Another potentially late and actually hurried issue, I'm afraid, because I had to work at the weekend. Address for contributions is:

25 Colman Court

Christchurch Avenue

Finchley

London

N12 0DT

Or email at '[email protected]'. Remember you can read the newsletter hot off the press, and before you get your results at 'www.geocities.com/dot_rob/gameplan.html'.

Week Fifteen Review

The Raiders travelled to New England and managed to hold the Pats in check for three quarters, in the fourth the New England offense finally got some reward for the yardage they'd piled up and pulled away. The Chiefs offense was missing in action in Miami, after the Dolphins got a second quarter touchdown the result was never in doubt. Cincinnati continued to hold pole position in the homefield advantage race with a comfortable win over the Jets. The Baltimore offense was piling up the yards in Buffalo but three fumbles gave the Bills enough chances to snatch victory. The Cleveland pass defense was given a severe examination by Seattle and, though they gave up a lot of yards, they got a load of turnovers and only gave up one touchdown. Denver secured themselves a wildcard berth with another solid victory, this time against the Titans.

Carolina secured a wildcard spot despite giving up piles of yards in Arizona. San Francisco added some excitement to week sixteen's games by losing in Philadelphia despite amassing 30 first downs. Washington picked up their first victory of the year with a solid performance against Tampa, the Bucs were lucky to make the game as close as it was. Dallas claimed their wildcard spot thanks to some Detroit fumbles and a kick return touchdown. St Louis took full advantage of San Francisco's slip up with a thrashing of Green Bay, setting up an exciting finish in the West next week. Chicago, usually losing games they should have won, this week won a game they should have lost – New Orleans had over four hundred yards of offense and it wasn't even close.

Offensive performance of the week goes to New England, running and passing they were hard to stop. Defensive performance of the week goes to St Louis, shutting down a dangerous Green Bay offense. Special teams performance of the week goes to Dallas, a kick return touchdown and excellent kicking.

Predictions Standings

Darren Birtchnell

ST LOUIS POST-DESPATCH

NFLBP 2001 Season Week 16 – Game of the Week

San Francisco 49ers (13-2) at Carolina Panthers (8-7)

Recent History – Week 5, Panthers 17 @ 31 49ers

Of all the week 16 games it is the 49ers trip east to Carolina that has by far the most bearing on the playoff picture. Put quite simply, both teams need to win. The 49ers need the win to guarantee another NFC West crown, while the defending Super Bowl Champion Panthers need the win, coupled with a Cowboys loss, to sneak into the playoffs via the back door.

On paper everything points to the 49ers, but don’t be deceived by the one sided score line in the corresponding match up earlier in the season – going into the 4^th quarter the Panthers actually led 17-10 before their always questionable secondary finally caved in. And it is interesting to note that where the 49ers failed to beat the Eagles last week, going down 22-13, only 2 weeks previous the Panthers beat the same Eagles team 31-7.

The 49ers have always been renowned for strong defence and special teams, but this season their offence has been an inspiration, with 3^rd year QB Jeff Garcia spearheading a frightening passing attack, ranked 5th in the league. This is an area where the Panthers don’t match up well, their pass defence may be ranked 11^th but they rely too heavily on their secondary’s tendency to come up with the big interception, their pass rush is poor. For the 49ers this season the ground game has become slightly overlooked, as the teams offence is very much based around getting the passing game going to open up the run. This is something they have had great success with though, as having the leagues 5^th ranked run offence proves. Unfortunately for the Panthers their run defence is only 16^th in the league. The 49ers will most certainly be looking to make the most of the Panthers defensive weaknesses, aiming to have the game won by halftime.

Carolina started the season well and again seemed to have luck on their side, beating the Rams 20-17 in an overtime week 2 match up where everything but interceptions and the score went the Rams way. But consecutive losses to the 49ers, and then in the Super Bowl rematch against the Bengals, seemed to shatter the teams confidence, and they have looked a shadow of their former selves since. Carolina's offence is all geared around keeping their opposition's D honest with the run and then hitting them with play action and option passes. It has to be said that this formula has had some success, as the leagues top ranked pass offence proves. However the running game isn't really as good as it needs to be for this style of play, and the 49ers defence is a solid and wise enough unit to be able to handle Carolina's gameplan.

Despite all this the Panthers do have the ability, at home, to upset the 49ers. Games within the NFC West are always close affairs (and so let’s not take the Rams game over the Saints for granted!), but if there is still only a touchdown difference between the teams going into the 4^th quarter, this one could go either way. However, the line is that the 49ers are 10 point favourites.

So it pains this reporter to say so, but Go Panthers!

STATS CORNER

Martyn Williams

RUSHING ATTEMPTS

PASSING ATTEMPTS

MISC OFFENCE

PASSING DEFENCE

Week Sixteen Preview

Predictions this week from Martyn Williams and Darren Birtchnell.

MW – Patriots by 13 (Lock), Bills by 3 (Slugfest), Bengals by 10 (Shock – Ravens), Browns by 7, Seahawks by 7, Raiders by 10, Eagles by 10, Cowboys by 7, Bucs by 3, Packers by 3, 49ers by 10 (Blowout), Shootout – Saints at Rams.

DB – Pats by 14, Jets by 1, Browns by 7 (Slugfest), Broncos by 7, Raiders by 10, Eagles by 10, Cowboys by 13 (Shootout), Bucs by 3 (Shock), Packers by 10, Rams by 14 (Lock, Blowout), 49ers by 7