Sunday NFL Trends

Sunday, October 29, 2006

 

Joe Duffy’s GodsTips.com will have the 2006 NFL Game of the Year going Sunday.  Dream Team at GodsTips.com is part of the OffshoreInsiders.com Network.

NFL

Seahawks-Chiefs

News Tribune

The Seattle Seahawks have gone from Super Bowl to Backup Bowl in a mere eight months. Starting right tackle Sean Locklear became the latest casualty Friday when the NFL suspended him from the Seahawks’ game at Kansas City on Sunday. The suspension stems from a domestic-violence charge Locklear faced after an argument with his girlfriend in January. The Seahawks were already without Pro Bowl quarterback Matt Hasselbeck and MVP running back Shaun Alexander, among others. The Chiefs, meanwhile, might be down to their third quarterback after Damon Huard suffered a groin injury in practice Thursday. Locklear had missed practice Wednesday and Thursday with an ankle injury. He was listed as questionable on the injury report, so the suspension does not dramatically alter the team’s plans. Veteran Tom Ashworth, a former Super Bowl starter with New England, will make his first start for the Seahawks. Tight end Jerramy Stevens is expected to make his first start of the season unless Seattle opens the game with two backs and three receivers, or with one back and four receivers. Seattle opened its first four games without a tight end.

Jaguars-Eagles

Orlando Sentinel

Byron Leftwich missed his second practice session in as many days on Friday, the final day of Jags prep work for their game at Philadelphia. For the second day in a row, David Garrard took all the snaps in Leftwich’s place, a sign that the backup is likely to be Sunday’s starter. Leftwich is listed as questionable because of soreness in his left ankle. It’s possible Del Rio has told his team who will start, but if so, he wasn’t willing to let anyone else know Friday. “I’m not making any public proclamations. There’s been enough said and written already,” Del Rio said. “Tune in at 1 o’clock on Sunday.” Garrard, a fifth-year pro from East Carolina, has played in 18 career games, with eight starts. His late-season success in Leftwich’s place earned the Jags a wild-card playoff berth. Regardless of the quarterback situation, the Jags again will be shorthanded on game day. Pro Bowl defensive tackle Marcus Stroud was declared out Friday; he’ll miss his third game in a row with a bone bruise to his ankle. Nickelback Terry Cousin was declared out earlier this week with a strained groin.

Steelers-Raiders

Post Gazette

Their run defense, which ranks ninth in the NFL, has not allowed a 100-yard rusher this season, stretching the streak to just one in the past 40 games. Their pass defense is tied for the NFL lead with 11 interceptions, just four fewer than all of last season. What’s more, there have been instances, even in the past three games, where opponents have needed a furniture van to move the ball against them. Kansas City went six consecutive series with just three plays and a punt. Four of the first five series in Atlanta were three-and-out for the Falcons. Even the San Diego Chargers managed just three plays on their first three possessions against the Steelers’ defense. Barring some unforeseen circumstance or a change in his medical condition, Ben Roethlisberger will start at quarterback tomorrow against the Oakland Raiders, a week after he was knocked unconscious and had a concussion in Atlanta.

Ravens-New Orleans

Washington Post

If the Ravens (4-2) had played last weekend, McNair said he probably would not have been able to go. But the time off helped rejuvenate him, and he came back to the practice field feeling fresh. McNair also used the time off to step back and evaluate his performance. He is currently tied with Miami’s Joey Harrington as the 30^th-ranked passer in the NFL (rating of 64.1, well below his career rating of 82.5). He has more interceptions (seven) than touchdown passes (five), and three of the interceptions have come in his last 12 pass attempts.

49ers-Bears

Chicago Sports

During his limited tenure as a starter, Bears QB Rex Grossman has typically come back better after a dismal game and, more important, followed with a win.In 2003, Grossman completed 13 of 30 passes and threw no touchdowns or interceptions for a 60.0 passer rating in his first NFL start, a 13-10 win over the Vikings. He followed with two touchdowns and a pick for a 91.8 rating in a 27-24 win over the Redskins. His abysmal 2004 season opener against the Lions (43.4 rating, no TD, two interceptions) was overshadowed a week later in Green Bay when Grossman was 10-for-18, part of a 74.3 rating in a 21-10 upset of the Packers. Last season’s return to active duty against the Falcons was less than auspicious, with a 47.1 rating and no scores and an interception. He started the next week and improved his rating to 68.4 in another win at Green Bay. But Grossman’s 47.8 completion percentage against the Packers was a portent; his 17-for-41 passing against the Panthers was a central part of the Bears’ playoff failure.