January 23rd, 2011, Sunday
Sunday Morning Gametime
Championship Day
Championship Day
Today’s injury notes
For this time of year, all four teams playing today are relatively healthy and wo’t have any significant injuries to be concerned with. The only two notable players this week with any injury concerns, Bears safety Chris Harris (torn muscle) will play with pain today and Jets defensive end Shaun Ellis (knee) is questionable, but expected to play.
A couple of notable differences for the Jets-Steelers matchup later this evening, in their first meeting the Steelers were without tight end Heath Miller and All-Pro safety Troy Polamalu; both are healthy today and will start.
The Bears will not have wide receiver Devin Aromashodu, he will be inactive making room for tight end Desmond Clark; the Bears will obviously be leaning on the run and adding more blockers to protect Cutler.
The Jets will have a healthy Brad Smith (groin) back on the field today. Smith was a full-participant in practice Friday and will be returning kicks today for the Jets. In their only meeting with Pittsburgh back in week 15 this season, Smith took the opening kickoff to the house; it was one of his two returns for touchdowns this season.
The Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger is battling a cold and had some voice issues, but according to ESPN earlier the Steelers coaching staff say Big Ben is feeling better and his voice should not be an issue. If Big Ben does struggle with making calls it could have an impact on their hurry-up offense.
For this time of year, all four teams playing today are relatively healthy and wo’t have any significant injuries to be concerned with. The only two notable players this week with any injury concerns, Bears safety Chris Harris (torn muscle) will play with pain today and Jets defensive end Shaun Ellis (knee) is questionable, but expected to play.
A couple of notable differences for the Jets-Steelers matchup later this evening, in their first meeting the Steelers were without tight end Heath Miller and All-Pro safety Troy Polamalu; both are healthy today and will start.
The Bears will not have wide receiver Devin Aromashodu, he will be inactive making room for tight end Desmond Clark; the Bears will obviously be leaning on the run and adding more blockers to protect Cutler.
The Jets will have a healthy Brad Smith (groin) back on the field today. Smith was a full-participant in practice Friday and will be returning kicks today for the Jets. In their only meeting with Pittsburgh back in week 15 this season, Smith took the opening kickoff to the house; it was one of his two returns for touchdowns this season.
The Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger is battling a cold and had some voice issues, but according to ESPN earlier the Steelers coaching staff say Big Ben is feeling better and his voice should not be an issue. If Big Ben does struggle with making calls it could have an impact on their hurry-up offense.
Today’s Matchup (Player watch)
Both of today’s games offer plenty of defense and defensive specialists; in the Packers-Bears matchup both teams bode plenty of playmakers that can make a huge difference, but only a few can change the game.
The Bears will need a huge effort from defensive end Julius Pepper. The versatile Peppers will need to bring a whole lot of pressure on the edge if the Bears have any hopes of slowing down the Packers passing attack. Peppers’ is also an extremely gifted athlete and will need to make plays today against the run.
Linebacker Brian Urlacher will also be essential for the success of the Bears defense. He also needs a big game against the run today if the defense is going to force quarterback Aaron Rodgers into predictable 3rd and long passing downs.
On the other side of the coin, the Packers have a couple of defensive players that need to play very well this afternoon. The key to slowing down the Bears attack will be shutting down the run and pressuring quarterback Jay Cutler. Linebacker Clay Matthews Jr. and cornerback Charles Woodson need to get there when the Pack bring the heat, if they don’t Cutler could have a big passing day for Chicago.
The Packers defensive linemen B.J. Raji and Cullen Jenkins need to clog the middle and make sure running back Matt Forte does not have a big game on the ground. In their last meeting Forte scampered his way for 91 yards.
The Steelers will need to secure the ball today against the Jets defense and will need Big Ben to make a few plays if they hope to have great success running the ball. In their last meeting Ben passed for 264 yards completing 23 passes, while running back Rashard Mendenhall was successful running the ball for 99 yards; they will need more of the same.
Against the Steelers offense today, the Jets defense needs a much better push against the run. Defensive lineman Shaun Ellis is expected to play and along with him linebacker Bart Scott will need to be big against the run. The Steelers managed 146 yards last go around, if the Jets are to win, they can’t allow the Steelers as many yards.
…of course there will be plenty of offense to watch;
Aaron Rodgers is geared up to have a big day against the Bears. Starks will see some carries, but his effectiveness should come in short yardage near the goal line. You can pick and choose any of Rodgers weapons, but one that may go overlooked today is Jordy Nelson; effective last week against the Falcons and could be big today.
Running back Matt Forte should see plenty of action in the run and pass games today, with quarterback Jay Cutler throwing the ball quite a bit today against the Packers aggressive 5th ranked pass defense. Tight end Greg Olsen came up big last week and could be utilized more today in shorter routes in hopes of slowing down the Pack sack attack.
The Steelers had success in the air and on the ground in their last meeting with the Jets; wide receiver Mike Wallace could be in for another terrific outing today matched up against Cromartie and Mendenhall will get plenty of carries inside and could find paydirt.
The Jets may struggle a little today, but where they may find success is with their big receiver Braylon Edwards (8 catches in the last meeting) and if this game moves to the pass for New York, running back LaDanian Tomlinson is still an effective weapon.
By David Ortega
Both of today’s games offer plenty of defense and defensive specialists; in the Packers-Bears matchup both teams bode plenty of playmakers that can make a huge difference, but only a few can change the game.
The Bears will need a huge effort from defensive end Julius Pepper. The versatile Peppers will need to bring a whole lot of pressure on the edge if the Bears have any hopes of slowing down the Packers passing attack. Peppers’ is also an extremely gifted athlete and will need to make plays today against the run.
Linebacker Brian Urlacher will also be essential for the success of the Bears defense. He also needs a big game against the run today if the defense is going to force quarterback Aaron Rodgers into predictable 3rd and long passing downs.
On the other side of the coin, the Packers have a couple of defensive players that need to play very well this afternoon. The key to slowing down the Bears attack will be shutting down the run and pressuring quarterback Jay Cutler. Linebacker Clay Matthews Jr. and cornerback Charles Woodson need to get there when the Pack bring the heat, if they don’t Cutler could have a big passing day for Chicago.
The Packers defensive linemen B.J. Raji and Cullen Jenkins need to clog the middle and make sure running back Matt Forte does not have a big game on the ground. In their last meeting Forte scampered his way for 91 yards.
The Steelers will need to secure the ball today against the Jets defense and will need Big Ben to make a few plays if they hope to have great success running the ball. In their last meeting Ben passed for 264 yards completing 23 passes, while running back Rashard Mendenhall was successful running the ball for 99 yards; they will need more of the same.
Against the Steelers offense today, the Jets defense needs a much better push against the run. Defensive lineman Shaun Ellis is expected to play and along with him linebacker Bart Scott will need to be big against the run. The Steelers managed 146 yards last go around, if the Jets are to win, they can’t allow the Steelers as many yards.
…of course there will be plenty of offense to watch;
Aaron Rodgers is geared up to have a big day against the Bears. Starks will see some carries, but his effectiveness should come in short yardage near the goal line. You can pick and choose any of Rodgers weapons, but one that may go overlooked today is Jordy Nelson; effective last week against the Falcons and could be big today.
Running back Matt Forte should see plenty of action in the run and pass games today, with quarterback Jay Cutler throwing the ball quite a bit today against the Packers aggressive 5th ranked pass defense. Tight end Greg Olsen came up big last week and could be utilized more today in shorter routes in hopes of slowing down the Pack sack attack.
The Steelers had success in the air and on the ground in their last meeting with the Jets; wide receiver Mike Wallace could be in for another terrific outing today matched up against Cromartie and Mendenhall will get plenty of carries inside and could find paydirt.
The Jets may struggle a little today, but where they may find success is with their big receiver Braylon Edwards (8 catches in the last meeting) and if this game moves to the pass for New York, running back LaDanian Tomlinson is still an effective weapon.
By David Ortega
