December 21st, 2008 10:00am PST
Championship Preview Weekend
A pair of tops seeds Clash in Week 16...
Could the NFL have planned this any better? Someone must be a genius over there or the NFL and fans everywhere got lucky with this one. Later this morning the tops seeds in both the AFC and NFC will meet in not only what could decide the top seed and home field advantage throughout the playoffs, but what could more than likely be a preview of both championship matchups.
Two heavyweight battles made for football and fans alike will commence today, with the two winners likely to be pegged the odds on favorite to represent their respective conference in this season Superbowl finale. New York, Carolina, Pittsburgh, and Tennessee, four teams that run the ball, play solid defense, and are filled with playmakers on both sides of the ball. Today's matchups will undoubtedly be a treat for all.
Championship Preview Weekend
A pair of tops seeds Clash in Week 16...
Could the NFL have planned this any better? Someone must be a genius over there or the NFL and fans everywhere got lucky with this one. Later this morning the tops seeds in both the AFC and NFC will meet in not only what could decide the top seed and home field advantage throughout the playoffs, but what could more than likely be a preview of both championship matchups.
Two heavyweight battles made for football and fans alike will commence today, with the two winners likely to be pegged the odds on favorite to represent their respective conference in this season Superbowl finale. New York, Carolina, Pittsburgh, and Tennessee, four teams that run the ball, play solid defense, and are filled with playmakers on both sides of the ball. Today's matchups will undoubtedly be a treat for all.
vs
The early matchup today is the Steelers-Titans matchup. The Titans will play host to Pittsburgh and its 2008 version of 'Blitzburgh.' This season the Steelers run to an 11-3 record has been carried by the dominant play of their defense. While the offense is still filled with a few players like Willie Parker and Hines Ward that can still make plays, it's been the defense that has made the most. The Steel curtain has registered 47 sacks and forced 29 turnovers this season, while their boys in the middle have stuffed the run to a tune of just 76-yards allowed per game (ranked 2nd) this season. Key players that have led the way are; linebacker James Harrison (15 sacks), linebacker James Farrior (112 tackles), defensive back Troy Polamalu (7 interceptions).
The Steelers number one overall ranked defense will be put to a hefty test today facing the Titans running game. The Titans boast the first set of running backs to be tagged 'Smash N Dash' and these two have yet to disappoint this Season. Running backs Chris Johnson and LenDale White have combined to rush for 1,859-yards and combined to score 22 rushing touchdowns. While the running game has been healthy this season, the Titans also have a very capable defense that can swallow its opponents. This season Tennessee is ranked 4th overall on defense its been their pass coverage that has worked best. With a front line bringing pressure with 38 sacks this season, players like defensive backs Courtland Finnegan and Michael Griffin have benefited with 5 interceptions each.
The Titans will rely heavily on their two-horse running game to keep the pressure off savvy veteran quarterback Kerry Collins. Collins will be asked to manage the offense, minimize the mistakes, and keep the chains moving. The Steelers will likely counter with 8 and 9 in the box and force lots of pressure on the Titans pass game. The Titans would like to do much of the same when the Steelers have the ball, but with defensive linemen Albert Haynesworth (8 sacks) and Kyle Vanden Bosch (4 sacks,3 forced fumbles) out with injuries, that could be a tough test to pass today. No question the Steelers will take advantage and take their shots downfield.
This will be a close one today, but the Steelers offense should be able to make a few more plays than the Titans.
Prediction: Steelers 27, Titans 17.
The Steelers number one overall ranked defense will be put to a hefty test today facing the Titans running game. The Titans boast the first set of running backs to be tagged 'Smash N Dash' and these two have yet to disappoint this Season. Running backs Chris Johnson and LenDale White have combined to rush for 1,859-yards and combined to score 22 rushing touchdowns. While the running game has been healthy this season, the Titans also have a very capable defense that can swallow its opponents. This season Tennessee is ranked 4th overall on defense its been their pass coverage that has worked best. With a front line bringing pressure with 38 sacks this season, players like defensive backs Courtland Finnegan and Michael Griffin have benefited with 5 interceptions each.
The Titans will rely heavily on their two-horse running game to keep the pressure off savvy veteran quarterback Kerry Collins. Collins will be asked to manage the offense, minimize the mistakes, and keep the chains moving. The Steelers will likely counter with 8 and 9 in the box and force lots of pressure on the Titans pass game. The Titans would like to do much of the same when the Steelers have the ball, but with defensive linemen Albert Haynesworth (8 sacks) and Kyle Vanden Bosch (4 sacks,3 forced fumbles) out with injuries, that could be a tough test to pass today. No question the Steelers will take advantage and take their shots downfield.
This will be a close one today, but the Steelers offense should be able to make a few more plays than the Titans.
Prediction: Steelers 27, Titans 17.
VS 
In the Sunday night encore performance, we'll see two of the best NFC teams with the New York Giants hosting the Carolina Panthers. The Giants have been stumbling as of late and it would appear the door to the top of the NFC has been left wide open for a team that has been somewhat of a puzzle this season.
The Panthers have not looked flashy and have not appeared dominant on defense at any time this season, but what they have done consistently is run the ball. With the other 'Smash N Dash' (DeAngleo Williams and Jonathan Stewart), the Panthers have rolled up 1,980-yards on the ground and scored 23 rushing touchdowns. Quarterback Jake Delhomme has been steady, but not great this season, but with these two wheels (Williams and Stewart) rolling well, Delhomme has not had to be. Perhaps the catalyst on offense for the Cats has to be Steve Smith (70 receptions 1,240-yards, 6 touchdowns). When Delhomme has been in a groove and finding number 89, Smith has been unstoppable.
The Giants on the other hand have used a bruising three-headed-monster running game led by the man-child running back Brandon Jacobs. With Earth (Jacobs), Wind (Derrick Ward), and Fire (Ahmad Bradshaw) totaling 2,062-yards and 15 rushing touchdowns, the Giants make little secret of what they like to do and how they win football games. Quarterback Eli Manning has been sort of a fantasy football enigma; he keeps winning, but its never pretty. This season Manning has only passed for 300-yards and thrown more than 40 passes in a game just once this season, again proving that the Giants success comes through the running game. The Giants have one of the leagues top running games, but they have also found success with one of the leagues top defensive units. The Giants can bring pressure with 40 sacks this season and their number four ranked run defense can make it tough to run the ball.
This matchup has the same makeup of its AFC predecessor, the running games will be at a premium and both quarterbacks need to manage their offenses and eliminate mistakes. While the Giants will have Jacobs back for tonight's clash, the defense could have trouble slowing down Smash N Dash. Expect nothing less than big plays and bigger hits.
Delhomme won't be a hero, but he'll get the ball to his playmaker, Steve Smith and Panthers secondary should be able to cover the Giants deep threats.
Prediction: Panthers 28, Giants 20.
Keep checking back for more football and more fantasy....
By David G. Ortega
The Panthers have not looked flashy and have not appeared dominant on defense at any time this season, but what they have done consistently is run the ball. With the other 'Smash N Dash' (DeAngleo Williams and Jonathan Stewart), the Panthers have rolled up 1,980-yards on the ground and scored 23 rushing touchdowns. Quarterback Jake Delhomme has been steady, but not great this season, but with these two wheels (Williams and Stewart) rolling well, Delhomme has not had to be. Perhaps the catalyst on offense for the Cats has to be Steve Smith (70 receptions 1,240-yards, 6 touchdowns). When Delhomme has been in a groove and finding number 89, Smith has been unstoppable.
The Giants on the other hand have used a bruising three-headed-monster running game led by the man-child running back Brandon Jacobs. With Earth (Jacobs), Wind (Derrick Ward), and Fire (Ahmad Bradshaw) totaling 2,062-yards and 15 rushing touchdowns, the Giants make little secret of what they like to do and how they win football games. Quarterback Eli Manning has been sort of a fantasy football enigma; he keeps winning, but its never pretty. This season Manning has only passed for 300-yards and thrown more than 40 passes in a game just once this season, again proving that the Giants success comes through the running game. The Giants have one of the leagues top running games, but they have also found success with one of the leagues top defensive units. The Giants can bring pressure with 40 sacks this season and their number four ranked run defense can make it tough to run the ball.
This matchup has the same makeup of its AFC predecessor, the running games will be at a premium and both quarterbacks need to manage their offenses and eliminate mistakes. While the Giants will have Jacobs back for tonight's clash, the defense could have trouble slowing down Smash N Dash. Expect nothing less than big plays and bigger hits.
Delhomme won't be a hero, but he'll get the ball to his playmaker, Steve Smith and Panthers secondary should be able to cover the Giants deep threats.
Prediction: Panthers 28, Giants 20.
Keep checking back for more football and more fantasy....
By David G. Ortega
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