Metal Panda
One Moe Win
- Joined
- Dec 24, 2005
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Well, last week's second round had a buncha surprises (I didn't see Indy winning or New England). So what have we in store this week?
New England vs. Indy:
New England runs the ball fairly well, but if they were wise, would not go the same route as the Bengals in their loss to Indy and try to become something they're not. Their bread and butter is still in the passing game.
I don't think Indy is going to suffocate the running game, but I think the Patriots wide receivers are so ordinary that the Indy pass defense will be relatively successful, and that Freeney will cause significant disruption. New England will be forced to keep drives alive with creative playcalling, and their running game, but will face a lot of failed 3rd down conversions, and likely kick more field goals than they wanted to.
I like Joseph Addai...and Rhodes. Rhodes tends to pick up tough yardage...Addai, well, he's no Edge yet, but he's busted off some nice runs. I think they will have success, even against New England's stout run defense.
And without Rodney Harrison, New England's improved but still-not-what-it- was-three-years-ago secondary will be picked apart by Manning, who is due for a great game this playoff series. He just has too many weapons.
Indianapolis 27, New England 17
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New Orleans at Chicago
This is the hardest one to pick this weekend for me.
To begin, Chicago's vaunted defense hasn't really had a good game in weeks. I was stunned at how easily they got picked apart last week. If this was the Bears circa week 5, this game would be a "no contest" in my book. But the offense has to pull more weight now, and while it is doing it, Grossman clearly is suffering from his lack of playing time the last four years. As Don Banks cleverly puts it, "Rex keeps both teams in the game at all times".
Now, what Chicago has going for them--Thomas Jones and Cedric Benson. Both should see significant carries against the weak SAints run D. I also think Chicago should try to focus more on the run and more on sustaining long drives rather than consistently going for the homerun ball. The Saints enjoy frenetic football and shootouts--look at last week. If the Saints offense is kept off of the field for long periods of time, their rhythm will be off. Not to mention the steady doses of running yards will open up the deep ball later on.
The Saints have the potential to pick the Bears defense apart. Lesser teams have done it with relative ease in past weeks, and Brees knows how to find open guys in the middle of the field, plus he protects the football. I expect to see the Saints throwing a lot early and often to keep the Bears on their heels, so that the run game will find success. If the Saints defense can contain the Bears offense, they will be able to play their game of quick moving offense.
However, the Saints have a penchant for giving up ridiculously huge plays. Grossman has a penchant for launching it deep. Somehow, even though I think if this game were played 10 times it might be an even split, I have to go with the home team in a squeaker in this one. I think Chicago's run game will give New Orleans fits and free Grossman up for one of his homerun balls late.
Chicago 20, New Orleans 17
New England vs. Indy:
New England runs the ball fairly well, but if they were wise, would not go the same route as the Bengals in their loss to Indy and try to become something they're not. Their bread and butter is still in the passing game.
I don't think Indy is going to suffocate the running game, but I think the Patriots wide receivers are so ordinary that the Indy pass defense will be relatively successful, and that Freeney will cause significant disruption. New England will be forced to keep drives alive with creative playcalling, and their running game, but will face a lot of failed 3rd down conversions, and likely kick more field goals than they wanted to.
I like Joseph Addai...and Rhodes. Rhodes tends to pick up tough yardage...Addai, well, he's no Edge yet, but he's busted off some nice runs. I think they will have success, even against New England's stout run defense.
And without Rodney Harrison, New England's improved but still-not-what-it- was-three-years-ago secondary will be picked apart by Manning, who is due for a great game this playoff series. He just has too many weapons.
Indianapolis 27, New England 17
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New Orleans at Chicago
This is the hardest one to pick this weekend for me.
To begin, Chicago's vaunted defense hasn't really had a good game in weeks. I was stunned at how easily they got picked apart last week. If this was the Bears circa week 5, this game would be a "no contest" in my book. But the offense has to pull more weight now, and while it is doing it, Grossman clearly is suffering from his lack of playing time the last four years. As Don Banks cleverly puts it, "Rex keeps both teams in the game at all times".
Now, what Chicago has going for them--Thomas Jones and Cedric Benson. Both should see significant carries against the weak SAints run D. I also think Chicago should try to focus more on the run and more on sustaining long drives rather than consistently going for the homerun ball. The Saints enjoy frenetic football and shootouts--look at last week. If the Saints offense is kept off of the field for long periods of time, their rhythm will be off. Not to mention the steady doses of running yards will open up the deep ball later on.
The Saints have the potential to pick the Bears defense apart. Lesser teams have done it with relative ease in past weeks, and Brees knows how to find open guys in the middle of the field, plus he protects the football. I expect to see the Saints throwing a lot early and often to keep the Bears on their heels, so that the run game will find success. If the Saints defense can contain the Bears offense, they will be able to play their game of quick moving offense.
However, the Saints have a penchant for giving up ridiculously huge plays. Grossman has a penchant for launching it deep. Somehow, even though I think if this game were played 10 times it might be an even split, I have to go with the home team in a squeaker in this one. I think Chicago's run game will give New Orleans fits and free Grossman up for one of his homerun balls late.
Chicago 20, New Orleans 17
