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Football - EFS
Tennessee @ Jacksonville
Tennessee Offense (JG)
The Titans will return to form against the Jags this week. White and Johnson should have little problem getting where they want to go against a very mediocre Jaguar run defense, which have allowed 4.4 yards per so far this season. If Jacksonville does find a way to bottle up the Titan run game, the Titans should be fine putting the ball in Kerry Collins hands again. After their success last week against the Bears the Titans have proven that they win a game through the air. Tha Jags pass defense is allowing 213 yards and have been torched for 8 plays of over 40 yards. They also have allowed 15 passing touchdowns. The Titans O-line will have little problem keeping Collins on his feet against a rather insignificant pass rush. Division games are always tough regardless of records and stats but Tennessee should be able to put up a lot of points.
Tennessee Defense (JG)
Kyle Vandenbosch is expected to miss the game and if Keith Bullock's ribs do not cooperate, he may not play either. Those are major set backs for the Titans defense and should provide a little bit of confidence for the Jaguar offense. While the Titans are very good against the run, they are not great and I would look for the Jags to estabish Jones-Drew and Fred Taylor early in this game. The Jags have protected the ball faily well and are solid converting 3rd downs, both areas where they will have to excel if they are to have any chance on Sunday. Albert Haynersworth and Chris Hope are outstanding players and will lead the Titans to a victory in a very close game.
Tennessee Special Teams (JG)
Rob Bironas is a very reliable kicker with a very strong leg. He will be a significant factor in the scoring for the Titans in a game I would suspect to low scoring. Craig Hentrich has been very good putting his punts inside the twenty but the Titans punt coverage has been average and will have to be much better against returners like Northcutt and Jones-Drew.
Tennessee Fantasy Spin (JG)
Kerry Collins would be a solid play against a porous Jags pass defense and I would start your Titan offensive lineman. Not sure how anyone can sit Chris Johnson after his great rookie season. He is a must start. Bo Scaife should remain Collins favorite target and will have many an opportunity. A sleeper on defense may be DE/DT Jason Jones. He has been getting playing time in the absense of Vanden Bosch. Albert Haynesworth should be a beast in this game.
Prediction (JG)
Tennessee - 19
Jacksonville - 17
Jacksonville Jaguars (TC)
Jacksonville Offense
The Jaguars have disappointed so far this season, both on offense and defense. QB D Garrard has not been as efficient as he was last season, his INT totals are way up from last year. He still is a weapon on offense who can run to pick up a first down. His backfield partners at RB, F Taylor and Jones-Drew, will have its work cut out for them going against this Titans Defense. More importantly, the offensive line will be the key to this game-they have to improve and play their best game of the season. The WR corps of this team is still not recognized as top tier, but they too will need to bring their A game in order for the Jaguars to win.
Jacksonville Defense
The Jaguars attempted to improve their pass rush by drafting two rookie DE's, but so far their pass rush has not noticeably improved. Veterans like R Meier still produce more than D Harvey. The LB corps has been in flux for a couple weeks with all the attention on M Peterson and his status. DB G Sensabaugh has had a breakthrough season at Safety. Reggie Nelson has been injured but is rounding back into form. CB R Mathis is probably their best defensive back at this stage.
The Jags defense will face a stiff challenge-stopping the Tennessee running game of L White and C Johnson. Not to mention putting pressure on QB K Collins.
Special Teams
PK J Scobee is an unsung PK in the NFL but he has proven to be reliable. The Jags return game is not noted for its success but they will need to control the field position game to win this game.
Fantasy Slant
On offense, given the matchup against this Titans defense, one would normally not start too many Jaguars. But, if you need a RB 2 or 3, consider M Jones-Drew. He is the type of RB who could cause some trouble for Tennessee. On Defense, start any of the Jaguars LB's-they will have lots of tackle opportunities today. Safety Sensabaugh is also a good start at DB4-5.
Prediction
Tennesse 20
Jacksonville 9
Baltimore @ New York Giants
Baltimore Offense (JG)
Baltimore's mauling style of running the football may have some success against the Giants. The G-men have looked like
defending champs this year and are solid in every aspect of the game. The Ravens will have to beat them up on the ground
and control the clock and the pace of the game. They are 1st in the NFL in TOP at 34:19 and will have to have an even larger number with the Giants. This may sound strange but the Ravens have big play ability, ripping off 8 plays of over 40 yards and that has been a direct result of their dedication to the run and knocking people in the mouth. They will have to do it like that because Joe Flacco, while he has had a nice rookie season, he is know match for the Giants pass defense and pass rush.
Baltimore Defense (JG)
The Ravens defense has been great but has only faced an offense that puts up numbers like the Giants once this year and they got smoked by the Colts 31 to 3. The Ravens defense has been on the field the least of all teams this year but that may change with Jacobs, Ward and Bradshaw coming straight at them. We will learn just how tough Ray Lewis and his defensive mates are this week. The Giants offensive lines has really been getting it done, leading the charge for a 5.2 average rushing the ball. They may match up well with the Giants but they will not be able to get off the field like usual and will tire late in this game.
Baltimore Special Teams (JG)
Matt Stover will have opportunities to help his team to victory and generally is there for his teammates. The Raven punt game is good with Sam Koch 3rd in the NFL in net yardage at 40.3. Yamon Figurs has a lot of speed but has not broke one yet and it is unlikely that he does against the Giants special teams.
Baltimore Fantasy Spin (JG)
Derrick Mason is very questionable and you will have to follow this closely. Todd Heap will have a lot of balls come his way and should collect about 65 yards and a touch. Start all your usual suspects on the Raven defense especially the linebackers. Stay away from your Baltimore offensive lineman. Start Matt Stover if you have em.
Prediction (JG)
Baltimore - 16
NY Giants - 27
New York Giants (TC)
New York Offense
The performance of the Giants Offensive Line, keeping QB Eli Manning upright, is key to the Giants winning this game. Establishing a running game against the Ravens defense and minimizing turnovers would enhance the Giants probablility of winning. RB Jacobs should be utilized a lot, as will D Ward. A Bradshaw will also make an appearance. TE Boss may prove to be the decisive player, open in the center of the field as the Ravens focus on WR Burress and the RB's. WR A Toomer will be the 3rd down focus along with WR S Smith. To reiterate, the Offensive Line has to solid in pass protection and create holes for the RB's!
New York Giants Defense
Pressure from the Defensive Line ( J Tuck, M Kiwanuka and friends) on a rookie QB could prove to decisive in this game. The RBBC that Baltimore throws at teams attempting to wear them down will play a huge role in this game. If the Giants cannot stop the RB's (McClain, Rice and McGahee) then this will be a long day. Look for the LB corps for the Giants, headed by A Pierce, to have lots of tackle opportunities. The defensive backfield is banged up a bit, most noticeably C Webster, so that may be a weakpoint that the Ravens will attempt to exploit.
NewYork Special Teams
PK J Carney has been rejuvenated this year, his scoring totals are the best in years (almost 20 ppg). PN J Feagles is the greybeard, but still effective. Look for A Bradshaw to play more on KOR.
Fantasy Slant:
Normally one would pick the Giants OL as must start, but this is one game where an EFS owner might consider other matchups if he has favorable ones. It would be tough to start any of the offensive players one normally would (QB Manning, RB Jacobs, WR Burress) so think twice about those. TE Boss would be a very good start.
On Defense, start Tuck and Kiwanuka at DL. LB A Pierce is a must start too. The Safeties are a GTD but one of them may be worthwhile too.
Prediction
Watch the weather here-it will play a role in this game if it deteriorates.
Baltimore 16
NewYork 20
Chicago @ Green Bay
Chicago Offense (JG)
Kyle Orton will return this week just in time to turn and hand it off to Matt Forte and watch him run wild against the Packers horrendous run defense. The Pack has been getting lit up for 5 yards a carry and 155 yards a game. Chicagos tough run still should have little resistance moving the ball on the ground and will allow Orton to stay effecient and in short yardage situations. Orton does not have much to work with at wide receiver with the like of Rashied Davies and Devin Hester. Hester is explosive but really has not done much as a receiver and the Packer secondary has been outstanding, leading the NFL with 16 int's. He will have to work it underneath to the Tight Ends and attack the undermanned Packer linebacker crew. The Bears will be able to control the pace of this game from start to finish.
Chicago Defense (JG)
The Bears have been excellent defending the rush this year, ranking 4th at 74.9 yards but have been awful on pass defense allowing over 250 yards each week. Aaron Rodgers has not faired that well in his previous 2 games but those were against better defenses on the road in Tennessee and Minnesota. The Bears have not played at the level of those teams and will be tested greatly by Donald Driver and Greg Jennings. Chicago will probably be able to contain Ryan Grant and the rest of the Packers run offense so the outcome of the game will fall upon their secondary and will Charle Tillman, Mike Brown and crew be able to get it done. Tune in.
Chicago Special Teams (JG)
Gould has kicked a field goal in every game this year but one and will have at least three opportunities in this game. The Bears are 26th in punt return yardage and 23 in kick return yardage. What has happened to Devin Hester? I wouldn't look for the electricity to come back on against the excellent coverage units of the Green Bay Packers.
Chicago Fantasy Spin (JG)
You have to love Matt Forte in this ballgame. I also like Greg Olsen to get a lot of action. Bears offensive line should be played with the Packers lack of pass rush. The Bear secondary will have lots of opps in this game. The Pack figures to attack the Bears vertically.
Prediction (JG)
Chicago - 24
Green Bay - 17
Green Bay Packers (TC)
This season can best be described as a roller coaster ride, with the team not generating much consistency on either Offense or Defense from week to week. With a two game losing streak at hand and the Packers one game behind both Chicago and Minnesota, this is a must win game.
Green Bay Offense
QB A Rodgers has had two consecutive bad games, his decision making has regressed some of which can be attributed to the declining play of his OL. This is a game in which he must manage the team play better than he has and still make plays. At RB, R Grant appears to slowly improving from his hamstring injury but its taken a long time. WR G Jennings has had a couple of down weeks. D Driver has played better but the TE's are not productive at all. The OL has played poorly, particularly the OG's and LT C Clifton, who only practices once a week.
Green Bay Defense
The Defense ranks 30th against the run, which means they will be seeing Rookie RB M Forte all day. Part of this is due to injuries and poor play. IF the Packers have any hope of making the Playoffs they need to fix this NOW. LB N Barnett was lost last week for the season with a torn ACL. AJ Hawk will apparently move to the middle with Chillar taking his spot. The Defensive backfield has played well, at least Woodson and Collins have. A Bigby has recently returned but his play has been erratic.
Green Bay Special Teams
PK M Crosby is excellent but PN Frost has been very erractic during games. In blustery conditions his performance will be key to field position game.
Fantasy Spin
Look for the RB's to have a tough time against the Bears defense and the Packers to throw a lot, although the weather may adversely effect that plan. So its tough to recommend starting any RB. WR Jennings could be a WR3 choice. QB Rodgers is a possibility depending upon your other options. On Defense, start DE Kampman, LB Hawk, DB's Woodson and Collins. LB Chillar may be a dark horse candidate.
Prediction
The weather will be important here- if its warm enough that the passing game is unaffected then the Packers have a chance of ending a 5 game losing streak in Lambeau to da Bears.
Chicago 23
Green Bay 24
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