NFL NFC West Week 15 Preview
As we approach the end of regular season action, Week 15 of the 2010-11 NFL NFC West gives us a couple interesting match ups. Among them is my pick for Game of the Week, San Francisco at San Diego. It’s a showing of two teams who have turned their seasons around despite some obstacles and slow starts to become quite the spoilers of the league.
Before we jump into this week’s previews, let’s look at this week’s NFC West leaders.
Seattle’s Matt Hasselbeck is the division’s passing leader with 2,906 yards, while St. Louis’ Steven Jackson leads all running backs with 1,081 rushing yards. Arizona’s Larry Fitzgerald leads receivers in the division with 861 yards. San Francisco TE Vernon Davis leads the division with six touchdowns.
Defensively, the 49ers’ Patrick Willis has a division leading 108 total tackles, while the Seahawks’ Chris Clemmons has 9.5 sacks, including one last week against San Francisco. Seattle also has the division interception leader in Safety Earl Thomas who has five.
Here I take a look at the matchups, giving you some early insight that will help make your 2010 NFL wagers winners. Now let’s take a quick look at each NFC West Week 15 match up.
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SUN, OCT 24 TIME (ET)
Arizona at Carolina 1:00 PM FOX – The Arizona Cardinals finally found water last week, ending their seven game losing streak with a 43-13 win against Denver. Ranked near the bottom in every category, they came to life on both sides of the ball as an unlikely hero provided the spark. Kicker Jay Feely scored their first touchdown in three games becoming only the fourth kicker in 40 years to do so. He would also add five field goals to tie a career best. Rookie QB John Skelton looked composed above his experience but was let down a bit by his receivers who dropped several passes.
Carolina meanwhile continues the mess its called football all year, losing its seventh straight and twelfth overall to Atlanta. At least they haven’t suffered a shutout this year. It’s a matchup of the dismal, and if Feely can add QB duties to his resume, Arizona might have a chance.
PREDICTION: Arizona Cardinals
San Francisco at San Diego 8:20 PM NFL – San Diego is looking like the comeback kid since turning it around in the second half of the season. After a 2-5 start, they have rallied to go 5-1 since. Philip Rivers has been the cornerstone of the offense all season and should surpass the 4,000-yard mark this week. The defense has steadily improved its game to become one of the best around defending against both the pass and the run. The early season hole was a tough one to dig out of, but last week’s win against KC staved off elimination. This one is a must win as well, but the pendulum has swung in their favor and the Chargers stand to be the storybook team of the year.
As for San Francisco, it would like to lay claim to that title. After a 0-5 start, they claimed their first win against Oakland in Week 6. Since that start, they are 5-3 including a 40-21 win against Seattle last week. QB Alex Smith returned and threw three touchdowns, but despite his strong season, he isn’t Phil Rivers.
PREDICTION: San Diego Chargers
Atlanta at Seattle 4:05 PM FOX – Atlanta has beat up on just about everyone to come their way this season and Carolina was its latest victim, falling 31-10 in week 14. Matt Ryan only threw one touchdown, but the defense did its job holding Carolina to 76 passing yards. The Falcons are usually an offensive minded team, so the showing on defense was a welcome surprise as they fly into the playoffs. The last few games on the schedule are just a tune up and it’s nice to see that the team will be a threat on both sides of the ball.
Seattle has stumbled along all year and took its seventh loss against the surging 49ers, 40-21. Alex Smith returned to lead the charge with three touchdowns, while Seattle’s Matt Hasselbeck threw four interceptions. San Francisco made calculated strikes, being outclassed in number of plays, yards, and first downs. The 49ers seem to be finding a groove of efficiency, which if they had found it a bit earlier would have made for an interesting season. The Seahawks meanwhile, seem to get more lost and have surrendered 40+ points three times this year.
PREDICTION: Atlanta Falcons
Kansas City at St. Louis 1:00 PM CBS – I’m not quite sure what happened in the San Diego Kansas City game, but it was ugly. The Chiefs were shut out 31-0 as San Diego kept hope alive for a playoff berth. QB Matt Cassel needed an appendectomy in the middle of the week and was forced to sit that one out. The absence was noticed, as backup Brodie Croyle must have been shocked at the opportunity to play. He looked overwhelmed, passing for only 40 yards on 17 attempts. It was the first time the Chiefs have been shut out by the Chargers, and they totaled the second fewest yards in team history with only 67. It doesn’t look good for Cassel to play this week and with only a one game lead in the west, this is a bad time to get bit by the injury bug for the four time defending champions.
Meanwhile, St. Louis lost its game as well, falling 31-14 against the Saints. New Orleans has been strong all year against the pass, and came up on top once again limiting Sam Bradford to 231 yards while picking him off twice. Drew Brees threw three touchdowns to lead the Saints in the victory. Look for the Chiefs to return to the basics, pounding the ground without a QB threat, but the Rams do a pretty good job of keeping those attacks in check. This one will be interesting.
PREDICTION: Kansas City Chiefs
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