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Football - EFS
Tennessee Titans (8-0) at Chicago Bears (5-3)
Tennessee Titans (TC)
Offense:
The Titans are a classic old-NFL team, they like to run the ball all day on Offense and hit hard on Defense. The Titans have the #1 rated Rush Offense in the NFL, headed by the two-headed monster of Chris Johnson and Lendale White. Johnson is actually getting more playing time than White. Still, they put the Titans in manageable 3rd down situations where QB K Collins doesn't have to carry the team. Collins has two very good TE's in Crumpler and Scaife. His WR corps still is not top notch, but they do produce each week. WR Brandon Jones is coming on the past few weeks. The Titans Offensive Line are all massive road graders-they will have their work cut out for them this week against the Bears DL.
Tennessee Defense
In many ways this could be the strength of this team, especially the DL. DE vanden Bosch is injured with a groin, he has not played for 5 weeks. DE Jevon Kearse is back and providing pressure. DT Haynesworth is a monster in the middle. The LB corps is solid with Bulluck, Tulloch, and Thornton. The Defensive backs all hit hard and are ball hawks. Finnegan and Hope are the best of the bunch.
Special Teams:
PK Rob Bironas and PN Craig Hentrich are still a very good tamden. Bironas has the leg strength to hit from 60 yards under the right conditions.
Fantasy Slant:
Even against the Bears, both Johnson and White are good RB2 plays. Any of the OL make good starts too. On Defense there are a host of good players to start:DT Haynesworth, LB's Bulluck and Tulloch (LB4), and DB's Finnegan, Harper and Hope.
Prediction:
Tennesse 19
Chicago 13
Summary: (MC)
The unbeaten Tennessee Titans head to Chicago for a showdown with the NFC North leading Chicago Bears. The game should feature plenty of defense and a great story-line with Rex Grossman making his first start in almost a year at Quarterback for the Bears.
Chicago Offense:
The Bears bring the 15th ranked offense into this game, averaging 333.6 yards per game. They have a solid 3rd down conversion rate at 42.2% and are averaging 27.9 points per game. They will be without starting Quarterback, Kyle Orten, who is expected to miss the game with a high ankle injury. Replacing him is Rex Grossman. Grossman made his debut last week and went 8 for 18 with 58 yards and a touchdown. Orten will be missed. Look for Grossman to try to get the ball to leading receiver, Rashied Davis, who has 318 yards on the season. Tight end, Greg Olsen figures to see even more work, adding to his 306 receiving yards. The ground game is ranked 11th in the NFL, averaging 114.6 yards per game. Rookie, Matt Forte leads the attack with 641 yards and 4 touchdowns.
Chicago Defense:
The Bears are +6 in the turnover category and are ranked 18th in total defense. They allow 329 yards and 21.6 points per game. The run defense is their strength, ranking 6th in the NFL with only 81.8 yards allowed per contest. Linebackers, Lance Briggs and Brian Urlacher, who lead the team in tackles, will need to be at the top of their game to slow the Titans rushing attack. The pass defense has struggled at times. It is ranked 3th in the NFL – allowing 247.8 yards per game. Cornerbacks, Charles Tillman and Nathan Vasher are back from injury and the secondary will be at full-strength for the game. Look for Kevin Payne to continue his strong play. The Bears will need to step-up the pressure. Alex Brown leads the team in sacks with 3 and they need better pressure against Kerry Collins.
Chicago Special Teams:
The Bears have great special teams play. Brad Maynard is averaging 40.9 yards per punt and Kicker, Robbie Gould has been solid all year. Devin Hester has been a slight disappointment only averaging 6.2 yards per punt return and 20.9 yards per kickoff return. He has yet to break one, in either category. Look for the drought to continue at least one more week as the Titans are very strong in coverage.
Fantasy Spin:
Play – Matt Forte (RB); Greg Olsen (TE); Lance Briggs (OLB) and Brian Urlacher (ILB)
Bench – Kyle Orten (QB); Rex Grossman (QB); Devin Hester (WR) and Rashied Davis (WR)
Prediction:
Chicago Bears 21
Tennessee Titans 16
New York Giants (7-1) at Philadelphia Eagles (5-3)
New York Giants (TC)
New York Offense
QB Eli Manning is having a better season than brother Peyton! Eli is blessed with a strong running game and excellent group of WR's. RB's B Jacobs and D Ward have flourished the past few weeks. A Bradshaw has not been heard from too much but his time is coming. WR's P Burress, A Toomer, S Smith and D Hixon are playing very well. In addition, young TE Boss is now making his presence felt too. As usual the Giants OL is one of the best around.
New York Defense
When Osi Umenyiora went down everyone expected the Giants pass rush to diminish, but that hasn't been the case. DE Tuck is still playing very well, but M Kiwanuka and D Tollefson have joined him to add pressure. The LB's have been nicked up, especially Pierce, but apparently they are now healthy. The Defensive Backs are injured but they always seem to find someone to play well.
Special Teams
PK Carney has managed to retain his position and PN Feagles just keeps going.
Fantasy Slant:
On Offense, start QB E Manning, RB Jacobs, WR P Burress and any of the OL. On Defense start DE J Tuck and CB C Webster. For depth you might consider Pierce as a LB4.
Prediction:
NewYork Giants 27
Philadelphia Eagles 24
Summary: (MC)
The New York Giants continue to roll. They face the Eagles in Philadelphia. The Eagles need a win to keep pace in the division. They are healthy for the first time in many weeks and this one should be an offensive shootout between two teams that can score plenty of points.
Philadelphia Offense:
The Eagles have an explosive offense capable of matching the output of the Giants point-for-point. They are ranked 6th in the NFL and average 368.4 yards and 27.5 points per game. Donovan McNabb anchors the offense. McNabb has thrown for 2,178 yards and 10 touchdowns this year. His 4 interceptions rank among the lowest for starting Quarterbacks. Behind McNabb, the Eagles passing attack is ranked 3rd with 271 passing yards per game. Rookie, DeSean Jackson is the primary weapon with 525 yards and a touchdown. But, the Eagles get back Kevin Curtis, who had a huge 2007 and should be even better in the week ahead. Their ground game is ranked 23rd averaging 97.4 yards per contest. Brian Westbrook leads the way with 422 yards and 6 touchdowns. He has added 174 yards receiving and 2 more scores.
Philadelphia Defense:
The Philadelphia defense will face a tough challenge but with a +6 turnover ratio and the 5th ranked defense, they appear up to the task. There defense allows 280.5 yards and 18 points per game. Their pass defense is ranked 8th giving up just 191.5 yards per game. Free agent acquisition, Asante Samuel leads the way with 3 interceptions and the Eagles have collected 8 picks as a team. Their pass defense is bolstered by the play of Defensive End, Juqua Parker with 5 sacks and Defensive Tackle, Darren Howard with 6 sacks. The run defense is ranked 8th, averaging 89 yards per game allowed. Linebackers, Stewart Bradley and Quintin Mikell lead the team in tackles, with 41 and 38 respectively. And, the Eagles have force 7 fumbles already this year.
Philadelphia Special Teams:
David Akers is a very reliable kicker and has rebounded nicely from a poor 2007 campaign. Punter, Sav Rocca averages 45.4 yards per punt. And, the return game is led by DeSean Jackson, who is averaging 11.0 yards per punt return and Quintin Demps, who is averaging 24.1 yards per kickoff return.
Fantasy Spin:
Play – Donovan McNabb (QB); Brian Westbrook (HB); DeSean Jackson (WR); the Eagles Offensive Line; Stewart Bradley (OLB) and Darren Howard (DT)
Bench – Reggie Brown (WR) and Kevin Curtis (WR)
Prediction:
Philadelphia Eagles 34
New York Giants 30
San Francisco 49ers (2-6) at Arizona Cardinals (5-3)
San Francisco (TC)
49ers Offense
This season has already been a long one for this team, their play has already cost one HC his job. Their first game under Mike Singletary wasnot awe inspiring, nor was Singletary's response. QB S Hill is now directing the offense. His arm strength is not as good as O'Sullivan's but he has a quick releast which fits in very well with what Singletary wants to run. RB F Gore is a top-notch back, but unfortunately his surrounding cast does not allow him to succeed very often. The OL has had its injury issues this year and been ineffective. TE V Davis found his way into Singletary's doghouse in game 1. The WR's are not that imposing although I Bruce has had some very good games. Rookie J Morgan has a lot of potential.
49ers Defense
Talent is present but not enough of it. The strength of this defense is MLB P Willis. CB N CLements is an All-Pro. But they don't have much of a surrounding cast.
49ers Special Teams
PK Joe Nedney is still very reliable.
Fantasy Spin:
On offense about the only player of note is RB Gore. On Defense, start LB P Willis. DB Clements is at best DB4, his production is way down this year.
Prediction:
SanFrancisco 10
Arizona 38
Summary: (MC)
The San Francisco 49ers and their new coach, Mike Singletary, head to Arizona to face the division leading Cardinals. With a 3-game lead in the division, the Cardinals are looking to take a huge leap forward in their goal to make the post-season.
Arizona Offense:
The surprising, Arizona Cardinals rank 2nd in the NFL in yards per game with 386.9 and they average 29.2 points per game. Their offense is highlighted by a terrific passing attack, which ranks 2nd in the league with 293.4 yards per game. Quarterback, Kurt Warner has thrown for 2,431 yards and 16 touchdowns against 6 interceptions. He has two great targets in Larry Fitzgerald and Anquan Boldin. Fitzgerald already has gained 742 yards and scored 5 touchdowns while Boldin has posted 514 yards and 8 touchdowns, despite an early season injury. Edgerrin James has rushed for 380 yards; but, recently lost the starting job to rookie, Tim Hightower. Hightower has added 242 yards and 7 touchdowns.
Arizona Defense:
The Cardinals defense has a meager +1 turnover ratio. They are ranked 12th total defense giving up 308.2 yards and 23 points per game. The pass defense is ranked 18th allowing 216.2 yards per game; but, they need more big plays from their talented secondary. The Cardinals come into the game with only 5 interceptions – led by Antrelle Rolle and Adrian Wilson with 1 interception each. The pass rush is good. Defensive Ends, Travis Laboy and Bertrand Berry lead the team with 4-sacks each. The Cardinals run defense is ranked 11th in the NFL, allowing 92 yards per game. Linebackers, Karlos Dansby leads the team with 43 solo tackles and Gerald Hayes continues to develop into a great young Linebacker.
Arizona Special Teams:
Kicker, Neil Rackers leads the special teams and Punter, Dirk Johnson who is averaging 44.1 yards per punt. The return game has needs to improve as Steve Breaston is averaging only 5.8 yards per punt return and 20.8 yards per kickoff return.
Fantasy Spin:
Play – Kurt Warner (QB); Tim Hightower (RB); Larry Fitzgerald (WR); Anquan Boldin (WR); Karlos Dansby (OLB) and the Arizona Cardinal Offensive Line.
Bench – Edgerrin James (RB)
Prediction:
Arizona Cardinals 31 S
an Francisco 49ers 10
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