| Matt’s Value Players: | ||
| QB | Kirk Cousins | $6,300 |
| RB | Lamar Miller | $5,100 |
| WR | Tyler Gabriel | $4,300 |
| TE | Eric Ebron | $3,800 |
Cousins’ yardage prediction this year is the best in his career and the Eagles are getting worse on offense. This gives Washington more time and possession on offense, resulting in more opportunities for Cousins to rack up some points. As for Miller, Indianapolis is poor at best against the run and if he gets between 18-22 touches, he has the chance to smash value. Gabriel could also see a ton of action now that Sanu is out and Jones is not 100 percent, according to USA Today’s Steve Gardner. Expect more looks for the speedy receiver against LA. Lastly, at home against the Bears in a game where Stafford could throw more than 40 times, Ebron will eat Chicago up if given the opportunity.
| Will’s Value Players: | ||
| QB | Eli Manning | $5,500 |
| RB | Isaiah Crowell | $3,900 |
| WR | Randall Cobb | $5,000 |
| TE | Lance Kendricks | $2,800 |
Manning tossed a trio of TD’s against the Cowboys already this season, and that was down in Dallas. Having found the endzone multiple times in five straight games, there’s a good chance he’ll make it six this week. Snow is expected to hit Cleveland on Sunday and with uncertainty at the QB position, the Crow could get a ton of touches against the Browns’ in-state rival. As a slot receiver, Cobb won’t see much of Richard Sherman this week and with Earl Thomas banged up, there’s a good chance he’ll be Rodgers’ top target in frigid Green Bay. Kendricks might not be a glamorous play, but he’ll be low-owned and dirt cheap meaning having the LA tight end in your lineup will allow you to stack the rest of your roster with expensive superstars.
Matt’s Pick: NYG +3 vs DAL
At home in a divisional game that New York already beat in Dallas? Ya, I like the G Men to keep up with Dallas and possibly win outright.
Will’s Pick: CAR -1.5 vs SD
San Diego is a total wildcard this season. One week they’re downing playoff bound teams and the next week they’re losing at home to a sub-.500 team. With Carolina needing to prove itself after last week’s embarrassment in Seattle, Cam and company will come out guns blazing this week.
| Matt’s Value Players: | ||
| QB | Kirk Cousins | $6,300 |
| RB | Lamar Miller | $5,100 |
| WR | Tyler Gabriel | $4,300 |
| TE | Eric Ebron | $3,800 |
Cousins’ yardage prediction this year is the best in his career and the Eagles are getting worse on offense. This gives Washington more time and possession on offense, resulting in more opportunities for Cousins to rack up some points. As for Miller, Indianapolis is poor at best against the run and if he gets between 18-22 touches, he has the chance to smash value. Gabriel could also see a ton of action now that Sanu is out and Jones is not 100 percent, according to USA Today’s Steve Gardner. Expect more looks for the speedy receiver against LA. Lastly, at home against the Bears in a game where Stafford could throw more than 40 times, Ebron will eat Chicago up if given the opportunity.
| Will’s Value Players: | ||
| QB | Eli Manning | $5,500 |
| RB | Isaiah Crowell | $3,900 |
| WR | Randall Cobb | $5,000 |
| TE | Lance Kendricks | $2,800 |
Manning tossed a trio of TD’s against the Cowboys already this season, and that was down in Dallas. Having found the endzone multiple times in five straight games, there’s a good chance he’ll make it six this week. Snow is expected to hit Cleveland on Sunday and with uncertainty at the QB position, the Crow could get a ton of touches against the Browns’ in-state rival. As a slot receiver, Cobb won’t see much of Richard Sherman this week and with Earl Thomas banged up, there’s a good chance he’ll be Rodgers’ top target in frigid Green Bay. Kendricks might not be a glamorous play, but he’ll be low-owned and dirt cheap meaning having the LA tight end in your lineup will allow you to stack the rest of your roster with expensive superstars.
Matt’s Pick: NYG +3 vs DAL
At home in a divisional game that New York already beat in Dallas? Ya, I like the G Men to keep up with Dallas and possibly win outright.
Will’s Pick: CAR -1.5 vs SD
San Diego is a total wildcard this season. One week they’re downing playoff bound teams and the next week they’re losing at home to a sub-.500 team. With Carolina needing to prove itself after last week’s embarrassment in Seattle, Cam and company will come out guns blazing this week.
Varios partidos de la NFL este fin de semana probablemente verán algo de nieve, pero en un enfrentamiento entre dos aspirantes a la postemporada por la AFC ni Tennessee ni los Broncos pueden permitirse una derrota en lo que se espera sea un choque empapado por la lluvia.
Según NFLWeather.com , el pronóstico ha estado cambiando de un lado a otro durante toda la semana, pero las precipitaciones se espera que lleguen a Nashville en algún momento durante la tarde del domingo. El viento no debería ser factor rondando las ocho mph, y lo mismo va para la temperatura local que oscilará alrededor del 40s. Pero si la lluvia llega al Nissan Stadium temprano en el día, podríamos estar un vital y mojado encuentro.
Si la temporada terminara hoy, Denver (8-4) seria el sexto clasificado jugando en Baltimore, mientras que Tennessee (6-6) se perderia la postemporada debido a desempates dentro de la división. Con el fin de llegar a los playoffs, los Titans necesitan ganar y hacer que Indianápolis pierda al menos una vez. Si los Broncos ganan sus últimos cuatro partidos, se aseguran al menos un puesto como comodín pero una derrota el domingo lo aleja demasiado del liderazgo de su division y le da la chance a siete competidores de la AFC a disputar la sexta semilla (pendiente de los resultados del domingo).
Dicho esto, estamos en el territorio de ganar o ganar para ambos equipos y la madre naturaleza no parece querer simplificarle las cosas a ninguno de los dos.
Marcus Mariota. Photo courtesy of USA Today.Denver es históricamente un equipo fuerte en encuentros impactados por el clima, pero la lluvia parece causarles problemas. Hace unas semanas, antes de un partidocon con temperaturas congelantes, vimos como las estadísticas de NFLWeather.com mostraron que los Broncos estaban 5-2 en sus últimos encuentros de clima frío, pero con lluvia en las últimas temporadas, el equipo está a sólo 2-3 y ha permitido 30 puntos o más en tres de esos cinco juegos. La Defensa de Denver ha sido muy fuerte esta temporada por lo que la verdadera preocupación podría estar en el otro lado de la pelota con un QB bajo centro todavía recuperándose de una lesión.
Sin embargo, Steve Gardner de USA Today hizo analisis prometedor para los fans de lso Bronco en su artículo esta semana sobre la salud del mariscal de campo Trevor Siemian, que perdió el partido de la semana pasada en Jacksonville. Ha dejado su bota de caminar, que es una buena noticia para los receptores después de que Paxton Lynch lanzó por sólo 104 yardas la semana pasada, Gardner escribió. Incluso con lluvia presente, Emmanuel Sanders y Demeryius Thomas pueden tener una gran tardes contra una secundaria sin experiencia que recientemente cortó al esquinero veterano Perrish Cox y tiene que luchar para encontrar un joven capaz de destacarse y frenar a uno de los dúos de receptores más dinámicos de la NFL. Pero un golpeado Siemian también podría resultar en que Devontae Booker ver cerca de 30 acarreos después de haber llevado la pelota 24 veces en dos de sus últimos tres partidos.
A diferencia de la ofensiva del Broncos, los Titanes están sanos y parecen estar mejorando cada vez mas. Sin embargo, de acuerdo con la Analítica Histórica de NFLWeather.com, los Titans han sido victoriosos sólo una vez en sus últimos cinco juegos con lluvias y en promedio permiten cerca de 30 puntos por partido. Ciertamente no ha ayudado a que la ofensiva haya estado tan estancada como los charcos de lluvia que se acumularán en el campo el domingo, con un promedio de apenas 18 puntos por partido.
Pero esos eran viejos Titans, no los de que estan a tiro del titulo de su division hoy anclados por un ganador del Heisman que no ha dado tirado una intercepcion en los ultimos tres juegos. Jugador del mes de noviembre, Marcus Mariota, a lanzado múltiples TD's en ocho partidos consecutivos, pero ¿seguirá esa tendencia en un aguacero? Mariota jugó en una lluvia hace un año y terminó la tarde con tres TD pero dos INT y un 46% de porcentaje de en sus pases que simplemente no sera suficiente cuando estás compitiendo por un título de división. A diferencia del año pasado, Mariota tiene armas en su arsenal con el corredor DeMarco Murray en el campo de juego que no sólo sigue consiguiendo esas yardas difíciles sino que también ha sido una amenaza en el ataque aereo. El ala cerrada Delanie Walker sigue siendo el objetivo principal y lo será nuevamente en las malas condiciones del domingo.
No mucha gente pensaba que Tennessee estaría en la disputa por un lugar en los playoffs esta temporada, pero aquí estamos. Este es el juego más importante de la temporada para los Titans y también será el más húmedo. Si pueden evitar el que el clima afecte su juego y evitar que Von Miller llegue a Mariota, Tennessee podría ganar un poco de respeto esta semana, ya acercarse tambien de la cumbre de la AFC Sur.
A handful of NFL games this weekend will likely see some snow but in a do-or-die clash between two AFC playoff hopefuls in Tennessee, neither the Broncos nor the Titans can afford a loss in what’s expected to be a riveting rain-soaked showdown.
According to NFLWeather.com, the forecast has been wobbling back and forth between overcast skies and a light rain but precipitation is expected to hit Nashville sometime during Sunday afternoon. Wind shouldn’t be much of a factor, topping out around eight mph, and same goes for the local temperature which should hover around the low-to-mid 40s. But if rain hits the 419 Tifway Bermuda grass inside Nissan Stadium early in the day, we could be in for a sloppy must-win matchup.
If the season ended today, Denver (8-4) would wind up as the sixth seed heading into Baltimore while Tennessee (6-6) would miss out on the postseason based on tiebreakers within the division. In order to make the playoffs, the Titans need to win out and have Indianapolis lose once. If the Broncos win their final four games, they’re a lock for at least a wildcard spot but a loss on Sunday results in a remote chance for the AFC West crown and invites seven AFC competitors into contention for the sixth seed (pending Sunday’s results).
That being said, we’re in must win territory for both teams and Mother Nature won’t be making it any easier for either side.
Marcus Mariota. Photo courtesy of USA Today.Denver is historically a strong side in weather impacted matchups but the rain seems to cause problems. A few weeks ago heading into a weather-related game with freezing temperatures on the radar, NFLWeather.com stats showed the Broncos were 5-2 in recent cold weather matchups but in the rain over the last few seasons, the team is just 2-3 and has allowed 30 points or more in three of those five games. Denver’s D has been pretty stout this season so the real concern could be on the other side of the ball with a QB under center still recovering from an injury.
However, USA Today’s Steve Gardner made a promising point for Bronco’s fans in his article this week regarding the health of quarterback Trevor Siemian, who missed last week’s game in Jacksonville. “He’s shed his walking boot which is good news for the receivers after Paxton Lynch threw for just 104 yards last week,” Gardner wrote. Even with rain present, Emmanuel Sanders and Demeryius Thomas are poised for big afternoons against an inexperienced secondary that recently cut veteran cornerback Perrish Cox and has to scramble to find a youngster capable of stepping up and slowing down one of the NFL’s most dynamic receiving duos. But a banged up Siemian could also result in Devontae Booker seeing close to 30 touches after having carried the ball 24 times in two of his last three games.
Unlike the Bronco’s offense, the Titans are healthy and seem to be on the up and up. However, according to the NFLWeather.com Historical Analytics, the Titans have been victorious only once in their last five rain games and on average surrender close to 30 points per game. It certainly hasn’t helped that the offense has been as stagnant as the rain puddles that will collect on the field on Sunday, averaging a mere 18 points per game.
But that was the old Titans, not the division title chasing Titans of today anchored by a Heisman winning QB that hasn’t turned the ball over in three straight games. November’s Player of the Month, Marcus Mariota, has thrown multiple TD’s in eight straight games but will that trend continue in a downpour? Mariota played in one rain a year ago and finished the afternoon with three TD’s but two INT’s and a 46% completion percentage just won’t cut it when you’re competing for a division title. Unlike last year, Mariota has weapons in his arsenal with bruising running back DeMarco Murray in the backfield that not only still grinds out the tough yards but has also been a threat in the passing attack. Tight end Delanie Walker is still the go-to target and will be just that once again in Sunday’s crummy conditions.
Not many people thought Tennessee would be in playoff contention at this point, but here we are. It’s the biggest game of the Titan’s season thus far and it’ll also be the dampest. If they can avoid the weather disrupting their mojo and avoid Von Miller getting to Mariota, Tennessee could earn some major respect this week as they inch closer to the summit of the AFC South.
| Matt’s Value Players: | ||
| QB | Ryan Fitzpatrick | $5,200 |
| RB | Jeremy Hill | $4,300 |
| WR | Marvin Jones | $4,400 |
| TE | Vance McDonald | $2,900 |
$5,200 price tag of Fitz is so cheap for a guy going against one of the worst pass defenses in the league. As for Hill, at this price combined with the touches he should get now that Gio Bernard is out makes Hill a tremendous value play. In what will be a colossal shootout for Detroit at New Orleans, there is going to be plenty of looks to go around and Jones will see close to a dozen of them. McDonald has emerged as one of the go-to guys for San Francisco now and averaging just over six targets since week seven puts him in a good spot as a cheap daily play.
| Will’s Value Players: | ||
| QB | Joe Flacco | $5,300 |
| RB | James Starks | $4,400 |
| WR | Victor Cruz | $3,300 |
| TE | Ladarius Green | $2,800 |
or only $5,300 and going against a Miami D that was absolutely torched by Kaep, Flacco is a great play with likely a low percentage in ownership. Starks is the top dog in GB’s ground game but he hasn’t put up Lacy-like numbers just yet. Houston’s defense is good but not great and with flurries in the Sunday forecast, Starks has a chance to see 20+ touches and finally prove to coaches that the Packers no longer need to keep trading for RB’s. Like Shepard who’s a must-start, Cruz is a sneaky play in daily and against Pittsburgh’s weak secondary, he could easily go off with all eyes on OBJ. Green was the Steelers’ big off season acquisition and made his debut last week against Indianapolis. He should play more of a role this week now that he’s back to full health.
Matt’s Pick: OAK -3 vs BUF
Oakland’s offense will be too much for the Bills. McCoy and company will fade later in the second half allowing the Raiders to put this one away. Lock it up!
Will’s Pick: ARI -2.5 vs WAS
On the road, Washington isn’t very impressive defensively on the road and Palmer has averaged two touchdowns a game over the last four weeks. Arizona is finally getting it together, probably too little too late, but all of a sudden they’ve looked like the threatening team we expected to see week one.
| Matt’s Value Players: | ||
| QB | Ryan Fitzpatrick | $5,200 |
| RB | Jeremy Hill | $4,300 |
| WR | Marvin Jones | $4,400 |
| TE | Vance McDonald | $2,900 |
$5,200 price tag of Fitz is so cheap for a guy going against one of the worst pass defenses in the league. As for Hill, at this price combined with the touches he should get now that Gio Bernard is out makes Hill a tremendous value play. In what will be a colossal shootout for Detroit at New Orleans, there is going to be plenty of looks to go around and Jones will see close to a dozen of them. McDonald has emerged as one of the go-to guys for San Francisco now and averaging just over six targets since week seven puts him in a good spot as a cheap daily play.
| Will’s Value Players: | ||
| QB | Joe Flacco | $5,300 |
| RB | James Starks | $4,400 |
| WR | Victor Cruz | $3,300 |
| TE | Ladarius Green | $2,800 |
or only $5,300 and going against a Miami D that was absolutely torched by Kaep, Flacco is a great play with likely a low percentage in ownership. Starks is the top dog in GB’s ground game but he hasn’t put up Lacy-like numbers just yet. Houston’s defense is good but not great and with flurries in the Sunday forecast, Starks has a chance to see 20+ touches and finally prove to coaches that the Packers no longer need to keep trading for RB’s. Like Shepard who’s a must-start, Cruz is a sneaky play in daily and against Pittsburgh’s weak secondary, he could easily go off with all eyes on OBJ. Green was the Steelers’ big off season acquisition and made his debut last week against Indianapolis. He should play more of a role this week now that he’s back to full health.
Matt’s Pick: OAK -3 vs BUF
Oakland’s offense will be too much for the Bills. McCoy and company will fade later in the second half allowing the Raiders to put this one away. Lock it up!
Will’s Pick: ARI -2.5 vs WAS
On the road, Washington isn’t very impressive defensively on the road and Palmer has averaged two touchdowns a game over the last four weeks. Arizona is finally getting it together, probably too little too late, but all of a sudden they’ve looked like the threatening team we expected to see week one.
Quarterbacks
Start ‘em: Phillip Rivers, Colin Kaepernick
Tampa has been above average against the run this year and I see them forcing San Diego to thrown a ton in a potential shootout. He has a high floor this Sunday, have no fear.
Kaep looked like his old self last week against a decent Miami defense that allowed him to rack up over 110 yards rushing on top of his 296 through the air. With rain in Chicago’s forecast, Kaep could end up with 10+ carries.
Sit ‘em: Ryan Tannehill, Trevor Siemian
Baltimore is going to force Tannehill to throw the ball rather than letting the Dolphins run on them. I do not see him winning you any match ups this week.
Jacksonville’s D has eight sacks in the last two weeks and Denver’s o-line is looking shaky. With drizzle expected on Sunday, Siemian might not be taking as many deep shots down field as he normally does.
Running Backs
Start ‘em: Matt Forte, Jordan Howard
Simply put, Indianapolis just flat out stinks on defense this season. I can see Forte getting into the endzone this week and adding a few catches as well.
Even though SF held Miami to under 100 yards rushing last week, the Niners D has seen three teams rack up over 240 yards on the ground already this season. With Barkley under center in Chicago, Howard might end up seeing 30+ touches in the rain.
Sit ‘em: Frank Gore, Jonathan Stewart
The Jets have a stout front seven that should eat the Colts’ line alive. I do not anticipate Gore going off in this spot.
Stewart is a tough guy to sit because he dominates all the carries in Carolina but the Panthers will struggle mightily against Seattle’s stout rushing defense in the rain. If J-Stew couldn’t produce against LA’s tough front seven, expect similar disappointing results against the Seahawks.
Sterling Shepard. Photo courtesy of USA Today.Wide Receivers
Start ‘em: Emmanuel Sanders, Sterling Shepard
Sanders has seen double digit targets in three of the last four weeks. Look for plenty of the same here against Jacksonville.
It’s no secret that Pittsburgh’s secondary is mediocre at best and regularly get lit up against strong passing teams like the Giants. Despite the crummy conditions, Shepard will see a ton of targets with safeties keeping tabs on Odell Beckham Jr. all afternoon.
Sit ‘em: Jarvis Landry, Kelvin Benjamin
With one touchdown all season and seeing less targets than last year means Landry’s upside is limited. Find someone else because there’s a good chance you will be disappointed by this play.
Like J-Stew, another tough playmaker to sit from Carolina’s offense but as USA Today’s Steve Gardner mentioned last week that the power of Richard Sherman is one to be feared as he allows a league-low 59.1 passer rating heading into week 12. There are better options in better weather games than Benjamin this week.
Tight Ends
Start ‘em: Cameron Brate, CJ Fiedorowicz
Behind Mike Evans, Brate is the top receiving threat in Tampa’s passing attack. With clear skies in San Diego’s forecast, Winston will be airing it out early and often against the Charger’s swiss cheese D.
Houston will be down in this game and will have to pass a ton. Since Week five, CJ has not seen less than six targets. I like him a lot here..
Sit ‘em: Julius Thomas, Jack Doyle
Thomas is banged up and only saw five targets last week at Detroit who’s terrible against defending TE’s. Even if he suits up, he won’t be much of a factor against a solid Denver D.
With Allen back and the Jets pretty fair against the tight end, I see this play as a recipe for disaster. Anyone but Doyle will do.
Quarterbacks
Start ‘em: Phillip Rivers, Colin Kaepernick
Tampa has been above average against the run this year and I see them forcing San Diego to thrown a ton in a potential shootout. He has a high floor this Sunday, have no fear.
Kaep looked like his old self last week against a decent Miami defense that allowed him to rack up over 110 yards rushing on top of his 296 through the air. With rain in Chicago’s forecast, Kaep could end up with 10+ carries.
Sit ‘em: Ryan Tannehill, Trevor Siemian
Baltimore is going to force Tannehill to throw the ball rather than letting the Dolphins run on them. I do not see him winning you any match ups this week.
Jacksonville’s D has eight sacks in the last two weeks and Denver’s o-line is looking shaky. With drizzle expected on Sunday, Siemian might not be taking as many deep shots down field as he normally does.
Running Backs
Start ‘em: Matt Forte, Jordan Howard
Simply put, Indianapolis just flat out stinks on defense this season. I can see Forte getting into the endzone this week and adding a few catches as well.
Even though SF held Miami to under 100 yards rushing last week, the Niners D has seen three teams rack up over 240 yards on the ground already this season. With Barkley under center in Chicago, Howard might end up seeing 30+ touches in the rain.
Sit ‘em: Frank Gore, Jonathan Stewart
The Jets have a stout front seven that should eat the Colts’ line alive. I do not anticipate Gore going off in this spot.
Stewart is a tough guy to sit because he dominates all the carries in Carolina but the Panthers will struggle mightily against Seattle’s stout rushing defense in the rain. If J-Stew couldn’t produce against LA’s tough front seven, expect similar disappointing results against the Seahawks.
Sterling Shepard. Photo courtesy of USA Today.Wide Receivers
Start ‘em: Emmanuel Sanders, Sterling Shepard
Sanders has seen double digit targets in three of the last four weeks. Look for plenty of the same here against Jacksonville.
It’s no secret that Pittsburgh’s secondary is mediocre at best and regularly get lit up against strong passing teams like the Giants. Despite the crummy conditions, Shepard will see a ton of targets with safeties keeping tabs on Odell Beckham Jr. all afternoon.
Sit ‘em: Jarvis Landry, Kelvin Benjamin
With one touchdown all season and seeing less targets than last year means Landry’s upside is limited. Find someone else because there’s a good chance you will be disappointed by this play.
Like J-Stew, another tough playmaker to sit from Carolina’s offense but as USA Today’s Steve Gardner mentioned last week that the power of Richard Sherman is one to be feared as he allows a league-low 59.1 passer rating heading into week 12. There are better options in better weather games than Benjamin this week.
Tight Ends
Start ‘em: Cameron Brate, CJ Fiedorowicz
Behind Mike Evans, Brate is the top receiving threat in Tampa’s passing attack. With clear skies in San Diego’s forecast, Winston will be airing it out early and often against the Charger’s swiss cheese D.
Houston will be down in this game and will have to pass a ton. Since Week five, CJ has not seen less than six targets. I like him a lot here..
Sit ‘em: Julius Thomas, Jack Doyle
Thomas is banged up and only saw five targets last week at Detroit who’s terrible against defending TE’s. Even if he suits up, he won’t be much of a factor against a solid Denver D.
With Allen back and the Jets pretty fair against the tight end, I see this play as a recipe for disaster. Anyone but Doyle will do.
Diez selecciones del draft de 2004 los separan y entre los dos tienen cuatro anillos de Super Bowl.
Para algunos, lso dos ya tienen asegurada la entrada al Salón de la Fama al final de sus carreras. Pero el domingo, cuando las condiciones climáticas no serán nada favorables en la húmeda y triste Ciudad del Acero, Ben Roethlisberger y Eli Manning se enfrentarán en lo que será una pelea clásica de pesos pesados en la lluvia entre dos de las franquicias más estratificadas de la liga.
De acuerdo con NFLWeather.com, se espera llovizna y las temperaturas estarán cerca de los 30's en la patada inicial, pero el final del encuentro es probable que terminen por debajo de la congelación (al igual que vimos cuando Pittsburgh recibió a Dallas hace dos semanas). A partir del miércoles, el viento no parecía ser factor, pero la zona abierta de Heinz Field es conocida por crear un túnel de viento y causar problemas importantes para los pateadores. Pero la verdadera cuestión podría ser la lluvia helada que se puede dar al desplomarse la temperatura. Si eso pasa la nieve podría hacer una aparición de segunda mitad del encuentro.
Manning - Roethlisberger. Photo courtesy of USA Today.Los New York Giants (8-3) han jugado en un montón de juegos impactados por el clima en las últimas temporadas, pero la diferencia entre sus actuaciones en casa y de visitante es como la noche y el día. Desde 2009 en juegos con lluvia, los Giants estan 5-4, pero tan sólo 1-3 fuera de casa. De acuerdo con el Análisis histórico de NFLWeather.com , ofensivamente el equipo promedia casi 29 puntos por partido en casa en comparación con sólo 17 de visitante.
Se podría especular que esta diferencia de 12 puntos podría ser porque el equipo quiere correr la pelota más en un esfuerzo por ganar la batalla por el tiempo de posesión al mismo tiempo que disminuye la posibilidad de lanzar una intercepción. Sin embargo, las estadísticas muestran que en promedio Manning pasa la pelota tan sólo 29 veces por partido en casa frente a 43 de visitante. ¿Podría ser esto por tener que jugar desde atras al ser visitante y por eso tener que abandonar el juego por tierra antes de lo esperado? No es probable, porque Nueva York es un equipo que normalmente es dificil de detener en su juego por tierra en condiciones difíciles. Desde 2013 en partidos con mal tiempo, Big Blue esta 3-0 al correr la pelota 35 veces o más.
En las últimas temporadas, Pittsburgh (6-5) también ha tenido mucho éxito en la lluvia. Desde 2013, cuando Le'Veon Bell entró a la liga, los Steelers tienen marca de 5-1 en la lluvia , con un promedio de aproximadamente 115 yardas por tierra por partido. De esos seis partidos, Bell sólo jugó en tres y ha logrado 270 yardas en 50 acarreos. Será un factor importante tanto en el ataque por tierra como en el ataque aereo, pero no cuenten con que su veterano suplente (DeAngelo Williams) este de regreso y sano todavia. Steve Gardner de USA Today mencionó en una pieza reciente que es una respaldo obligado en ligas de footbal de fantasía y dado el historial de lesiones de Bell hacia finales de la temporada, Williams podría terminar siendo el titular en el ultimo tramo del año. WIlliams también ha sido un clave en juegos de lluvia, acumulando 127 yardas en 21 carreras contra Nueva Inglaterra la temporada pasada.
Pero el hombre principal en el ataque de Pittsburgh en condiciones climaticas de lluvia todavía es Big Ben. Desde 2009, los Steelers están 10-4 en la lluvia y no han perdido en Heinz Field bajo una llovizna desde 2010. Sin mencionar, en los 14 juegos la ofensiva ha promediado un poco menos de 24 puntos por partido, pero en casa el promedio salta a 30 ppj. Contra la temblorosa D de Nueva York, Roethlisberger va a repartir la pelota, aunque es es seguro igualmente asumir que Antonio Brown fácilmente ver más de 10 pases lanzados hacia el. Mantengan un ojo en Ladarius Green, la gran adquisición de Pittsburgh esta pretemporada que hizo su debut en el dia de Acción de Gracias.
Ninguno de los dos equipos esta en la cima de sus respectivas divisiones pero esto todavía se siente como un preview del Super Bowl. Pittsburgh y Nueva York son las dos únicas franquicias en la historia de la NFL en ganar el Super Bowl como el sexto clasificado. Son dos equipos que son imposibles de ignorar y aterradores para enfrentarse en la postemporada. Esperemos que estos dos se vean nuevamente en Houston en un par de meses, bajo condiciones climáticas un poco más ideales.
They were ten picks apart from each other in the 2004 draft and share four Super Bowls between them.
To some, they already have an in to the Hall of Fame at the end of their decorated and memorable careers. But on Sunday when the weather conditions will be anything but favorable in the damp and dreary Steel City, Ben Roethlisberger and Eli Manning will clash in what will be a classic heavyweight bout in the rain between two of the league’s most storied franchises.
According to NFLWeather.com, a drizzle is expected and temperatures will be in the high-30’s at kickoff but come fourth quarter, it will likely dip below freezing (just like we saw when Pittsburgh hosted Dallas two weeks ago). As of Wednesday, the wind didn’t seem to be much of a factor but the open end zone at Heinz Field is notorious for creating a wind tunnel and causing major trouble for either side’s kicking game. The real issue could be freezing rain as the temperature plummets and once that happens, snow could make a second half appearance.
Manning - Roethlisberger. Photo courtesy of USA Today.The visiting New York Giants (8-3) have played in plenty of weather impacted games over the last few seasons but the difference between their performances at home and away is night and day. Since 2009 in rain games, the Giants are 5-4 but only 1-3 on the road. According to the NFLWeather.com Historical Analytics, offensively the team averages almost 29 points per game at home compared to only 17 on the road.
One might speculate this 12 point difference could be because the team wants to run the ball more in an effort to win the time of possession battle while decreasing the possibility of throwing an interception. However, statistics show that on average Manning drops back only 29 times per game at home versus 43 on the road. Could this be from having to play catch up on the road thus having to abandon the run earlier than expected? Not likely, because New York is a traditionally tough rushing team to stop in crummy conditions. Since 2013 in poor weather outings, Big Blue is 3-0 when handing the ball off 35 times or more.
Over the last few seasons Pittsburgh (6-5) has also had plenty of ground game success in the rain. Since 2013 when Le’Veon Bell entered the league, the Steelers are 5-1 in the rain while averaging roughly 115 rushing yards per outing. Of those six, Bell only played in three and has managed 270 yards from 50 carries. He’ll be a major factor in both the running and passing attack but don’t count out his veteran backup returning to full health, DeAngelo Williams. USA Today’s Steve Gardner mentioned in a recent piece that he’s a must-have handcuff in fantasy leagues and given Bell’s history of injuries late in the year, Williams could end up being the guy down the stretch. He’s also been a stud in rain games, racking up 127 yards on 21 carries against New England last season.
But the main man in Pittsburgh’s rain game attack is still Big Ben. Since 2009, the Steelers are 10-4 in the rain and haven’t lost at Heinz Field in a drizzle since 2010. Not to mention, over those 14 games the offense has averaged just under 24 points per game but at home the average leaps to 30 ppg. Against New York’s shaky D, Roethlisberger is going to spread the ball around but it’s still safe to assume Antonio Brown will easily see over 10 targets. Keep an eye on a healthy Ladarius Green, Pittsburgh’s big off-season acquisition who made his debut on Thanksgiving.
Neither of the two teams sits atop their divisions yet this still feels like perennial Super Bowl matchup. Pittsburgh and New York are the only two franchises in NFL history to win the Super Bowl as a six seed. They’re two teams that are impossible to write off and frightening to go up against in the postseason. Here’s to hoping these two link up in Houston in a couple months, under slightly more ideal weather conditions.
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