Underdog Ravens Must Focus On Four Key Points Sunday

Amongst the other three anticipated matchups of the weekend, one that isn’t getting a load of exposure is the New England Patriots and Baltimore Ravens. 

Maybe it’s due to these two teams being fairly familiar with one another, or the fact that the Ravens are basically being written off as people feel they don’t stand a chance against Tom Brady and his Patriots.

For a number of reasons, though, there is a case to be made for the Ravens in this wild-card game. Sure they are clear underdogs against an equipped Patriots team that has been well-balanced all season, but Baltimore has all the weapons needed to contain the Patriots at Foxboro.

1. Defense

When you think of Baltimore, you think of defense. If you have the opportunity to catch the pre-game warm ups, pay close attention to the Ravens huddle. Linebacker Ray Lewis will be more fired up than ever, and he has reason to be for this game.

Ranked third in total defense on the season, and fifth in stopping the run, the Ravens will throw everything including the kitchen sink at Tom Brady, Randy Moss and Laurence Maroney.

In the past, the Ravens defense has rattled Brady. Besides Lewis, expect a few corner blitzes early from cornerbacks Chris Carr and Domonique Foxworthy. The two have combined for six interceptions on the year, and if one of these guys gets a hand on the Patriots quarterback, be prepared to see a half throw and a loose ball on the ground.

Ed Reed is also a talking point in this one. Last season, he kept the Ravens alive in the postseason, and is the backbone of the Ravens defense. Although he’s been injured for parts of the season and has barely padded his stats, Bill Belichick will be well aware of his presence.

2. Get Ray Rice Going Early

Another positive that the Ravens have is the ability to mix and match running backs between Ray Rice and Willis McGahee. Few teams in the league have the freedom, and the Ravens need to take advantage of it.

The underrated running back out of Rutgers, Rice has made a name for himself in his second season in the NFL. Seven touchdowns and 1,339 yards on the year speaks for itself.

Burst after the tackle is one of Rice’s strengths. If the Ravens get a quick turnover from the Patriots deep in their own territory, handing the ball to Rice to pound some yards would be the best option.

3. Less Time Joe Flacco Has the Ball, the Better

Like I said, giving the ball to Ray Rice is the better option. Although Flacco is still developing and really finding his arm in the NFL, he still isn’t the type of guy that you want to rely on too much in a playoff game of this importance.

After starting the season off poorly, things gradually got better. Twelve interceptions for twenty one touchdowns on the season aren’t bad numbers on the season for a second year starter, but with a defense like New England’s to face (especially with Vince Wilfork right across from centre), having Flacco bide time with the ball in the pocket isn’t an option for Baltimore.

4. Penalties

For those of you who watched the Monday Night Football game five weeks ago against Green Bay, you’re pretty much used to the color yellow by now.

The Ravens aren’t the most penalised team in the league, but they suffer enormous yardage loss on pass interference calls.

Offensively and defensively, they simply cannot afford to making mistakes that cost them yards. A team like New England is dangerous, whether you give them a one-yard advantage or a 15-yard advantage. 

Ravens wide receivers need to avoid the pushing and shoving game on the offensive side of the ball. Physicality is a must to win, but the Ravens are only doing themselves harm when they get too hands on when covering deep routes.

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Three Point Stance: Three Key Issues The Packers Need To Address

Two days away before the Green Bay Packers are set to go head to head with the Arizona Cardinals in Phoenix, there are still a few things that head coach Mike McCarthy must address.

The Packers have been on a hot streak as of late.  They are also on a high full of confidence and it seems that it would take even the strongest of teams to bring them down at this point.

Although Packer fans and the Packers themselves are high and mighty heading into Sunday, they aren’t exactly perfect. 

Three of the main things that the Packers need to address, in not only important for their game against Arizona, but in any future game they may play in this postseason.

1. Penalties

In case you haven’t been listening to Joe Buck and Troy Aikman say it on Fox’s Sunday Football broadcast, then I’ll say it again. The Packers are the most penalised team in the NFL.

The main culprit is holds. Right tackle Mark Tauscher in particular seems to get caught on nearly every drive for trying just a little too hard to protect precious number 12.  While we like your attitude Mark, we could do without those extra 10 yards we need to keep gaining in order to get into the red zone.

Another small and minor penalty that I have seen pop up from time to time is illegal contact. I don’t think anyone in the NFL is really sure what this is, as half the time there is nothing really in it. However, it’s a rule and we get called for it.

Charles Woodson, Nick Collins, Donald Driver and Greg Jennings need to watch where they put their hands on the Arizona defenders this Sunday. Due to their being two explosive offenses in the same stadium, you can bet your bottom dollar that the officials are going to call every small shove that they see.

Even though penalties are the Packers main course for concern, don’t expect a huge turnaround. If the Packers haven’t stopped holding and blocking in all the wrong ways prior to this game, there’s slim chance that they are going to stop now.

2. Protect Aaron Rodgers

For god sake, just protect the quarterback. I feel I speak for all Packer fans when saying that if the offensive line collapsed and the Packers went back to the ways of old, it would be a crushing defeat.

We saw a few risky plays in Week 13 when the Packers met up with the Bears at Soldier Field.  Although the Packers won that game, an image that constantly plays through my head is one of Aaron Rodgers taking a hit, fumbling, regaining possession and then trying to throw again.

The Packers can’t afford to let this scenario play out again in Arizona. In the past two months the Green Bay offensive line has been successful at protecting Aaron Rodgers.

Arizona’s defense is far from the elite in the league. There have been countless times where they have failed to cover receivers in zone coverage and have been burnt on deep wide receiver routes. Give Aaron Rodgers time, and like always, we’re sure to see an 82 yard completion down field to Greg Jennings at some point in the game.

3. Kicking Game

Mason Crosby has been let off the hook. He’s missed nine field goals so far this season, even though he seemed to be back to his old ways against the Cardinals last week. 

A Texas boy that may be upset over his Longhorns losing, Crosby needs to make sure his balance and aim is 100 percent ready to go on Sunday.

If the Packers can’t make the early touchdowns, they will settle for field goals. It’s as simple as Mason Crosby needs to make them. Missing isn’t an option. With Arizona’s offense already estimated to be handful for Green Bay’s defense, the Packers need to take as many points as they can get.

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Who Do The New Orleans Saints Have Reason To Fear More?

The New Orleans Saints have a bye this week as the Wild Card teams battle it out in their respective games. Although New Orleans can take the time to relax, and of course practice, surely they can’t help but wonder who they may play in the Divisional Round in two weeks time.

The answer to their question is still yet to be decided. 

We do know it will be either the Arizona Cardinals or the Green Bay Packers.  Since Dallas is the third seed in the NFC Playoff picture, a win for the Cowboys or Eagles will automatically match them up with the second seeded Minnesota Vikings.

As for Arizona and Green Bay, the Saints don’t have a whole lot of experience with either one. 

The Packers played the Saints in the 2008 season, where they were manhandled in an embarrassing 51-29 loss, thus ending any chance for the Packers to reach the postseason.

The Saints will have their hands full with either of these teams.  Both have high powered offenses that can be even more explosive in the postseason.  The following factors are what the Saints are going to have to deal with:

 

Green Bay Packers vs. New Orleans Saints

This match up will likely be one that turns into a battle between two great quarterbacks.  Aaron Rodgers is at his best at the moment, coming off a Pro Bowl season where he threw for 4,434 yards, he would be sure to give Saints’ defense some trouble.

For the Packers defense, much of the same story could be told.  Charles Woodson, Clay Matthews, Nick Collins and AJ Hawk are all dominant players that have been successful in stopping the run. 

New Orleans is used to being able to get their way with defensive lines, and sending Reggie Bush up the middle to make a few cuts and hopefully dance into the end zone for six. 

Sure it could happen against a strong Packer defense, but he is less likely to get as many hand offs knowing that Charles Woodson is lurking in the backfield.

Arizona Cardinals vs. New Orleans Saints

This is probably the most exciting of the four possibilities.  Any game where Larry Fitzgerald is ranked against a top notch defense is always set to be a blockbuster.

Currently, no Cardinals players rank among the best in the NFL, and their confidence has taken a dive since a big loss to the Packers last week.  Like last season though, don’t count them out. 

When you think the Cardinals are down and out, they’ll come right back.

Their resillient attitude may lead them into a game against the Saints, and more importantly could restore their confidence within a week.

With Anquan Boldin’s injury, it is unlikely he will be playing.  He is out for the match up against the Packers, and there is a chance he will miss the following game as well if the Cardinals are to make it.

A young rookie wide receiver could be a weak point for the Cardinals, and at the same time a point for the Saints to take advantage of.

Prediction

Of the two teams, the one to fear more is the Green Bay Packers.  The Packers are the sleeper team of the Wild Cards, and one of the favorites to sneak into the Super Bowl. 

With a win over the Cardinals, you can bet your dollar that the Packers are going to have confidence like none other. 

If the Packers do face the Saints, expect Packer fans to turn out in record numbers at the Superdome.  The Packers haven’t made the playoffs since their Brett Favre ’07 season, and the excitement for many Packer faithfuls is already taking over.

As for fearing the Packers, well the Saints may not go that far.  Even though they have had three straight losses, they are still a very good team.  They’ve beaten teams like the Packers in the postseason, and can do it again. 

Brees, Colston and Bush are the trio to fear for the Packers.  While Rodgers, Jennings and Woodson is the trio to fear for the Saints.  If the Packers do make it, it will be an interesting game to say the least.

 

 

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Donovan McNabb Vs Tony Romo: Who Is More Prepared For The Postseason?

Before anyone begins to get too in-depth with this article, I’m going to throw a word out there for everyone to remember whilst reading it.  Choke.

Yes, choke, the term that everyone is so fond of using nowadays, can pretty much sum up these two guys careers in a nutshell.

So let’s start with Tony.  A career that has had it’s high points and it’s low points, Tony Romo is still considered one of the premiere quarterbacks of today.  When it comes to the playoffs though, well I can’t really say the same thing.

2006, the Cowboys were one of the teams to beat.  With Romo already the holder of the NFL’s ‘Galloping Gobbler’ award, Romo and the Cowboys had secured a playoff spot.

Matched up with the Seattle Seahawks in the first round, the Cowboys were down 21-20 late in the 4th quarter.  Anyone who doesn’t remember what happened next isn’t a true football fan.  With a bobbled snap and an attempted run toward the end zone, the Cowboys once again lost a playoff game.

With that being one of the Cowboys, and Romo’s biggest chokes in his career, where does that leave Donovan McNabb?

Well this rewind is a little more recent.

After an impressive playoff run in the 2008 season, the Eagles made an impressive march toward the NFC Championship Game.  Most people were confident that the Eagles could pull off the victory.  After all, McNabb had been playing well, Westbrook had been rushing well and Brian Dawkins and the Eagles defense was red hot.  Therefore, most people expected to see the same form come the last game before the Super Bowl.

Wrong.

McNabb had actually played quite well in the game.  With 375 yards on 47 attempts and three touchdowns to only one interception, it was hard to calculate mathematically how the Eagles had only scored 6 points in the first half.

The second half was much the same from McNabb.  Great stats posted, but at the end the Arizona Cardinals came out victors with a convincing 35-25 win.  McNabb was then criticised for weeks to come.  Apparent accuracy problems were the blame of the Eagles loss to the Cardinals.  Although the defense was at fault as well.

With all this in the past though, where does it leave our two quarterbacks heading into next weeks fixture?

Some people will call it a ‘Choker v Choker’ match.  I prefer to call it a battle of two quarterbacks that are willing to take risks.

Tony Romo had had a great December.  With a win over New Orleans to start it all, he is coming into this game with a passer rating of 97.6.  A win already under his belt against the Eagles last week leaves him with the confidence that he so surely needs heading back to Cowboys Stadium on Saturday.

Donovan McNabb isn’t to be taken lightly either.  With a lower passer rating of 92.9, McNabb’s numbers are all lower than Romo’s on his 2009 season.  One thing he does have in his favor though is coaching.  Andy Reid isn’t going to let last week’s loss effect his side going into Saturday’s match up, and he sure as hell isn’t going to let it effect his quarterback.

Out of the two though, the edge would have to go to Tony Romo.  Only nine interceptions on the season and twenty six touchdowns, gives him the edge stats wise. 

Ranked third in passing yards behind Peyton Manning and Matt Schaub, Tony Romo also has his go to guy, and roommate Miles Austin to rely on.  With this week ahead, you can guarantee that the two have read the playbook top to bottom while in their hotel room.

Home field advantage also plays into Romo’s hands, especially since he doesn’t have a certain girl dressed in a pink number 9 jersey to distract him this year.  Instead his head is in the game, and for once, out of the media.

With all these positives working in Romo’s favor, expect him to have a big game.  Risks will payoff in this one, especially since Miles Austin is red hot. 

One thing Romo must avoid though is not taking enough risks.  In a forth and short situation, I think it is important for them to go for it early.  Gain even more confidence, and not settle for field goals.

If it doesn’t work early though, change it.  A good mixture of run and pass can win the game for either team.  Both have the ability at the running back position, and at the quarterback position.

 

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From Zero to Hero: How Alex Smith Has Turned the 49ers Around

Three years ago, people would have read that headline and said “No way”. Now, things are different.

Alex Smith, the former Utah Utes quarterback, has taken a while to get his legs in the NFL. Throughout the numerous struggling seasons that resulted in average and below .500 records, Smith has come through the other side a better man.

They say every cloud has a silver lining. Well, this is one of those stories.

Stats wise, Smith wasn’t living up to expectations. Taken as the first overall pick in the 2005 draft and signed to a $49.5 million contract, Smith’s football skills vanished almost as quickly as he received his first paycheck.

In his rookie season with the 49ers, Smith threw for 165 passes, but only completed 84 of them. One touchdown on the season capped off a year that 49er fans would like to erase from the history books.

Just like many rookies in the NFL, Smith struggled in his first year. That is obviously understandable. Look at Matt Stafford or Mark Sanchez—their numbers aren’t exactly great, but it’s all about getting practice and confidence building, right?

That statement wouldn’t prove more true than in the 2006 season, when Smith’s stats sky-rocketed and won him the starting position for the 2007 season.

257 completions on the year, along with 16 touchdowns and 2890 yards, were the more realistic numbers that a first round pick should be producing.

The next few years varied. In 2007, he fell back into his 2006 slump and only played seven games. 2008 marked the year of injury, and 2009 was an average year, but a better one than expected.

The 49ers finished this season 8-8. It was a better year than the 49ers expected to have, but it wasn’t what they had dreamed of heading into the regular season.

Many people had San Francisco down as their sleeper team of 2009. I know I did. With players like Frank Gore and Patrick Willis, you’d be stupid to bet against them.

Overall, Mike Singletary seemed please with San Francisco’s season. At least they finished with a winning record, and at least they avoided injury.

As for the future, well, it lies in the hands of the players right now. Smith is no doubt the starter for the team, and if the coaching staff think they can mix and match him with Shaun Hill, then they are only doing themselves more trouble than favors.

Frank Gore is still going strong, and is the true team leader of a team that he has seen the highs and lows of. 

Patrick Willis is capping off a more than impressive year. Leading the NFL in 2009 with 147 tackles, four sacks, and three forced fumbles, Patrick Willis may be the sole reason why the 49ers defense held up in some close games this season.

The future is looking more than bright for the 49ers at this stage. They may not be Super Bowl caliber yet, but with the weak division that they are in, and the Arizona Cardinals not being as dominant as they once were, they may just take the NFC West next year.

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Shanahan In: Agrees To Five Year Deal With Washington Redskins

In the matter of 48 hours, the Washington Redskins have gotten things done.  Jim Zorn is out, and a breaking news story that Mike Shanahan has signed a five year deal worth $7 million is in.

Shanahan flew to Washington D.C. on Monday to discuss a possible agreement with the Redskins that he would immediately take over previous coach Jim Zorn’s head coaching job.

This news is definitely what the Redskins wanted to hear.  The former Denver Broncos Head Coach, Shanahan is no stranger to the game.  With a bitter exit from the Broncos at the beginning of last season, Mike will enter the Redskins locker room with a point to prove, and better yet a team to rebuild.

Shanahan will also bring his son Kyle up from Houston to be the new offense coordinator of the Redskins.

On the defensive side, the Redskins staff is preparing to interview Mike Zimmer, defensive coordinator of the Cincinnati Bengals.  Zimmer’s job could be in jeopardy, particularly if the Bengals lose to the Jets this Sunday.

The two time Super Bowl winning coach brings a lot to the table of a team that has struggled.  Not only will he take over the head coaching role, he is also set to become the new executive-vice president in Washington.

The Redskins brought talent in the last off season, this time they are placing coaches in to help build structure in their organization.  It is definitely a positive start to an off season that has only just begun.

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Did Brett Favre Really Stick it to the Green Bay Packers This Season?

Remember at the start of the regular season, the circulating story that Brett Favre really wanted to stick it to the Green Bay Packers? 

If you don’t, here is a little reminder.

Months before the regular season started, Brett Favre was set to play for the Vikings.  The contracts were signed, the deals were made, and the playbook had been exchanged into Favre’s hands. 

Packer fans booed, Viking fans cheered, and the rest of the NFL said, “Who really cares?”

That was about the extent of it.  Except for one minor fact.  Brett Favre remained spiteful about the way things were handled in his departure from Green Bay.  Stories were made, articles were written, and Brett Favre had apparently said that he would “love to stick it to the Packer nation.”

After a while this story died down, and the season began.  Week 4 was the first scheduled meeting of the Packers and Vikings, and all fans knew it would be a heated one.  The Packers barely showed up, and got beaten 23-20. 

A month later the teams went head-to-head again, and Green Bay fell in a close but ‘too little too late’-style loss 38-26 at Lambeau Field.

With all this behind us now, and knowing that Minnesota and Green Bay are in firm control of their destiny in the playoffs, did Brett Favre really stick it to the Packer nation?

Well, in a way he did.  His team that was arguably run by him, beat Green Bay twice in the season, and did it in emphatic fashion.  As impressive as that sounds, Green Bay wasn’t exactly sound offensively or defensively, as they were going through offensive line changes that seeked much-needed attention.

Still, it is no excuse.  The Vikings beat the Packers fair and square, and Favre of course came out of the Metrodome and Lambeau Field looking the better man.

What about stats though?

This is where the real story is told.

Overall team rushing, Green Bay is ranked No. 1, followed by none other than Minnesota.  Green Bay is of course ranked a high No. 2 in team defense, while Minnesota’s defense that was considered the best in the league for a period of time, has slipped off the rankings totally.

So far Brett’s promise hasn’t really lived up to expectations.  If anything, Ted Thompson and the Packers staff has stuck it to him.  Letting Brett go marked a day where Green Bay changed their organization for the future.  That future  basically turned into Aaron Rodgers, who has made a name for himself in the league within only two seasons of play.

The Packers and the Vikings could still meet up again this postseason.  Will Brett live up to his statement and ‘stick it’ to us?  I guess he could.  If that matchup does become a reality, Brett will have to rethink his gameplan though. Green Bay isn’t the walkover team that they once were at the start of the season.

 

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Colts and Saints: Who Has More to Fear?

Think back three weeks ago, and every thing seemed pretty much laid out, plain and simple. The Vikings and Saints were going to meet in the NFC Championship game, and the Colts and Chargers were going to meet in the AFC Championship game.

Boy, has that changed. 

Coming off being the two most-feared teams in the league, the Colts and Saints have been silenced the past three weeks, as they have basically taken their foot off the gas and stalled so close to the finish line.

Although they didn’t get their glorified 16-0 season, both teams are still forces not to be messed with. Peyton Manning is playing great football along with Reggie Wayne and Dallas Clark, and the Saints are still rolling along offensively despite a recent collapse.

So, who is in more trouble, though? 

According to ESPN, it’s the Saints. I tend to agree with them.

The Colts have suffered two losses, but they haven’t been real confidence-reducers by any means. The first loss coming last week against the Jets at home was, of course, tough and full of controversy, but it undoubtedly didn’t faze Peyton Manning.

This week’s loss at Buffalo was hardly significant. A snow-filled game with the second stringers playing basically just rested the Colts’ team for another week and gave them some more planning time.

New Orleans, on the other hand, well, they have every right to be worried.

I remember watching the New Orleans vs. Dallas game two weeks ago thinking, “Wow, Brees looks rattled.” This week against Carolina the backups played for the Saints, but that may have been a bad decision. 

A smarter thing to do would be to give Brees a fair amount of playing time, at least in the first half, and allow him to get back into that groove and put the Dallas game behind him.

From winning streak to losing streak, New Orleans fans aren’t happy. Who can blame them?

Sean Payton had this team set, and all of New Orleans was rocking to the beat of the drum. All of a sudden a shocking loss to Dallas, then Tampa Bay, and followed by another one at Carolina left a sour taste in the mouths of Saints fans.

It’s not time to hit the panic button just yet, though. If there is anything more positive to go on, it’s that the Saints have next week off. 

Practice and rest will be the key, and whoever the Saints get matched up with the following week, expect them to be physically and mentally prepared.

If they are not however, it may be an early exit for New Orleans in the postseason.

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Colts and Saints: Who Has More to Fear?

Think back three weeks ago, and every thing seemed pretty much laid out, plain and simple. The Vikings and Saints were going to meet in the NFC Championship game, and the Colts and Chargers were going to meet in the AFC Championship game.

Boy, has that changed. 

Coming off being the two most-feared teams in the league, the Colts and Saints have been silenced the past three weeks, as they have basically taken their foot off the gas and stalled so close to the finish line.

Although they didn’t get their glorified 16-0 season, both teams are still forces not to be messed with. Peyton Manning is playing great football along with Reggie Wayne and Dallas Clark, and the Saints are still rolling along offensively despite a recent collapse.

So, who is in more trouble, though? 

According to ESPN, it’s the Saints. I tend to agree with them.

The Colts have suffered two losses, but they haven’t been real confidence-reducers by any means. The first loss coming last week against the Jets at home was, of course, tough and full of controversy, but it undoubtedly didn’t faze Peyton Manning.

This week’s loss at Buffalo was hardly significant. A snow-filled game with the second stringers playing basically just rested the Colts’ team for another week and gave them some more planning time.

New Orleans, on the other hand, well, they have every right to be worried.

I remember watching the New Orleans vs. Dallas game two weeks ago thinking, “Wow, Brees looks rattled.” This week against Carolina the backups played for the Saints, but that may have been a bad decision. 

A smarter thing to do would be to give Brees a fair amount of playing time, at least in the first half, and allow him to get back into that groove and put the Dallas game behind him.

From winning streak to losing streak, New Orleans fans aren’t happy. Who can blame them?

Sean Payton had this team set, and all of New Orleans was rocking to the beat of the drum. All of a sudden a shocking loss to Dallas, then Tampa Bay, and followed by another one at Carolina left a sour taste in the mouths of Saints fans.

It’s not time to hit the panic button just yet, though. If there is anything more positive to go on, it’s that the Saints have next week off. 

Practice and rest will be the key, and whoever the Saints get matched up with the following week, expect them to be physically and mentally prepared.

If they are not however, it may be an early exit for New Orleans in the postseason.

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Sitting And Starting: Whose In and Whose Out

At the moment the NFL is in a bit of a frenzy.  Players and coaches are having squabbles over who should sit and who should start, and at the same time are trying to motivate their team to have momentum going into the playoffs.

Numerous shoe in teams for the postseason have listed who they are going to start and who is going to have the week off.

So far the standouts are as follows.

Drew Brees

Coach Sean Payton has decided to let number nine take the week off.  He may play for a few snaps during their upcoming fixture against the Panthers, but there is no need for him to play the entire game. 

For all the Saints fans out there, they should take this as good news.  If the inevitable happens and the Saints do lose to the Panthers this weekend, they can at least rest assured knowing that their prized quarterback is fit and healthy.

Michael Vick

Although the Eagles are looking like they are going to play the majority of their starters, Eagles fans will be glad to know that Michael Vick is set to backup McNabb in their away game next week against Dallas. 

Andy Reid is a smart coach.  Don’t be surprised if he takes McNabb out for at least a play in every drive to give Vick some decent playing time.  If the Eagles get blown out early, expect Reid and Offensive Coordinator Marty Mornhinweg to take a precautionary measure and sit McNabb out. 

Just like Drew Brees, there is no need to risk anything.  Michael Vick is a great backup to have, and I think I speak for Eagles when saying that the game could still be won quite easily with Vick under centre.

Troy Polamalu

This decision is still on the cards.  The Steelers have spoken about resting Polamalu for  their final game of the season against the Dolphins next week.  Troy is still not 100%, and has barely practiced all week.

This shouldn’t hurt the Steelers chances however.  They’ve done well enough without him all season, and the Dolphins are lacking the explosive gene they once had in their offense.  Another bonus that Steeler fans should count their blessing for is the fact that Dolphins running back Ricky Williams is listed questionable for the game.  Without Williams, the loss of Polamalu is not such a big deal.

Adam Vinatieri

Out with a knee injury, Adam Vinatieri is doubted to play next week in Buffalo.  With the plane already left well and truly for Ralph Wilson Stadium, Vinatieri and six other Colts players are staying home. 

Not a meaningful loss at all for Indianapolis.  Although they could have their hands full with the Bills, as they are struggling to fill the required number of players to play on Sunday. 

The Bills have something to prove next week, and will no doubt be going hard out in doing so.  Without a great kicker like Vinatieri in the lineup, the Bills may just steal one.  We’ll have to wait and see though.

Matt Willis

I wouldn’t blame you if you haven’t heard of him.  I hadn’t at first either.  With the big story still brewing with Brandon Marshall in Denver, Eddie Royal is also unlikely to play on Sunday.

The Broncos therefore called up Matt Willis from their practice squad to fill the void.  Tight end Tony Scheffler has also been benched by Josh McDaniels along with Brandon Marshall, so the Broncos are definitely short in terms of receivers this Sunday.

Matt Willis catches his big break amongst all the chaos.  Let’s see if he can make a statement.

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