Now there is little debate that Forte is a good back. What he brings to the table few others do. In his four years he has finished in the top ten total yards from scrimmage three times. He has 6,218 total yards good for 103.7 yards per game with 29 TD’s to boot. Three times he has rushed for over a thousand yards. Arguably he is the best receiving back in the league.

Now with all that being said, if you look at the last five Super Bowl winning running backs only one has rushed for a thousand yards or more. That was the Giants Brandon Jacobs back in 2007 when he ran for 1,009 yards and had 174 yards receiving. the Steelers Willie Parker – 791 and 13, the Saints Pierre Thomas – 793 and 302, the Packers Brandon Jackson – 703 and 342 and the Giants Ahmed Bradshaw – 659 and 267. Not eye popping numbers. (more…)

White Meat Plays (guys I like)

1. Aaron Rodgers, Donald Driver, Greg Jennings and Ryan Grant @ Detroit – Hell, I would probably also throw Jermichael Finley into this bunch…I think GB comes out and stomps Detroit.  I know Detroit plays tough on Turkey Day, because it is their birth right to host a game every year, but not this year my friends.  GB wins and wins big!!!
2. Marion Barber vs Oakland – Shocker, I am picking a RB to light up Oakland, but until they can stop anyone on the ground, I will keep picking against them.  The Oakland D is 30th against the run and they have allowed a league high 16 rushing TDs.  Surprisingly, they are not so bad against the pass, so I expect Barber to gain > 100yds on the ground and likely 2 TDs.
3. Brett Favre vs Bears - There is really no explanation needed.  The Beloved are hurting and Favre’s colors have changed, but the song remains the same.  Oh, and he has a pretty good running game to support a lot of play action over the top of our vaunted Tampa Two defense.
4. Whichever Cincy RB starts vs Cleveland - Whether it is Cedric Benson or Bernard Scott starting for Cincy, they should be starting for you.  They will light up Cleveland!!!

Dark Meat Plays (guys I don’t like)  (more…)

I love how they get a parting shot in at Rex Grossman.  Poor Rexy!  It’s a really interesting discussion that they have to ruin at the end by talking about the Giants being the most dangerous team in the NFC.  Puh-lease!  You thought the Bears had no receivers?  Aside from Jailbird Burress, name a Giants receiver?   They’ve got a solid running back in Brandon Jacobs who will be broken by Week 8 and $97 million dollar QB Eli Manning with no one to throw to.  Sure they have a decent defense, but as we Bears fans all know, that only gets you so far.

BEAR DOWN!!!

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The Divisional Round of the playoffs features four re-matches from earlier this season.

Baltimore at Tennessee

Last meeting: The Titans edged the Ravens 13-10 when the teams met back in October.  Rookie QB Joe Flacco’s second interception proved costly late in the 4th quarter as he tried to lead the Ravens back after Kerry Collins took the Titans on the decisive drive with aTD hookup to Alge Crumper with under 2 minutes left.

Breakdown: The Ravens looked really impressive in their defeat of the Dolphins.  The Titans are rested and enter the game with only center Kevin Mawae as a major question mark to play.  As much hype as the Ravens’ defense gets, their offense is actually averaging slightly more yards per game than the Titans.  Coupled with the formidable run defense and opportunistic Ed Reed in the secondary, the Ravens look like the team to beat, yet the Titans enter as a 3 point favorite.  Something just doesn’t seem right.  Everything points to Baltimore, but Tennessee is favored.

Key matchup: Titans rushing attack vs Ravens rush defense.

Prediction: One team has the momentum and the stats while the other is favored.  When it’s too good to be true, it probably is.

Titans 16-13

Arizona at Carolina

Last meeting: Carolina comes back to beat the visiting team which holds double-digit second half lead.  Sound familiar Bears fans?  Carolina did the same to the Cardinals back in October to defeat Arizona 27-23.   Anquan Boldin tallied two touchdowns while rookie running back Tim Hightower added another.  On Carolina’s side, it was Steve Smith’s 65-yard touchdown reception that did the Cards in.

Breakdown: Arizona surprised many (though not this observer) with their opening round win over Atlanta.  The biggest surprise had to be the Cardinals defense, especially the run defense that kept Michael Turner in check.  That defense will need to step up again this week against the Panthers robust running attack that ranked 3rd in the NFL behind the likes of DeAngelo Williams and rookie Jonathan Stewart.

Key matchup: Arizona rush defense vs Carolina rushing offense.

Prediction: Carolina is 8-0 at home and they’re rested and ready.  Arizona’s run defense was a one week wonder and without Anquan Boldin, not enough offense to keep up with Carolina.

Panthers 31-24

Philadelphia at New York

Last meeting:These two NFC East team split the season series, with the visitor winning each contest.  The Eagles won 20-14 at the Meadowlands in December, while the G-Men beat the Eagles 36-31 in Philly back in November.  In the Eagles win, Westbrook was on the key for the Eagles as he accounted for over 200 total yards and two TD’s.  In the Giants win, Brandon Jacobs tallied 126 rushing yards with 2 TD’s of his own.

Breakdown: Philly pulled off the upset over the Vikings last weekend thanks in large part to the big play.  The pick-6 from the defense and Westrbook’s huge screen pass touchdown sunk the Vikes.  They’ve been on a roll since the benching of McNabb and definitely come in with the momentum.  The Defending Champs from NY have looked mortal in recent weeks.  In each victory, the winner held the opposing rusher well below his normal average.   

Key matchup: Which rusher will outshine which rush defense? 

Prediction: The Giants might be the champs, but the Eagles come in hot.

Eagles 23-21

 San Diego at Pittsburgh

Last meeting:The Steelers outlasted the Chargers 11-10 when the teams last met in November.  This was another controversial game involving the Chargers, though only the gamblers were affected by this questionable call by the officials.   

Breakdown:The Chargers pulled off the upset last week against the Colts thanks to the big effort by the little running back that could, Darren Sproles, who capably filled the shoes for the injured Ladanian Tomlinson.  Pittsburgh faces injury concerns of their own, as QB Ben Roethlisberger recovers from a concussion suffered December 28^thversus the Cleveland Browns.  I expect the Steelers D to beat up the undersized Sproles and keep him in check.

Key matchup: Chargers passing offense vs Pittsburgh pass defense. 

Prediction:  Pittsburgh comes in with the #1 ranked defense. Defense wins championships. 

 Steelers 19-13