NFL NFC West Week 14 Preview
As amazing as it may sound at this stage in the season, the battle for the NFC West title rages on as the teams head into Week 14 of the 2010 NFL season with just two games separating first and third place.
For most NFL fans, they would probably have to do a double take after opening the morning paper and seeing the Rams are leading the division just one year after sitting at 1-11 at this point in the season.
Most of that turnaround has been attributed to rookie QB Sam Bradford’s sudden rise to maturity and the tireless efforts of RB Steven Jackson, but much of the Rams success can be attributed to its defensive progress, who recently improved four spots to No. 14 in yards allowed per game, and are currently second in third-down defense and ninth in points allowed per game.
In contrast, the Cardinals, who fell to St. Louis 19-6 last Sunday, rank last in points allowed per game despite a No. 3 ranking in red zone touchdown percentage.
The divisions second place team, the Seattle Seahawks ranking for third-down conversion percentage improved more than its ranking for rushing yards per game after beating the lowly Panthers last time out.
Finally, the San Francisco 49ers rank highest among NFC West teams in total offense and defense yet remains two games under .500.
Now let’s take a quick look at each NFC West Week 13 match up’s.
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SUN, DEC 12 TIME (ET)
St. Louis at New Orleans 4:05 PM FOX – The Rams already have more wins than they had posted in the last three seasons combined and are currently riding a two-game winning streak heading into a game against the reigning Super Bowl champion New Orleans Saints that are themselves in the midst of a five-game victory campaign.
At first glance, it might appear this is an easy betting pick with the Saints looking better in the win column, but closer analysis points out some weakness that could be exploited come Sunday.
For example, the Saints defense will definitely need to step it up if they want to extend its longest run of the season, putting together a full 60-minute effort.
After recording his 14th regular-season comeback of his career against Dallas in the final two minutes, the Saints defense blew a 20-6 third-quarter lead at Cincinnati and trailed by three with 4:25 remaining, before quarterback Drew Brees again responded by leading a 68-yard winning drive.
Penalties are another area New Orleans will need to improve upon, committing 11 penalties for 100 yards in their battle with the Bengals.
AS for the Rams, its defense has been quite the opposite as demonstrated in their 19-6 win over Arizona on Sunday, shutting out the Cardinals the last three quarters and finishing with four sacks and two interceptions.
St. Louis is tied for ninth in scoring defense with 19.8 points allowed per game after finishing 31st last season. The Rams are allowing opponents to convert 31.8 percent on third downs — second best in the NFL — and will take on a Saints team that has the second-highest third-down conversion rate at 47.7 percent.
Both teams have solid rushing attacks, the Rams with Steven Jackson who is 15 yards shy of his sixth consecutive 1,000-yard rushing season, and the Saints with rookie Chris Ivory, Reggie Bush, and Pierre.
New Orleans held on to win the most recent meeting with St. Louis 28-23 last season and I expect this one to be another close one with the Saints edging out a slim win in the Big Easy.
PREDICTION- New Orleans
Seattle at San Francisco 4:05 PM FOX – This NFC West battle in the bay believe or not still holds playoff implications for both teams, one of which us under .500.
Seattle head coach Pete Carroll will return to his hometown bringing with him a Seahawks team that is still in the hunt for its fifth NFC West title in seven seasons.
The Seahawks dominated the 49ers in it home opener earlier this year and are coming off a huge win over Carolina last Sunday that saw the team rally from a 14-0 deficit behind running back Marshawn Lynch’s career-high three TDs. Lynch had his second-best performance with 83 yards on 21 carries.
Meanwhile, Francisco struggled in its first game without running back Frank Gore, losing 34-16 at Green Bay last week. Gore, who had 207 yards in last season’s 23-10 home win over Seattle, is out for the season after fracturing his right hip against Arizona on Nov. 29.
There will be another change on the 49ers quarterback rotisserie as Troy Smith, is not start in this week’s game as Alex Smith returns to the lineup after being sidelined with a separated left shoulder suffered in a 23-20 loss at Carolina back on Oct. 24.
Alex Smith has beaten the Seahawks twice, in seven career matchups and was intercepted twice during the road loss in September. I really don’t understand Singletary’s though process on this one.
As for the Seahawks passing game, it’s been crippled. With injuries to both of its leading receivers Mike Williams and Ben Obomanu, quarterback Matt Hasselbeck will have to orchestrate an alternative passing attack. Hasselebeck has won 10 of 14 starts against the 49ers. He’s had two touchdowns in each of his last two meetings and 25 total, the most versus one opponent in his career.
With injured on both sides depleting each team’s strength, this should be a very close low scoring contest. If I have to call it, I will go with San Francisco with its better defensive.
PREDICTION- San Francisco
Denver at Arizona 4:15 PM CBS –At first glance this could be a sleeper with both teams in the midst of complete meltdowns, both on and off the field with absolutely no chance of making the postseason.
However, those circumstances could set up a very interesting matchup with both sides just trying to save what little dignity they have left.
The Cardinals followed up their shellacking by the Niners with a loss to the Rams last weekend pushing their winless streak to seven. Denver is currently riding a three game winless streak and they will be a team without their head coach who was fired after last week’s debacle.
The Broncos’ Kyle Orton, who had his worst game in two seasons going 9-of-28 for 117 yards, is only more proof that Denver is in big trouble for a once storied franchise.
As for the Cards, their quarterback situation is about to get worse as they look to avoid their first eight-game skid since Sept. 17-Nov. 12, 2006. With Max Hall placed on injured reserve this week and the volatile Derek Anderson questionable after suffering a concussion, Arizona is expected to hand over the offense to rookie fifth-round pick John Skelton or newly signed Richard Bartel.
The Broncos have won seven straight versus the Cardinals since a 17-17 tie in 1973.
If Arizona can mix in a little Tim Hightower against a deficient (31st) Broncos run defense, they could spread a little early Christmas cheer for the hometown fans.
PREDICTION- Arizona
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