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football during the games, before
the games and after
SCORE PREDICTIONS???
TEN TOP HOT TOPICS FOR WEEK 12
1. How many points will it take?
The
New Orleans Saints
have scored over 40 points four times this season and have seven games
with 30 or more. They average 36.4 points a game at home. But, here
come the Patriots and their 37.2 points a game over their last five
contests.
Tom Brady and
Drew Brees
can both fire the ball as many times as it takes to win a game. Brady
already has five games with more than 40 throws and Brees has seven
games with over 30 passes. It wouldn't surprise me if this
Monday Night Game has 80 passes and 75 points.
2. To be young again
However, 32-year-old Ricky Williams is playing like he took a bath in
the youthful water. He should have over 1,000 total yards after Week
12. He's averaging 5.3 yards per carry, has demonstrated a burst out of
the hole, speed to turn the corner, and real passion for the game. He
has a better yards per rush average this season than any other in his
career. His four runs over 20 yards ties what he did all of last year.
3. Division clashes galore
Nine divisional games makes this one of the more compelling
weekends on the calendar. It's hard to sweep a division opponent
because teams that were beaten by a rival earlier in the season want
revenge. Will it be the Texans, who host the Colts, after falling 20-17
in Week 9? Can the Chiefs rebound against the Chargers following a 37-7
drubbing in Week 7?
4. Are Warner and Roethlisberger healthy?
Even though
Kurt Warner and
Ben Roethlisberger
experienced some form of a blow to the head last week, both
quarterbacks claim they are healthy enough to play. While the players
are convinced they will be alright, if they get hit again and the
problem worsens like it has for
Brian Westbrook
or like it did for Al Toon of the Jets, there will be serious
ramifications coming down from the league office about these types of
injuries.
5. Streaks worth attention
The Colts own a 19-game regular season winning streak heading into
Week 12. The Steelers have beaten the Ravens three straight times,
including the playoffs. Seattle has won nine straight against St.
Louis. San Diego is riding a five-game winning streak. Tom Brady has
five straight 300-yard passing games. Chris Johnson has five straight
100-yard rushing games.
6. Left to wonder
Left tackles get paid well to pass block, but a few of them will
struggle to sleep Saturday night thanks to the matchups they face.
Jared Allen (10.5 sacks) goes up against
Orlando Pace of the Bears in Minnesota.
Dwight Freeney (9.5 sacks) is in Houston against
Duane Brown. The Saints'
Will Smith has six sacks in his last four games and rookie
Sebastian Vollmer
draws the assignment for the Patriots in a game where Tom Brady may
throw 40 times. And finally, keep a close eye on Steelers pass rusher
James Harrison, who already has 10 sacks, as he faces
Jared Gaither of the Ravens. I wouldn't be surprised if the group collects eight sacks between them.
7. Rookie growing pains
Although
Matthew Stafford
played a courageous game on Thanksgiving with a shoulder injury, he
also threw four interceptions and 11 of his 18 picks have come in the
last four games.
Mark Sanchez is no better, throwing six of his 16 interceptions in the last two games.
Josh Freeman
is coming off a loss where he had three interceptions to go with a
fumble. The Falcons now have three games of film to study Freeman's
style and habits. There may be rougher roads ahead for all three rookies
8. Road woes
The Browns, Buccaneers, Redskins and Seahawks hit the road without
a single road win between them. They are a combined 0-18 when they are
away from home, and it doesn't look much better this weekend. Seattle
may have the best chance to get a win from the group as it beat St.
Louis 28-0 in the first matchup this season and the Rams are winless at
home.
9. More than the kicker
There is no denying
Kris Brown
missed critical field goals that cost Houston two games (against the
Colts and Titans) and possibly the season. However, the Texans have not
won a game since tight end
Owen Daniels
was lost to injury. In the three games prior to his season ending
injury, Houston put up 28 points a game while Daniels averaged five
receptions and a touchdown per contest. Since he was put on IR, the
Texans have averaged 17 points a game and are 0-2.
10. 3-4 nose tackles are scarce
Any team that plays a 3-4 defense knows that success starts up
front with a massive nose tackle that plays over the center's head and
forces double teams. In the NFL, 3-4 nose tackles are an endangered
species. The Chargers lost
Jamal Williams and somehow keep winning. The Jets have dropped three of four games since
Kris Jenkins went down.
Jason Ferguson of the Dolphins just found he is heading to IR, which leaves
Paul Soliai
to replace him. All three teams have playoff aspirations, but the lack
of a quality nose tackle hurts their chances. So far, the Chargers have
adjusted best.
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