Cam Newton

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NFC Championship Game

Posted by fantasyfurnace on January 19, 2013
Posted in: NFL. Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , , . 20 comments

We have decided to go with the 49ers, the first team in nearly 30 years to be a road favorite! There has to be a reason for that. Let’s break down why we think that San Francisco will face the Patriots in the Super Bowl…nfc-championship

The ‘new breed’ of quarterback in 2012 has made for some exciting football although for the Falcons, they have created havoc. This season alone they split the season series with the Panthers and  Cam Newton, and came within a hair of defeat against Russell Wilson. Cam Newton’s Panthers rolled up almost 900 yards of total offense in their two games vs the Falcons while the elusive QB rushed for over 200 yards and two TD’s vs them. He also passed for a combined total of 502 yards and 4 TD’s. Similarly, Wilson passed for 385 yards and two scores while rushing for 60 yards and a touchdown.

RGIII, Colin Kaepernick and Russell Wilson are part of the new breed of QB that has given the Falcons fits. Photo: nfl.com

RGIII, Colin Kaepernick and Russell Wilson are part of the new breed of QB that has given the Falcons fits at times. Photo: nfl.com

What stands out even more than these quarterback’s abilities to dominate Atlanta, is the implosion of the team in the second half of last week’s game. Up by 20 at the half, when it became 27-14,  the Falcons went three and out, three and out, and four and out. Of course that was followed by the two passes against Seattle’s prevent-defense and the Bryant field goal to miraculously end the game, but that kind of collapse exposed the Falcons to some extent. With Colin Kaepernick, Frank Gore and upstart WR Michael Crabtree to deal with, another collapse like that and it might result in a much different outcome.

And the 49ers have another weapon in veteran TE Vernon Davis. Atlanta could not contain Seahawk’s TE Zach Miller last week who burned them for 8 receptions good for 142 yards and a touchdown.

#85 TE Vernon Davis, who didn't have one of his best seasons, always shines in big games. Photo: cbcsports.com

#85 TE Vernon Davis, who didn’t have one of his best seasons, always shines in big games. Photo: cbcsports.com

Although listed as questionable, Defensive End, and staunch pass rusher John Abraham will play on Sunday but it’s not clear for how long or just how effective he will be. He is 13th in the NFL with 122 career sacks, however he hasn’t had one since November 29th in the game vs New Orleans. Abraham only played in 15 snaps last week and was limited in practices this week but his presence will be a huge lift to the home team if he plays well. Not nearly being at full strength will just make things easier for Kaepernick.

We’re going with the 49ers in this one, who came ‘this close’ to winning the NFC Championship game last year, and look forward to a “shoot ‘em up” exciting game this Sunday, followed by an appearance in New Orleans in the Super Bowl.

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NFL Week #10-This Week’s Five Best Bets

Posted by fantasyfurnace on November 9, 2012
Posted in: NFL. Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , . 7 comments

Our two losses last week,  the Giants and the Browns, held us to 3-2 for the week which put us at 29-16 on the season. The G-Men forgot how to stop the run and yielded 147 yards to Isaac Redman which prompted coach Ton Coughlin to call his run defense “Soft”. That will probably change this week vs the Bengals as the Giants defensive line took offense to that remark.

The Browns, our other loss, who played so well IN Baltimore losing by a TD when they faced the Ravens the first time this season, were our upset special but there was nothing special about their performance last Sunday. Here now are this week’s Best Bets…

 *Home team in CAPS

Giants over the BENGALS- It didn’t take much to ruffle some of the Giants player’s feathers after their poor showing vs the Steelers in East Rutherford last week. 147 yards to Redman on the ground really upset Tom Coughlin & I would be surprised if the lawfirm (BJGE) has a similar day vs Big Blue this weekend. Bengals WR  A.J. Green had some unflattering comments about the Giants secondary which prompted Antrel Rolle, who’s never at a loss for words, to come out with this stinger, “I’ll talk with my pads come Sunday. If he (A.J. Green) sees me he better duck!” Eli, with some tips from his brother (8-0 vs the Bengals) will help the Giants garner the victory.

….”and that’s how you beat the Bengals. Alright Eli, you can stop smiling now…” Photo: usatoday.com

Broncos over the PANTHERS- Peyton to Decker has been very successful the last few games and the elder Manning should have no problem keeping it coming vs Carolina this Sunday. Cam Newton just hasn’t been the same this year and he’ll face a pretty staunch Broncos defense who won’t make it an easier for him. The Giants earlier this season crushed the Panthers by 29 points so maybe Peyton will be asking Eli for some pointers in this one although he really doesn’t need any.

BUCCANEERS over the Chargers- A lot of pundits in the papers and on TV don’t see the Chargers losing to Tampa Bay this week and I cannot figure  out why. I mean what have they done so far this season? They have four wins but two of them were against Kansas City! Cmon Man!! They’re travelling cross country, never an easy task, and playing an early game. As for the Bucs, they have been an offensive juggernaut scoring 28 points or more in four straight games; a franchise record. RB Doug Martin has been improving each week with rushing totals of 85-135-251 yards in his last three games. T.B. is only favored by 3.  S.D. has a fairly decent defense (see last week), but they aren’t the 1985 Bears!

SEAHAWKS over the Jets- Seattle (5-4) is one team that truly defines the term ’Home Field Advantage’. They are beasts in their building having played four times there- winning all four. They give up the least amount of fantasy points to quarterbacks at home and have held opponents to 16 or less points in six of their nine games this season. The Jets have an anemic offense at best scoring 17 points or less in half of their games. The Seattle Sack Exchange of Clemons and Irvin will give Mark Sanchez fits all afternoon.

#51 Former first rounder Bruce Irvin and Chris Clemons (not shown) have 12 sacks on the season between them. Photo: Seahawks.com

DOLPHINS over the Titans- Miami (4-4) is coming off of a heartbreaking 3 point loss to the Colts which followed a rout of the Jets 30-9 at Met Life Stadium. The Fish get to return home for the first time since week 6 and there’s nothing like home cooking to help bring them a win. Prior to the loss to the Colts, Miami was on a modest three game winning streak & should be able to start a new one this week vs the Titans who have been giving up points at record breaking proportions. In seven of their nine games this season they have allowed 30, 34, 35, 38, 38, 41, and 51 to their opponents. WR Brian Hartline and RB Reggie Bush should have an offensive ‘field day’ while the Dolphins defense tries to limit Chris Johnson’s production.

NFL WEEK #4: The Week’s Five Best Bets

Posted by fantasyfurnace on September 28, 2012
Posted in: NFL. Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , . 4 comments

Last week was one of the most strangest that I can ever recall. The disastrous calls (and non-calls) by the replacement refs hurt some teams and naturally had an impact on our picks. But what was even more telling was that seven games in week #3 were decided in the final minute of the 4th quarter or overtime!

And so we’ll try to right the ship that finished an abysmal 1-4 last week, bringing what was a fairly decent 7-3 record to a more pedestrian 8-7. Here then are our five best bests for week #4:

*Home teams in CAPS:

49ers over the JETS- Looking to bounce back after their stunning defeat at the hands of the Minnesota Vikings last week, the 49ers have two things in their favor. For starters they have the 7th best rushing offense in the NFL and they’re going up against a Jets defense that yielded 169 yards to the Bills’ C.J. Spiller and 185 yards to Dolphins RB Reggie Bush & co. And then there’s the ‘Revis Factor’. Joe McKnight is no Darrelle Revis and I think Alex Smith has an easy time of it through the air & with Gore on the ground.

#21 RB Frank Gore takes a handoff from QB #11 Alex Smith. Both should enjoy a productive day vs the Jets on Sunday. Photo: cbssports.com

FALCONS over Panthers- The Panthers are better than their 36-7 blowout by the Giants suggests. They dropped 35 points on the Saints in their win the week prior and held the Bucs to 16 points in their week 1 loss. Their problem has been turnovers and, besides Cam Newton, the absence of any consistent running game. The Falcons have been clicking on all cylinders, in particular QB Matt Ryan is off to an MVP-like start. They are +10 in turnovers which probably is not sustainable but their fairly easy schedule could see them run the table before thier week 7 bye.

Cardinals over the Dolphins- Miami’s been routed by 20 vs the Texans, beat the Raiders, which they always seem to do at Sun Life Stadium, and lost an ugly game that they should have won (2 missed field goals) to the Jets. Reggie Bush is having a career year but a rookie QB is not what you want going up against an over-achieving staunch defense IN Arizona. I do think that this could be a closer game than you might think. If the Cards can’t ruffle Tannehill all that much & Reggie plays at 100% it could make things interesting. Remember the Cardinals won their first two games by a total of 6 points and  Skelton/Kolb has been doing it with mirrors so far this season.

PACKERS over the Saints- We picked the Packers in last Monday Night’s “Shame Game” and I’m guessing they are eager as we are to get back to their winning ways. These aren’t last year’s version of the offensive juggernauts that averaged close to 40 points a game. That number has dropped significantly to 23 but should change against the anemic defense of New Orleans. The Saints, following this game, will probably just play out the season and then come back with authority (and Sean Payton) next year.

Redskins over the BUCCANEERS- Even with the ‘Skins injuries there just isn’t enough offensive power on the Bucs to overtake Washington. Josh Freeman has picked up where he left off last season, regressing so bad that in two of the three games this year he failed to reach even 140 passing yards. His only bright spot was in game 2 going up against a Giants secondary that had their fourth unit on the field. RGIII is leading the league in rushing yards among quarterbacks and the ‘Skins have put up an average of 33 points a game this season. The Falcons come into D.C. in week 5 and so at 1-2 the Redskins need this one.

#10 RGIII goes up against Josh Freeman in Tampa Bay this weekend and the Redskins clearly have the advantage. Photo: washingtonpost.com