2009 NFL Week 11 Picks & Predictions
Posted by Anthony Stalter (11/20/2009 @ 5:11 pm)
Here are my locks (locks, ha!) for Week 11 in the NFL:
Chargers (6-3) at Broncos (6-3), 4:15PM ET
Denver quarterback Kyle Orton is questionable this week with an ankle injury, which means Chris Simms could make his first start of the season. Simms looked Brady Quinn-like bad in a loss to the Redskins last week and I wouldn’t expect much out of him if I were a Broncos fan. If Simms starts, I fully expect the Chargers to load up to stop Knowshon Moreno and force the former Bucs’ QB to beat them through the air. It’s not going to happen and even if Orton does start, how effective can he be on a bum ankle? About as effective as he was last year for the Bears on a bum ankle? The Chargers are hot, have revenge on their minds and are eyeing sole possession of first place in the AFC West. Plus, Philip Rivers is playing just as well as Peyton Manning, Drew Brees, Tom Brady and Kurt Warner. I’m taking the Chargers to win outright and to cover.
Odds: Chargers –2.5.
Prediction: Chargers 31, Broncos 16.
Redskins (3-6) at Cowboys (6-3), 1:00PM ET
Now that the Cowboys have once again established that they’re still the same inconsistent team under Wade Phillips as they’ve always been, I’m wondering if the Redskins can pull off a huge upset this week in Dallas. Then again, without the brutal play of Chris Simms’ aiding them in victory, I can’t see Washington winning this weekend. In fact, I see this game being a blow out since the Redskins will once again be without running back Clinton Portis and Albert Haynesworth is doubtful to play as well. The Redskins have shown the ability to stop the pass, but if the Cowboys can control this game with Marion Barber and Felix Jones then Washington doesn’t stand a chance. Dallas’ offense should rebound from its horrid performance last week as long as the ground attack can help set things up for Tony Romo and the passing game. Washington just doesn’t have the players to compete with Dallas for four quarters and given how bad the Redskins’ O-line has played this season, they’re going to have trouble stopping the Cowboys’ solid pass rush.
Odds: Cowboys –11
Prediction: Cowboys 34, Redskins 13.
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Posted in: NFL
Tags: 2009 NFL Week 11, Atlanta Falcons, Chargers Broncos free pick prediction, Chicago Bears, Chris Simms, Dallas Cowboys, Denver Broncos, Eagles Bears free pick prediction, Eli Manning, Giants Falcons free pick prediction, Headlines, Jason Campbell, Jason Snelling, Jay Cutler, Jerious Norwood, Knowshon Moreno, Kyle Orton, Lance Briggs, Matt Forte, Matt Ryan, Michael Turner, New York Giants, nfl expert picks week 11, nfl free picks 2009 week 11, NFL picks predictions, nfl week 11 2009 free picks predictions, nfl week 11 picks predictions, Olin Kreutz, Orlando Pace, Philadelphia Eagles, Philip Rivers, San Diego Chargers, Tony Romo, Washington Redskins
 
Biggest injury concern: Orton, Turner, Brown or Benson?
Posted by Anthony Stalter (11/19/2009 @ 6:15 pm)
Last week, several teams’ playoff hopes took major hits as key players all left their respective games due to various injuries.
The Broncos (Kyle Orton), Falcons (Michael Turner), Dolphins (Ronnie Brown) and Bengals (Cedric Benson) seem to be bitten he hardest by the injury bug but which injury should concern their respective teams the most? Let’s break down all four situations.
Broncos: Without Orton, Denver stands little chance of beating the Chargers at home this Sunday and even less of a chance of winning the AFC West. Orton isn’t Peyton Manning, but he might as well be the Broncos’ version of the star Colts’ QB because Chris Simms proved last week that he isn’t capable of keeping Denver afloat if Orton misses significant time. Now maybe with more preparation Simms will be better, but chances are the Broncos’ hopes of making the playoffs will fall flat with him under center. Orton says that he will play this weekend, even though he has torn ligaments in his left ankle. He admitted last year that he shouldn’t have tried to grit out a right ankle injury when he was playing for the Bears, so there’s a chance that he’s about to make the same mistake twice. This Sunday will be a good indication of how severe Orton’s injury really is.
Falcons: After getting off to a slow start, Turner was back in 2008 form the past couple weeks and even compiled 111 yards on only nine carries against the Panthers last Sunday before suffering a high ankle sprain. Usually those types of injuries take months to heel, but the Falcons don’t seem concerned about Turner missing more than a couple of weeks. The problem is that the Falcons are in the midst of a Wild Card chase in the NFC and they need their bruising back on the field – especially as Matt Ryan continues to struggle in his second year. Atlanta has capable backups in Jason Snelling and Jerious Norwood, but the latter can’t stay healthy and the former doesn’t have much experience. If Ryan can step up and prove he can lead the Falcons through the air, then Turner can rest up and be ready in time for a late-season run. If Ryan falters again like he has been, then Turner might feel the need to rush back from his injury sooner than he (or the team) intends.
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Posted in: NFL
Tags: 2009 NFL Week 11, Anthony Stalter, Atlanta Falcons, Cedric Benson, Cedric Benson injury, Cedric Benson playing status, Chris Simms, Denver Broncos, Headlines, Kyle Orton, Kyle Orton injury, Kyle Orton playing status, Matt Ryan, Michael Turner, Michael Turner injury, Michael Turner playing status, Ricky Williams, Ronnie Brown, Ronnie Brown out for season
Broncos: Struggling team or overrated?
Posted by Anthony Stalter (11/15/2009 @ 5:32 pm)
When a team loses to a good Ravens squad after starting the season 6-0, nobody questions it.
When that same team drops a home game on national television to the physical Steelers, again, nobody questions it.
But when that very same team can’t beat the hapless Redskins (whether it’s on the road or not), then it’s only fair that the “O” word starts to rear its ugly head.
I actually don’t think the Broncos are overrated – I think they’re just sputtering. Had Kyle Orton not suffered an ankle injury right before half, there’s a good chance he and Brandon Marshall (who had an excellent game while catching five passes for 134 yards and two touchdowns) would have continued to torch Washington’s secondary on their way to a victory. Instead, the highly incapable Chris Simms came in and was incredibly inaccurate while missing open receivers and lacking composure in the pocket.
Denver also had to travel cross-country, which is tough for any team, nevertheless one that played on Monday night. The Broncos were worn out from their loss to the Steelers and it showed today.
That said, I don’t want to completely make excuses for this Broncos team because they were playing the Redskins – a team that gave up weeks ago. Their defense gave up 27 points to a Sherman Lewis-led offense, which is ridiculous – I don’t care if they played on Friday night and had to travel Washington from China. They also allowed Hunter freaking Smith to throw a 35-yard touchdown pass to Mike freaking Sellers on a fake freaking field goal, which is ludicrous.
The bottom line is that Josh McDaniels and his coaching staff have their backs up against the wall and they need to figure out how to fight out of the situation. Teams have obviously figured out what the blueprint is to beat the Broncos and now it’s time for the rookie head coach to adjust. They’re still in a great position at 6-3, but the Chargers are breathing down their necks so a sense of urgency is a must.
Posted in: NFL
Tags: 2009 NFL Week 10, Broncos vs. Redskins score recap, Chris Simms, Chris Simms sucks, Denver Broncos, Hunter Smith, Josh McDaniels, Kyle Orton, Kyle Orton injury, Mike Sellers, nfl week 10 scoreboard, Washington Redskins
Don’t plan on the Broncos trading Cutler
Posted by Anthony Stalter (03/12/2009 @ 11:00 am)
Fans in Minnesota, Detroit and Tampa have kept a close eye on the developing situation in Denver in hopes that the Broncos will eventually trade unhappy quarterback Jay Cutler. But I wouldn’t hold my breath if I were a Vikings, Lions or Bucs fan.
It’s highly unlikely that the Broncos will trade Cutler at this point, even with the situation apparently getting worse by the day. Cutler may be upset with the way new head coach Josh McDaniels entertained trade offers for him two weeks ago, but the fact of the matter is that even if Denver wanted to deal the quarterback, they don’t have a good enough backup plan at this point to follow through with it.
McDaniels claims that he listened to offers from the Patriots when it was reported that Denver, New England and Tampa Bay had talked about a three-team deal, but that’s only because Matt Cassel – McDaniels’ former QB in New England – was involved. Now that Cassel is set to become the Chiefs’ starting quarterback next season, it’s doubtful that the Broncos will move Cutler with no other intriguing options out there to take his place.
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Vince Young out 2-4 weeks with torn MCL
Posted by John Paulsen (09/07/2008 @ 11:49 pm)
 The headline says it all. Vince Young could miss the next month with a torn MCL, according to the NFL Network’s Adam Schefter.
Chris Simms is supposed to visit the Patriots this week, but Schefter is reporting that the Titans are also interested. Kerry Collins will start in Young’s place and he makes for a pretty good fantasy backup (or starter in 2 QB leagues).
Photo courtesy of the AP.
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