In this issue...
First of all, apologies for last week. I did write a newsletter but the Easter post
meant that it, and my orders, didn't arrive with Danny in time. Of course, in the
case of my orders, that didn't seem to make much difference! Predictably the number
of contributions has dropped (there's no point you all writing stuff if I'm not going
to get the newsletter done) so I've had to do most of the work myself this week.
Hopefully next issue will be back to normal. If you want to obtain a copy of the
last issue either go to my website (http://robertc.future.easyspace.com/) or write
and ask:
2 Lily Terrace
Edinburgh
EH11 1PN
The 49ers exploded in the second quarter for seventeen points, which was too much for
the Dolphins. Miami struggled to run the ball while San Francisco ran with ease all
day. The Saints relied on their running game to beat the Bills as their passing game
was limited to short passes and dumpoffs. Detroit have shown some signs of life in
recent weeks but were fortunate to beat New York. The Jets gained nearly twice as
many yards but the Lions were able to take advantage of turnovers to steal the win.
New England presented little in way of opposition to the Bucs, their good passing
performance was offset by six sacks from Tampa Bay. Arizona required two fourth
quarter touchdowns to triumph over a resurgent Pittsburgh. The Steelers got ahead
early but struggled to run the ball on the Cardinals defense, and their inability to
control the clock cost them. Dallas heaped more misery on Jacksonville, shutting
them out despite conceding 26 first downs. The Bengals continued their march towards
the playoffs with a comfortable victory over Carolina. Cleveland needed a huge
offensive performance and ten fourth quarter points to get the better of St Louis.
Oakland, perfect in the regular season last year, brought an end to the last perfect
record this year with a shutout victory over Green Bay. Denver kept ahead in the AFC
West with a narrow victory over the Bears. Seattle surprised the Redskins with some
long passes to complement their power running. In a game where the teams combined
for over 400 yards on the ground it was the Seahawks twenty yards per completion that
gave them the edge. The Eagles built a big lead in the first quarter then went to
sleep, the Chiefs stunned them in the third to edge ahead but Philadelphia pulled the
game out with a fourth quarter touchdown.
Offensive performance of the week goes to the Browns, 547 yards is good against
anybody. Defensive performance of the week goes to the Raiders, getting their
revenge with a shutout of the Packers. The special teams award goes to the Rams,
over 200 yards in returns in a losing effort.
This is a bit of fun we have every year. The voting procedure is quite simple: Each
coach has three votes for each position; You can vote for any player in your
conference except for players on your own team, although it is acceptable to submit a
second set of votes for the other conference (because we usually don't get enough
voters to make it fair on the teams of those voting). The categories are: QB; RB
(any of FB, HB or RB); TE; WR; OL; DL; LB; DB; K; P. You should list three choices
in each category, numbered 1, 2 and 3 by preference and votes should be in time for
the last week of the regular season. In addition I will be collating votes for Coach
of the Year (AFC, NFC and overall), MVP (League's most valuable player) and Rookie of
the Year.
In season one: The Cardinals lost to the Rams while the Cowboys beat the Lions to
leave them tied at the top of the NFC East with one game to play.
In season two: Arizona clinched the NFC East title thanks to the 49ers victory over
the Cowboys, the Cardinals returned the favour with their victory over the Saints.
Predictions and commentary from myself, extra predictions from Darren Birtchnell.
Dolphins at Broncos
The Dolphins are rapidly slipping out of the playoff
running,
only in with a chance because of the poor records of their
divisional rivals, while the Broncos are going from strength
to strength. BRONCOS BY 7
DB - BRONCOS BY 7
Bills at Raiders
The league's fourth and seventh ranked run offenses go
up
against the ninth and third ranked run defenses. On paper,
the Raiders have the edge but they have been known to
struggle against teams capable of shutting down their running
game.
DB - RAIDERS BY 10
Jets at Jaguars
Jacksonville have been a shadow of their former selves
and
are unlikely to provide much opposition for the Jets. JETS
BY 7
DB - JETS BY 6
Patriots at Steelers
After a tough loss last week the Steelers get a chance
to
practice their offense. STEELERS BY 10
DB - STEELERS BY 10
Browns at Seahawks
A surprise victory last week shows how dangerous the
Seahawks
can be when you don't control their running game. Cleveland
actually have a worse run defense than Washington...
SEAHAWKS BY 1
DB - BROWNS BY 6
Bengals at Chiefs
The bottom has fallen out of the Chiefs' season and,
once
again, defense is the main culprit. The Bengals are looking
to stay within range of the Broncos with an eye on homefield
for the playoffs. BENGALS BY 14
DB - NO PREDICTION
Cardinals at Saints
Get your tickets early for this one. The Saints feature
the
league's best run offense but are vulnerable to the pass.
The Cardinals have great special teams and the second best
run defense, and lead the league in scoring despite being
mediocre on offense. CARDINALS BY 1
DB - CARDINALS BY 1
Cowboys at 49ers
The 49ers are far too good to lose to the Cowboys.
49ERS BY
10
DB - 49ERS BY 10
Redskins at Bears
The Bears' big chance. A win here will put them level
with
the Redskins and a game back on the Eagles and Bucs in the
wildcard race. A loss means the end of any serious hopes.
Unfortunately for Chicago, winning will require them stopping
the Redskins running game. REDSKINS BY 3
DB - REDSKINS BY 3
Eagles at Packers
Hard to see the Packers losing two in a row, they have
an
edge on the Eagles in every department. PACKERS BY 7
DB - PACKERS BY 10
Bucs at Panthers
Power running team versus Carolina defense. Should be a
forgone conclusion, but we've thought that before. BUCS BY 3
DB - BUCS BY 3
Lions at Rams
Two teams trying to make the best of disappointing
seasons.
The Lions should edge it in a high scoring game. LIONS BY 3
DB - LIONS BY 1
Well, that's all folks. Another truncated edition but, hopefully, you'll all at
least get to see it!
Rob
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