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Sunday, December 23, 2012

Reports that Justin Smith will be Inactive

     San Francisco 49ers defensive end Justin Smith has played in 185 consecutive games. That streak looks to be ending tonight as the 49ers will take on the Seahawks. Adam Schefter of ESPN, reports that Justin Smith will be inactive tonight with an elbow injury that he suffered last Sunday night against the Patriots.

     Smith plays over 90% of the 49ers defensive plays and are a completely different defense when he is not in. Although, head coach Jim Harbaugh listed Smith as questionable, their plan is to make the Seahawks think that Smith will be active tonight. Smith has not missed a game since 2001, when he was a rookie for the Bengals.

Saturday, December 22, 2012

PFH Week 16 Spotlight: Keenan Lewis



     The Pittsburgh Steelers have lost four out of their last five games. Their last win coming in week 14 against the Ravens when quarterback Charlie Batch was the starting quarterback due to a Ben Roethlisberger sprained shoulder. In that game, cornerback Ike Taylor went down with a broken fibula. The Steelers defense hasn't been the same since. However, another Steelers cornerback has done some very good things all year long, and his biggest test of his career will be this Sunday against the Bengals.

     Cornerback Keenan Lewis has had a productive season, and without a doubt, his most productive since being drafted by the Steelers back in 2009. Lewis is a starting cornerback, but usually lines up on the second best receiver on the field. However, since Taylor has went down, Lewis has been asked to cover opponent's number one receiver, and has answered the call on just about every play. Being that this is Lewis' contract year, and he really wants to show how important of a player he is, he will need to do it again against one of the League's best, A.J. Green. Green is arguably one of the top three wide receivers in the league. Green has 85 receptions for 1,208 yards receiving, and 11 touchdowns. Green has only been held for one reception in a game all season, and that was against the Steelers. Who was covering Green? Ike Taylor. With Taylor still out, it will be up to Keenan Lewis.

     As hard as it might be to stop the 6'4, 207 pound Green, the Steelers don't have much of a choice. They are currently 7-7 and are fighting for the sixth seed which is currently being held by the 8-6 Bengals. So to put an even bigger spotlight on Lewis, the playoffs are on the line. If the Steelers lose, they will be eliminated from the playoff race. Keenan will play a big role in whether the Steelers playoff hopes will stay alive by the outcome of this game.

Financial trouble coming for the Saints?



     The New Orleans Saints are going to have to make some big decisions after the 2012 season comes to an end. They are facing a tight year with the salary cap. According to the New Orleans Times-Picayune, the Saints will come in at $16 million over the cap. With two key players in defensive lineman Sedrick Ellis and offensive lineman Jermon Bushrod in the last year of their contract, the Saints will have to make some cuts. It might just start with linebacker Jonathan Vilma and defensive end Will Smith.

     If the two defensive leaders want to remain on the roster, they will most likely be taking a huge pay cut. Smith's contract gives him $10.15 million in salary plus in bonus pay in the 2013 season. Vilma's contract gives him $6 million through the 2013 season. If both Smith and Vilma are released, the Saints will be charged with $9.4 million in contract penalties within the next two years. If this is not enough room, the Saints could be making even more releases and cuts into some salaries. For instance, safety Roman Harper's days with the Saints could be numbered. He will be collecting $5.4 million in 2013 with his current contract with the team.

     How did this all happen? Drew Brees will be taking a huge chunk of pay home in the 2013 season. Brees will be going from the $10.4 million that he made in the 2012 season, to  $17.4 million he will be making next season. This could cause a loss of  some key players on this roster. So with out a doubt, the Saints will be making some slices and dices if they want to cover for their free agents, draft picks, undrafted free agents, Sean Payton's expired contact, etc. They could be in trouble.

Lewis not expected to play until Playoffs

     Earlier rumors that Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis could be returning to action this week after practicing for three weeks with his torn triceps injury seems to be misleading. Ian Rapoport from the NFL Network is reporting that the Ravens are not expecting Lewis to play until the postseason.

     The Ravens are already extremely thin at linebacker with Jameel McClain out with a spinal cord contusion and Dannell Ellerbe questionable with an ankle injury, the Ravens don't expect to put Lewis on the field until the beginning of January. With two games left of the regular season against two potential playoff teams (Giants and Bengals), the Ravens defense is really beat up. They will need to patch it up and stop this three game losing streak if they want to get on a roll before the playoffs arrive.

Ravens Injury Round-up

     Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis is questionable to play Sunday against the Giants. Final decision to be made about Lewis will come Saturday night. Lewis has been practicing with the team for the past three weeks and has been wearing a brace on his right arm where he tore his triceps muscle.

     The Ravens also have another two inside linebackers injured. Jameel McClain is out with a spinal cord contusion, and Dannell Ellerbe is a game-time decision with an ankle injury.

Ravens strong safety Bernard Pollard is doubtful with a rib injury that kept him inactive last week as well.

Fullback Vonta Leach participated in practice on Friday. Is questionable with an ankle injury.

Wide receiver Torrey Smith is questionable while recovering from a concussion. Practiced on a limited basis for two consecutive days.

Offensive guard Marshall Yanda is questionable with a sprained ankle. Practiced on a limited basis.

Terrell Suggs, Ed Reed, and Jimmy Smith are all probable going into Sunday's game against the Giants.

Thursday, December 20, 2012

Playoff Picture and Projections

                                                  PLAYOFF PICTURE

  1. [y] Texans (12-2)                                                         1. [y] Falcons (12-2)
  2. [y] Broncos (11-3)                                                       2. [x] 49ers (10-3-1)
  3. [y] Patriots (10-4)                                                        3. [y] Packers (10-4)
  4. [x] Ravens (9-5)                                                          4. Redskins (8-6)
  5. Colts (9-5)                                                                  5. Seahawks (9-5)
  6. Bengals (8-6)                                                              6. Vikings (8-6)

                                                    IN THE HUNT

  1. Steelers (7-7)                                                             1. Bears (8-6)
     2. Dolphins (6-8)                                                              2. Cowboys (8-6)

                                                                                           3.  Giants (8-6)
                                                                                     
                                                                                          4. Rams (6-7)

[*] Clinched Home Field
[z] Clinched First Round Bye
[y] Clinched Division Title
[x] Clinched Playoff Berth

Monday, December 17, 2012

Record Chasing

     With two weeks remaining in the NFL's regular season, there are four notable records that have been set by NFL greats, that could be broken before the season ends. Four legends of the game might have to take a step back. Jerry Rice's 1995, 1,848 yard receiving season, Michael Strahan's 2001, 22.5 sack season, Eric Dickerson's 1984, 2,105 yard rushing season, and Peyton Manning's 1998, 26 rookie passing touchdowns are all at risk this season. Let's break them all down.

     Lions wide receiver Calvin Johnson has had a spectacular season at his position. However, he is knocking on the door of breaking an NFL receiving record held by the one and only, Jerry Rice. Aside from having his first one hundred plus reception season in his career and tying an NFL record with seven straight one hundred plus yard games, Johnson is going for a higher record. Johnson has a chance to hold the most receiving yards in a season. Johnson has 1,667 yards with two games remaining in the regular season. He is just 182 yards shy of breaking the record held by an NFL legend, Jerry Rice.

     Two players are tied in leading the NFL in sacks, but are just three sacks shy of breaking Michael Strahan's outstanding 22.5 sacks in 2002. Texans defensive end JJ Watt and 49ers defensive end Aldon Smith are tied at 19.5 sacks on the season. If one of the two were to rack up just 3.5 more sacks in the final two games, they will hold the single-season sack record.

     Vikings running back Adrian Peterson is 293 yards from tying Eric Dickerson's single-season rushing yard record. I don't know what is more impressive, Peterson's chances of breaking the record set by an NFL great, or the fact that he could be doing it after having knee surgery when a lot thought he would never be the same runner. Peterson blew his ACL and MCL about a year ago and has made a remarkable comeback. If  Peterson averages 147 yards in the next two games, he will in fact break the record.

     Seahawks rookie quarterback Russell Wilson has twenty-one passing touchdowns on the season. That stands five short of Peyton Manning's twenty-six touchdown season in 1998. Five passing touchdowns may seem like a lot with just two games left in the regular season, but not so much from a team that has scored fifty plus points in two straight weeks. It will be interesting to see exactly how many records will be broken by the end of this bizarre 2012 regular season.

Friday, December 14, 2012

Game of the Weekend

     Going into this Sunday, two teams that still have playoff hopes, will battle in Arlington Texas. The Dallas Cowboys will host the Pittsburgh Steelers this Sunday in Cowboys Stadium at 4:25 eastern time. Both teams have a lot riding on this game, and both teams really need to win out to secure a playoff spot. However, problems on and off the field are setting each team back.

     When you look at the Cowboys, they overcame a loss of a teammate last week to get a big and emotional win last week over the Cincinnati Bengals. With under ten minutes left and being down by nine points, Tony Romo threw a dart to Dez Bryant for a Cowboys touchdown. The Defense would stop the Bengals offense, and give the ball back to the Cowboys. A last second field goal by kicker Dan Bailey would push the Cowboys to a 7-6 record and keep their playoff hopes alive.

     The Steelers suffered a disappointing loss to a Chargers team who lost four straight games before coming into Pittsburgh. The Steelers were down the entire game and it really seemed like they didn't have a dog in the fight after being down by twenty-four points late in the third quarter. A win by the Steelers would have been huge for them seeing how the Ravens and the Bengals suffered a loss last Sunday. Instead, they take a huge step back in Ben Roethlisberger's return.

     If the playoffs started right now, the Steelers (due to Bengals win Thursday Night) and the Cowboys would not have a playoff spot. However, if the Steelers were to win on Sunday, they would win back their sixth seed and play the Bengals for it in week sixteen. The Cowboys need a few more things to fall in their favor to get a wildcard spot. Now if that isn't enough to think about going into this game, just wait.

     Both teams are suffering from injuries. The Steelers are really down on defensive backs which makes it more impressive that they are the number one defense in passing. However, the absence of cornerback Ike Taylor has really shown. Now the Steelers are relying on their depth at the position. The way the Steelers approach defensively is different this year than years past. They have not been getting to the quarterback like we are use to seeing. On the other side of the ball, the Steelers are looking to get first round guard David DeCastro back this week to make his NFL debut. Running back Rashard Mendenhall is suspended from the team after not showing up to last week's loss to the Chargers. Mendenhall is a free agent after the 2012 season.

     The Cowboys are extremely thin on the defensive line. Defensive tackle Jay Ratliff is out after undergoing sports hernia surgery this week. Plus defensive lineman Josh Brent is being held for manslaughter. On the other side of the ball, Dez Bryant has a fractured left index finger, but says he will play through the injury and wait on surgery. 

It's now or never for both teams if they want to reach the playoffs. Unfortunately, which ever team falls on Sunday, their playoff hopes most likely will too.