December 31st, 2010 Friday
Friday’s Football Fixx
Legendary Career Coming To An End
With quarterback Brett Favre failing another post-concussion test earlier this week it is starting to look more and more like not only will he not play Sunday, but his legendary career is coming to a close. After a magical ride just a year ago that ended with an NFC Championship appearance, the NFL Icon returned for the 20th season of his historic career. Unlike the 2009 season, this year has been plagued with injuries (ankle, shoulder, head) and marred with inconsistent and at times poor play. Favre (19 interceptions in 2010) has struggled through this, his 20th campaign, seeing his consecutive games started streak end at 297 games. Favre has battled through many injuries throughout his career, but in 2010 all of that caught up to him; he has been knocked out of two games this season and forced to sit out two others (this Sunday will make three). This was not the story-book ending fans had hoped to see for the golden boy from Mississippi, but after 20 long and enduring seasons and at the age of 41 it was likely the more probable. Favre has given fans plenty to remember over the past two decades, but this will likely be the one season he’ll like to soon forget.
Falcons Still Control Their Own Destiny
The Falcons enter Sunday still hot on the heels of their first NFC South division title since 2004 and with a win on Sunday they can accomplish just that. The Falcons started the 2010 season on a dubious note with an opening day loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers. Since then the Falcons have won 12 of their next 14 and are just one game away from a division title and home field advantage throughout the playoffs. Matty “Ice” (Ryan) has been brilliant in his third year as the team’s starter throwing 26 touchdowns and just nine interceptions. The Falcons will wrap up things this Sunday at the Georgia Dome with their season finale against the Panthers. In three seasons Ryan is 19-2 as the Falcons’ starter at home and he has won both of his previous meetings against the Panthers at the Georgia Dome; the prospects of a win and title look good.
Rams Trying to Return to the Post Season
The Rams have not been in the playoffs since 2004 and are seeking their first division title since the 2003 season. Just a year ago the Rams had won just one game and now this weekend they have an opportunity to win their eighth game of the season and the division. The Rams are a much improved ball club this season with more consistent play under center. The Rams rookie quarterback Sam Bradford (3,357 yards passing this season) has been impressive this season, not missing a start and playing at a high level; his 335 completions this season are an NFL record for a rookie. Bradford will need to be at his best this Sunday when the Rams travel to Seattle, a place that has not been kind to the Rams in the past; the Rams have lost their last five meeting in the Northwest, including being outscored 88-23 in the last three.
Injury News and Updates
With the final week of regular season play scheduled for Sunday, there are going to be several key players missing from some of the key games with playoff implications;
…the Jaguars are going to be without not only running back Maurice Jones-Drew (knee) who has been officially declared out for Sunday, but they will also not have quarterback David Garrard (finger). Garrard was officially placed on the injured reserve following surgery on his throwing hand. With Garrard out, back-up quarterback Trent Edwards will get the start on Sunday for the Jaguars who still need a win and some help to make the playoffs.
…the Vikings have not ruled quarterback Brett Favre (concussion) out for Sunday, but having not practiced all week his status is very much in doubt. Quarterback Joe Webb is expected to make his second start this season.
…the Bronco’s running back Knowshon Moreno (ribs) has been listed as questionable all week for Sunday, but reports indicate he is expected to start at San Diego in week 17. Moreno may start, but since it appears he is still not 100 percent he could end up sharing carries with back-ups Correll Buckhalter and Lance Ball.
Just my views.
By David Ortega
With quarterback Brett Favre failing another post-concussion test earlier this week it is starting to look more and more like not only will he not play Sunday, but his legendary career is coming to a close. After a magical ride just a year ago that ended with an NFC Championship appearance, the NFL Icon returned for the 20th season of his historic career. Unlike the 2009 season, this year has been plagued with injuries (ankle, shoulder, head) and marred with inconsistent and at times poor play. Favre (19 interceptions in 2010) has struggled through this, his 20th campaign, seeing his consecutive games started streak end at 297 games. Favre has battled through many injuries throughout his career, but in 2010 all of that caught up to him; he has been knocked out of two games this season and forced to sit out two others (this Sunday will make three). This was not the story-book ending fans had hoped to see for the golden boy from Mississippi, but after 20 long and enduring seasons and at the age of 41 it was likely the more probable. Favre has given fans plenty to remember over the past two decades, but this will likely be the one season he’ll like to soon forget.
Falcons Still Control Their Own Destiny
The Falcons enter Sunday still hot on the heels of their first NFC South division title since 2004 and with a win on Sunday they can accomplish just that. The Falcons started the 2010 season on a dubious note with an opening day loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers. Since then the Falcons have won 12 of their next 14 and are just one game away from a division title and home field advantage throughout the playoffs. Matty “Ice” (Ryan) has been brilliant in his third year as the team’s starter throwing 26 touchdowns and just nine interceptions. The Falcons will wrap up things this Sunday at the Georgia Dome with their season finale against the Panthers. In three seasons Ryan is 19-2 as the Falcons’ starter at home and he has won both of his previous meetings against the Panthers at the Georgia Dome; the prospects of a win and title look good.
Rams Trying to Return to the Post Season
The Rams have not been in the playoffs since 2004 and are seeking their first division title since the 2003 season. Just a year ago the Rams had won just one game and now this weekend they have an opportunity to win their eighth game of the season and the division. The Rams are a much improved ball club this season with more consistent play under center. The Rams rookie quarterback Sam Bradford (3,357 yards passing this season) has been impressive this season, not missing a start and playing at a high level; his 335 completions this season are an NFL record for a rookie. Bradford will need to be at his best this Sunday when the Rams travel to Seattle, a place that has not been kind to the Rams in the past; the Rams have lost their last five meeting in the Northwest, including being outscored 88-23 in the last three.
Injury News and Updates
With the final week of regular season play scheduled for Sunday, there are going to be several key players missing from some of the key games with playoff implications;
…the Jaguars are going to be without not only running back Maurice Jones-Drew (knee) who has been officially declared out for Sunday, but they will also not have quarterback David Garrard (finger). Garrard was officially placed on the injured reserve following surgery on his throwing hand. With Garrard out, back-up quarterback Trent Edwards will get the start on Sunday for the Jaguars who still need a win and some help to make the playoffs.
…the Vikings have not ruled quarterback Brett Favre (concussion) out for Sunday, but having not practiced all week his status is very much in doubt. Quarterback Joe Webb is expected to make his second start this season.
…the Bronco’s running back Knowshon Moreno (ribs) has been listed as questionable all week for Sunday, but reports indicate he is expected to start at San Diego in week 17. Moreno may start, but since it appears he is still not 100 percent he could end up sharing carries with back-ups Correll Buckhalter and Lance Ball.
Just my views.
By David Ortega
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