Divisional Preview

By Dalton Del Don – Senior Writer

Seahawks +8 at Packers

Comments: The Seahawks don’t travel well, and while passing is far more important than running, becoming too one-dimensional can really make you easy to defend, especially when your best playmaker (D.J. Hackett) is hobbled. Charles Woodson’s health is a concern, but Green Bay should enter prepared and with a superior defense and offense. Upsets should almost be expected in the NFL, but I’d be pretty surprised if all four home teams didn’t only win but also cover this weekend.

Packers 27-17

Jaguars +13 at Patriots

Comments: The best thing that could happen to the Jaguars is inclement weather Saturday night, as their more physical style is better suited to those conditions. Jacksonville’s overly relied on its red zone defense this season (their YPA and YPC allowed suggests the defense isn’t nearly as impressive as everyone thinks), something that’s not a safe method during December. New England’s front seven (especially the old linebackers) can be run on, and you can bet the Jags will put that to the test. However, once the Pats’ high-powered passing attack starts putting points on the board, the Jags are ill suited to play from behind.

Patriots 31-17



Chargers +8.5 at Colts

Comments: The Chargers have been on a roll, winners of seven straight. Still, it’s come almost exclusively against weak competition, and this team is hardly special when away from San Diego. The Colts have had two weeks to prepare, are getting healthier and will have revenge on their minds after losing to the Chargers earlier this season. A Philip Rivers led passing attack minus Antonio Gates against the NFL’s best secondary? This is one of my favorite bets of the year.

Colts 34-13

Giants +7.5 at Cowboys

Comments: I hate to put too much significance on one player, but Terrell Owens’ health really is huge here. The Cowboys’ offense put a pretty good beating on the Giants’ secondary during both the previous games this season, and Owens was the main reason why. In the end, I expect him to be out there and healthy enough to make a major impact, and while the Giants have been tough on the road, Dallas has a pretty good run D, which plays against New York’s strength. Moreover, the Dallas O-line can neutralize New York’s pass rush. The public is all over New York, so expect Dallas to roll.

Cowboys 31-17


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3 responses to “Divisional Preview”

  1. Dreamweapon Avatar
    Dreamweapon

    PACKERS, baby. The Ryan Grant First-Round Express is nearly full, there are just a couple of seats left.

    I hate to count my chickens before they hatch, but a NE-GB Super Bowl seems like a foregone conclusion, almost. How much of America will unite behind the Green & Gold against Shady Brady and Belicheat? 90%? 95%?

  2. Dreamweapon Avatar
    Dreamweapon

    PS: I take back every single bad thing I said about Atari Bigby this season (and there were very, very many)…..he looked like a homing missile out there all game.

  3. RotoScoop Avatar
    RotoScoop

    Ya, I’m on board with that matchup being a foregone conclusion. Then again, I gave the Colts a better shot at beating the Pats than I did San Diego knocking off Indy.

    I was going to pick GB over Dallas actually. That running game went from a weakness, to a strength, to a top-3 unit in football. Ryan Grant now sits No. 7 on my board.

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