Last-Minute Remarks on SNF Week 14 Picks

Week 14 (December 13):

• Tentative game: Philadelphia @ NY Giants
• Prospects: It’s an NFC East game (always=ratings), and while it doesn’t currently have the NFC East lead on the line it’s still a battle of playoff contenders. Still a pretty good shot to keep its spot—the Giants’ troubles might help it in the long run if the game would have become lopsided as opposed to 7-4 v. 6-5. However, there are strong flex contenders…
• Protected games: Chargers—Cowboys (CBS) and Packers-Bears (FOX).
• Other possible games mentioned on last week’s Watch and their records: Bengals (8-3)—Vikings (10-1); Broncos (7-4)—Colts (11-0); Saints (10-0)—Falcons (6-5), and Jags (6-5)—Dolphins (5-6).
• Impact of Monday Night Football: The prospects of Saints—Falcons depends on whether the Saints are still unbeaten. After tonight, that’s probably the Saints’ best chance for a loss.
• Analysis: The Broncos got back on track to stay ahead of the Falcons, and the Colts are still unbeaten, but picking them would shut NBC out of the Colts the rest of the year, although that’s not as much of a problem as it sounds given the only half-decent team the Colts face the rest of the way is already scheduled for NFL Network. With the Favre factor, Bengals-Vikings looks mighty compelling with both teams winning and appears to be the current favorite (but it would probably mean three straight weeks of Favre-mania and limit NBC’s ability to flex the Vikings in again later). The Giants’ loss makes a flex much more likely, and the NFL can’t go wrong with either Broncos-Colts or Bengals-Vikings.
• Final prediction: Denver Broncos @ Indianapolis Colts.
• Actual selection: Philadelphia Eagles @ New York Giants (no change). Not terribly surprising, given the problems with the other games and the NFL’s reticence to pull the flex, but still a bit less than what NBC could have gotten.

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Denver Broncos’ Remaining AFC West Games Will Make or Break Season

We are 11 games into the NFL season and the Broncos still haven’t figured out if they are Dr. Jekyll or Mr. Hyde.

They get crushed in their own backyard by the Chargers only to bounce back on four days rest and roll against the Giants. It seems that they can’t decide whether they are playoff contenders or pretenders. Maybe they just love driving their fans crazy.

Certain people, myself included, thought Kyle Orton wasn’t anything special at quarterback, yet the Broncos passing game completely fell apart when he was out with an ankle injury. We were sure the offensive line was one of the league’s best, only to see the protection break down when Ryan Harris got hurt and Ben Hamilton become a shell of his former self.

Oh well, at least no one on the team has suffered a concussion yet (knock on wood).

One thing I’ve learned to expect from the maddeningly inconsistent Broncos is to never know what to expect. I have no idea how their season will finish out and you’re lying through your teeth if you think otherwise. 

At 7-4, the Broncos are a game behind the Chargers in the division. They’ll chase them as valiantly as Wile E. Coyote chases the Road Runner. The problem with that is Wile E. never catches the Road Runner, he just gets mangled and embarrassed.

Looks like a fourth straight division title goes to San Diego, and yet they still have issues with local television blackouts. Why does no one go to see that team play?

On the other hand, Denver is at the top of the wild card race and Pittsburgh, Jacksonville, Houston, and Miami all lost yesterday. However, the way things are shaping up a 9-7 finish probably won’t be enough to make the playoffs, so the Broncos have to find a way to prevail in at least three of their five remaining games, which are at Kansas City, at Indianapolis, vs. Oakland, at Philadelphia, and vs. Kansas City.

No matter how bad the Chiefs are, Arrowhead Stadium has never been a kind place to the Broncos. Not to John Elway and certainly not to Mike Shanahan. The place is like a Broncos torture chamber.

However, it hasn’t exactly been a banner year for the Chiefs, and Orton and Co. has been through enough adversity. I say they gut it out and Josh McDaniels finds out just how hard it is to win in Kansas City. 

If Arrowhead Stadium has been Denver’s torture chamber, then Peyton Manning has been their executioner. You may think that title belongs to Phillip Rivers, but Eli’s big brother started owning them before Rivers was even drafted. 

Since 2003, Manning is 4-2 against the Broncos (the Colts starters played only the first quarter in one of those losses) and has thrown 15 touchdowns to only one interception. In that span, Indy has outscored Denver 193 to 149. Oh yeah, and the Colts are 11-0 so far this season.

Still think the Broncos are going to win that game? Neither do I.

Assuming that Manning doesn’t kill the whole team before they board the plane, it’s back to Denver for a showdown with the pitiful Raiders. I would feel really good about this game if those same pitiful Raiders hadn’t stunned the Broncos at home last season.

However, its a well known scientific fact that the only thing that doesn’t strike twice in the same place other than lightening is a Raiders victory. Wait for it, wait for it…. Well, I had to get my cheap shot against Oakland in here somewhere. Regardless, chalk a “W” up for Denver.

On to Philadelphia, where this game will likely mean as much to the Eagles as it will to the Broncos, and for more than one reason. My biggest question is not in regards to the outcome of the game, but rather how Brian Dawkins will be received by the Philly faithful as a member of the other team. This is equivalent to Steve Atwater returning to Denver in a Jets’ uniform.

My take? Eagles’ fans are infamously ruthless and ferociously loyal when it comes to their team, but I can’t see them turning their backs on Dawkins after everything he did for them. They won’t be nearly as kind to the other Broncos, and unfortunately neither will the Eagles, who seem to always play their best football in December and January.

At last, the roller coaster comes to a stop in the season finale against the Chiefs. As much as the Broncos struggle in Kansas City, the Chiefs struggle just as much in Denver, where they are winless since 2000. If the playoffs are on the line for the Broncos in this game, I seriously doubt that Matt Cassel and Todd Haley will be able to break that slump.

If things go the way I see them (they probably won’t), and if I am as smart as I think I am (I’m not), this means that to get to 10 wins, the Broncos can’t lose any of their remaining games against the division. Victories against the Colts or Eagles are possible, but highly unlikely—especially against the Colts.

The Chiefs and Raiders have long been out of the playoff race, but they would love nothing more than to spoil it for the Broncos as well and that’s what scares me.

The only question remaining is which Denver team will show up to play these final five games; Jekyll or Hyde?

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Detroit Lions: Sizing Up Their Biggest Need

If five different Detroit Lions fans were asked what Detroit’s biggest need was, almost certainly, five different answers would be given.

One fan would definitely mention the offensive line—long an impediment to Detroit’s rebuilding plan.

Another fan would mention the defensive line. In fact, this week the lack of a four man pass rush is the problem de jour for the Lions’ fan base.

A third fan wants defensive backfield help for the Detroit Lions’ worst unit.

The fourth fan would ask for weapons for Detroit’s young quarterback—a running back to replace Kevin Smith or a receiver to put across from Calvin Johnson.

The fifth fan? Probably a plea to fire Millen—obviously didn’t get the memo.

While this is the time of year (especially at 2-9) that Detroit Lions fans love to talk about this sort of thing, take a moment to realize that the Detroit Lions have a gigantic need that supersedes any positional grouping of label.

That enormous need?

To get bigger.

Step one of that plan was the transition last offseason to a power lifting workout plan.

Head Coach Jim Schwartz wanted his team to get bigger and stronger, even if it sacrificed some of the speed and agility that Rod Marinelli preached under the old scheme.

Whereas Marinelli wanted smaller, quicker lineman and linebackers for his Tampa Two scheme, Jim Schwartz has made it clear that he wants big hosses up front and downhill thumpers behind them.

Step two was the addition of some of those bigger players. Grady Jackson was a gamble at 36 but his 345lbs frame was needed to plug up the middle. Larry Foote is an inch shorter but five pounds heavier than last year’s starter, Paris Lenon. Julian Peterson is 20lbs heavier than Ryan Nece.

Defensive tackle, Sammie Lee Hill was a hulking gamble out of Stillman College. But the 329lb force has already shown plenty of promise. Brandon Pettigrew and Dan Gronkowski also added whopping size and strength to the tight end position.

Continuing on this path is a humongous need for the Detroit Lions. More steps need to be taken to increase the size and strength of this Lions team.

What are the Lions’ next moves? Looking forward to the next off season, these steps would be tremendously helpful.

 

 

Defensive Line

 

Looking forward to the NFL draft, if Detroit is looking for size, look no further than Terrence Cody (DT-Alabama). Although Detroit’s likely top five pick would be high for the behemoth, Detroit could easily trade down or up for the big man. At over 365lbs, Cody also has athleticism—as seen by his propensity for blocking kicks.

Talent could be more important than size if Gerald McCoy (DT-Oklahoma) or Ndamukong Suh (DT-Nebraska) fall to Mayhew and company. The two sit right around 300lbs but both (especially McCoy) look like they could get bigger.

If those three aren’t the pick, other names include Dan Williams (DT-Tennessee) at 327lbs, or Marvin Austin (DT-North Carolina) at a very athletic 305lbs.

With so many needs, the Lions might pass on defensive linemen in the draft altogether.

In free agency, Vince Wilfork (DT-New England) is the cream of the crop and one of the league’s best young nose tackles, although the New England Patriots are almost surely going to keep the 330-pound force. 

Other free agents include Gabe Watson (DT-Arizona) at 330lbs, Domata Peko (DT-Cincinnati) at 320lbs and an older Casey Hampton at 325lbs.

The defensive end position can always get bigger as well.

DraftTek.com has often had Everson Griffen (DE-USC) as a target for the Lions—a pick I agree with. The 280-pound junior would be the Detroit Lions’ biggest defensive end the day he was signed.

Other bigger defensive ends include the 290-pound Carlos Dunlap (DE-Florida) and Corey Wootton (DE-Northwestern) at 280lbs.

Will Smith (DE-New Orleans) and Jarvis Green (DE-New England) are both over 280lbs and could help the Detroit Lions’ pass rush.

 

 

Linebackers

 

Replacing Ernie Sims with DeAndre Levy may result in better production and less missed tackles, but not a great increase in size. Levy is 235lbs, about 10 more than Ernie Sims. Levy has a chance to get bigger, so that position is well stocked.

Even so, if the Lions are going to commit to the rebuilding plan, eventually steps need to be taken to back up and provide depth to the aging Larry Foote and Julian Peterson.

In the draft, a first round linebacker would be a luxury. Later on, the Detroit Lions could take a look at the 260-pound Micah Johnson (ILB-Kentucky) or O’Brien Schofield  (OLB-Wisconsin) who is almost 250lbs.

Speaking of 250-pounders, DeMeco Ryans (OLB-Houston) is the class of the free agency crop and would be an immediate upgrade to either OLB positions. Pierre Woods is 255lbs and could enjoy coming closer to his Cleveland home. Shawne Merriman (OLB-San Diego) is 265lbs, but probably wouldn’t be able to play in a 4-3 OLB spot.

For backups, Scott Fujita (OLB-New Orleans) is a aging prospect who could be great in a rotation if he is replaced in ‘Nawlins.

 

 

Offensive Line

 

Dominic Raiola and Jeff Backus have never been described as “large.”

Largely disappointing? Maybe.

To help the running game, the Detroit Lions need to get bigger. If the running game improves, teams will stop teeing off on Matt Stafford.

Backus, at 305 isn’t nearly as large as likely second rounder Jason Fox (OT-Miami), who is 315lbs. Juniors Anthony Davis (OT-Rutgers) and Cabe Carimi (OT-Wisconsin) are even bigger at 325lbs.

Stephen Peterman is probably a lock at one of the guard positions next year. At the other guard spot, the Lions could look at Mike Iupati (OG-Idaho) who is 330lbs or the 350-pound John Jerry (OG-Ole Miss).

In free agency, David Baas (OG-San Francisco) is 330lbs and Chris Snee (OG-New York Giants) is a very talented 320lbs. Jared Gaither (OT-Baltimore) is one of the biggest men in the league at 6’9″, 340lbs.

2009 is year one of a long rebuilding plan for the Detroit Lions. The ditch Matt Millen dug for this franchise is long, wide and deep. Digging out of it is going to take a jumbo-sized effort.

Some bigger bodies will make the immense work a little lighter.

 

Michael Schottey is a Detroit Lions Featured Columnist for Bleacher Report and the producer and host of The Average Joe Sports Show on 860AM KNUJ (New Ulm, MN). He is also an NFL Analyst and Senior Writer for DraftTek.com. Follow Him on Twitter.

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Jets-Panthers: Gang Green’s Defense Tames Carolina in 17-6 Win

For the first time in over a month something finally went right for the New York Jets, whose once promising season was on life support heading into Sunday’s match up against the lowly Carolina Panthers.

Having been victorious only once in their last seven games, Gang Green came stumbling into the game after being embarrassed by AFC East rival New England Patriots last week.

After giving up 410 yards at Foxboro the Jets defense would set the tone for the game when Darrelle Revis intercepted Jake Delhomme’s pass intended for Steve Smith on Carolina’s first drive of the game. Revis would return the pick off of Smith’s foot for a 67-yard TD giving his team the early lead.

He would pick off Delhomme again at the start of the second quarter but not before the Panthers would get on the board with a John Kasay 40-yard FG capping off an eight play drive thanks to a horrid punt by Steve Weatherford.

Under fire safety Kerry Rhodes got into the interception act picking off Delhomme on the next Panthers drive which would set up the Jets’ first offensive points of game. A quick five-play drive would see Thomas Jones bring home his ninth TD of the season as the Jets stretched their lead to 14-3.

Their “impressive” start would earn them a rambunctious ovation from the crowd as the team headed for the locker rooms. It was only the third time all season the Jets had the lead at home at halftime.

The Jets would start the third quarter with a promising drive which would see them reach the Carolina 17 only to have it fumbled by TE Dustin Keller. Neither team would get much offensive production throughout the quarter; however Gang Green got a big scare when QB Mark Sanchez went down with an injured knee after scrambling for eight yards.

On a first-and-10 Sanchez would be tackled by Richard Marshall and immediately grab his right knee, although he would return on the next drive.

Kellen Clemens came in for the franchise QB to a surprisingly positive reaction by the crowd, with some opting to actually stand up to applaud. Clemens had one attempt which was not complete as he had his first action since the 38-0 thrashing of Oakland.

Carolina would add one final FG again by Kasay to cut the lead to 14-6 which would be answered by Jay Feely adding a 47-yarder to give the Jets insurance.

Rhodes would pick up his second interception of the day (making Delhomme just two shy of most in the NFL behind Jay Cuter) late in the fourth as the Jets snapped their three game skid and breathed some life into their slim wild card chances.

The Jets will now head north to Toronto where they will face off against the Buffalo Bills on Thursday night. Since the teams last met in week six in one of the most forgettable match-ups in the NFL all season, the Bills (4-7) have a new head coach and a new starting QB making this division game all the more interesting.

The Good: After such miserable performances it was good to see the defense stand up and deliver with four big interceptions. The Jets would allow just 179 total yards keeping their opponents below 200 for the fourth time this season. Where the offense failed, the defense stepped in and, without their performance, this game would have been a lot closer.

The Bad: You know it was a good all around effort when I have to critique the special teams. One missed FG by Feely, who has been pretty automatic, combined with dicey punts by Weatherford makes this a semi-concern since the team actually stopped the bleeding.

The Ugly: Again, there is not much to complain about; let’s just go with Kellen Clemen’s incomplete pass for argument’s sake.

Game Ball: This week’s ball goes to Darrelle Revis and Kerry Rhodes who both had two picks after playing horribly last week in New England.

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Washington Redskin Cheerleader: Cheer Hard, Smile Pretty, Win

I slept on this one.

Times are tough for the Washington Redskins. So Esquire Magazine went right to the source for the inside scoop on what’s going on with this team.

That’s right. They asked a Redskinette, ah, First Lady of Football.

Redskin cheerleader Jamilla Keene was interviewed by Esquire following Washington’s Week Seven 27-17 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles.

Ms. Keene thinks the addition of consulting playcaller Sherman Lewis may help the team. She is relieved not to have been near Clinton Portis’ helmet when he slammed it on the sideline during the Eagles game. “That might have hurt a bit,” she says.

Keene calls quarterback Jason Campbell the silent leader of the team and says the players know it. She does not understand why the average fan does not support head coach Jim Zorn.

A lot has happened in Washington since the end of October. Back then, Keene harbored hopes of a turnaround and playoff run. That takes a total team effort.

“We’re gonna cheer hard and smile pretty, and I believe the team could rally, win every last one of the games and go to the playoffs. Stranger things have happened.”

Works for me.

Read the full story on Esquire Magazine’s Tuesday Morning Cheerleader Series.

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Browns Potentially Good: Bengals Give Reality Check

The Browns offense seemed to have it all last week except for a “W”. After a big offensive showing against the Detroit Lions the Browns seemed to be on their way out of hell and on the road to realizing their potential.

Fans were once again feeling at least a little excited about the rest of the season and the off-season. They thought they saw a glimpse of the future.

Then they visited their old uncle Bengals and he decided to put them back in their place. He said “Not today little nephew, not in my house”

The Browns are full of potentially good players, but the potential for talent does not win games—having the talent does. Players with potential are usually the second and third stringers at most.

The Browns have starting positions filled with players with potential and that obviously does not always translate into wins “right now”. Also, for these players to develop their talents and realize their potential they need to be surrounded established players, something which Cleveland has been short on for quite some time.

Many of the fans have expressed to me a number of players that have the potential to be great/good and how there are so many of them.

If this team is so full of potential and talent then why does this team look so horrible at times?

Why are they staring a 1-10 record right in the face?

One would think with so many talented and potentially great players they’d have more wins.

In this week’s game against the Bengals, Brady Quinn only had 100 yards and zero TDs. The rushing attack totaled 58 yards with one TD scored by Quinn. The defense allowed a total of 306 yards and 16 points, more specifically 210 rushing yards.

What happened?

Where did the potential go?

Where’s the talent?

I do agree that there are some potentially talented players here, but none that stand out as true talents. The QB position, for one, has been a mystery for some time now and continues to be a big question season in and season out. They’ve had plenty of potentially good players at QB—Quinn, Anderson, Charlie Frye, Tim Couch, but none have produced well.

The point is there is nothing to be proud of this week. Last week was just another example that even being potentially good won’t give you a win.

They played the Lions, had a good game offensively, lost, but also gained some hope.

Then they played the AFC north’s first place team, the Bengals, this week and got punched in the mouth.

Again, I say it’s time to clean house: not rebuild completely, but in with the good and out with the bad. I’d start with the QB position—Brady Quinn has to go. They are definitely not getting their money’s worth. He’s overpaid and overplayed. Of course, they don’t have much of a choice when their backup is even worse.

Yes maybe the offensive line has a lot to do with it, but one can make an argument that even a decent quarterback can overcome this obstacle.

Aaron Rogers of the Green Bay Packers has been sacked 44 times but has managed to compile 3136 yards, 22 TDs, five INTs and a QB rating of 104.9.

Whereas Quinn and Derek Anderson have combined for 1593 yards, 7 TDs, and 14 INTs with a combined 52.4 rating while only being sacked a combined 25 times; there are not only bad players around them, but lack of talent within them.

The Browns as a whole are terrible, but individually there are some players here that have great potential.

Again, you don’t win with potentially good players, you win with good players. That’s the problem and has been for ten years. The Browns always have potential but are never any good.

True, you have to look to the future and get those potentially talented players; but there has to be some point in the “FUTURE” when the future stops being the future and becomes the now. The Browns have yet to show this talent that has been “potentially” there for some time, win some games, have a successful season and make the playoffs.

I mean, most successful teams add potentially good players to an already strong and talented team. The Browns either add more potentially good players to already potentially good players or even worse mix them with bad players.

What do they get when they do this? A whole bunch of hype that doesn’t live up its potential. They also get a 1-10 record with, like every season, hopes of being good the next season.

Well Browns the fans are waiting for this next season to come, for this talent to actually be talent and yet the Browns, for at least the past ten years, have yet to produce.

The players that were full of potential a year or longer ago, example Braylon Edwards and Brady Quinn, who were supposed to be the talented players now, have all but been a bust for Cleveland.

Now the Browns are relying on the young undeveloped talents of players like Massaqoui and Kaluka Maiava, who by comparison aren’t performing any better than any other rookie standouts in their positions, to win games. Sad thing is these are the best players they have and no one else is producing giving this team a rookie level of play, which in turn gives us the 1-10 record.

Yeah you can have all the potential you want but I’ll take talent and wins now rather than the hope of winning.

Call me an amateur, tell me I’m wrong, but doesn’t a 1-10 record mean I’m right?

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December, January Have Been Harsh For New York Jets

As the New York Jets enter the chill of December at 5-6, they’ll avoid the elements this week with the Buffalo Bills as they play indoors in Toronto, Canada versus the bitter cold of Orchard Park, New York.

While considered a Buffalo home game, the Jets have an the opportunity to reach .500 at 6-6 at a neutral site instead of the home field advantage the Bills would enjoy at Ralph Wilson Stadium.

Historically, the months of December and January have been hard on the New York Jets.

In this decade alone, the Jets have entered the December chill .500 or better six times only to go 18-23 in December and 1-2 in January. Since 2000, the New York Jets are 56-55 for the months of September, October and November while just 19-25 in December & January!

The Jets have gone .500 or better only three times in this decade for the month of December (2002, 2004 and 2006). In all three instances, the Jets made the playoffs.

There best December was in 2006 when the Jets entered that month just 6-5 only to finish 4-1 in December and 10-6 overall. In 2008 the Jets entered December 8-3 only to go 1-3 for December and finish 9-7 and out of playoff contention.

While the Jets are just a mediocre 75-80 this decade, they have qualified for the playoffs four times, the most of any stretch in franchise history.

While considered a cold weather team, the Jets have not been cold weather winners much like their counterparts the New York Giants who seem to revel in the elements.

But with just 5 games to play the Jets will play indoors at Toronto, at Tampa Bay, home for Atlanta, on the road at Indianapolis and finish the season at home against Cincinnati on January 3rd for the final game at the Meadowlands.

In effect, the Jets will play indoors twice and in warm weather at least once while hosting the Falcons who already lost to the Giants earlier this season at East Rutherford while finishing up with Cincinnati.

Hopefully for the Jets, that final home game could have playoff implications but mean little to the Bengals who should finish as the #2 , #3 or #4 seed. If that’s the case, the schedule in December could be favorable for at least a 9-7 finish which just might mean a 17th game in 2010.

 

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Philadelphia Eagles Wide Receiver Jason Avant was the True Hero Against Redskins

The Philadelphia Eagles remained in the NFC playoff hunt with their second straight come from behind win in a 27-24 victory over the Washington Redskins on Sunday. With wide receiver DeSean Jackson sidelined due to a concussion, the Eagles needed all the extra help they could get on offense from their young guys.

Eagles quarterback Donovan McNabb helped his team overcome an eight-point deficit in the fourth quarter and score 11 unanswered points. Rookie running back LeSean McCoy provided a strong running game for the Eagles throughout the fourth quarter and finished with 76 yards on the ground–including a two-point conversion in the fourth quarter to tie the game at 24.

Even rookie wide receiver Jeremy Maclin hauled in a key 35-yard reception to help set up what ended up being the game-winning field goal by kicker David Akers.

While each of these Eagles played an important role in Sunday’s win against the Redskins, no player deserves more credit for the team’s comeback than fourth-year wideout Jason Avant.

With the Eagles down 24-16 in the fourth quarter, Avant hauled in two key receptions during a drive that helped the Eagles march 90 yards down the field and eventually a one-yard touchdown run by Eldra Buckley. While he may not have been a factor towards the end of the drive, it was his effort in the beginning that helped the team get out of an offensive funk that almost lost them the game.

The Eagles offense arguably had their worst performance of the season in the third quarter of Sunday’s game against the Redskins. Each of their three possessions resulted in a three-and-out. On two of the drives, two third-down passes by McNabb fell just short of a first down. For the Philadelphia fan, it was frustrating to watch considering the Eagles were losing to a Redskins team at home who were winners of just three games all season.

The fourth quarter was a similar situation for the Eagles after they pulled another three-and-out on their first drive. With four straight three-and-outs in the second half, it appeared the Eagles were on their way to their fourth loss of the season and would have to play catch up in the NFC playoff hunt.

That was until Avant saved the offense.

With less than 11 minutes to play and the Eagles looking for a first down for the first time since the end of the second quarter, McNabb found Avant for a 46-yard reception in Washington territory. The very next play, McNabb found Avant again for another 20-yard gain.

All of a sudden, the Eagles offense was alive and there was hope for a fourth quarter comeback for the second straight week.

Overall, Avant led all Eagles wide receivers with five receptions for 94 yards. His two receptions for a combined 66 yards during the drive were a major reason why the Eagles left Lincoln Financial Field victorious on Sunday against the Redskins.

Without Avant, it’s hard to say whether or not the Eagles still would still be holding on to the No. 5 seed in the NFC playoff hunt and trailing the Dallas Cowboys by one game in the NFC East.

Dan Parzych Is the Eagles Fan Voice for NFLTouchdown.com

He is also the founder of the new NFCEastFootball.com

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Matt Ryan Out Week 13

It’s never too early to start planning for next week’s fantasy match-up, especially as the fantasy playoffs draw near. Even though their is an epic Patriots-Saints game tonight, those of you that own Matt Ryan have other issues on  your mind.

The second-year QB has already been ruled out for Week 13. Maybe they learned their lesson after the way they handled Michael Turner’s injury. He should have never played last week, but that’s a different story for another day.

It’s nice to know he’s out before waiver claims are set. Ryan owners don’t have to hold out hope like Big Ben and Kurt Warner owners did last week.

So who should you pick up?

Chris Redman, Atlanta Falcons
In deep leagues you won’t many choices, especially not ones with Roddy White and Tony Gonzalez at their disposal.

David Garrard, Jacksonville Jaguars
If he’s available in your league, he’s a nice plug-in play this week. He plays extremely well at home, which is where the Jags play this week.

Alex Smith, San Francisco 49ers
The Niners have turned into a pass-first team because of their personnel. They play the Seahawks who have been fantasy-friendly to opposing QBs.

Kyle Orton, Denver Broncos
The long rest between games should do his ankle well. He’s a nice play against Kansas City this week.

Vince Young, Tennessee Titans
I don’t see VY throwing for a ton of yards against the Colts, but he should produce with his feet and do enough with his arm to be a decent emergency fantasy play.

Originally published at LestersLegends.com .

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Kansas City Chiefs: Week Twelve Report Card

The win streak is finally over.  Maxing out at two games, the Kansas City Chiefs could not parlay the momentum of toppling the reigning Super Bowl Champion Steelers into a victory over the surging San Diego Chargers. 

No one believed Kansas City to be the more talented team in this matchup, but at times executed an offensive game-plan that was startlingly good. 

However, if a team is to pull an upset it is common to hear the need for “mistake-free” football.  The Chiefs (in the spirit of Thanksgiving) threw up a cornucopia of mistakes from which they could not recover.  

Here’s how the grades shake out:

Pass Offense: C-  

The Stat line—19/31, 178 yards, one touchdown, and one interception – not egregious, but the numbers only tell half the story. 

Chiefs’ quarterback Matt Cassel is finding more time to throw than earlier in the season, but this is largely attributed to pocket awareness. 

Cassel seldom has a place to set his feet and scan the field.  While he doesn’t always need to scramble or entirely leave the pocket, every down Cassel slides away from the pass rush in a makeshift shanty of a pocket. 

Wide receiver Chris Chambers continues to be a solid playmaker, but with Dwayne Bowe still out due to suspension the team struggles to find other legitimate receiving threats.  The lack of a strong tight end has become a gaping hole on the team’s roster.  No heir apparent to the great Tony Gonzalez has emerged.

Run Offense: B 

Running back Jamaal Charles continues to prove himself a great asset to this team.  Despite nearly a hundred yards on only 14 carries, for an average well above six yards-per-carry, Charles is haunted by a looming concern: ball security. 

To ask Charles to minimize his use of spin techniques is to marginalize his effectiveness, but while such fancy footwork can lead to hard-fought extra yards, those yards come at increased risk of fumbling.  It is becoming clear that KC has a feature running back on their roster. 

Charles can be compared to Tiki Barber, the now-retired running back for the New York Giants.  Barber was not the largest runner, was known as an exceptional receiver, and early in his career was questioned for his tendency to fumble. 

If the Chiefs get anywhere near similar results from Charles over the course of his career there is reason to be excited.

Pass Defense: D 

Slogan of the 2009 Chiefs: “We give up big plays.” 

Still stinging after being hit in the face for a 54 yard pass to Charger receiver Malcolm Floyd, the Chief’s defense played a deep, soft zone.  So, the defense was suspect to body-shot after body-shot as Charger tight end Antonio Gates delivered repeated blows to the gut of the Chief’s defense. 

The ability of the Kansas City linebackers to play coverage in the 3-4 is something many saw as a problem area as they field many converted defensive ends.  There is a learning curve and this week Kansas City fell on the low end of the spectrum. 

Where Kansas City is most clearly lacking is in their pass rush.  Charger’s quarterback, Philip Rivers was never sacked and was nearly never even pressured on his way to 317 yards and two touchdowns on 28 pass attempts.  Talk about time to look down field.

Run Defense: B

On a day where the commentators emphasized Charger running back, LaDainian Tomlinson’s climb up the list of all-time leaders in NFL rushing yardage, it was easy to overlook his mere 39 yards on 13 carries.  In fact, as a team, the Chargers were held to 2.8 yards-per-carry.

In summary:

Run offense and defense = good

Pass offense and defense = need improvement

Kansas City continues to show signs of being a talented team, but four turnovers that resulted in 28 San Diego points is too much for even the best teams to overcome.

Play of the game: The redemption song of Chris Chambers came on a seven yard touchdown pass from Cassel.  On third and four from the Charger’s eight yard line, Chambers came underneath on a two-yard drag and caught the ball in space as he cleared from the middle of the field.  Chambers took for the sideline and spun back toward the middle of the field, falling backward, with ball extended to break the plane of the end zone against his former teammates.      

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