Blitz Packages - Week 15
December 13th, 2002
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Redskins @ Eagles
Redskins: The Eagles should easily control this game, so I am expecting the tackle totals to be poor to average- 7-10 for LBs and 3-6 for DBs. The Eagle OL has been stout so the sack potential is pretty low, probably only 2 for the whole team. Arrington should get one, and Bailey will be busy, but they are the only starters I think that will be consistent for you.
Eagles: You know how Berman always says, "No one circles the wagons like the Buffalo Bills"? Well he should be saying it about the Eagles. The D has been playing out of their minds while covering for the injuries on offense. They have allowed merely five sacks, while getting 20, in the past month. Since they should control the clock, the LB totals will be low, 6-8, but the DBs should be average - 4-6 and 1-2 PDs. They should also get 1-2 picks since the DL will easily bring the wood to the Redskins QB-of-the-week. Give LB Barber 7 and a sack, DL Douglas 2 and a sack. The potential for Dawkins to get a pick, and a TD, I'd say is high.
Chargers @ Bills
Chargers: The tackle totals will be good for both sides since the Bills will run Henry enough keep the WRs open. It gets even better if the weather gets bad, so keep an eye on the forecast and bump up the IDPs accordingly if it gets nasty. Give Edwards at least 10, Seau 8 and Harrison 9.
Bills: You know the Chargers are more conservative than the Bills, so the tackle totals should be better. Give Fletcher 10+, and Robinson 8. The DBs will get in the 5-7 range.
Seahawks @ Falcons
Seahawks: The Seahawks are a giving team when it comes to allowing opponents to run over, around and through them. So the tackle totals should be high in this game. Give 8-10 to Simmons IF he plays, and 4-6 to Tongue.
Falcons: DL Kerney is a no-brain starter each week. You know that Brooking will get his 10, but after thim the pickings get slim. Draft will be the next best play at about 8. Other than those two, there isn't much to recommend for the Falcon DBs.
Ravens @ Texans:
Ravens: Too bad McCrary is out because the dreadful Texan OL is here. The DL should make some plays but I bet the LBs will get the sacks. DL Gregg is a nice long shot given his nice outing last week and the favorable matchup. Give Hartwell (8 tackles) one, Boulware two sacks and seven tackles and Harris 7 tackles. DB Reed will get 6 tackle. McAlister will be in that neighborhood as well and possibly a pick.
Texans: Sharper and Foreman are as consistent as ever, so keep starting them. Sharper has the sack potential. Give him one and 9 tackles. Foreman should get at least 10 tackles, but I'm thinking more like 12. DB Glenn is red hot and a must start. DB Stevens had a nice game last week but I think that the Ravens aren't good enough to help him do it again, and should only get 6.
Panthers @ Steelers
Panthers: The sack potential here is pretty average, with the Steelers only yielding about 2 per game. Rucker has been solid all year but is a rough start here. I am going to start him because he's been so solid, but I'm going to pair him with another good DL to protect myself. You should too. LB Witherspoon and DB Howard have been killing lately, but the Steeler run game is not what it once was, so I expect average numbers for them - 8-10 for Witherspoon and 5-7 for Howard.
Steelers: The Panthers rushing attack has been bad, so Bell and the other LBs will be poor to average - 7-10 tackles. Bell keeps on sacking, and he should get his third in a row this week. Peete will throw at least one pick, but the low tackle totals make the Steeler DBs pretty much backups at best.
Vikings @ Saints
Vikings: The Saints should pile up the yards with McAllister. Too bad the IDPs have been so poor. Biekert may surprise and get more than 8. Chavous' production is still hurting because of the learning curve, so give him 4-6.
Saints: The Saints used to have a tough run D, but that hasn't been the case lately. Good news for LB Edwards owners. He should easily get 10. Seau will chime in with 8. DB Harrison has returned to Olympus, and will get you 9. As long as McNeil plays, he's good for 4-6 tackles and a PD as well.
Bucs @ Lions:
Bucs: This is another game that promises to be a snooze fest. The Bucs should easily whip the Lions, with their vaunted low octane attack. I think I'll buy a bag of sea monkeys and watch them grow. Rice will have a nice day at 4 tackles and 2 sacks. Sapp (2-3 tackles and a sack) is a must start as is Brooks, and Quarles should get about 6-8. Harrington has thrown more picks than scores the past month. DB Kelly should get one and 2-4 tackles.
Lions: All the usual suspects will perform in their usual ways. Porcher will get about 5 tackles. Rogers has really rebounded from that injury and will get 5-7 tackles. He'll get a sack if Porcher doesn't. Claiborne will be average at 10 tackles. DB Lyght has been rock solid and hit 6-8 tackles.
Jaguars @ Bengals:
Jaguars: This matchup is pretty even for both teams. I think that both teams will move the ball well so the match doesn't favor either team for tackles. Give the LBs 6-8, and the DBs 4-6. DL Henderson should re-emerge and get 5-7, but he's been so erratic he's a risk to recommend. DB Darius is a solid start at 7-8 tackles.
Bengals: The Bengal OL is pretty average, so this is a good week to play DL Smith as a long shot. He should get 3-5 tackles and a sack. The LBs will get 7-10 tackles, with Spikes at 7 and a sack and Simmons at eight. Hawkins has cooled off and I don't think he gets untracked here against Brunell. Hawkins will have 5-7 tackles and a PD.
Jets @ Bears
Jets: Let's see�the Bears are down to their brittle second string QB, their RB is out and their offense hasn't come out of hibernation since the '98 season. Time to get Bearish on the Jet IDPs. The LBs have a poor to average match, giving them 6-9 tackles. I think Cowart will get a sack - for sure one of the LBs will. The DBs will get a tad less with 5-7.
Bears: DL Brown has been playing well and remains a starter (3-1-1). Brian Urlacher has a great matchup and will get you at least 10 stops. Colvin make a nice play too at 9 or less. DB McQuarters will get six and Brown will get at least that too.
Raiders @ Dolphins
Raiders: The Raider LBs have been solid but unspectacular all year. Barton will get 10 and should have a sack too. LB Harris shouldn't get outplayed by Romo again, but will probably only get 8. Rod Woodson is a stud and never gets benched. Charles Woodson should be back and will get tested, with 6 tackles.
Dolphins: The lack of mobility Gannon has will get exposed by Jason Taylor. I think four tackles and at least one sack are in order. LB Thomas is a stud as usual. The DBs will get 4-6 tackles, but Freeman is a good long shot player. Give him 5 with a bullet.
Colts @ Browns
Colts: This game is pretty average in tackles for both teams. Freeney (and Scioli if he plays) will be able to get pressure on Couch. Freeney gets 4-6 tackles and at least a sack. Scioli is close to that too should he be able to play. Other than that, the LBs will be average at 8-10 and the DBs at 4-6.
Browns: The DL has been invisible all year and there is no reason to think that improves here. The LBs will get 8-10, and the DBs 5-7. Like I said, a pretty average match for both teams.
Chiefs @ Broncos
Chiefs: This is a pretty goof match for both teams for tackles. DL Hicks will post 3-5 and a sack. Maslowski will get 8-10, and Paton could make another appearance with 6-9. But Ski could just as eaily get 12 and Patton 6, so start Patton at your own risk. DB Bartee is back and healthy. Of course - I finally got fed up and dropped him at our FA deadline. Sheesh. Still, he gets picked on and should get 7-1o tackles. The other DBs will be a little less than that at 6-9.
Broncos: Priest Holmes makes LB Al Wilson a stud this week. 12 tackles seems about right. LB Gold will be busy too and get 8-10. DB O'Neal will see a lot of action by land and air, and should easily get 6-8 tackles.
Cowboys @ Giants
Cowboys: Ellis has been hot and should have at least one sack as well as 4-6 tackles. Both teams have issues on offense which render this a pretty neutral tackle matchup. Give Nguyen 7-9 and Coakley 6-8. DB Williams got over his mid season erratic play, and will net you his usual - about 6-9 tackles. Goodbye, Darren Woodson.
Giants: Strahan is a fine start, and will get numbers close to that of Ellis - 4-6 tackles and at least one sack. Give the LBs 6-8 tackles, and the DBs 4-6.
Packers @ 49ers
Packers: Overall, another even game. KGB is still making plays remains a solid starter at 5 tackles and a sack. The LBs will be poor to average at 7-10 tackles. Sharper will be in that range as well with 6-8.
49ers: Carter has a tough road here, and shouldn't get more than 3-5 tackles and a sack if he's lucky. The LBs will get average numbers - around 9 tackles. The DBs are in trouble with all the injuries and will have 5-7 tackles since I expect them to get picked on and make compensation tackles.
Cardinals @ Rams (SNF)
Cardinals: Vanden Bosch makes a great spot play this week. He gets to face John "revolving door" St. John. He should have at least one sack and 3-5 tackles. The LBs are iffy plays since Bulger is good enough to run the O - and LBs historically don't fare well against the Rams. Give them 7-9. The DBs should be nice at 6-8 tackles.
Rams: Even if Wistrom plays, his numbers would be tame - 2-4 tackles and a sack at most. The LBs haven't been productive seemingly since Fletcher left. Give them 7-9 tackles. But that's good news for Archuleta. He should have a great game and get you 10 tackles.
Patriots @ Titans (MNF)
Patriots: This game figures to be pretty average for LB tackles. Both teams have improved their defenses, especially their run defenses, so the RBs will have a tough go of it. Give LB Johnson 7-9 and the others slightly less. DB Milloy is a nice reach play with all the running, and could get 8 tackles.
Titans: The sack potential is low as well since the OLs are stout. 1-2 sacks at best is what you can expect. LB Bulluck may fall off a bit and only have 8, while Godfrey could be nice since Smith is such a North/South runner. The problem is, Bulluck has been an animal and you can't bench him since he could go off any game. Give Godfrey 9-10. DB Schulters should also get about 8 as well.
Always start your studs!
Tom Nadratowski
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