orioles

[u][b]Baltimore Ravens at Denver Broncos Sky Sports, Saturday 9.30pm[/b][/u] The Ravens have killed me this season, with Flacco alternating between hopeless and highly competent. However, today (even giving up so many points) I'm going to take Denver to finally put an end to my nightmare. Last week, I suggested that Ray Lewis may prove a liability, and although he made 13 tackles in the game, this quote from the Baltimore Sun may be telling, because today I expect Peyton Manning and the Denver Broncos to make more of Rice’s shortcomings: ‘According to the guys over at Pro Football Focus, Lewis was the team's lowest graded defender Sunday... Of course, these grades are subjective, but Pro Football Focus is a reliable and respected stats website.’ [i]Baltimore Sun, Jan 7[/i] As...

[i]Apologies for the Giants' pick: they stunk it up in that special way that only the G-men can![/i] This should be a fascinating game, but those of you who read this rubbish occasionally will know that often, I lean on Bill Belichik's ability to out-coach the opposition. This game will depend upon the Pats success stopping the run and forcing the 49ers to pass. Frank Gore excels in the read option offense and stopping him and the scrambling ability of Colin Kaepernick will severely limit the 49ers in a game where they will need to put up points simply because New England are so potent on offense. Belichick will need to show Kaepernick some things he hasn't seen before, as well as making sure his D line shows a little more form against the run than they have recently. As it is,...

I said at the beginning of the season that I thought the Saints would be OK, despite 'Bountygate' - only for New Orleans to look completely lost. Luckily, they seem to have put that behind them now and are building up a head of steam that could see them go above .500 with a win today. Colin Kaepernick was outstanding last week; with a straightforward gameplan, he executed and the 49ers offense looked great. The Saints defense will find it difficult tonight, with an offense with power on the ground and targets deep that can get plenty of separation against guys like Patrick Robinson and Jabari Greer. New Orleans need to pressure Kaepernick, but they don't have much of a pass rush. Frank gore will be going up against Jonathan Vilma, Curtis Lofton and David Hawthorne - a linebacking...

Neither starting QB goes tonight and that seems to swing the game the home team's way. Campbell has a decent arm, but a laborious delivery because he spends too much time making decisions and he'll do it tonight against an aggressive D and behind a poor O line. As it is, Chicago will try to run the ball to limit his throwing/decision making, but the 49ers are a tough defense to run on and it may be a rough night under centre. Forte isn't really a smashmouth runner and may find the going tough too. I like Colin Kaepernick and if he were more polished, I'd take him every day over Alex Smith (so much so I've stashed him in a number of keeper leagues!) as it is I think Harbaugh will turn Kaepernick into a fine QB and it may be that tonight we'll see some of that potential: h's certainly...

Alex Smith haunts me: he's a limited passer prone to mistakes under pressure that can bring a capable offense to a shuddering halt. After last week's performance, I'm trusting that the gameplan on that side of the ball will feature the run game, with the occasional simple pass for Smith. The Cardinals have talent up front and can pressure Smith, so it's vital to establish Gore and Hunter to slow the quick Arizona pass rush. The home team can be attacked downfield, and it would be nice to see Vernon Davis come out of pass protection and match up on the vulnerable Arizona corners. The Cardinals have a decent run game (especially since unveiling LaRod Stephens-Howling) and Larry Fitzgerald is almost as talented as ever, but they haven't a QB or offensive line capable of mounting a sustained...