January 21st, 2011 Friday
Friday’s Football Fixx
Packers Look Like A Real Favorite On Sunday
The Bears may have won the North Division, they may have beaten Seattle last week, and they may have defeated the Packers here (at Soldier Field) weeks ago (back in Week 3), but the way the Cheeseheads are playing right now it’s very difficult to not consider them the favorites on Sunday. And while the Bears have every right to feel confident about their matchup at home this Sunday, who could blame there for questioning their own chances. Afterall, the Packers will enter Sunday without a doubt the hottest quarterback in the league; Aaron Rodgers is completing near 80 percent of his throws in the playoffs and has six touchdown passes and not interceptions. The Monsters of the Midway have played impressive defense much of the season, but what they face this Sunday could be one of the most lethal wide receiving corps this league has seen since the “Greatest Show On Turf” days (and remember, I said could); Greg Jennings, Donald Driver, James Jones, and Jordy Nelson (Jones and Nelson could easily start on a number of teams). While the Bears will face a monument of a task in trying to stop Rodgers and company, Jay Cutler and his Bears offense could be on the receiving end of several big hits. In two games against the Packers defense led by linebacker Clay Matthews Jr. and cornerback Charles Woodson, Cutler has been sacked nine times and intercepted three. The Bears may be at home, but they might not like the smell of what the Packers are cooking.
Can the (Rex) Ryan Express Fly through Steel
It’s been almost like a Hollywood script or more like an episode out of “Hardknocks” on HBO watching the Jets overcome and defy odds to reach the pinnacle of the AFC race to Dallas (Super Bowl XVL). With the two final teams representing the AFC (Jets and Steelers) ready to square off on Sunday, the ending could be less than climatic for head coach Rex Ryan and company. While he and his Jets have been riding a feverish wave of momentum with wins over the Colts and Patriots, one can not helped but point out one glaring fact; they have not seen a defense like this. Both the Patriots (defense ranked 25th overall) and Colts (defense ranked 20th overall) were worthy opponents in their own right, but with defenses ranked in the bottom half the Jets offense was able to dictate tempo and play their game. These two teams have played before, just six weeks ago in the Steelers own backyard with the Jets coming out on top. It’s not to say they were lucky, they earned the win, but as the old saying goes “any given Sunday.” There is a colossal difference in this matchup however, this is the AFC Championship, the Steelers have been here and Rex’s young quarterback Mark Sanchez has only played in one; the Steeler’s quarterback Ben Roethlisberger will be making his fourth start. The Steelers boast the 2nd ranked defense overall and led the NFL with 48 sacks this season. In their first matchup the Steel Curtain only got to Sanchez once, something they are certain to improve on Sunday. Ryan and company may be hoping for clear sailing on Sunday, but when they take Heinz field all they may find is cold steel.
Injury News and Updates
The Bears are as healthy as they can expect as this juncture of the season with the only notable injury being safety Chris Harris (hip). According to head coach Lovie Smith he anticipates Harris playing Sunday in the NFC Championship.
The Jets were down a man last Sunday against the Patriots with kick-return specialist/wide receiver Brad Smith sidelined with a groin injury, but according to ESPN, he is expected to serve as the teams’ kick returner in the AFC Championship.
The Jets starting shutdown corner Darelle Revis was limited in practice on Thursday, but returned as a full-participant on Friday. Revis is fully expected to start on Sunday without any concerns and will likely draw the assignment of covering the Steelers wide receiver Hines Ward.
Just my views.
By David Ortega
The Bears may have won the North Division, they may have beaten Seattle last week, and they may have defeated the Packers here (at Soldier Field) weeks ago (back in Week 3), but the way the Cheeseheads are playing right now it’s very difficult to not consider them the favorites on Sunday. And while the Bears have every right to feel confident about their matchup at home this Sunday, who could blame there for questioning their own chances. Afterall, the Packers will enter Sunday without a doubt the hottest quarterback in the league; Aaron Rodgers is completing near 80 percent of his throws in the playoffs and has six touchdown passes and not interceptions. The Monsters of the Midway have played impressive defense much of the season, but what they face this Sunday could be one of the most lethal wide receiving corps this league has seen since the “Greatest Show On Turf” days (and remember, I said could); Greg Jennings, Donald Driver, James Jones, and Jordy Nelson (Jones and Nelson could easily start on a number of teams). While the Bears will face a monument of a task in trying to stop Rodgers and company, Jay Cutler and his Bears offense could be on the receiving end of several big hits. In two games against the Packers defense led by linebacker Clay Matthews Jr. and cornerback Charles Woodson, Cutler has been sacked nine times and intercepted three. The Bears may be at home, but they might not like the smell of what the Packers are cooking.
Can the (Rex) Ryan Express Fly through Steel
It’s been almost like a Hollywood script or more like an episode out of “Hardknocks” on HBO watching the Jets overcome and defy odds to reach the pinnacle of the AFC race to Dallas (Super Bowl XVL). With the two final teams representing the AFC (Jets and Steelers) ready to square off on Sunday, the ending could be less than climatic for head coach Rex Ryan and company. While he and his Jets have been riding a feverish wave of momentum with wins over the Colts and Patriots, one can not helped but point out one glaring fact; they have not seen a defense like this. Both the Patriots (defense ranked 25th overall) and Colts (defense ranked 20th overall) were worthy opponents in their own right, but with defenses ranked in the bottom half the Jets offense was able to dictate tempo and play their game. These two teams have played before, just six weeks ago in the Steelers own backyard with the Jets coming out on top. It’s not to say they were lucky, they earned the win, but as the old saying goes “any given Sunday.” There is a colossal difference in this matchup however, this is the AFC Championship, the Steelers have been here and Rex’s young quarterback Mark Sanchez has only played in one; the Steeler’s quarterback Ben Roethlisberger will be making his fourth start. The Steelers boast the 2nd ranked defense overall and led the NFL with 48 sacks this season. In their first matchup the Steel Curtain only got to Sanchez once, something they are certain to improve on Sunday. Ryan and company may be hoping for clear sailing on Sunday, but when they take Heinz field all they may find is cold steel.
Injury News and Updates
The Bears are as healthy as they can expect as this juncture of the season with the only notable injury being safety Chris Harris (hip). According to head coach Lovie Smith he anticipates Harris playing Sunday in the NFC Championship.
The Jets were down a man last Sunday against the Patriots with kick-return specialist/wide receiver Brad Smith sidelined with a groin injury, but according to ESPN, he is expected to serve as the teams’ kick returner in the AFC Championship.
The Jets starting shutdown corner Darelle Revis was limited in practice on Thursday, but returned as a full-participant on Friday. Revis is fully expected to start on Sunday without any concerns and will likely draw the assignment of covering the Steelers wide receiver Hines Ward.
Just my views.
By David Ortega
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