January 15th, 2011 Saturday
Last Minute Takes
Ravens-Steelers Matchup
The Ravens and Steelers split their two matchups this season with each team win on the others field, but in the series since Joe Flacco has been under center for Baltimore the Steelers own a 5-2 record.
The key for the Ravens will be pass protection; Flacco was sacked four times the last time these two teams got together. It’s going to be a tall order to run the ball against the Steelers number one rated run defense, but the Ravens must find ways to get the ball into the hands of Ray Rice. In their last meeting the Ravens offense ran the ball just 20 times and passed the ball 37 times. They will need better balance today if they hope to protect Flacco from the Steeler’s pass rush and playmakers; James Harrison (10.5 sacks), LaMarr Woodley (10 sacks) and Troy Polamalu (7 interceptions).
When they do have to throw the ball, wide receiver Derrick Mason could come up big with the secondary keying on Boldin and Heap (1o catches last weekend against the Chiefs). Flacco will have to use all of his weapons and still try to get the ball downfield to challenge the Steelers deep, but Mason could be the answer for a couple of key third downs and in the red-zone.
The Steelers would like to dictate this affair very much like the last time these two teams squared off, but 13 points may not be enough to secure the win today. The Steelers finished the year 11th in rushing and would like nothing better than to grind out big yardage against the nasty Ravens defense. Big Ben (Roethlisberger) has the knack of improvising, give him a solid ground attack and he can be even more dangerous with play-action roll outs.
The Steelers figure to give the run game every opportunity to succeed, but they won’t be afraid to let Big Ben drop back and chuck the rock. In one game this season against the Ravens, Roethlisberger passed for 253 yards with a touchdown. Big Ben could be the key for the Steelers, he may have to make a few plays today if they hope to generate enough points to win.
The real difference today will come down to which team will force the other into making mistakes; the Steelers look to have the edge with one of the leagues most lethal pass rushes (48 sacks led the league). Look for a ton of pressure, some errant throws, and keep your eye on Polamalu.
My pick; Steelers
Packers-Falcons Matchup
This matchup has the look and feel of every fantasy football owners dream come true; big time playmakers, lots of yards, and lots of points. In their first go round it was the Packers that provided most of the big plays racking up 418 yards of offense, but it was the Falcons that made the loudest noise scoring the most points and taking the game.
The keys for the Packers, or what hurt them was coming up with just 17 points on four trips into the red-zone. The Falcons in some ways may have been fortunate to hold on for the win, but then again with a 7-1 record at home this season and 20-4 over the past three season, the Falcons know how to win at home.
Rodgers was able to hit his targets and had a lot of success in the air, which will be key today. If the Falcons are going to disrupt the Packers offense they will have to do a better job of bringing pressure (only one sack in the first matchup).
The Packers are going to do their best to slow down defensive end John Abraham and the Falcons pass rush with their new found running game. Last week against the Eagles defense rookie running back James Starks had lots of success gaining over 120 yards on the ground.
For the Falcons, they will need another cool-under-pressure game from quarterback Matty “Ice” Ryan. Ryan completed over 62 percent of his throws this season and tossed 28 touchdowns with just nine picks. To take some pressure off the three year starter, the Falcons will lean heavily on their 1,300-yard rusher Michael Turner. In their first meeting Turner rolled his way through the defense for 110 yards and a touchdown.
These two teams have not seen a lot of each other in the past (just twice since Ryan arrived in Atlanta) and they last met nearly two months ago, but each is going to do what it is they like to do Packers-pass, Falcons-run). What we will see will be a matchup that will transpire into a game that will take on the familiar shape of what we saw back in week 12. In that game these two teams combined for 37 points, today they may reach that mark at halftime.
If this game becomes a horse race, the Packers just may have the thoroughbreds needed to outlast the Falcons on the back stretch.
My Pick; Packers
Just my take.
By David Ortega
The Ravens and Steelers split their two matchups this season with each team win on the others field, but in the series since Joe Flacco has been under center for Baltimore the Steelers own a 5-2 record.
The key for the Ravens will be pass protection; Flacco was sacked four times the last time these two teams got together. It’s going to be a tall order to run the ball against the Steelers number one rated run defense, but the Ravens must find ways to get the ball into the hands of Ray Rice. In their last meeting the Ravens offense ran the ball just 20 times and passed the ball 37 times. They will need better balance today if they hope to protect Flacco from the Steeler’s pass rush and playmakers; James Harrison (10.5 sacks), LaMarr Woodley (10 sacks) and Troy Polamalu (7 interceptions).
When they do have to throw the ball, wide receiver Derrick Mason could come up big with the secondary keying on Boldin and Heap (1o catches last weekend against the Chiefs). Flacco will have to use all of his weapons and still try to get the ball downfield to challenge the Steelers deep, but Mason could be the answer for a couple of key third downs and in the red-zone.
The Steelers would like to dictate this affair very much like the last time these two teams squared off, but 13 points may not be enough to secure the win today. The Steelers finished the year 11th in rushing and would like nothing better than to grind out big yardage against the nasty Ravens defense. Big Ben (Roethlisberger) has the knack of improvising, give him a solid ground attack and he can be even more dangerous with play-action roll outs.
The Steelers figure to give the run game every opportunity to succeed, but they won’t be afraid to let Big Ben drop back and chuck the rock. In one game this season against the Ravens, Roethlisberger passed for 253 yards with a touchdown. Big Ben could be the key for the Steelers, he may have to make a few plays today if they hope to generate enough points to win.
The real difference today will come down to which team will force the other into making mistakes; the Steelers look to have the edge with one of the leagues most lethal pass rushes (48 sacks led the league). Look for a ton of pressure, some errant throws, and keep your eye on Polamalu.
My pick; Steelers
Packers-Falcons Matchup
This matchup has the look and feel of every fantasy football owners dream come true; big time playmakers, lots of yards, and lots of points. In their first go round it was the Packers that provided most of the big plays racking up 418 yards of offense, but it was the Falcons that made the loudest noise scoring the most points and taking the game.
The keys for the Packers, or what hurt them was coming up with just 17 points on four trips into the red-zone. The Falcons in some ways may have been fortunate to hold on for the win, but then again with a 7-1 record at home this season and 20-4 over the past three season, the Falcons know how to win at home.
Rodgers was able to hit his targets and had a lot of success in the air, which will be key today. If the Falcons are going to disrupt the Packers offense they will have to do a better job of bringing pressure (only one sack in the first matchup).
The Packers are going to do their best to slow down defensive end John Abraham and the Falcons pass rush with their new found running game. Last week against the Eagles defense rookie running back James Starks had lots of success gaining over 120 yards on the ground.
For the Falcons, they will need another cool-under-pressure game from quarterback Matty “Ice” Ryan. Ryan completed over 62 percent of his throws this season and tossed 28 touchdowns with just nine picks. To take some pressure off the three year starter, the Falcons will lean heavily on their 1,300-yard rusher Michael Turner. In their first meeting Turner rolled his way through the defense for 110 yards and a touchdown.
These two teams have not seen a lot of each other in the past (just twice since Ryan arrived in Atlanta) and they last met nearly two months ago, but each is going to do what it is they like to do Packers-pass, Falcons-run). What we will see will be a matchup that will transpire into a game that will take on the familiar shape of what we saw back in week 12. In that game these two teams combined for 37 points, today they may reach that mark at halftime.
If this game becomes a horse race, the Packers just may have the thoroughbreds needed to outlast the Falcons on the back stretch.
My Pick; Packers
Just my take.
By David Ortega
You was right on the money with your picks. I think Green Bay is the hottest team in the playoffs and the New England Patriots I think will come out of the AFC
ReplyDeletethanks for the comments and thanks for reading. I try.
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