NFL Czar: Showdown in the bayou
We have officially reached the
halfway point of the NFL season.
With seven weeks in the bag, I just
have one question to ask: Is there a
good, consistent team in the NFL
this season? You can make the
case for several teams. The
Baltimore Ravens, New England
Patriots and New York Giants look
pretty legit, but they have all had
bad games. At this point in the
year, there doesn't appear to be a
team that stands out above the rest.
However, in this week's Sunday night game, there are two very good teams meeting in what could be a preview of this year's Super Bowl. The matchup: the Pittsburgh Steelers head south to take on the defending Champion New Orleans Saints.
Since his electric return in week six, Ben Roethlisberger has looked pretty solid. He will go up against the always-effective Drew Brees. This quarterback battle will be huge, but it will be on the defences to decide this one. Pittsburgh always brings good defence to the table, but they will be hard pressed to stop the Saints' powerful passing game.
Key Matchups
1. Big Ben vs. Drew Brees: As stated above, this will likely be one of the top matchups in the game. Ben has looked solid so far, and Brees is always a threat. It will be up to the receivers to get open, and provide these quarterbacks with big targets.
2. James Harrison vs. Jerome Bushrod: The Steelers pride themselves in their blitzing schemes. They aim to get pressure on every quarterback they play, and Harrison and fellow outside linebacker LaMarr Woodley are two of the best at getting after the QB. Bushrod is going to have his hands full in this one trying to protect Brees.
3. Reggie Bush vs. The Injury Bug: Since being drafted number two overall in 2006, Bush has been considered a bust. He has been a very dynamic playmaker in the passing game and as a punt returner, but his skills running the ball have left much to be desired. The Saints have had to use a plethora of backs during his absence, and will need him to stay healthy down the stretch.
The Rundown
As is the case pretty much every week, this will be a tough one to call. Both teams should be fired up for this game, and it will go to the team that makes the least mistakes. I think the Saints will win at home, by a score of 28—17.
To veer back to my starting topic, the race for most valuable player is a confusing mess. Of course, you could take Indianapolis Colts QB Peyton Manning, but his team hasn't won that many games. You could go with Houston Texans RB Arian Foster, who leads the league in rushing. But, for the sake of controversy, I will choose Steelers RB Rashard Mendenhall. He carried the Steelers on his back for the first four weeks of the year while Roethlisberger was suspended.
For next week, I will finally feature an early game, with a huge AFC showdown on tap.
For more from the NFL Czar, check out his blog at jvzsblog.blogspot.com
However, in this week's Sunday night game, there are two very good teams meeting in what could be a preview of this year's Super Bowl. The matchup: the Pittsburgh Steelers head south to take on the defending Champion New Orleans Saints.
Since his electric return in week six, Ben Roethlisberger has looked pretty solid. He will go up against the always-effective Drew Brees. This quarterback battle will be huge, but it will be on the defences to decide this one. Pittsburgh always brings good defence to the table, but they will be hard pressed to stop the Saints' powerful passing game.
Key Matchups
1. Big Ben vs. Drew Brees: As stated above, this will likely be one of the top matchups in the game. Ben has looked solid so far, and Brees is always a threat. It will be up to the receivers to get open, and provide these quarterbacks with big targets.
2. James Harrison vs. Jerome Bushrod: The Steelers pride themselves in their blitzing schemes. They aim to get pressure on every quarterback they play, and Harrison and fellow outside linebacker LaMarr Woodley are two of the best at getting after the QB. Bushrod is going to have his hands full in this one trying to protect Brees.
3. Reggie Bush vs. The Injury Bug: Since being drafted number two overall in 2006, Bush has been considered a bust. He has been a very dynamic playmaker in the passing game and as a punt returner, but his skills running the ball have left much to be desired. The Saints have had to use a plethora of backs during his absence, and will need him to stay healthy down the stretch.
The Rundown
As is the case pretty much every week, this will be a tough one to call. Both teams should be fired up for this game, and it will go to the team that makes the least mistakes. I think the Saints will win at home, by a score of 28—17.
To veer back to my starting topic, the race for most valuable player is a confusing mess. Of course, you could take Indianapolis Colts QB Peyton Manning, but his team hasn't won that many games. You could go with Houston Texans RB Arian Foster, who leads the league in rushing. But, for the sake of controversy, I will choose Steelers RB Rashard Mendenhall. He carried the Steelers on his back for the first four weeks of the year while Roethlisberger was suspended.
For next week, I will finally feature an early game, with a huge AFC showdown on tap.
For more from the NFL Czar, check out his blog at jvzsblog.blogspot.com
