NFL NFC West Week 16 Preview
As we approach the end of regular season action, Week 16 of the 2010-11 NFL NFC West gives us a couple interesting matchups. Among them is my pick for Game of the Week, Seattle at Tampa Bay. Both teams are looking to make the playoffs and are fairly equally matched relying on a pass attack and preventing their opponent from doing the same. It should be fun to watch.
Before we jump into this week’s previews, let’s look at this week’s NFC West leaders.
St. Louis’ Sam Bradford is the division’s passing leader with 3,065 yards, while St. Louis’ Steven Jackson leads all running backs with 1,148 rushing yards. Arizona’s Larry Fitzgerald leads receivers in the division with 986 yards while San Francisco TE Vernon Davis leads the division with six touchdowns.
Defensively, the 49er’s Patrick Willis has a division leading 116 total tackles, while the Seahawks’ Chris Clemmons has 10 sacks. Seattle also has the division interception leader in Safety Earl Thomas who has five.
Here I take a look at the matchups one by one, giving you some early insight that will help make your 2010 NFL wagers winners.
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SUN, OCT 24 TIME (ET)
Dallas at Arizona 7:30 PM NFL – Dallas squeaked by Washington last week, 33-30, as the Redskins defense fell apart. The Cowboys carried a 20-7 half time lead, but Washington rallied in the fourth for 16 points to take the lead and with less than a minute left a field goal would secure a Dallas win. The Cowboys have allowed 30 points or more in four straight games, and the defense has struggled all year against air attacks ranking 28th overall. Rex Grossman was able to pass for 322 yards and four touchdowns against the ‘Boys secondary. Meanwhile, Arizona lost its tenth of the season to Carolina 19-12. Carolina had lost seven straight before nailing its second win of the season. The Panthers don’t bring much of a defense to the game yet Arizona couldn’t get a win as QB John Skelton was held to 196 yards on 17 completions and failed to throw a touchdown. Arizona now ranks near the bottom in every offensive and defensive category, and while Dallas is no juggernaut, they should be able to handle the meek Cardinals.
PREDICTION: Dallas
San Francisco at St. Louis 1:00 PM FOX – San Francisco lost to San Diego last week 34-7, failing to score until the fourth quarter. The 49ers shouldn’t be embarrassed though, as they have really turned things around since their win at Denver to end October, and still can make the playoffs by winning their last two games. That would create a three-way tie, which despite a losing 7-9 record, would be good enough to win the NFL’s weakest division. Of course, that means they need to win the last two and luckily, those games are against St. Louis and Seattle, but Alex Smith looked out of gas last week completing 19 of 29 for 165 yards against a strong Chargers defense. St. Louis will do all it can to help San Francisco reach that playoff goal, as the Rams have lost two straight including last week’s 27-13 Chiefs matchup. In those two losses, the Rams have managed only 26 points while allowing 58, and have seen their own playoff hopes dim. The offense has gone cold at the wrong time and now ranks in the bottom third in passing and rushing. The defense is middle of the pack at best, leaving little breathing room for Sam Bradford. Look for the 49ers to go to the ground and rely Westbrook to lead them to a sixth win.
PREDICTION: San Francisco
Seattle at Tampa Bay 4:15 PM FOX – Seattle lost its second straight last week to Atlanta, 34-18, yet somehow still holds first place in the NFC West Division. It was an interesting game as Atlanta only managed to score in two quarters, mounting 17 points in the second and third, to win the game. Matt Ryan completed 20 of 35 for 174 yards and three touchdowns, while both Hasselbeck and Whitehurst saw time at QB for Seattle. Hasselbeck has crumbled as of late, throwing 10 interceptions and coughing up three fumbles in the last four games, and even admitting that he does stupid things when the team is losing. That’s not what you want to hear from your field general, especially for a team who is still technically in a playoff hunt. He is far from the only problem in Seattle, as the defense has allowed 74 points in the last two losses and is bleeding out by all accounts. Tampa Bay took a tough 23-20 overtime loss against Detroit, letting a 14-10 halftime lead disappear. The Lions win ended the longest road drought in NFL history that began back in October of 2007. That also made for two straight wins against tougher foes, building some steam for the Lions as the season draws to a close. Tampa Bay has avoided any extended losing streaks (or winning streaks) this season and should bounce back from the loss. With the Seattle defense faltering like it has been, and Hasselbeck failing to inspire confidence, I have to give the edge to Tampa Bay.
PREDICTION: Tampa Bay
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