January 14th, 2011 Friday
Friday’s Football Fixx
Seahawks Are Not Down and Far From Out
Sure it’s easy to say a 7-9 team hardly deserves a spot in the playoffs, but don’t think for a minute that’s going to stop the Seahawks from trying to complete the unthinkable. For quarterback Matt Hasselbeck and company the task it monumental, but considering where they are at the moment, it is far from impossible. Step one was completed last week when the Seahawk’s offense blew up for 41 points and knocked of the defending champions (Saints). This week is likely going to take a completely different type of effort; similar to the one they completed some three months ago back in week 6 against these same Chicago Bears. When the Seahawks get set to take the field on Sunday there is no one in this world that can tell them that they can’t go into Soldier Field, stuff the run, pressure quarterback Jay Cutler, and beat the Bears; they have already done that. It’s definitely easier said than done, and even more difficult to do it twice, but there’s no reason to think this upstart bunch from the Northwest won’t come ready on Sunday and believe they can take a second step closer to the ultimate dream of reaching the Super Bowl.
Packers Riding A Feverish Pitch
Just about a month ago it looked very bleak for Head Coach Mike McCarthy and his Packers; after consecutive losses to the Lions and Patriots in week 14 & 15 dropped the team to 8-6 and pushed their backs to the wall. With his quarterback Aaron Rodgers sidelined after suffering from a concussion against the Lions, their post season hopes were very much in doubt. That was about four weeks ago and since, Rodgers has returned to the lineup and led the Packers to three straight wins, including the two over the Giants and Bears needed to make the playoffs. Last week’s win over the Eagles made it very evident how dangerous this team really is; Rodgers finished the season 7th in passing yards (3,922) and his 28 touchdowns were tied for 6th in the league, with a reborn running game that carved out 138 yards on the ground last Sunday they look even more dangerous. The Packers were a pre-season favorite to win their division and go deep in the playoffs. They didn’t win the North (finished second), but they are in the playoffs and look primed to make their run. With a revamped run game, a tenacious defense, Rodgers and company look ready to storm the Georgia Dome and turn the lights out.
Steelers And Ravens Set For Clash of the Titans III
The battles are never pretty and there is never any love lost; for the third time this season the Steelers (ranked number one against the run) and Ravens (defense is ranked 3rd in points allowed; 16.9 per game) will take the field in a quest for gridiron supremacy. The last time these two teams met in the post season, it was quarterback Joe Flacco’s rookie season and the game was one he would like never to remember. Dick LeBeau’s (Steelers DC) defense did a number on Flacco, sacking him three times and forcing three interceptions. Flacco will certainly be hoping for different results this third time around; this being his third season in the league he has grown and should lots of maturity. In his two matchups this season with the Steelers Flacco has completed 41 passes of 70 throws (59%) and tossed two touchdowns with a pick. In the first meeting he was just sacked once, but in their last tilt the Steelers dumped Flacco four times. This matchup promises to be a heavyweight showdown of two terrific defenses (Steelers and Ravens), but if the Ravens have any hopes of survival at Heinz Field on Saturday, they must keep Flacco upright.
Injury News and Updates
The Ravens are getting ready for their big matchup with the Steelers on Saturday, but could have a less than 100 percent Ray Rice. The Ravens running back was seen vomiting at the team’s hotel in Pittsburgh Friday. There’s been no clear updates regarding his status and he was not on the injury report, but it’s still worth keeping an eye on.
The Patriot’s wide receiver Deion Branch (knee) was listed as questionable for the Divisional Round, but that sounds more like Bill Belichick being himself and keeping everyone in the dark. The local media has not given any indication that there’s any reason for concern. Branch has had two weeks to rest and should be ready for Sunday.
According to rookie tight end Aaron Hernandez, he says he ready to play Sunday. Hernandez has been out for the past three weeks with a hip injury, but it sounds like there’s no reason to believe he won’t play. He has played very well against the Jets this season and figures to be a key part of the Patriots passing attack Sunday.
The Seahawks could be without their middle linebacker Lofa Tatupu (concussion) on Sunday as he has yet to be medically cleared to play. With the early game on Sunday his window of opportunity is closing fast and his availability is very much in doubt at this point. His absence in the middle would be a huge loss in the run game for the Seahawks; Tatupu finished second on the team with 88 total tackles.
Just my views.
By David Ortega
Sure it’s easy to say a 7-9 team hardly deserves a spot in the playoffs, but don’t think for a minute that’s going to stop the Seahawks from trying to complete the unthinkable. For quarterback Matt Hasselbeck and company the task it monumental, but considering where they are at the moment, it is far from impossible. Step one was completed last week when the Seahawk’s offense blew up for 41 points and knocked of the defending champions (Saints). This week is likely going to take a completely different type of effort; similar to the one they completed some three months ago back in week 6 against these same Chicago Bears. When the Seahawks get set to take the field on Sunday there is no one in this world that can tell them that they can’t go into Soldier Field, stuff the run, pressure quarterback Jay Cutler, and beat the Bears; they have already done that. It’s definitely easier said than done, and even more difficult to do it twice, but there’s no reason to think this upstart bunch from the Northwest won’t come ready on Sunday and believe they can take a second step closer to the ultimate dream of reaching the Super Bowl.
Packers Riding A Feverish Pitch
Just about a month ago it looked very bleak for Head Coach Mike McCarthy and his Packers; after consecutive losses to the Lions and Patriots in week 14 & 15 dropped the team to 8-6 and pushed their backs to the wall. With his quarterback Aaron Rodgers sidelined after suffering from a concussion against the Lions, their post season hopes were very much in doubt. That was about four weeks ago and since, Rodgers has returned to the lineup and led the Packers to three straight wins, including the two over the Giants and Bears needed to make the playoffs. Last week’s win over the Eagles made it very evident how dangerous this team really is; Rodgers finished the season 7th in passing yards (3,922) and his 28 touchdowns were tied for 6th in the league, with a reborn running game that carved out 138 yards on the ground last Sunday they look even more dangerous. The Packers were a pre-season favorite to win their division and go deep in the playoffs. They didn’t win the North (finished second), but they are in the playoffs and look primed to make their run. With a revamped run game, a tenacious defense, Rodgers and company look ready to storm the Georgia Dome and turn the lights out.
Steelers And Ravens Set For Clash of the Titans III
The battles are never pretty and there is never any love lost; for the third time this season the Steelers (ranked number one against the run) and Ravens (defense is ranked 3rd in points allowed; 16.9 per game) will take the field in a quest for gridiron supremacy. The last time these two teams met in the post season, it was quarterback Joe Flacco’s rookie season and the game was one he would like never to remember. Dick LeBeau’s (Steelers DC) defense did a number on Flacco, sacking him three times and forcing three interceptions. Flacco will certainly be hoping for different results this third time around; this being his third season in the league he has grown and should lots of maturity. In his two matchups this season with the Steelers Flacco has completed 41 passes of 70 throws (59%) and tossed two touchdowns with a pick. In the first meeting he was just sacked once, but in their last tilt the Steelers dumped Flacco four times. This matchup promises to be a heavyweight showdown of two terrific defenses (Steelers and Ravens), but if the Ravens have any hopes of survival at Heinz Field on Saturday, they must keep Flacco upright.
Injury News and Updates
The Ravens are getting ready for their big matchup with the Steelers on Saturday, but could have a less than 100 percent Ray Rice. The Ravens running back was seen vomiting at the team’s hotel in Pittsburgh Friday. There’s been no clear updates regarding his status and he was not on the injury report, but it’s still worth keeping an eye on.
The Patriot’s wide receiver Deion Branch (knee) was listed as questionable for the Divisional Round, but that sounds more like Bill Belichick being himself and keeping everyone in the dark. The local media has not given any indication that there’s any reason for concern. Branch has had two weeks to rest and should be ready for Sunday.
According to rookie tight end Aaron Hernandez, he says he ready to play Sunday. Hernandez has been out for the past three weeks with a hip injury, but it sounds like there’s no reason to believe he won’t play. He has played very well against the Jets this season and figures to be a key part of the Patriots passing attack Sunday.
The Seahawks could be without their middle linebacker Lofa Tatupu (concussion) on Sunday as he has yet to be medically cleared to play. With the early game on Sunday his window of opportunity is closing fast and his availability is very much in doubt at this point. His absence in the middle would be a huge loss in the run game for the Seahawks; Tatupu finished second on the team with 88 total tackles.
Just my views.
By David Ortega
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