November 24, 2010
NFL Football Thanksgiving: Bengals – Jets
The Cincinnati Bengals and their primadona wide receivers travel to the new Meadowlands Stadium to take on the New York Jets in the sole Thanksgiving evening NFL match-up in Week 12.
Fans attending the game may opt to BYOF (bring your own flashlight) after last week’s temporary power outage at the new Meadowlands Stadium in the 3rd quarter of the Giants – Cowboys game.
The Bengals Jets contest is the third of three games being played on Thanksgiving. The first kicks off at 12:30 pm with the New England Patriots visiting the Detroit Lions. Then, in the mid-afternoon 4:15 start; the New Orleans Saints take on Jerry Jones’s Dallas Cowboys in Texas.
| BENGALS JETS: GAME DAY PARTICULARS | |
| Visitors | Cincinnati Bengals (2-8) |
| Home | New York Jets (8-2) |
| When | Thursday Nov 25 08:20 pm EST |
| Where | Meadowlands Stadium, East Rutherford, NJ |
| Weather | Rain, Drizzle 40º F |
| TV | NFL Network |
| Favorite | Jets -9 |
| Under/Over | 43.5 |
BENGALS JETS PREVIEW
Although the New York Jets share the lead with the Patriots in the AFC East they’ve had to pull out last minute wins in their previous 3 games against teams with a combined record of 9-21.
The Jets needed a field goal as time expired in regulation to beat the Detroit Lions (2-8) on Nov 7. They needed an overtime TD pass from Sanchez to Holmes to beat the Cleveland Browns (3-7) 26-20. And last week, the Jets needed 20 4th quarter points, including a touchdown pass with 6 seconds remaining to beat the 4-6 Houston Texans 30-27.
There’s really nothing to talk about on the other side. Going into NFL Week 12, the Bengals are 2-8, having lost their last seven games. Their last win goes all the back to September 26 against the 1-9 Carolina Panthers. The Bengals lack of success against the run has been the contributing factor to their dismal record in 2010.
But the Bengals do have a pair of primadonna wide receivers in Chad Ochocinco and Terrell Owens, but the Jets counter these passing threats with a less obnoxious but super-talented defensive duo in Darrelle Revis and Antonio Cromartie.
BENGALS JETS INJURIES
| Cincinnati Bengals Injury Notables | |||
| Player | Pos | Injury | Status |
| Tank Johnson | DT | Right Knee | Injured Reserve |
| Antwan Odom | DE | Wrist | Out |
| Cedric Benson | RB | Foot | Questionable |
| Rey Maualuga | LB | Thigh | Questionable |
| New York Jets Injury Notables | |||
| Player | Pos | Injury | Status |
| Dwight Lowery | CB | Concussion | Out |
| Marquice Cole | CB | Hamstring | Out |
| Jerricho Cotchery | WR | Groin | Out |
* Players listed as Probable not listed
BENGALS JETS ANALYSIS
The most glaring statistic is the Lions lack of rushing yards per game. If the Bengals can’t run against the Jets, forget about it. The dynamic defensive duo of Revis and Cromartie are more than enough to stop Ochocinco and Owens in the air.
Injuries shouldn’t be a big factor. The Jets will be without WR Jerricho Cotchery but it shouldn’t make a big difference since the Jets will win this game on the ground.
As for Cincinnati, QB Carson Palmer and the rest of the Bengals offense will be stymied by the Jets defense. However, the Jets defense has given up more points than most analysts and experts expected.
| Bengals OFFENSE Ranking | Jets DEFENSE Ranking | ||
| Rush Yds/Gms | 96.6 23rd | Rush Yds/Gms | 90.3 5th |
| Pass Yds/Gms | 249.6 8th | Pass Yds/Gms | 220.0 16th |
| Tot Yds/Gms | 346.2 14th | Tot Yds/Gms | 310.3 7th |
| Jets OFFENSE Ranking | Bengals DEFENSE Ranking | ||
| Rush Yds/Gms | 145.9 4th | Rush Yds/Gms | 118.3 23rd |
| Pass Yds/Gms | 220.0 17th | Pass Yds/Gms | 223.0 18th |
| Tot Yds/Gms | 365.9 9th | Tot Yds/Gms | 341.3 18th |
BENGALS JETS GAME PREDICTION
The Bengals will be in for a long night. The Jets rushing attack, lead by Ladainian Tomlinson (153 Att, 692 Yds. 5 TDs) and Shonn Greene (122 Att, 505 Yds, 1 TD), will allow the Jets to dominate the time of possession and give the Jets the points they need to beat the spread.
The nflthisweek.com predicts the Jets will win outright and the spread.
Take the Jets (-9) and the Over (43.5)
JETS 28 17
Source: foxsports.com
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November 23, 2010
Thanksgiving NFL Football: Patriots vs. Lions
The NFL this week starts on Thursday, Nov 25. Thanksgiving Day the New England Patriots travel to the Motor City to play against the Detroit Lions.
| PATRIOTS LIONS: GAME DAY PARTICULARS | |
| Visitors | New England Patriots |
| Home | Detroit Lions |
| When | Thursday Nov 25 12:30 EST |
| Where | Ford Field, Detroit |
| Weather | Sunny 39º F |
| TV | CBS |
| Spread | Patriots -7 |
| Under/Over | 51.5 |
PATRIOTS LIONS PREVIEW
On paper, the Lions look like cooked turkeys ready to be gobbled up by the almighty Pats. The Lions are 2-8, sit alone in the NFC North cellar and are coming off a disappointing 35-9 road loss against the Cowboys in week 11.
The Patriots, on the other hand, are tied for the lead with the New York Jets in the AFC East with an 8-2 record.
But these statistics can be deceiving! New England’s defense has been pitiful. Only the Houston Texans have given up more points this 2010 NFL season.
The Lions have lost 5 games by 5 points or less and have are 2-2 at home. In addition, playing at home on Thanksgiving every year is an advantage. Something even the Patriots head coach Bill Belichick admits to:
”It’s great to be in this routine,” he said. ”Having been in Detroit for two years, it was a game that you knew every year was your game. You knew you were going to be playing at home.
”It was something you were comfortable with and you actually looked forward to and (you) didn’t have to travel, all those kinds of things. I think it’s a great game for Detroit, the Lions, the city and for football.”
PATRIOTS LIONS INJURIES
Detroit Lions kicker, Jason Hanson will not play due to a right knee injury. Both New England Patriots offensive right guards Stephen Neal and Rich Olrnberger are questionable.
| Detroit Lions Injury Notables | |||
| Player | Pos | Injury | Status |
| Jason Hanson | K | Right Knee | Out |
| Matt Stafford | QB | Right Shoulder | Out |
| Cliff Avril | DE | Quadricep | Out |
| Kevin Smith | RB | Thumb | Out |
| Isaiah Ekejiuba | LB | Knee | Questionable |
| Tony Scheffler | TE | Shoulder | Questionable |
| New England Patriots Injury Notables | |||
| Player | Pos | Injury | Status |
| Stephen Neal | RG | Shoulder | Questionable |
| Rich Ohrnberger | RG | Illness | Questionable |
| Jarrad Page | SS | Calf | Questionable |
| Mron Pryor | DT | Back | Questionable |
| Brandon Tate | WR | Illness | Questionable |
| Fred Taylor | DT | Toe | Questionable |
| Jonathan Wilhite | CB | Hip | Questionable |
PATRIOTS LIONS ANALYSIS
The most glaring statistic is the Lions offensive passing yards per game versus the Pats defense against the pass.
| Patriots OFFENSE Ranking | Lions DEFENSE Ranking | ||
| Rush Yds/Gms | 112.8 16th | Rush Yds/Gms | 130.6 26th |
| Pass Yds/Gms | 226.6 16th | Pass Yds/Gms | 214.6 13th |
| Tot Yds/Gms | 339.4 17th | Tot Yds/Gms | 344.2 19th |
| Lions OFFENSE Ranking | Patriots DEFENSE Ranking | ||
| Rush Yds/Gms | 80.5 31st | Rush Yds/Gms | 108.66 17th |
| Pass Yds/Gms | 255.9 6th | Pass Yds/Gms | 289.6 31st |
| Tot Yds/Gms | 336.4 19th | Tot Yds/Gms | 398.4 30th |
PATRIOTS LIONS PREDICTION
The combination of the Lions impressive passing game with the Pats pathetic passing defense should keep the score close.
Expect the Lions to try and take advantage of the Patriots injuries at right guard. If they can pressure Tom Brady, he may make some mistakes.
The nflthisweek.com predicts the Patriots will win outright but NOT cover the spread.
PATRIOTS 28 LIONS 24
Source: foxsports.com
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December 14, 2009
NY Giants Defense: Time To Clean House
The 2009 New York Giants defense is an embarrassment and its time to clean house, especially after their showing against the Eagles this week in the NFL.
The New York Giants have always prided themselves with playing great defense. From the early days at Giants stadium (1976 – 2009), defense has always been the name of the game. In a game where the offense always gets the glory, it were NY Giant Hall-of-Famers Lawrence Taylor and Harry Carson that helped define “D-Fence” in NFL Football.
Over the last 25 years the Giants have had 5 coaches: Bill Parcells (1984-1990), Ray Handley (1991-1992), Dan Reeves (1993-1996), Jim Fassel (1997-2003) and Tom Couglin (2004 – present). In all these years except the current 2009 season, Defense defined the Giants. But no longer.
So what is the problem with the Giants defense?
Sure, you could use the excuse that injuries have plaqued the Giants defense but the other NFL teams and past Giant defenses have had to deal with the same issues. Some might argue that the Giant offense isn’t controlling time of position and therefore not giving the defense sufficient rest – THAT’s BULL!
The problem with the NY Giants defensive problems starts with defensive coordinator Bill Sheridan (in his first year) and ends with the lack of talent and depth on the defensive line and especially it’s secondary. To see opposing QB’s sit in the pocket for ever and seeing opposing receivers wide open in the secondary – it’s hard to watch – and even harder to swallow!
If you are questioning whether the Giants Defense are the cause of their problems consider this statistic in last night’s game against the Philadelphia Eagles @ Giants stadium (12/13/2009):
The Giants lost 45-38 despite outgaining the Eagles 512-374 and holding the advantage in time of possession by nearly 10 minutes.
For the record, the New York Giants have given up over 40 points in three games in 2009 – just absurd for an NFL team that prides itself on defense.
So if Tom Couglin and the Giants really want to compete in 2010, they will need to have the defensive reserves audition in the final three weeks of the NFL season. Then its time to look for a new defensive coordinator and defensive talent in the off-season – the Giant Fans will demand it!
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