Gridiron Gab Week Fifteen Preview – Cleveland at Cincinnati

Cleveland Browns Vs Cincinnati Bengals

When: Sunday,December 19th

Where: Paul Brown Stadium

Time: 1:00 p.m

Weather: Cloudy,High of 29

Players to Watch:

Bengals Offense

This is a very talented group that hasn’t been able to click all season young. With T.O. and Ochocinco they are a very dangerous match-up for the Browns and shouldn’t be taken lightly, despite there record. The Browns secondary has been playing better lately, but this should be a tough test for the young defensive backs on the team.

Peyton Hillis

I am interested in seeing how Hillis responds to last week’s game against the Bills. Hillis put the ball on the  field to many times for this team to be successful. We need Hillis to hold onto the football and can’t afford him putting the ball on the ground for the rest of the season.

Colt McCoy

It’s McCoy’s team for the rest of the year and hopefully his career. Colt played pretty good when he was the starter before his injury and hopefully can pick up where he left off. The team needs better Quarterback play then what they have had with Delhomme in there, and I look for McCoy to pick up where he left off  the last three weeks of the season.

Keys to the Game:

NO TURNOVERS

No stupid penalties.

Establish Running game

Contain Bengals Offense

Prediction

Cleveland Browns 21 Cincinnati Bengals 17

I look for Colt to play a good game and the offense to get back on track with him under center. I also think Hillis will make up for his bad game last week against the Bills. The Browns can’t let the Bengals to get going because if they do it could be a long Sunday for the team. Joe Haden and T.J. Ward will be tested this weekend, at Paul Browns Stadium. This is a big game for Coach Mangini and he can’t afford to lose this one if he wants to keep his job.

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Gridiron Gab Week Fifteen Preview – New York Jets at Pittsburgh

With a shot to put a strangle hold on the division, the Steelers host a team that is slumping Sunday at Heinz Field, the 9-4 New York Jets. The Jets have dropped two in a row, and have a QB in Mark Sanchez that is struggling to the point where his coach is taking him out for one-on-one meetings and lunches. So how do the Steelers find a way to win? Read below as we get you set for Sunday.

1. Take What You Can Get - If you haven’t figured this out, Sunday is going to resemble a Ravens-Steelers game, and that’s mostly due to Rex Ryan and how the Jets play. With that, the Steelers are having serious red zone issues, and overall the offense needs to get itself righted before they find themselves playing in a game where it’s win or go home. So Sunday vs the Jets, if you are inside the 20, take a 5-6 yard gain, get a first down, and stop worrying about one play to score 6. Enough of those 5-6 yard plays and that 6 will come.

2. Confuse Sanchez – Mark Sanchez doesn’t play well in bad weather, and seems to be in another December slump. So the Steelers and mastermind Dick LeBeau need to do what they can to get to him, confuse him, and when they pressure him, take him down. Sanchez the threw his 12th interception of the season and finished 17 of 44 for 216 yards against the Dolphins, and it also hurt the run game as the Jets played from behind all day. The Steelers need to play that type of game Sunday.

3. Be Physical with Edwards and Holmes – Both wide outs can be either very good, or disappear when games get tight. Both also don’t do as well when corner backs play them physical, and that will be the job Sunday of both Ike Taylor and Bryant McFadden. Make no mistake, you know that Holmes wants to come back to Heinz Field and make a game-changing play in this one, and it will be up to the Steelers secondary, minus an injured Troy Polamalu, to make that happen. As for Edwards, make him drop an early pass and his head won’t be in it the rest of the day.

Prediction – This is going to be another very physical game, the Steelers second in three weeks after last weeks win over the Bengals, and the slug fest with the Ravens two weeks back. The offense is having scoring issues, there’s no Polamalu to bail them out this week, and the Jets are desperate to get their season back on track. So why are the Steelers going to win? Easy, they are at home, where the Jets don’t win (0-7 lifetime), the Steelers are not giving the ball up, and their D is going to get to Sanchez, who is slumping big time. Steelers clinch the division after the Ravens lose to the Saints and the Steelers top the Jets. Steelers 14 NY Jets 6

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Gridiron Gab Week Fifteen Preview – Denver at Oakland

59-14.  It’s there in front of everyone, the thorough whooping that the Oakland Raiders gave the Donkeys last time they played.  It started the downfall of the Donkeys and their eventual firing of their head coach, and gave the Raiders momentum for their first 3 game winning streak in nearly a decade.  The Raiders have already seen the Chargers win and will know if the Chiefs will have won or lost before they play.  Will they meet expectation and steam roll the Donkeys, or continue their up-and-down season by playing down to the level of the Donkeys?  Let’s review how they win…

Give DMC the Ball 25 times

He is 2nd behind Arian Foster for all purpose yards even though he missed 2 games.  He ran all around the Donkeys the last time they played.  If the Raiders are 8-5 instead of 6-7, he is in the MVP conversation.  The Donkeys gave Tim Hightower a career game and did not play with any passion for their interim head coach.  Get DMC the ball 25 times, screens, draws, wildcat, it doesn’t matter how.  Let him touch and see him go.

Shut down Moreno

New coach is the RB coach.  Think he’ll try  to establish the run?  With Orton hurting, Tebow possibly playing significant time, they are going to try to establish Knowshown Moreno all day.  The Raiders run d gave up big plays last week (2 runs accounted for 100 of the Jaguars 234 rushing yards), they are going to have to play their lanes and control the line of scrimmage.

Leave the Champ Alone

A pick 6, any turnover at all, can quickly give the Donkeys momentum.  Don’t tempt fate, get the run game going, use your FB and TE’s to get into the middle of the field, and then use play-action pass to get the ball down the field.  But do not, do not, make it a point to test Champ Bailey.  Let him rot in the Broncos secondary.

Get the Snowball Effect Going Quickly

Rain is on the horizon for the Sunday, so that means a game that didn’t sell out will most likely have even a few less fans.  The Raiders have to go into this game right off the bat for the kill, because they will not have a large home-field advantage.  Get on the Donkeys from the get go, if Captain Virgin (Tebow) starts, just go on the attack.

The Donkeys remember the 59 point thrashing and will come into this game motivated, but then again they have only won once since the Raiders game.  The Raiders have dominated the AFC West, and I don’t see how the Donkeys win this game unless…as I said earlier this week, if Tom Cable loses this game, he won’t be back next year.  So the unless… is if he doesn’t get them motivated to play this game.  Will they?

Raiders 33 Broncos 17

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Gridiron Gab Week Fifteen Preview – New Orleans at Baltimore

Opponent: New Orleans Saints

Record: 10-3

Head Coach: Sean Payton

Big Test

The Saints come to Baltimore playing their best football of the season. On the other end of the spectrum the Ravens offense have struggled to run the ball and have been inconsistent protecting quarterback Joe Flacco. Defensively, the Ravens gave up a 21 point lead in their game against the Texans on Monday night.  Sunday versus the Saints is a huge test for the Ravens defense and the Ravens offensive line.

The Saints

It all starts with quarterback Drew Brees who is in command of the offense.  Brees has thrown for 3855 yards, with 28 TD’s and 18 Int.’s.  The Saints have numerous weapons on offense with receivers Marques Colston, Lance Moore, Robert Meachem and TE Jeremy Shockey. RB Reggie Bush who has been sidelined for most of the season must be accounted for on the field. The run game is lead by Chris Ivory who averaging 5.3 yards a carry.  The unit is ranked 7th in points scored (25.4) and 3rd in passing yards at 285. The run game is ranked 22nd at 101.1 yards.

Of late: The Saints are taking deeper shots down field and spreading out defenses. Rookie tight end Jimmy Graham is becoming more involved in the offense. Running back Pierre Thomas is back in the fold after being injured.

The Saints defense have played consistent this year.  The unit is ranked 5th in points allowed,18.9.  Against the run they are ranked 16th (107.8 yards). Linebacker Jonathan Vilma (88 combined tackles, 4 sacks and 3 forced fumbles) covers a lot of ground. The secondary plays the pass well ranked 5th and surrendering just under 200 yards a game. The Saints utilize their safeties well.  Strong safety Roman Harper is an impact player with 6 forced fumbles, 3 sacks and 1 interception.  Free safety Malcolm Jenkins in another impact player and has filled in well for the injured Darren Sharper.  Cornerback Tracy Porter has 1 and 1 forced fumble.

Player Match-ups:

LT Michael Oher vs. DT Sedrick Ellis: Eliis has 5 sacks on the season. Oher and the offensive line have to tighten up protections.

Ravens O-line vs. Saints D-line: The Ravens may continue to go with Oniel Cousins at right tackle (as they did Monday night) and Marshal Yanda at right guard in an effort to improve the run game. The Saints are ranked 16th against the run this year.

QB Joe Flacco vs. SS Roman Harper: Looks like teams will continue to bring their safeties until Flacco can audible to a quick pass (hot read).

RB Ray Rice vs. LB Jonathon Vilma The Saints have an excellent secondary and the Ravens will want to establish the run.

Ed Reed vs. Drew Brees: The Saints spread out defenses and will attack the secondary, Reed didn’t have his best game against the Texans, he’ll be an important factor slowing down the Saints offense. Brees is playing true to form now, but he does have 18 interceptions on the season.

T-Sizzle/D-line vs. Saints O-line: You think the Ravens defense will go with the 3 man rush after last week? Let’s hope not. A key will be the pass rush, getting to Drew Brees. Suggs will need to have a good game.

Ravens Linebackers vs. TE Jeremy Shockey: Linebackers McClain and Gooden must be physical in order to throw the with the Saints Tight end off his routes. Shockey is the third leading receiver on the team with 37 receptions and 3 TD.’s.

CB Josh Wilson vs. WR Marques Colston: It’s looking like Wilson is matching up against the opponents number one receivers. Colston has 76 receptions, 921 yards 7 TD’ and is averaging 12.1 yards a catch. A tough match-up for any cornerback.

PLAYER WHO MAKES THE HIGHLIGHT FILM:

Jonathan Scruggs: Ed Reed

After a down week against the Houston Texans, Ed Reed will need to have a bounce back outing against the New Orleans Saints. Early forecasts for the game suggest cold and snow/rain. If the Ravens are going to win it’s going to start with Ed making Drew Brees pay for mistakes made in sloppy weather.

Matt Jergensen: Terrell Suggs

“Pressure is the name of the game on defense. Matt Schaub threw the game away on the play before the Josh Wilson’s pick. Suggs was in the end zone grasping at the Texans starter looking to start the Safety dance. He caused the game to change. Hopefully he’ll do it again against a great offense.”

Gene Winner: Ray Rice

“The Ravens coaches aren’t done trying to make this a more physical offensive line. Look for Ray Rice to have some success this game.”

Recent News:

Cousins officially moves up depth chart

“Oniel Cousins’ stint with the starters against the Houston Texans was not an experiment, as his name was officially promoted on the Ravens’ latest depth chart.Cousins started his first game of the season – and the fourth of his three-year career – at right tackle in the Ravens’ 34-28 overtime victory. Cousins’ addition to the first team let Marshal Yanda slide down to right guard, his more natural position. And, it also meant the Ravens could use former starting right guard Chris Chester, one of the Ravens’ most athletic linemen, rove as a blocking tight end in a jumbo package. It is unknown whether Cousins’ starting role is permanent, but the depth-chart change means Cousins is at least expected to be with the ones this weekend against the New Orleans Saints.”

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Gridiron Gab Week Fifteen Preview: Buffalo at Miami

Well, if it were not for the loss against the Cleveland Browns two weeks ago, the Dolphins would be right in the middle of the playoff race right about now. Instead, despite a win against the New York Jets, the Dolphins still are on the outside looking in. Even with a win this week against the Buffalo Bills, it will take a lot as well as Miami winning out, for them to make the playoffs. But for that to happen, they have to beat the Bills first of all, and to do that they will need to follow these three keys;

3. Improvements To Be Made:

After last weeks game there were numerous improvements that needed to be done. From the pass protection, to the quarterback play, to even catching the ball, things needed to be corrected before this weeks game.

While the Bills are a lowly team this year, that does not mean that they cannot come out on top Sunday. This is a division game and anything can happen. We all saw what the Bills did to us last year around this time, and it very well could happen again if our offense does not get its act together. The whole offensive unit was down last week and while it may be chalked up to a complete fluke, one can wonder with just how good this offense is? Every week I have called for them to show us what they’ve really got, and to show everyone the potential that they have, but every week my calls go unanswered.

So based off last weeks performance, we will see this weekend whether or not this offense can make the correct adjustments, and get their act together, but time is running out for them to show up this year.

2. Act 2:

Last week the defense led this team to victory against the Jets. The last time the Bills and Fins met up in Miami on Opening Weekend, it was the defense that led the team to victory as well, thanks to an inept offense. So what will be in store for Act 2 of this defensive performance? It is against the much weaker teams that show you how good your team really is, and whether or not they are simply mediocre, or belong up there with the solid teams that feast on their weaker foes.

On paper the Dolphins defense, which is ranked in the top ten this year, should manhandle the Bills offense. Our corners have been playing shutdown ball as of late, our front seven, especially Cameron Wake, has been getting to the quarterback on a consistent basis, and our linebackers have been stuffing the run game after game. This defense is simpy one of the best in the league, and because of it, we should have a couple more wins that we do. So in the case that the offense craps the bed once again tomorrow, it will be on the shoulders of the defense to carry this team to victory against the Bills. I’m specifically looking for Wake to continue his torrid pace of getting to the QB this weekend against a weak Buffalo line.

1. Play Up To Your Potential:

I’ve already mentioned it a couple times above. The Dolphins are simply a better team than the Bills, and the end result should show it. The Dolphins have a top 10 defense finally, and it has looked dominant as of late, and has more than made up for the ineptitude of the offense. But over the past couple of years the Dolphins have been prone to losing games they should not, such as the Browns game, and Bills game last year. If the Dolphins are to show us that they truly are improving somewhat, they must beat the Bills handily, and not make this a close game. The Dolphins also need to show that they can win at home. This is something they have struggled mightily with so far this season. A win against a division rival at home would be nice, and a stepping stone for the Dolphins. While we all know that the Dolphins are better than the Bills, they must prove it on the field for everyone else to believe it as well.

Final Prediction:

Sadly, I see this one ending up in the defense’s hands again. But the Fins will come out victorious, 17-10. While it won’t come down to the special teams and the battle of field possession like last week, it will be another division showdown, and another defensive battle. While the door is open for the offense to open up, I really do not see it happening at this point in the season.

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Gridiron Gab Week Fifteen Preview: Atlanta at Seattle

After four turnovers on consecutive possessions doomed Seattle last Sunday in San Francisco, the Seahawks welcome the National Football League’s fourth-best team in terms of turnover differential to Qwest Field for a Week Fifteen contest of division leaders.

“It’s a really great challenge for us,” said Seattle head coach Pete Carroll during his Wednesday press conference from the team’s Renton, Wash. training facilities of Sunday’s game against the Atlanta Falcons, “because they do so many things right.”

“It forces us to play really, really solid football. We will not be able to make mistakes and stay with these guys – they’re just too good at it.”

Of Atlanta’s 335 points scored this season, 84 have come from the team’s 24 forced turnovers.

Leading the Falcons’ attack is the four-headed monster of Matt Ryan, Roddy White, Tony Gonzalez and Michael Turner.

In his third year in the NFL, Ryan is on pace to have his best season yet. His current completion percentage and quarterback rating (63.2 and 90.7, respectively) are the highest he’s had as a pro, while his touchdown passing total of 22 ties hiss personal best he set as a rookie coming out of Boston College.

Helping Ryan develop is wide receiver Roddy White. The 6-foot, 212-pound White not only leads the league in targets, receptions and receiving yards this season, he’s also become the first Falcon to post three consecutive seasons of at least 1,200 receiving yards – passing Andre Rison’s two straight seasons in the franchise’s history book.

Then there’s tight end Tony Gonzalez, who after hauling in a four-yard touchdown reception in Atlanta’s 31-10 road victory last Sunday in Carolina, jumped into a tie for 11th all-time in the NFL for touchdown receptions with 87.

“They really feature those two guys and they’re the guys they go to and you can see on the film why,” said Seattle’s Carroll. “They just make the plays. They make the catches. They throw the ball in there with guys hanging all over them and Roddy can make his catches and of course Tony does too.”

Despite the impressive totals, Carroll isn’t too worried about giving up a big play.

“We have to challenge those guys in their routes because they’re just going to ball control them,” said the Seahawks’ head coach. “They don’t have big averages; they have just big numbers of receptions.”

“So, that with Michael Turner is a tremendous makeup for an offense.”

After an injury and an alleged weight issue slowed and eventually shelved the running back for five games last season, the third-year Falcon has rebounded.

Turner has 11 rushing touchdowns on the season with three coming from last Sunday’s road win in Carolina. In that game, success came along the left side of the offensive line. All three of Turner’s scores against the Panthers were results of rushes to that side behind starting left tackle Sam Baker.

Unlike its offensive counterpart, the rush defense has struggled lately for Atlanta (11-2). The Falcons have given up 100-yard rushing games to opposing running backs the past two games, a streak that broke the team’s mark of nine consecutive contests without an opponent eclipsing the 100-yard mark on the ground.

That could be good news for Seattle (6-7), who should be able to find better success in the ground game with a more balanced offensive attack Sunday thanks to the possible return of receivers Mike Williams and Ben Obomanu. Williams, the team’s leading receiver with 52 receptions for 654 yards, has missed essentially the last three weeks due to injuries – the latest, an ankle injury, costing him to miss all but a handful of snaps the last two games. Obomanu, whose 430 receiving yards rank second-most on the Seattle roster this year, suffered a cut on his right hand two weeks ago after making a catch against Carolina.

With the possibility of having the team’s top-two receivers back on the field Sunday, running backs Marshawn Lynch and Justin Forsett could potentially face less defensive attention. Last Sunday when both receivers were out, Lynch and Forsett combined for just 34 yards on 13 carries.

Sunday’s kickoff at Qwest Field for the matchup between Atlanta and Seattle is set for 4:05 p.m.

Can’t get enough NFLGridironGab? Follow SeahawksGab Editor Devon Heinen on Twitter at http://twitter.com/DevonHeinen.

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Gridiron Gab Week Fifteen Preview: Detroit at Tampa Bay

The Lions have spent all season losing pretty and last week they finally won ugly.  It’s amazing how little credit the Lions got for absolutely dominating the Packers on the trenches.  I know the Lions would get more respect if Aaron Rodgers didn’t get hurt, but Aaron Rodgers didn’t surrender 190 rushing yards.  Bottom line, there are some really bad teams in the NFL, and most weeks they score more than 3 points.  Anytime a team racks up 190 yards rushing, four sacks, two interceptions, recovers a fumble and holds a team to two of 12 on third down they played a great game.

The Lions hit the road to play a reeling Bucs team that has seven starters on Injured Reserve, including four in the last two weeks.  The Buccaneers have an impressive record at 8-5, but a closer look at the team’s performance is a little more revealing.  The Buccaneers have yet to beat a team with a winning record and have lost by 60 points to the four teams with winning records they have played.  A team can only play the schedule they have, so you can’t hold the Bucs easy schedule against them.  They have done a great job of winning the games that they should, but the point I’m making is the 3-10 Lions are not out of their league against the 8-5 Bucs this weekend.

Offense:

The Bucs’ defense is a middle of the road unit in total yardage given up, but most importantly in this matchup the Bucs are ranked 27th against the run.  Add in the loss of Gerald McCoy last week, and the Lions should be able to move the ball on the ground.  The running game will be the focal point of the offense whether Drew Stanton or Shaun Hill get the nod, but look for Maurice Morris to get the bulk of the carries.  The Bucs still play a Tampa 2 defense, which is fueled by fast but undersized players flying to the ball.  They are susceptible to power running games, and Morris is a downhill runner that can expose the injury riddled interior of the Bucs’ defense.

Tampa Bay is also without one of the top cornerbacks in the league in Aquib Talib, who was placed on IR two weeks ago.  Without Talib, the Bucs will have to use EJ Biggers or Ronde Barber to cover Calvin Johnson.  That matchup heavily favors the Lions as Biggers is young an unproven and Barber is on the decline.  Good tight ends can expose the Tampa 2 as well and the Lions have two of the best.  The Lions’ offense matches up extremely well against the banged up Bucs’ defense, but the biggest factor in the game will be Shaun Hill’s finger.

The Tampa Bay pass rush is 30th in sacks with 20 and they don’t get a lot of pressure on the quarterback.  An accurate quarterback can pick apart zone defenses if he has time in the pocket.  If Shaun Hill’s broken finger is healed enough to play on Sunday, the Lions have a huge edge.  If the inaccurate Drew Stanton is in there, the Lions could have a tough time moving the ball.  Stanton doesn’t read the defense as well as Hill which disrupts the whole rhythm of the offense.  Stanton is frequently late on his throws which gives the defense time to react and forces him to make more difficult throws.  Hill can pick apart a zone defense and keep the offensive timing intact.  Stanton took most of the reps with the first stringers this week, so it looks like he’s the favorite to start.  Although, Coach Schwartz said that if Hill could throw without limitations in pregame warmups he’d have a chance to start.

Defense:

In addition to the banged up defense, the Bucs are also expected to start at least two backup offensive lineman.  While that is music to the defensive line’s ears, Josh Freeman is not the easiest quarterback to sack.  Freeman is 6-6 and 250 lbs. which is an inch taller and 10 lbs. heavier than Ben Roethlisberger.  Freeman feels the rush well and he is very mobile and tough to tackle.  The Lions have to be disciplined with their pass rush so they don’t leave huge lanes for Freeman to scramble.  As much as a defense likes to sack the quarterback, the key to the pass rush is hurries rather than sacks this week.

Freeman has two good rookie receivers in Mike Williams and Arrelious Benn and one of the best tight ends in Kellen Winslow.  Those three have done a great job getting open downfield and making big plays for their quarterback.  The Lions have to pressure Freeman so those plays don’t have time to develop.

The Bucs biggest asset in this game is running back Legarrette Blount, who has had a strong rookie season.  Blount is 6-0 247 lbs. but he’s very agile for a big back.  The Lions linebackers haven’t tackled well this season and Blount will test them in that area.  Blount is dangerous because he can run over a linebacker and outrun a safety, so the Lions best defense for him is to get penetration behind the line of scrimmage and force him to make cuts in the backfield.

Wild Card:

If Stanton gets the start, which Stanton is it?  The accurate and poised Stanton that picked apart the Bears, or the wildly inaccurate Stanton that showed up last week?  I have hope that Stanton will look better this week against a familiar defense that he’s had success against.  Remember, Stanton ran the scout team offense against Marinelli’s Tampa 2 in practice every day and he did a good job against the Bears more talented version of the Tampa 2.  If the Lions establish the running game, the Bucs will have to bring eight men in the box.  That takes the defense out of the Cover 2 and forced them to play more Cover 3.  That leaves a corner one on one with Calvin without help over the top.  If Stanton can take advantage of that, then the Lions will have a good chance at upsetting the Bucs.  If he can’t, the Lions will struggle to put points on the board.

Prediction:

The Lions got a confidence boost last week and now they have a beat up Bucs team that just barely beat the Skins last week.  Stanton looked terrible against a 3-4 defense last week that confused him with multiple fronts and blitzes.  This week he gets a familiar defense that rarely blitzes.  I like the Lions’ chances in this game because of the success they have had running the ball the last month.  The running game opens up so many more opportunities to attack a defense and the Bucs are missing two of their three best defensive players.  I’m going with the Lions to end their road losing streak in a close game.

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