NFL Czar: Matt's all, folks
What a difference a few weeks
can make. The Houston Texans
were on fire and in firm control of
the AFC South when quarterback
Matt Schaub suffered a possible
season-ending foot injury. Well,
they are still in firm control of the
brutal AFC South (and can thank
Peyton Manning for that), but they
turn to former Heisman Trophy
winner Matt Leinart. Although he
is a big step back from Schaub, the
Texans have the running game and
defence to continue winning.
On the other side, the Atlanta Falcons pretty much kissed their season goodbye a few weeks ago against the Saints, but are still battling for a wild card spot in the NFC. Matt Ryan has started to throw the ball a lot better as of late, and running back Michael Turner continues to do his thing. This is a huge game for the Falcons, as they cannot afford any more losses.
Key Matchups
1. Matt Ryan vs. Matt Leinart: Both were highly touted prospects coming out of college, but they have had completely different careers. Ryan was the starter in Atlanta right away and has made them into a perennial contender. Leinart, on the other hand, fizzled out as a starter in Arizona and has served as the backup in Houston for over a year now. Forced back into action, this is his chance to get his NFL career going again.
2. Michael Turner vs. Arian Foster: Boy, I would hate to be the opposing defences in this game. These two runners are both red hot, and don't expect that to stop any time soon. Expect a lot of runs in this one, but they may not work as well as usual.
3. Brent Grimes vs. Andre Johnson: I highlighted Grimes earlier in the year, and he continues to impress as the Falcons' best cornerback. The Texans should have Johnson back by this game, and he will greatly help the offence, especially with Leinart throwing the ball.
The Rundown
This one really depends on how well Leinart picks up the slack on offence. It would have been very intriguing to see former Falcon Matt Schaub play against his former team, but it should be a solid game nonetheless. Give me the Falcons to keep their playoff hopes alive, by a score of 28-17.
For next week, the Sunday nighter sees two high-powered offences with highly scrutinized quarterbacks battle for the top spot in the NFC East.
On the other side, the Atlanta Falcons pretty much kissed their season goodbye a few weeks ago against the Saints, but are still battling for a wild card spot in the NFC. Matt Ryan has started to throw the ball a lot better as of late, and running back Michael Turner continues to do his thing. This is a huge game for the Falcons, as they cannot afford any more losses.
Key Matchups
1. Matt Ryan vs. Matt Leinart: Both were highly touted prospects coming out of college, but they have had completely different careers. Ryan was the starter in Atlanta right away and has made them into a perennial contender. Leinart, on the other hand, fizzled out as a starter in Arizona and has served as the backup in Houston for over a year now. Forced back into action, this is his chance to get his NFL career going again.
2. Michael Turner vs. Arian Foster: Boy, I would hate to be the opposing defences in this game. These two runners are both red hot, and don't expect that to stop any time soon. Expect a lot of runs in this one, but they may not work as well as usual.
3. Brent Grimes vs. Andre Johnson: I highlighted Grimes earlier in the year, and he continues to impress as the Falcons' best cornerback. The Texans should have Johnson back by this game, and he will greatly help the offence, especially with Leinart throwing the ball.
The Rundown
This one really depends on how well Leinart picks up the slack on offence. It would have been very intriguing to see former Falcon Matt Schaub play against his former team, but it should be a solid game nonetheless. Give me the Falcons to keep their playoff hopes alive, by a score of 28-17.
For next week, the Sunday nighter sees two high-powered offences with highly scrutinized quarterbacks battle for the top spot in the NFC East.
