unfold in a huge number of ways, on any possible day. We get the opportunity to see stars rise to prominence, and teams fall from grace. We see the rewards of hard work, and the cautionary tales of overblown egos, and things like these can be seen in each and every game, no matter the final score.
Among the rising stars, we saw a great duel between two under-30 quarterbacks in Matt Ryan and Aaron Rodgers. The two gunslingers combined to go 50-of-63 for 541 yards and 2 TD's, and each displayed impressive arm strength and mobility. However, Ryan got the better of Rodgers in this showdown, and played cool under pressure in leading the Falcons down the field for the eventual game-winning field goal. The 20-17 win by Atlanta drops the Packers to second place in the NFC North, and leaves the Bears in sole possession of first place in that division.
On that note, despite the Eagles' loss to Chicago, Michael Vick looked like a high-caliber NFL quarterback, both in the pocket and on the run. The former Falcons star topped 300 yards passing for the second game this season, and put both touch and zip on passes all across the field in completing 29 throws to eight different receivers. In addition to that, Vick was Philadelphia's second-leading rusher, and put Philly in the game late with an on-the-money scoring throw to TE Brent Celek.
His counterpart, Jay Cutler, rose to the occasion and displayed serious competitive fire in leading the Bears to their fourth straight win. If Cutler has many more four-touchdown, zero-interception performances (as he did today), Chicago will be tough to beat the rest of the way.
We also got the chance to see several close games between hard-charging teams. The Buffalo Bills stayed with the Ben Roethlisberger-led Steelers step for step, right into an extra overtime period. To make that possible though, Buffalo had to rally from 13 points down, before dropping the game on a Shaun Suisham field goal. Suisham's four-field goal effort, combined with the Bills' unfortunate luck (WR Steve Johnson dropped an almost-sure touchdown just 4:30 into overtime) helped Pittsburgh escape with a 19-16 victory, and hit the eight-win mark through the season's first 12 weeks.
Cleveland also escaped with a narrow victory, thanks to a botched special teams play, however. John Kasay's near-miss on a late field goal drops the Panthers to 1-10, and puts them in position to pick at the top of the NFL draft next spring. While Carolina did show fight in roaring back from a 14-point deficit before losing 24-23, it's clear they're woefully talent-deficient.
And so, we'll turn the page on yet another week in the NFL. The many different tales that play out time after time show us that competition is cut-throat, that only the strongest survive, and that anything really is possible....especially on Sunday.
--Beau
Among the rising stars, we saw a great duel between two under-30 quarterbacks in Matt Ryan and Aaron Rodgers. The two gunslingers combined to go 50-of-63 for 541 yards and 2 TD's, and each displayed impressive arm strength and mobility. However, Ryan got the better of Rodgers in this showdown, and played cool under pressure in leading the Falcons down the field for the eventual game-winning field goal. The 20-17 win by Atlanta drops the Packers to second place in the NFC North, and leaves the Bears in sole possession of first place in that division.
On that note, despite the Eagles' loss to Chicago, Michael Vick looked like a high-caliber NFL quarterback, both in the pocket and on the run. The former Falcons star topped 300 yards passing for the second game this season, and put both touch and zip on passes all across the field in completing 29 throws to eight different receivers. In addition to that, Vick was Philadelphia's second-leading rusher, and put Philly in the game late with an on-the-money scoring throw to TE Brent Celek.
His counterpart, Jay Cutler, rose to the occasion and displayed serious competitive fire in leading the Bears to their fourth straight win. If Cutler has many more four-touchdown, zero-interception performances (as he did today), Chicago will be tough to beat the rest of the way.
We also got the chance to see several close games between hard-charging teams. The Buffalo Bills stayed with the Ben Roethlisberger-led Steelers step for step, right into an extra overtime period. To make that possible though, Buffalo had to rally from 13 points down, before dropping the game on a Shaun Suisham field goal. Suisham's four-field goal effort, combined with the Bills' unfortunate luck (WR Steve Johnson dropped an almost-sure touchdown just 4:30 into overtime) helped Pittsburgh escape with a 19-16 victory, and hit the eight-win mark through the season's first 12 weeks.
Cleveland also escaped with a narrow victory, thanks to a botched special teams play, however. John Kasay's near-miss on a late field goal drops the Panthers to 1-10, and puts them in position to pick at the top of the NFL draft next spring. While Carolina did show fight in roaring back from a 14-point deficit before losing 24-23, it's clear they're woefully talent-deficient.
And so, we'll turn the page on yet another week in the NFL. The many different tales that play out time after time show us that competition is cut-throat, that only the strongest survive, and that anything really is possible....especially on Sunday.
--Beau
Sunday, November 21, 2010
NFL Recap
Once again, this Sunday's NFL action has shown us exactly why football is America's most popular sport. We saw extraordinary comebacks, thrilling finishes, and as always many ups-and-downs, all in the course of a few hours, and all in just a dozen or so contests.
Among the more notable games, the New York Jets rallied late to beat the Houston Texans on a Mark Sanchez-to-Santonio Holmes touchdown in a down-to-the-wire victory. At 8-2, New York has put themselves in a prime position at the top of the AFC East. However, they find themselves
right in front of Bill Belichick's New England Patriots, who also sit at 8-2 after beating Indianapolis earlier today. The Patriots 'D' stepped up and delivered by picking off the normally unflappable Peyton Manning 3 times, in the process styming the Colts' late charge. The match-up between those two teams on December 6th will without a doubt be a great one. Although the Jets knocked off Tom Brady and Co. earlier this year, the Patriots are undefeated at home this year, and they rarely find themselves behind in Foxboro. I'll take the Patriots in that one-after all, it helps to have a Super Bowl MVP under center in crucial late-season games.
On the opposite end of the spectrum, we've seen former stars struggle mightily this season, and Sunday provided prominent examples of just those types of situations. Brett Favre threw for just 208 yards in an ugly 28-point Vikings loss to the Packers-his former team has now swept that season series, and it's clearer than ever that Favre is but a shadow of his former self. Perhaps all of the missed training camp practices are finally catching up to him, but we've seen first-hand the type of dysfunction that exists in that locker room over these past few weeks, between not only Favre and head coach Brad Childress, (who've had several well-publicized power struggles),but Childress and the rest of Favre's teammates, who've anonymously noted in newspaper interviews just how much they disagree with his style.
Another former set of stars has also experienced challenges this year, and it's a safe bet that neither Chad Ochocinco or Terrell Owens will want them covered on their respective reality shows.
Although Owens will most likely top 1,000 yards receiving, Ochocinco has caught a mere three touchdowns this year, and to make matters worse, their Cincinnati Bengals blew a 31-14 halftime lead in losing 49-31 to the 2-8 Buffalo Bills. So far, their many off-season predictions and publicity appearances haven't translated into wins.
But, such is the beauty (and horror) of the NFL. The numerous storylines, intriguing games, and fascinating personalities make it worth watching each and every week. That's why I'll keep coming back, time after time. For more on college football, MSU basketball, and the world of sports, check back later this week.
--Beau
Among the more notable games, the New York Jets rallied late to beat the Houston Texans on a Mark Sanchez-to-Santonio Holmes touchdown in a down-to-the-wire victory. At 8-2, New York has put themselves in a prime position at the top of the AFC East. However, they find themselves
right in front of Bill Belichick's New England Patriots, who also sit at 8-2 after beating Indianapolis earlier today. The Patriots 'D' stepped up and delivered by picking off the normally unflappable Peyton Manning 3 times, in the process styming the Colts' late charge. The match-up between those two teams on December 6th will without a doubt be a great one. Although the Jets knocked off Tom Brady and Co. earlier this year, the Patriots are undefeated at home this year, and they rarely find themselves behind in Foxboro. I'll take the Patriots in that one-after all, it helps to have a Super Bowl MVP under center in crucial late-season games.
On the opposite end of the spectrum, we've seen former stars struggle mightily this season, and Sunday provided prominent examples of just those types of situations. Brett Favre threw for just 208 yards in an ugly 28-point Vikings loss to the Packers-his former team has now swept that season series, and it's clearer than ever that Favre is but a shadow of his former self. Perhaps all of the missed training camp practices are finally catching up to him, but we've seen first-hand the type of dysfunction that exists in that locker room over these past few weeks, between not only Favre and head coach Brad Childress, (who've had several well-publicized power struggles),but Childress and the rest of Favre's teammates, who've anonymously noted in newspaper interviews just how much they disagree with his style.
Another former set of stars has also experienced challenges this year, and it's a safe bet that neither Chad Ochocinco or Terrell Owens will want them covered on their respective reality shows.
Although Owens will most likely top 1,000 yards receiving, Ochocinco has caught a mere three touchdowns this year, and to make matters worse, their Cincinnati Bengals blew a 31-14 halftime lead in losing 49-31 to the 2-8 Buffalo Bills. So far, their many off-season predictions and publicity appearances haven't translated into wins.
But, such is the beauty (and horror) of the NFL. The numerous storylines, intriguing games, and fascinating personalities make it worth watching each and every week. That's why I'll keep coming back, time after time. For more on college football, MSU basketball, and the world of sports, check back later this week.
--Beau
Sunday, November 7, 2010
College Football and The NFL
It's certainly been an action-packed two days across the world of football. From high-scoring college games to professional battles around the country, we've seen a great deal of defining moments.
Perhaps the most eye-popping score came right out of Ann Arbor, where the Wolverines knocked off Illinois 67-65 in three overtimes. That score represents the highest number of points ever scored between two Big Ten schools, but despite their alarming lack of defense, U-M finds itself bowl-eligible for the first time under Rich Rodriguez.
In looking at games with bigger implications than just bowl eligibility, TCU thoroughly dominated Utah, 47-7, to keep a firm grasp on the third BCS spot. This was the last major hurdle for TCU, and should they finish undefeated, there'll be a gridlock among two no-loss mid-majors, assuming Boise State runs the table in a weak WAC. I'm curious to see how that scenario will play out, as is the rest of the Top 10, I'm sure.
Of the teams who round out that group, LSU helped itself the most this weekend by beating Alabama 24-21. Their incredible team speed (which they used again to great effect, with 275 yards on the ground) is a huge asset in an already-fast SEC, and they've now put themselves in position to claim an SEC division title. In the Big Ten, Wisconsin moved up to the 7th spot nationally by defeating Purdue by 21, and Iowa made a late push to knock off the Hoosiers-as the season progresses, a Hawkeye loss would be extremely beneficial to the Spartans' Big Ten title hopes.
Switching gears to examine the NFL, I was perhaps most surprised by the Browns' 34-14 defeat of the Patriots. In leading his troops to victory, Eric Mangini has done something few other Bill Belichick products have done: beat their former boss. With a 6-2 record, there's no denying that the Patriots are right in thick of a tight AFC East race, but the loss must still be troubling to Pats fans. Around the league, both the Vikings and Jets pulled out narrow victories-I was shocked to see New York go into an extra period with Detroit, and yet this points towards a return to competitiveness for the Lions, who might've let such a game get out of hand in past years.
Look back here later this week for analysis of the NBA and also Spartan basketball.
--Beau
Perhaps the most eye-popping score came right out of Ann Arbor, where the Wolverines knocked off Illinois 67-65 in three overtimes. That score represents the highest number of points ever scored between two Big Ten schools, but despite their alarming lack of defense, U-M finds itself bowl-eligible for the first time under Rich Rodriguez.
In looking at games with bigger implications than just bowl eligibility, TCU thoroughly dominated Utah, 47-7, to keep a firm grasp on the third BCS spot. This was the last major hurdle for TCU, and should they finish undefeated, there'll be a gridlock among two no-loss mid-majors, assuming Boise State runs the table in a weak WAC. I'm curious to see how that scenario will play out, as is the rest of the Top 10, I'm sure.
Of the teams who round out that group, LSU helped itself the most this weekend by beating Alabama 24-21. Their incredible team speed (which they used again to great effect, with 275 yards on the ground) is a huge asset in an already-fast SEC, and they've now put themselves in position to claim an SEC division title. In the Big Ten, Wisconsin moved up to the 7th spot nationally by defeating Purdue by 21, and Iowa made a late push to knock off the Hoosiers-as the season progresses, a Hawkeye loss would be extremely beneficial to the Spartans' Big Ten title hopes.
Switching gears to examine the NFL, I was perhaps most surprised by the Browns' 34-14 defeat of the Patriots. In leading his troops to victory, Eric Mangini has done something few other Bill Belichick products have done: beat their former boss. With a 6-2 record, there's no denying that the Patriots are right in thick of a tight AFC East race, but the loss must still be troubling to Pats fans. Around the league, both the Vikings and Jets pulled out narrow victories-I was shocked to see New York go into an extra period with Detroit, and yet this points towards a return to competitiveness for the Lions, who might've let such a game get out of hand in past years.
Look back here later this week for analysis of the NBA and also Spartan basketball.
--Beau
Monday, November 1, 2010
NFL Recap
When the dust settled on Sunday's NFL action, a few surprises lay among the rubble. Going into the weekend, the New York Jets were tied for the league's best record, and had won five games behind Mark Sanchez. For a second-year quarterback, Sanchez had been displaying solid instincts, throwing only 2 interceptions. But, in clawing for a 9-0 victory, the Packers' defense picked the former USC star off twice, and used the leg of Mason Crosby to deliver the final blows. I personally didn't expect the Jets to play as flat as they did, and the fact that they were shut out at home is doubly shocking.
Looking at other eyebrow-raisers around the league, the Oakland Raiders evened their record at 4 wins and 4 losses behind 111 yards from Darren McFadden, and the nearby Detroit Lions matched their combined win total from the previous two years. Al Davis's team had lost their last seven games following a win, and yet delivered another road loss to the Pete Carroll-led Seahawks, who have now fallen three times away from Seattle. The Lions showed they're slowly moving towards respectability by defeating the Redskins by 8, and the biggest surprise of many in that one revolves around the benching of QB Donovan McNabb. The former Syracuse star hadn't faced that personal affront since his rookie year, and that's as prime an example as any of how much both he and Washington have struggled this season.
Keep an eye out for the New Orleans Saints, who at 5-3 are still very much alive in the NFC playoff picture. Drew Brees demonstrated a return to form in throwing for 191 second-half yards in their 20-10 defeat of the Steelers, and one can only think that he'll continue to improve as the season goes on. Brees' Super Bowl opponent last February, Peyton Manning, meanwhile, is leading the Colts on Monday Night Football as I type this. Although the Texans knocked off the Colts in their earlier meeting this season, I feel the Colts won't let their division rival take them down twice.
Among off-the-field NFL surprises, Brad Childress confirmed today that the Vikings will waive Randy Moss, after suffering three losses in four games with the ex-Minnesota star on the field. After only being thrown to twice in their loss to the Patriots, Moss's postgame comments (see the link for an NFL Network summary piece) were truly bizarre. Whatever the case may be, its clear that Moss has not been playing to his potential.
Look here later in the week for insight on the NBA and an early look at Michigan State-Minnesota.
--Beau
Looking at other eyebrow-raisers around the league, the Oakland Raiders evened their record at 4 wins and 4 losses behind 111 yards from Darren McFadden, and the nearby Detroit Lions matched their combined win total from the previous two years. Al Davis's team had lost their last seven games following a win, and yet delivered another road loss to the Pete Carroll-led Seahawks, who have now fallen three times away from Seattle. The Lions showed they're slowly moving towards respectability by defeating the Redskins by 8, and the biggest surprise of many in that one revolves around the benching of QB Donovan McNabb. The former Syracuse star hadn't faced that personal affront since his rookie year, and that's as prime an example as any of how much both he and Washington have struggled this season.
Keep an eye out for the New Orleans Saints, who at 5-3 are still very much alive in the NFC playoff picture. Drew Brees demonstrated a return to form in throwing for 191 second-half yards in their 20-10 defeat of the Steelers, and one can only think that he'll continue to improve as the season goes on. Brees' Super Bowl opponent last February, Peyton Manning, meanwhile, is leading the Colts on Monday Night Football as I type this. Although the Texans knocked off the Colts in their earlier meeting this season, I feel the Colts won't let their division rival take them down twice.
Among off-the-field NFL surprises, Brad Childress confirmed today that the Vikings will waive Randy Moss, after suffering three losses in four games with the ex-Minnesota star on the field. After only being thrown to twice in their loss to the Patriots, Moss's postgame comments (see the link for an NFL Network summary piece) were truly bizarre. Whatever the case may be, its clear that Moss has not been playing to his potential.
Look here later in the week for insight on the NBA and an early look at Michigan State-Minnesota.
--Beau
Tuesday, October 19, 2010
The NFL and Northwestern-MSU
After 7 weeks of NFL action (including byes), we're starting to see a relatively clear picture emerge. At least in this state, I think we can all agree that while competitive, the Lions just make too many mistakes to win (witness Drew Stanton's last-gasp interception), and that might be the case for some time. In terms of divisions, the Lions' own NFC North might be one of the weaker ones across the league. The second-place Packers boast a loss to the Redskins, who, while more competitive now than at the season's start, are simply not as good as predicted, and the first-place Bears just fell to the Seahawks while giving up 6 sacks. Jay Cutler finds himself running for his life every time he drops back, and its clear that their situation might not improve unless they add both depth and skill to the offensive line.
The Cowboys continue to come up short despite the wealth of talent on their roster, while the Vikings seem to be improving after knocking off Dallas. In terms of the weekend's primetime games, Tennesse looked steady with Kerry Collins at the helm from the second quarter on in their defeat of the Jaguars.
Looking ahead to Saturday's Spartans-Wildcats battle in Evanston, Northwestern seems to be a consensus pick in terms of the least-skilled 5-1 teams across college football. They possess narrow victories over Central Michigan and Minnesota of all teams, with the one-point win over Minnesota the weaker of the two. Most recently, they lost to 4-2 Purdue going into their bye week. As always, Northwestern's spread offense could give the Spartans trouble, but if the secondary's performance last week against Illiois is any indication, MSU should be able to withstand their aerial attack.
Check back here for specific information on Northwestern's offensive and defensive threats later in the week, and my own prediction for the Spartans' 4th Big Ten contest.
--Beau
The Cowboys continue to come up short despite the wealth of talent on their roster, while the Vikings seem to be improving after knocking off Dallas. In terms of the weekend's primetime games, Tennesse looked steady with Kerry Collins at the helm from the second quarter on in their defeat of the Jaguars.
Looking ahead to Saturday's Spartans-Wildcats battle in Evanston, Northwestern seems to be a consensus pick in terms of the least-skilled 5-1 teams across college football. They possess narrow victories over Central Michigan and Minnesota of all teams, with the one-point win over Minnesota the weaker of the two. Most recently, they lost to 4-2 Purdue going into their bye week. As always, Northwestern's spread offense could give the Spartans trouble, but if the secondary's performance last week against Illiois is any indication, MSU should be able to withstand their aerial attack.
Check back here for specific information on Northwestern's offensive and defensive threats later in the week, and my own prediction for the Spartans' 4th Big Ten contest.
--Beau
Monday, September 27, 2010
Chicago Bears and Monday Night Football
This past evening's Bear's game was so exciting, I feel it merits a second, separate post for the night! While the Bears received plenty of help from a sloppy, penalty prone Packers team, they were able to make a convincing case of their own for NFC North supremacy. Jay Cutler minimized the mistakes that so often plagued him last season, tossing only 1 interception while equaling that with a touchdown throw to Greg Olsen. Cutler also lead the Bears to 2 field goals,which gave Chicago the advantage.
In terms of the Bears'other special teams units, I was pleased to see Devin Hester cross the endzone on a punt return for the first time in 2 seasons, and the kicking game obviously provided the difference in this contest, as Robbie Gould banged through the eventual difference making points on a 20 yard try late in the fourth quarter. On the defensive front, the Bears displayed extraordinarily solid tackling, led by Brian Urlacher, Lance Briggs, and Julius Peppers. Peppers' mere presence forced Aaron Rodgers out of the pocket several times, and his relentless pursuit on passing downs led to several holding calls against Mark Tauscher and the rest of the Green Bay line. The Bears' offseason acquistion also forced the Packers' tackles into several false start calls that effectively killed quite a few of their drives.
While Cutler and the Bears' offense didn't put up spectacular numbers by any means, they proved they can handle pressure situations while at the same time taking care of the football-this is a trend that needs to continue if they wish to contend in the NFC. While three weeks of football (and one Monday night) doesn't write an entire story of success, it certainly provides a good prologue.
--Beau
In terms of the Bears'other special teams units, I was pleased to see Devin Hester cross the endzone on a punt return for the first time in 2 seasons, and the kicking game obviously provided the difference in this contest, as Robbie Gould banged through the eventual difference making points on a 20 yard try late in the fourth quarter. On the defensive front, the Bears displayed extraordinarily solid tackling, led by Brian Urlacher, Lance Briggs, and Julius Peppers. Peppers' mere presence forced Aaron Rodgers out of the pocket several times, and his relentless pursuit on passing downs led to several holding calls against Mark Tauscher and the rest of the Green Bay line. The Bears' offseason acquistion also forced the Packers' tackles into several false start calls that effectively killed quite a few of their drives.
While Cutler and the Bears' offense didn't put up spectacular numbers by any means, they proved they can handle pressure situations while at the same time taking care of the football-this is a trend that needs to continue if they wish to contend in the NFC. While three weeks of football (and one Monday night) doesn't write an entire story of success, it certainly provides a good prologue.
--Beau
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