NFL Playoffs 2011-NFC Divisional Match-ups
By Brian McGee
Seattle Seahawks @ Chicago Bears:
The Earth shaking Seahawks are trying to prove the World wrong again. They will be on the road in this game in a very cold environment. The forecast — to be in the mid to high 20′s, with a chance of snow shower — should prove an advantage for the Chicago Bears. Matt Hasselback decided to play like a Hall of Fame QB and beat the defending champs last week in their wild card match-up. During the season he threw 12 touchdowns and 17 interceptions, but against the Saints last week he threw 4 touchdowns to only 1 interception. He had a passer rating of 113, a touch better than his average rating for the season of 73. After the phenomenal run of Marshawn Lynch that almost brought the town of Seattle to rubble, the Seahawks must be taken more seriously. If the Bears think they will be able to control them with their defense and have Cutler get the ball in the end zone, they could be in for a shock. With that being said, this is the best match-up that Bears could have asked for. They have earned their home field advantage, although it was through a lesser schedule than most teams. They will need the accuracy of Cutler to return and to use the versatility of Matt Forte early and often to move the chains. The Bears “D” will not allow 41 points to be posted up on them; they are rested and ready to get their run into the playoffs. Look for a controlled run/pass attack and a fierce defense from the Bears to end the Seahawks hopes for another shocking win.
Bears win 24-17
Green Bay Packers @ Atlanta Falcons
Matt Ryan does not lose at the Georgia Dome. Aaron Rodgers loves to win in hostile settings. It’s a battle of phenomenal young QB’s, one a little more seasoned than the other. The Falcons and Ryan have been proving people wrong every week of the season; they have proven how dominant their defense can be and how poised their young quarterback is. This is the game that I would watch if their was only one game that I could. I want to see how Rodgers finds throwing room against the Falcons and how well Jennings can respond with a mediocre performance last week. The Packers dropped a couple crucial balls last week, especially at the end of the half when James Jones used his frying pan hands and missed a scoring opportunity. With a lot of offensive possibilities in this game, the key to whomever wins will once again be a defensive stop in the final 2 minutes. Whatever team will come through and muster up that little extra on defense will win the game. I am very excited for this game, and I hope it lives up to the hype I am giving it. Two great duos with Rodgers and Jennings and Ryan and White. Fantastic defenses playing at the highest level, not many things can top playoff football.
Packers win 27-24
Sleepers of the Week: Week 1
Posted: September 10, 2009
Each week during the NFL season, I will predict my sleepers for the upcoming games, reaching into the bag to find the gems that could help you on your way to a W. Here are the sleepers for week 1:
QUARTERBACK
- Carson Palmer Projection: 25-39, 315 yards, 3 TD, 1 Int
Palmer faces a Denver D who ranked 26th against the pass in 2008 (without the services of All-Pro DB Champ Bailey for much of the year). Even with Bailey, Denver is shaky. Palmer is healthy, his receivers are capable and Cinci’s running game is meager, so this should become an aerial show.
- Matt Hasselbeck Projection: 21-31, 275 yards, 2 TD
Despite a questionable O-line, the Seattle offense is my prediction to surprise in week 1. Against a poor St. Louis D (28th in total yards allowed in ’08), Hasselbeck should return to the form that made him a top QB option as recently as 2007.
RUNNING BACK
- Ray Rice Projection: 21 carries, 114 yards, 4 receptions, 30 yards, 1 total TD
Rice has been given the lead role for Baltimore, a team that averaged 37 carries/gm in 2008. McGahee and McClain will get there touches, but against an awful KC defense (30th against the run in ’08) Rice should easily eclipse 100 yards.
- Fred Jackson Projection: 26 carries, 106 yards, 3 receptions, 22 yards, 1 total TD
With Marshawn Lynch suspended for the first 3 games of ’09, Jackson is the man. Against New England in week 17 last year, Jackson went for 27-136. I don’t expect quite the yardage production, but 100+ and a score is very realistic.
- Julius Jones Projection: 19 carries, 94 yards, 2 receptions, 15 yards, 1 total TD
Reminder: Seattle’s offense is a week 1 sleeper. The Rams ranked 29th against the run in ’08. Edgerrin James is slated for “at least 5 carries”, but Jones will get the bulk of the work. If he can get into the 22-25 carry range, it’s an easy 100 yards.
WIDE RECEIVER
- Anthony Gonzalez Projection: 7 catches, 103 yards, 1 TD
Everyone knows Gonzalez is now the #2 receiver in Indy. Big things are expected. Manning will look his way (a lot) out of the gates against a Jacksonville D that ranked 24th against the pass last year.
- Kevin Walter Projection: 6 catches, 95 yards, 1 TD
Like Gonzalez, Walter is the #2 in a high-powered passing attack. Also like Gonzalez, his match-up would dictate potential success: Jets 29th vs. pass in 2008. Despite the hamstring injury, Walter expects to play. Andre Johnson is the man, but Walter will be leaned on in single-coverage.
- Chris Henry (Cin) Projection: 5 catches, 93 yards, 1 TD
Palmer is going to go off against Denver. Coles and Ochocinco – despite being matched-up with Bailey – will get their catches, but Henry is going to make a statement. Count on it.
TIGHT END
- John Carlson Projection: 5 catches, 70 yards, 1 TD
I continue to jock the Seahawks. Now watch them get shut out. But seriously, Hasselbeck will be solid, and the running game will open things up for the passing attack. Carlson is as solid a week 1 play as there is at the position.
KICKER
- Josh Brown Projection: 3 FG (1 40+ yard, 1 50+ yard), 1 PAT
Seattle’s defense will not be one of the top units in the NFL in 2009, and aside from Steven Jackson, the Rams’ offense is as dismal as they come. The combination of the two should mean a fair amount of work for Brown.
DEFENSE
- Houston Texans Projection: 13 points allowed, 2 sacks, 1 Int, 1 forced fumble
Their 2008 numbers wouldn’t dictate success, but against a moderate, conservative Jets offense, and with some key additions to an underrated unit, the Texans have a favorable match-up.
Extras: 2008 Offensive Rankings, 2008 Defensive Rankings, 2009 Depth Charts
Just the Stats: 2009 Running Back Projections
Posted: September 5, 2009
The “Overall” Running Back fantasy score is determined for leagues using the following scoring system: 10 rushing yards = 1 point, TD run = 6 points, 100+ yard rushing game = 6 points, 10 receiving yards = 1 point, TD reception = 6 points, Fumble = -2 points.
| PLAYER | Age | O-Ln | Bye | Week 14-15-16 | Ru Yd |
Avg | Ru TD |
100+ | Rc Yd |
Rc TD |
Fm | OVERALL |
| Adrian Peterson (Min) | 24 | Plus | 9 | Cin, @Car, @Chi | 1,550 | 5.2 | 15 | 8 | 150 | 0 | 4 | 300 |
| Maurice Jones-Drew | 24 | Even | 7 | Mia, Ind, @NE | 1,250 | 4.5 | 14 | 4 | 500 | 2 | 3 | 289 |
| Matt Forte | 23 | Plus | 5 | GB, @Bal, Min | 1,250 | 4.0 | 9 | 3 | 450 | 3 | 1 | 258 |
| Michael Turner | 27 | Plus | 4 | NO, @NYJ, Buf | 1,400 | 4.4 | 14 | 5 | 40 | 0 | 2 | 254 |
| LaDainian Tomlinson | 30 | Even | 5 | @Dal, Cin, @Ten | 1,150 | 3.8 | 12 | 3 | 400 | 1 | 0 | 251 |
| DeAngelo Williams | 26 | Plus | 4 | @NE, Min, @NYG | 1,250 | 5.1 | 12 | 4 | 175 | 1 | 0 | 245 |
| Steve Slaton | 23 | Plus | 10 | Sea, @StL, @Mia | 1,200 | 4.5 | 9 | 5 | 375 | 1 | 2 | 244 |
| Steven Jackson | 26 | Minus | 9 | @Ten, Hou, @Ari | 1,150 | 4.1 | 8 | 4 | 350 | 1 | 3 | 222 |
| Chris Johnson (Ten) | 23 | Plus | 7 | StL, Mia, SD | 1,200 | 4.6 | 8 | 4 | 250 | 1 | 1 | 221 |
| Knowshon Moreno | 22 | Plus | 7 | @Ind, Oak, @Phi | 1,100 | 4.4 | 8 | 4 | 300 | 2 | 2 | 220 |
| Brandon Jacobs | 27 | Plus | 10 | Phi, @Was, Car | 1,050 | 5.0 | 14 | 4 | 50 | 0 | 2 | 214 |
| Darren McFadden | 22 | Minus | 9 | Was,@Den,@Cle | 1,050 | 4.4 | 7 | 3 | 400 | 2 | 2 | 213 |
| Clinton Portis | 27 | Minus | 8 | @Oak, NYG, Dal | 1,250 | 4.1 | 8 | 4 | 200 | 0 | 4 | 209 |
| Frank Gore | 26 | Minus | 6 | Ari, @Phi, Det | 1,100 | 4.3 | 6 | 3 | 425 | 1 | 3 | 207 |
| Pierre Thomas | 24 | Plus | 5 | @Atl, Dal, TB | 900 | 4.8 | 9 | 2 | 350 | 3 | 1 | 207 |
| Brian Westbrook | 29 | Plus | 4 | @NYG, SF, Den | 900 | 4.2 | 7 | 3 | 400 | 3 | 1 | 206 |
| Marion Barber | 26 | Plus | 6 | SD, @NO, @Was | 900 | 4.3 | 8 | 3 | 325 | 2 | 2 | 197 |
| Kevin Smith | 22 | Minus | 7 | @Bal, Ari, @SF | 1,000 | 4.0 | 8 | 2 | 275 | 1 | 1 | 192 |
| Ryan Grant | 26 | Even | 5 | @Chi, @Pit, Sea | 1,150 | 4.3 | 6 | 4 | 125 | 1 | 3 | 188 |
| Beanie Wells | 21 | Minus | 4 | @SF, @Det, StL | 950 | 3.9 | 10 | 3 | 75 | 0 | 2 | 177 |
| Joseph Addai | 26 | Even | 6 | Den, @Jac, NYJ | 850 | 4.2 | 7 | 2 | 275 | 2 | 1 | 176 |
| Thomas Jones | 31 | Plus | 9 | @TB, Atl, @Ind | 1,000 | 4.0 | 6 | 3 | 175 | 1 | 1 | 176 |
| Derrick Ward | 29 | Plus | 8 | NYJ, @Sea, @NO | 950 | 5.1 | 3 | 3 | 350 | 1 | 0 | 172 |
| Jonathan Stewart | 22 | Plus | 4 | @NE, Min, @NYG | 900 | 4.5 | 11 | 2 | 50 | 0 | 1 | 171 |
| Larry Johnson | 29 | Minus | 8 | Buf, Cle, @Cin | 1,000 | 4.3 | 6 | 3 | 100 | 1 | 1 | 168 |
| Ronnie Brown | 27 | Plus | 6 | @Jac,@Ten,Hou | 850 | 4.4 | 6 | 3 | 275 | 0 | 1 | 165 |
| Donald Brown | 22 | Even | 6 | Den, @Jac, NYJ | 800 | 4.4 | 6 | 2 | 250 | 2 | 2 | 161 |
| Ahmad Bradshaw | 23 | Plus | 10 | Phi, @Was, Car | 800 | 5.1 | 4 | 2 | 300 | 2 | 0 | 158 |
| Marshawn Lynch | 23 | Minus | 9 | @KC, NE, @Atl | 900 | 4.1 | 6 | 2 | 200 | 0 | 1 | 156 |
| Ray Rice | 22 | Plus | 7 | Det, Chi, @Pit | 850 | 4.2 | 4 | 2 | 300 | 1 | 2 | 153 |
| Reggie Bush | 24 | Plus | 5 | @Atl, Dal, TB | 550 | 3.7 | 4 | 0 | 450 | 3 | 2 | 150 |
| Felix Jones | 22 | Plus | 6 | SD, @NO, @Was | 800 | 5.0 | 5 | 1 | 250 | 1 | 1 | 145 |
| Tim Hightower | 23 | Minus | 4 | @SF, @Det, StL | 600 | 3.5 | 5 | 1 | 350 | 2 | 0 | 143 |
| Willie Parker | 28 | Minus | 8 | @Cle, GB, Bal | 900 | 3.9 | 5 | 3 | 50 | 0 | 2 | 139 |
| LenDale White | 24 | Plus | 7 | StL, Mia, SD | 750 | 3.8 | 10 | 0 | 20 | 0 | 3 | 131 |
| Willis McGahee | 27 | Plus | 7 | Det, Chi, @Pit | 700 | 3.9 | 6 | 2 | 170 | 0 | 2 | 131 |
| Jamal Lewis | 30 | Even | 9 | Pit, @KC, Oak | 900 | 3.6 | 4 | 1 | 125 | 0 | 1 | 131 |
| Julius Jones | 28 | Minus | 7 | SF, @Hou, TB | 850 | 4.0 | 3 | 2 | 125 | 0 | 1 | 126 |
| Laurence Maroney | 24 | Plus | 8 | Car, @Buf, Jac | 700 | 3.8 | 5 | 1 | 150 | 1 | 1 | 125 |
| Fred Jackson | 28 | Minus | 9 | @KC, NE, @Atl | 650 | 4.6 | 4 | 1 | 300 | 0 | 1 | 123 |
| Cedric Benson | 26 | Minus | 8 | @Min, @SD, KC | 700 | 3.7 | 4 | 2 | 150 | 0 | 2 | 117 |
| Rashard Mendenhall | 22 | Minus | 8 | @Cle, GB, Bal | 700 | 4.1 | 6 | 1 | 75 | 0 | 3 | 114 |
| LeSean McCoy | 21 | Plus | 4 | @NYG, SF, Den | 600 | 4.5 | 2 | 1 | 250 | 2 | 1 | 113 |
| Earnest Graham | 29 | Plus | 8 | NYJ, @Sea, @NO | 650 | 4.1 | 4 | 1 | 200 | 0 | 2 | 111 |
| Darren Sproles | 26 | Even | 5 | @Dal, Cin, @Ten | 500 | 5.1 | 2 | 0 | 300 | 3 | 0 | 110 |
| Chester Taylor | 29 | Plus | 9 | Cin, @Car, @Chi | 500 | 4.4 | 4 | 0 | 325 | 1 | 2 | 109 |
| Jerious Norwood | 26 | Plus | 4 | NO, @NYJ, Buf | 550 | 5.0 | 3 | 0 | 300 | 1 | 1 | 107 |
| Le’Ron McClain | 24 | Plus | 7 | Det, Chi, @Pit | 500 | 3.8 | 8 | 0 | 80 | 0 | 1 | 104 |
| Jamaal Charles | 22 | Minus | 8 | Buf, Cle, @Cin | 500 | 4.5 | 2 | 1 | 300 | 1 | 2 | 100 |
| Bernard Scott | 25 | Minus | 8 | @Min, @SD, KC | 600 | 4.1 | 3 | 1 | 100 | 0 | 1 | 92 |
| Michael Bush | 25 | Minus | 9 | Was,@Den,@Cle | 500 | 4.3 | 4 | 0 | 180 | 0 | 1 | 90 |
| James Davis | 23 | Even | 9 | Pit, @KC, Oak | 450 | 4.5 | 3 | 1 | 100 | 0 | 1 | 77 |
| Correll Buckhalter | 30 | Plus | 7 | @Ind, Oak, @Phi | 400 | 4.0 | 2 | 0 | 200 | 1 | 1 | 76 |
| Glen Coffee | 22 | Minus | 6 | Ari, @Phi, Det | 400 | 4.3 | 2 | 1 | 75 | 0 | 1 | 64 |
| Shonn Greene | 24 | Plus | 9 | @TB, Atl, @Ind | 350 | 4.2 | 4 | 0 | 50 | 0 | 1 | 62 |
| Justin Fargas | 29 | Minus | 9 | Was,@Den,@Cle | ||||||||
| Mewelde Moore | 27 | Minus | 8 | @Cle, GB, Bal | ||||||||
| Fred Taylor | 33 | Plus | 8 | Car, @Buf, Jac | ||||||||
| Tashard Choice | 24 | Plus | 6 | SD, @NO, @Was | ||||||||
| Jerome Harrison | 26 | Even | 9 | Pit, @KC, Oak | ||||||||
| Brandon Jackson | 23 | Even | 5 | @Chi, @Pit, Sea | ||||||||
| Rashad Jennings | 24 | Even | 7 | Mia, Ind, @NE | 300 | 4.2 | 2 | 0 | 50 | 0 | 0 | 47 |
| Peyton Hillis | 23 | Plus | 7 | @Ind, Oak, @Phi | ||||||||
| Cadillac Williams | 27 | Plus | 8 | NYJ, @Sea, @NO | ||||||||
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