KEYS 2 SUNDAY

December 26th, 2010, Sunday

Keys 2 Sunday

Week 16 Previews & Picks
(just a few)

New England Patriots @ Buffalo Bills
….even with the playoffs clinched the Patriots still have a lot on the line entering Sunday’s matchup with the Bills. What a win means for the Pats; a division title and home field advantage throughout the playoffs. The Patriots have been riding the arm of quarterback Tom Brady (31 passing touchdowns this season) and there’s no reason to believe that they won’t stick with what works. In Week 14 Brady already proved he is more than capable of handling the element; passed for 369 yards with two touchdowns against Bears in a winter-wonderland-like setting. Brady has won twelve straight starts against the Bills, including their earlier matchup this season at Foxboro in week 3. In their first meeting Brady passed for 252 yards with three touchdowns. These two teams maybe very familiar with each other, but no question the key for New England starts and ends with their quarterback.
(My Pick; Patriots 33, Bills 24)

New York Jets @ Chicago Bears
….the Jets are coming off a big win, to sustain their new found momentum on the road this week, they will need to pressure Bears’ quarterback Jay Cutler. If they can get pressure in his face, they just may be able to force a few errant throws. Rex Ryan knows it’s going to be tough grinding out the yards on the ground with both Tomlinson and Greene, so he’ll need his young quarterback (Mark Sanchez) to be able to make a few downfield throws to both of his talented receivers; Santonio Holmes and Braylon Edwards. Sanchez will also need to find his tight end over the middle.
(My Pick; Jets 21, Bears 13)

San Francisco 49ers @ St.Louis Rams
….this one by no means has showdown written all over it, but it is a critical divisional matchup that could very well decide the division. The Rams offense has struggled the past several weeks, so the Niners will need to bring lots of pressure and run blitzes to keep the Rams offense out of rhythm. Head coach Mike Singletary has decided to Troy Smith under center; Smith has better mobility, a stronger arm, and gives the Niners offense a lift they will need on Sunday. Singletary will try to run with Westbrook and Dixon, but Smith is going to have to stretch the field and find his tight end (Vernon Davis) today if they are to win.
(My Pick; 49ers 27, Rams 17)

San Diego Chargers @ Cincinnati Bengals
….there is no easy Sunday and even when facing the 3-11 Bengals, the Chargers will not have an easy task. The biggest element they could face will be the elements; snow and cold. The Bengals are going to try and run the ball, so the Bolts will need to shut down Benson and force Palmer to beat them today (without TO and with a limited Ochocinco). Rivers on the other side will have to rely on his strong arm getting the ball to his playmakers downfield; Vincent Jackson, Legedu Naanee, and Randy McMichael. Mike Tolbert and Ryan Mathews will need to anchor the ground game against the leagues 22nd ranked run defense.
(My Pick; Chargers 31, Bengals 23)

A few more picks...

Baltimore @ Cleveland….
…the Ravens will use their smothering defense to corral and slow down running back Peyton Hillis trying to force rookie quarterback Colt McCoy to beat them through the air. Running back Ray Rice will be the key to the Ravens offense; it will be important to utilize him in both the ground and air attack.
(My Pick; Ravens 23, Browns 16)

Washington @ Jacksonville
….without Maurice Jones-Drew, the Jaguars offense will take a huge hit in the run game. The Redskins should be able to keep the Jags in long passing situations and put more pressure on quarterback David Garrard. Offensively expect to see a lot of Ryan Torain early, but don’t be surprised to see quarterback Rex Grossman attack the Jaguars 29th ranked pass defense downfield.
(My Pick; Redskins 28, Jaguars 20)