NFL Week 9 Featured Preview: Seattle Seahawks @ Cleveland Browns

November 2nd, 2007 6:15 am
by Big Dog

This is one of the more intriguing matchups of the week. While the NFC West has been particularly uninspiring this season and the Seattle Seahawks have managed to live up to expectations holding the number one position, it’s much more remarkable that the Cleveland Browns are still in the running in the much more competitive AFC North.

Seattle Seahawks

Seattle are fresh off a bye week, and while a rest usually brings a team back fresh, Seattle needed this break as they had key injuries to nurse. In particular, QB Matt Hasselbeck took an extra couple of days to rest a strained oblique on the advice of training staff. Hasselbeck is still a little sore, but he will play. This could be an important factor as the Seahawks are already caught in a lacklustre season.

The other issue facing the Seahawks on offense is Shaun Alexander. For better or worse Alexander has been under a lot of pressure to perform this season and fans have been more than disappointed. With only 107 yards from 44 carries in his last three games, Alexander has a lot of ground to make up both literally and figuratively. Adding to Alexander and Hasselbeck’s difficulties is the underperforming offensive line which has managed to allow eight sacks in Hasselbeck’s last three games.

Cleveland Browns

The Browns have been brought back to life this season with QB Derek Anderson sitting at second in the NFL with 17 touchdown passes. Anderson has plenty of receiving options available to him in WR Braylon Edwards, WR Joe Jurevicius and TE Kellen Winslow.

Edwards already has nine touchdown receptions for the season and is only five shy of setting a team record for touchdown receptions in a season. Anderson has been posting very consistent performances and threw for three touchdowns and no interceptions last week in St Louis.

If Cleveland can exploit the weaknesses in the Seattle offensive line and apply pressure to Hasselbeck, they could create enough of an opportunity for the Browns offense to win the game.

Prediction: Cleveland

Posted in Analysis, Braylon Edwards, Cleveland Browns, Derek Anderson, Game, Joe Jurevicius, Kellen Winslow, Matt Hasselbeck, NFL, NFL Franchises/Teams, NFL Players, Seattle Seahawks, Shaun Alexander | No Comments »

SEA @ SF – First Half Observations

September 30th, 2007 5:41 pm
by Big Dog

This game has taken a long time to get going. Neither team could be accused of putting on a display for the fans. ForSan Francisco the first half has been full of sacks, fumbles and a failed challenge. It took until just under 6 minutes to go in the second quarter before Trent Dilfer was able to connect with Frank Gore for the 49ers’ first, 1st down. This was the first of only two plays in which the 49ers looked remotely impressive.

That said, the 49ers defense has generally done a good job of containing Seattle RB Shaun Alexander.

Similarly, while Seattle have managed to rack up 13 first half points (17 yd TD pass from Matt Hasselbeck to Bobby Engram, 2 FG), the truth is that their defense has been the more significant unit on the field. They’ve broken through the SF offensive line over half a dozen times and sacked Dilfer repetitively. They’ve forced multiple fumbles from Dilfer and Gore, and have generally harrassed the SF offense into submission.

At half time, the 13-0 scoreline favours Seattle, but probably gives an unfair impression of how the game is currently going.

Posted in Analysis, Bobby Engram, Frank Gore, Game, Matt Hasselbeck, NFL, NFL Franchises/Teams, NFL Players, NFL on FOX, NFL on television, San Francisco 49ers, Seattle Seahawks, Shaun Alexander, Trent Dilfer, Week 4 Instant Analysis | No Comments »

Week 2 Fantasy Players

September 16th, 2007 3:38 am
by Big Dog

There’s no question that the Buffalo Bills have had an emotionally challenging week as they’ve dealt with the news of Kevin Everett’s injury and then the nearly miraculous nature of his recover thus far. In spite of the distractions, expect the Bills to be playing with a lot of commitment and energy as their injured defense look to hold up against the attack of the Pittsburgh Steelers as led by Ben Roethlisberger.

That said, Roethlisberger himself has a lot to be playing for this week. He’s been stung by criticism of his decision making, game management and his performance last season. He’s got a lot to prove and teammates have reported that he’s training and playing with the drive and commitment of a man with a chip on his shoulder. Add to this the fact that the Steelers defense managed to force five turnovers and six sacks last week. If that proves to be a trend, then the Steelers offense is going to get plenty of playing time. I’d expect Big Ben to be taking full advantage of the Bills’ injuries this week and looking for some impressive numbers from him.

Plaxico Burress was a popular outlet for Eli Manning last week, with a total of 8 receptions for 144 yards and 3 touchdowns. While Manning remains in doubt with a shoulder injury (he’s almost universally expected to play), it would be reasonable to expect that backup quarterback Jared Lorenzen would look for a similar performance from Burress this week. Either way, expect the ball to fly and for Plaxico to test the Green Bay Packers defense.

Head Coach Ken Whisenhunt hosts his first home game as the Arizona Cardinals face the Seattle Seahawks. It’ll be a tough match as both teams posted some good performances in week 1. I think Seattle Running Back Shaun Alexander will supply some excellent value and entertainment this week. He traditionally averages close to 100 yards against the Cardinals and has scored 10 TDs in their last 5 meetings. If he gets a good jump this week, he could carry the Seahawks all the way to a win.

Champ Bailey will be worth keeping an eye on as the Denver Broncos play host to the Oakland Raiders this week. Coach Mike Shanahan has an excellent record against the Raiders and Champ is an interception specialist. In addition, his expanded duties on special teams ensure his contributions to the Broncos are spread as far across the field as possible. The decision to include the Champ on special teams was more than paid for with his touchdown saving tackle in week 1.

Good luck everyone, for week 2.

Posted in Analysis, Arizona Cardinals, Ben Roethlisberger, Buffalo Bills, Champ Bailey, Denver Broncos, Eli Manning, Game, Green Bay Packers, Jared Lorenzen, Ken Whisenhunt, Kevin Everett, Mike Shanahan, NFL, NFL Coaches, NFL Franchises/Teams, NFL Players, NY Giants, Oakland Raiders, Pittsburgh Steelers, Plaxico Burress, Seattle Seahawks, Shaun Alexander | No Comments »