Green Bay Packers at Atlanta Falcons - The teams with the two best records in the NFC, heading into week 12, cross swords in a matchup that could potentially impact home field advantage throughout the NFC playoffs. The Falcons are at home and on fire. The Packers are hindered with some injuries to key players, and have had some touch and go moments with their offensive line. The Falcons are on fire and Matty "Ice" Ryan can do no wrong, as of late.
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| Matt Ryan 1 |
Advantage: Falcons
Philadelphia Eagles at Chicago Bears - Two first place teams touch gloves in the not-so-friendly confines of historic Soldier Field. The Daily Hat Trick has a running fan poll asking who is most likely to win the NFC North and, as of this morning, 100% of the votes are against the Bears.
Their offense, led by their franchise quarterback, Jay Cutler, is woefully underachieving. Cutler does not look as sharp as he did in Denver and may be owed a profound "thank you," from Washington Redskins cornerback DeAngelo Hall when bonuses and incentives are awarded, but with the Bears offensive line having allowed their quarterback to visit the Eat Grass Club more times than any other team in the league, yielding 37 sacks, I am willing to spread the blame around to people other than Cutler.
Mad scientist offensive coordinator Mike Martz has had tremendous success with his schemes in the past. These schemes depend of sharp play on the offensive line, allowing the QB to make effective split-second decisions. Most of us, in life, adjust when our plans are not producing the desired result. Not Mike Martz...! He's a MAN'S MAN! Stay the course, baby! With an offense ranked in the 30s, Jay Cutler has become the most consistent witness of America's Greatest Show...from the turf.
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| Mike Vick 2 |
The Philadelphia Eagles have all of their pieces falling into the right places and a castaway turned Superman at quarterback in Mike Vick. The Bears' pass rush is ferocious, but so is Vick's ability to escape. When Vick is not escaping, he can carve up secondaries. The Eagles appear to have developed and plan and the Bears appear to be going through the motions of a lighter schedule than most teams in playoff contention (and a little luck).
Advantage: Eagles
Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Baltimore Ravens - The Buccaneers were in second place in the highly competitive NFC South and have to travel to Baltimore to face the Ravens, tied for first place with the Pittsburgh Steelers in the AFC North. On paper many aspects of this matchup may appear even. Buccaneers quarterback Josh Freeman has been ascending to the ranks of the better NFL quarterbacks with each passing week. Ravens signal caller Joe Flacco appears to be on the cusp of ascending to the ranks of the NFL's elite passers within the next few years.
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| Ray Lewis 3 |
The reputation of invincibility of the Baltimore defense may be more grand than the actual performance of the defense, particularly in the secondary, but not much more grand. The Ravens are still among the top 10 defenses in the league and Ravens future Hall of Fame middle linebacker Ray Lewis frightens me in high definition, let alone in person. The Buccaneers are a young, warm weather team, venturing into what will likely be cold and unpleasant conditions against a home team full of seasoned veterans who are experience in winning with their eyes on the Lombardi Trophy.
Advantage: Ravens
San Diego Chargers at Indianapolis Colts - Philip Rivers vs Peyton Manning? NBC Sunday Night Football. Two teams with much to gain by winning and more to lose by losing? This may be the most entertaining matchup of week 12.
One fact that cannot be ignored is that the Colts always have a chance to win with Peyton Manning at quarterback. This was illustrated glowingly in the near comeback from a 17 point deficit in Foxboro against the New England Patriots. However, "close" only counts in Horse Shoes and hand grenades. Peyton Manning is practically playing with the practice squad. Dallas Clark (out for the season), Austin Collie, and Joe Addai are out. Reggie Wayne is playing with a tender knee. On defense, of course, Bob Sanders is out for the season. Peyton Manning is among the best of all time, but there are 11 men on the field at one time and you cannot throw the ball and catch it yourself.
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| Philip Rivers 4 |
San Diego, on the other hand, appears to be executing their annual ritual of dominating the second half of their schedule. Philip Rivers appears to be bulletproof lately and while the injury bug bit wide receiver Patrick Crayton, injuring his wrist during a scoring play and needing surgery, upper echelon receiver Vincent Jackson is expected to make his debut with the Charges for the first time in 2010, after a long contract holdout and suspension.
Advantage: Chargers
1) Image from bcssportsweekly.com
2) Image from onaired.com
3) Image from familycrisiscenter.wordpress.com
4) Image from mkrob.com
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