January 22nd, 2011 Saturday
The Saturday Fantasy Report
Championship Weekend
Aaron Rodgers Set For A Huge Sunday
…no other quarterback has been playing near as well as the Packers’ Aaron Rodgers. He has been simply brilliant on the gridiron over the past month. The Bears have a very fast and swarming defense and will make yards on the ground difficult. The Packers and Bears are no strangers to one another (old rivalry in the league), so it will be no surprise to see the Packers stay with what works.
With one of the leagues’ elite passers, offensive coordinator Joe Philbin likes to use a lot of multiple receiver sets, including four and five receiver formations. The Bears ranked 20th against the pass this season and will face a daunting task of trying to slowdown Rodgers and his Cheeseheads (receivers). The Bears have managed to play Rodgers well this season in two previous meetings, but the third time could be the charm.
Rodgers has six touchdowns this postseason and is completing nearly 80 percent of his throws (49 of 63). He is averaging almost 300 yards passing per game over the past month and has only thrown one interception in his last four starts (128 passes). Even with a little breeze on Sunday, Rodgers has plenty arm to be more than effective against the Bears.
(My thoughts; 25 of 35 passing, 285 yards passing, two touchdown)
James Starks Could Find Paydirt Against the Bears
The Bears boast a formidable run defense ranked 2nd in the league and on Sunday figure to create a lot of problems for rookie running back James Starks to find any space. In their last meeting Starks carried the ball just five times for 20 yards. He’ll get a few more chances this Sunday in the NFC Championsip, but could really struggle to find much more yards.
The Packers offense may not need a whole lot of production out of their backfield on Sunday; they like to throw the ball and will win or lose through the air. Even with the focus on an aerial assault Starks could see some production in short-yardage in the red-zone. The Packers will move the ball against the Bears 9th ranked (overall) defense on Sunday and could set up a few goal-line carries for Starks; he should be able to hit paydirt once.
(My thoughts; 12 carries, 45 yards, one touchdown)
Braylon Edwards Could Be Very Effective On Sunday
The Steelers have an awesome pass rush and will likely be in the face of Jets’ quarterback Mark Sanchez much of the afternoon on Sunday, but when they aren’t Sanchez could have some success finding wide receiver Braylon Edwards.
The Jets receiver is a large target and could give the Steelers undersized secondary lots of problems; in their first meeting Edwards snagged 8 balls for 100 yards. If the Steelers run defense is able to shut down the Jets ground game, Edwards could become even more of a factor in the pass game.
(My thoughts; 5 catches, 85 yards, one touchdown)
Steelers Defense is Primed to Stall Jets
This game will feature two of the league’s best defenses, but it may be just one that dominates on Sunday. In their earlier meeting this season the Steelers pass rush was held in check (just one sack), but I would expect head Coach Mike Tomlin to turn his dogs loose on Sunday.
With 13 sacks and 8 takeways in their last three games the Steel Curtain looks every bit ready to take the field and dominate. This could be the final episode for Head Coach Rex Ryan and his Jets and on filled with many hardknocks.
(My thoughts; four sacks, two interceptions, two forced fumbles)
Just my take
By David Ortega
…no other quarterback has been playing near as well as the Packers’ Aaron Rodgers. He has been simply brilliant on the gridiron over the past month. The Bears have a very fast and swarming defense and will make yards on the ground difficult. The Packers and Bears are no strangers to one another (old rivalry in the league), so it will be no surprise to see the Packers stay with what works.
With one of the leagues’ elite passers, offensive coordinator Joe Philbin likes to use a lot of multiple receiver sets, including four and five receiver formations. The Bears ranked 20th against the pass this season and will face a daunting task of trying to slowdown Rodgers and his Cheeseheads (receivers). The Bears have managed to play Rodgers well this season in two previous meetings, but the third time could be the charm.
Rodgers has six touchdowns this postseason and is completing nearly 80 percent of his throws (49 of 63). He is averaging almost 300 yards passing per game over the past month and has only thrown one interception in his last four starts (128 passes). Even with a little breeze on Sunday, Rodgers has plenty arm to be more than effective against the Bears.
(My thoughts; 25 of 35 passing, 285 yards passing, two touchdown)
James Starks Could Find Paydirt Against the Bears
The Bears boast a formidable run defense ranked 2nd in the league and on Sunday figure to create a lot of problems for rookie running back James Starks to find any space. In their last meeting Starks carried the ball just five times for 20 yards. He’ll get a few more chances this Sunday in the NFC Championsip, but could really struggle to find much more yards.
The Packers offense may not need a whole lot of production out of their backfield on Sunday; they like to throw the ball and will win or lose through the air. Even with the focus on an aerial assault Starks could see some production in short-yardage in the red-zone. The Packers will move the ball against the Bears 9th ranked (overall) defense on Sunday and could set up a few goal-line carries for Starks; he should be able to hit paydirt once.
(My thoughts; 12 carries, 45 yards, one touchdown)
Braylon Edwards Could Be Very Effective On Sunday
The Steelers have an awesome pass rush and will likely be in the face of Jets’ quarterback Mark Sanchez much of the afternoon on Sunday, but when they aren’t Sanchez could have some success finding wide receiver Braylon Edwards.
The Jets receiver is a large target and could give the Steelers undersized secondary lots of problems; in their first meeting Edwards snagged 8 balls for 100 yards. If the Steelers run defense is able to shut down the Jets ground game, Edwards could become even more of a factor in the pass game.
(My thoughts; 5 catches, 85 yards, one touchdown)
Steelers Defense is Primed to Stall Jets
This game will feature two of the league’s best defenses, but it may be just one that dominates on Sunday. In their earlier meeting this season the Steelers pass rush was held in check (just one sack), but I would expect head Coach Mike Tomlin to turn his dogs loose on Sunday.
With 13 sacks and 8 takeways in their last three games the Steel Curtain looks every bit ready to take the field and dominate. This could be the final episode for Head Coach Rex Ryan and his Jets and on filled with many hardknocks.
(My thoughts; four sacks, two interceptions, two forced fumbles)
Just my take
By David Ortega
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