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Football - EFS
New York Jets (7-3) at Tennessee Titans (10-0)
Summary: (MC)
The two top teams in the AFC square off at LP Field Sunday. Both teams are led by seasoned veterans at quarterback and have met every challenge thrown their way. It’s unlikely the Jets will catch the Titans in the race for home-field advantage; but, a win will certainly build confidence for the post-season.
Titans Offense:
Tennessee’s offense comes into the game averaging 24.4 points, 9th in the NFL, and 316.3 yards, 20th in the NFL, per contest. They are led by a terrific ground game which features Rookie Chris Johnson – 787 yard and 5 touchdowns. LenDale White, a bruising tailback, offers a great change-of-pace and has posted 11 touchdowns already this year. The Jets are soft against the run and with star linebacker David Harris out; I look for Johnson and White to enjoy big days. Quarterback, Kerry Collins has thrown for 519 yards and 5 touchdowns in his last two games. The defenses he faced in those were better than the Jets; so, look for Collins to be solid once again. Bo Scaife has been a favorite target and should pick up 80 yards and a score in this one.
Titans Defense:
The Titan’s defense is superb. They are 6th in the NFL in yards allowed per game with 281.8 and they have held opponents in check giving up an average of 13.3 points per game. The Jets like to throw – the Titans are great against the pass. Their secondary has 15 interceptions this year. Cornerback, Cortland Finnegan and Safeties, Chris Hope and Michael Griffin lead the team with 4 picks each. Defensive tackle, Albert Haynesworth applies great pressure. He’s got 7 sacks in 2008. The unsung hero is Defensive tackle, Tony Brown who has 4 sacks of his own. The team expects to return their star Defensive end, Kyle VandenBosch from injury this week and that should only help an already strong pass rush.
Titans Special Teams:
Chris Carr is a return specialist. He has good kick-off and punt return averages; but, has yet to break one this season. Kicker, Rob Bironas and Punter, Craig Hentrich give the Titans a couple great weapons that helps them to keep games close.
Fantasy Spin:
Play – Chris Johnson (RB); LenDale White (RB); Bo Scaife (TE); Brandon Jones (WR); Chris Hope (SS) and Cortland Finnegan (CB)
Bench – Kyle VandenBosch (DE)
Prediction:
Tennessee Titans 33
New York Jets 14
New York Jets (TC)
New York Offense
The Jets offense has experienced a revival of sorts with QB B Favre at the helm, particularly over the past 3 weeks during which he has cut down on his INT's and managed the games much better. Favre has 18 TD's and 12 INT's so far. The Jets offense has become more efficient and balanced. RB Thomas Jones is having a career year, although he faces a very tough run defense in the Titans. WR Cotchery and Moss are both having very good years. Rookie TE D Keller has been more productive the past few weeks too. Lastly, the Jets OL has become one of the better scoring OL in EFS.
Jets Defense
This group has experienced some injuries of late, most notably MLB D Harris, but E Barton has stepped in and done a great job. The DL and LB's are getting pressure on the opposing QB's, particularly Pace and Thomas. But it has been inconsistent, which means the Defensive Backs, particularly Lowery have been picked on. DE S Ellis needs to be very active on Sunday for the Jets to have a chance to win.
Jets Special Teams:
PK Feely has been accurate and PN has been consistent. Their return game has not been as active as in years past.
Fantasy Spin:
Must Start: Given that the Jets are facing the Titans defense i am not sure anyone on offense is a must start. QB Favre will have to tame his gunslinger tendencies so as not to provide the Titans with INT's. Any of the OL could be an OL5 start if you dont have better options. On defense, start the LB's for sure! They will get lots of tackle opportunities in this game. If you need a DT, then Kris Jenkins could be worth a gamble.
Bench: QB Favre, RB T Jones, any of the WR's.
Prediction:
New York Jets 13
Tennesse 24
Minnesota Vikings (5-5) and Jacksonville Jaguars (4-6)
Summary: (MC)
The Vikings travel to Jacksonville Municipal Stadium Sunday to face the Jaguars in what may be the last hope for each team in 2008. Both entered the season with playoff fever and fans felt they might even make a run at the Super Bowl. But, the season has been a disappointment on both sides. This is their last chance to turn it around – the loser is likely out of playoff contention.
Jacksonville Offense:
Jacksonville has too many weapons on offense to struggle as much as they have in 2008. Their offensive line woes started early and they never really got untracked as a result. The team ranks 18th in yards per game and 13th in points per game coming into the contest. But, the offensive line is healthy again and they seem to have a chance here to turn things around. Running backs, Fred Taylor and Maurice Jones-Drew will need to lead the way. Jones-Drew has 499 yards this year and 11 scores – Taylor on the other hand has 416 yards but is without a touchdown. Quarterback, David Garrard has 8 touchdowns and has thrown 6 interceptions this season. He needs to turn things around.
Jacksonville Defense:
The Jacksonville defense has struggled as well. The team has given up 21.2 points per contest. They recently made a change at Middle Linebacker, replacing Mike Peterson with Daryl Smith. Smith is a little bit more explosive and can make some more plays for them. But, when your Safeties and Cornerbacks are among the leaders on the team in tackles, you have definite issues. Cornerback, Brian Williams is second on the team with 45 and Safety, Gerald Sensabaugh is 4th with 39. The change to Smith in the middle will help out; but, they need the defensive line to step-it-up. The team has only 19 sacks in 2008 and their leader has 2. Only 9 interceptions – so, big plays have been hard to come by.
Jacksonville Special Teams:
Specialist, Brian Witherspoon has taken over most of the kick-off and the punt return duties. But, this is more an indication of the importance of Maurice Jones-Drew to the offense than a statement about the effectiveness of Witherspoon. Their kicking game is good – Josh Scobee is among the top kickers in the NFL and Adam Podlesh does a fine job with the punts.
Fantasy Spin:
Play – Maurice Jones-Drew (RB); Brian Williams (CB); Daryl Smith (ILB) and Greg Sensabaugh (SS)
Bench – David Garrard (QB); Matt Jones (WR) and Fred Taylor (RB)
Prediction:
Jacksonville Jaguars 21
Minnesota Vikings 17
Minnesota Vikings (TC)
Minnesota Offense
The best player on this offense is RB A Peterson, and the fate of this team largely rests on his shoulders. But the play of QB Gus Frerotte may play a more decisive role in whether the Vikings can win this road game. Frerotte must not turn over the ball, otherwise the Vikings will have a tough time winning the game. WR Berrian has been blanketed for a couple of weeks now, so he needs to regain his deep threat production. TE Shiancoe is a roller coaster-active in one game, not in the next. The OL has been shuffled this week with A Hicks replacing Cook at RT. Look for the Jags defense to attack the right side.
Vikings Defense
Their two massive DT's met with the NFL Commissioner on Thursday concerning their taking of banned substances. The outcome of that hearing could determine the Vikings fate-without those two road graders available their ability to stop the run would be compromised. LB C Greenway is finally playing to the standard envisioned by the Vikings when they drafted him in rd1 two years ago. CB A Winfield is having another good year, while the Safeties have not made many turnovers.
Vikings Special Teams:
PK R Longwell is still Mr Dependable, whereas PN C Kluwe has been Mr Erratic. The Vikings return game has not been consistently productive this season.
Fantasy Spin:
On offense, start RB Peterson and perhaps WR Berrian if you dont have any better matchups. Any of the OL could be OL5. On defense, start LB Greenway, DE J Allen (check to see if he is a GTD), and CB Winfield.
BEnch: QB Frerotte, other WR's.
Prediction:
Minnesota Vikings 20
Jacksonville Jaguars 23
New York Giants (9-1) at Arizona Cardinals (7-3)
Summary: (MC)
The Giants return to the site of their 2007 Super Bowl celebration to face the Arizona Cardinals. The Cardinals are the surprise team of the NFC this year. Are they for real? They have a chance to prove it this weekend against the best team in the NFC, the New York Giants. It should be fun to watch.
Arizona Offense:
The Cardinals have a high-octane offense. They are ranked 2nd in the NFL in points scored per game with 28.9 and are ranked second in the NFL in yards per game with 392.7. Their offense is led by Quarterback Kurt Warner, who is having an MVP caliber season. Warner has thrown for 3100+ yards and a shocking 20 touchdowns this season. His favorite weapons are Anquan Boldin and Larry Fitzgerald. Boldin has 792 yards and 10 touchdowns – despite missing 3 games. Fitzgerald, well he may be the best receiver in the NFL – posting 939 yards and 6 touchdowns in 10 games. The Cardinals will use the passing game to set-up the run. Rookie, Tim Hightower is the man. Hightower has 299 yards and 7 touchdowns.
Arizona Defense:
The Arizona defense has been solid all year. They are ranked 7th in the NFL in rushing yards allowed with 89.8 yards per game. With Brandon Jacobs nursing an injury, the Cardinals may have the upper-hand in this one. Linebackers, Carlos Dansby and Gerald Hayes are a great 1 – 2 punch against the run. They are young and energetic leading the team in tackles with 55 and 41 respectively. The pass defense is also ranked in the top half of the NFL; but, they need more big plays. Safety, Adrian Wilson leads the team with 2 interceptions on the year. The pass rush should help by grenerating some pressure on Manning this week. Defensive end, Travis Laboy and Defensive tackle, Darnell Dockett will test a Giants line that is among the best in the game.
Arizona Special Teams:
Steve Beaston will be returning the kicks and punts; but, JJ Arrington may sneak back there for a few. If he does, look out. Arrington is a skilled returner and could light the Giants up. Kicker, Neil Rackers is very solid and should have another big day. And, Dirk Johnson is as good as they come in downing punts inside the opponents 20 yard line.
Fantasy Spin:
Play – Kurt Warner (QB); Anquan Boldin (WR); Larry Fitzgerald (WR); Tim Hightower (RB) and the Cardinals Offensive Line
Bench – Edgerrin James (RB)
Prediction:
Arizona Cardinals 38
New York Giants 34
New York Giants (TC)
With their 9-1 record the Giants are on a roll and play a team that is hot in its own right in Arizona. QB Manning has not had a bad week for quite awhile-he is playing very well. RB B Jacobs injured his knee last week and his availability is questionable for this game. If he cannot go then RB's Ward and Bradshaw will assume more of the load. WR Burress and Toomer, along with TE Boss, will have plenty of opportunities to score this week. The OL will have to continue playing well against a team that will pressure them on defense.
NewYork Defense
The play of the DL will determine the outcome of this game- QB K Warner likes to let plays develop which gives DLmen longer time to get to him. Given his lack of mobility, look for the Giants DL to have 4 sacks or more. RB Hightower has taken over for E James-but look for James to play quite a bit in this game because of his pass-blocking prowess. LB A Pierce will have to play pas defense first in this game. The CB's will be tested by the Cardinals two WR. The safeties will have to make sure that Boss is covered in the seams and that Boldin and Fitzgerald don't get deep-a daunting task!
New York Speacial Teams
PK Carney has performed extremely well so far, but PK Tynes may be on the verge of returning. PN Feagles is a greybeard but still effective. WR D Hixon is a threat to go all the way and must be accounted for.
Fantasy Spin:
Must starters on Offense include QB Manning, RB (Jacobs or Ward), WR Burress, TE Boss and any of the OL. On Defense, start DE's Kiwanuka and Tuck, DT F Robbins, LB Pierce, both CB's (whomever is starting).
Prediction:
New York Giants 35
Arizona Cardinals 31
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