Showing posts with label NFL. Show all posts
Showing posts with label NFL. Show all posts
Sunday, October 25, 2009
POD: Houston-3.0 (NFL) D
Sunday, October 25, 2009
POD: San Francisco @ Houston-3.0 (3K units) D
Watch the games live for FREE @ Bet365
The Texans and their much-improved defense look to stop a 49ers team that will have Frank Gore(notes) back and Michael Crabtree(notes) finally on the field Sunday.
Houston’s defense has rebounded after a terrible start, particularly against the run. The Texans (3-3) have limited opponents to 135 rushing yards over their last three games after giving up 615 in their first three.
Not even Cedric Benson(notes), who entered last week’s games as the NFL’s leading rusher, was able to get on track against Houston. The Texans held Benson to a season-low 44 yards in a 28-17 win at Cincinnati last Sunday.
It was Houston’s second win during its defense’s best three-game stretch against the run in team history.
“We have come a long way,” linebacker DeMeco Ryans(notes) said.
Kubiak said the players haven’t done much differently; they’re just handling the basics better.
“I think we’ve eliminated some mistakes and assignment issues and just been more sound in what we’re doing and it’s adding up to more plays,” he said.
Now Houston has to find a way to slow down Gore, who is set to return after missing two games while recovering from a sprained right ankle. Quarterback Shaun Hill(notes) was San Francisco’s leading rusher in a 45-10 loss to Atlanta on Oct. 11, gaining 53 yards.
Gore was outstanding in his last full game, running for 207 yards and two touchdowns in a 23-10 win over Seattle on Sept. 20.
“We just have to be ourselves and just go out there and play and try to keep the chains moving and get points,” Gore said of facing an improved Texans defense. “If we do that, we should have a great chance of winning. That’s all we have to do.”
Gore spent some of the 49ers’ bye week working out with Crabtree. The rookie receiver, selected 10th overall, finally signed a six-year contract Oct. 7, and there’s a chance the former Texas Tech star will start Sunday.
Crabtree will make his debut in his home state of Texas.
“There are some things that you can prepare him for, but there are other things that he just has to go through and I think that this is one of them,” Singletary said of Crabtree’s first game. “You have to let those guys line up against him and put their hands on you and see some of the complexities of the defense and how they are setting you up.
“You come to the sideline with your head on a swivel a little bit, but I don’t think that it’s going to be too big for him. To me, even though he’s come in late, he looks like he’s ready.”
Hill is in desperate need of a big-play threat at wide receiver. He has been held under 200 yards passing in four straight games.
Hill completed 15 of 38 passes for 198 yards while throwing an interception against the Falcons. His favorite target has been tight end Vernon Davis(notes), who has 22 catches for 262 yards and three TDs.
Matt Schaub(notes), meanwhile, continues to lead a potent Houston offense. He matched a career high with four TD passes and threw for 392 yards against the Bengals.
In his last two games, Schaub has gone 63 of 90 for 763 yards with six TDs and a passer rating of 108.7. He’s done an excellent job of utilizing Andre Johnson(notes), one of the NFL’s most dangerous receivers.
Johnson has 16 receptions for 236 yards and two TDs in his last two games. He’s second in the NFL with 572 yards, averaging 15.9 per reception.
With safeties cheating toward Johnson, tight end Owen Daniels(notes) has had an easier time finding room to work over the middle. He had seven catches for 78 yards and two TDs against Cincinnati.
Houston was held to 196 yards passing in a 20-17 overtime loss at San Francisco on Jan. 1, 2006, the teams’ only meeting. Gore rushed for 108 yards in that game. (Y! Sports)
Watch the games live for FREE @ Bet365
The Texans and their much-improved defense look to stop a 49ers team that will have Frank Gore(notes) back and Michael Crabtree(notes) finally on the field Sunday.
Houston’s defense has rebounded after a terrible start, particularly against the run. The Texans (3-3) have limited opponents to 135 rushing yards over their last three games after giving up 615 in their first three.
Not even Cedric Benson(notes), who entered last week’s games as the NFL’s leading rusher, was able to get on track against Houston. The Texans held Benson to a season-low 44 yards in a 28-17 win at Cincinnati last Sunday.
It was Houston’s second win during its defense’s best three-game stretch against the run in team history.
“We have come a long way,” linebacker DeMeco Ryans(notes) said.
Kubiak said the players haven’t done much differently; they’re just handling the basics better.
“I think we’ve eliminated some mistakes and assignment issues and just been more sound in what we’re doing and it’s adding up to more plays,” he said.
Now Houston has to find a way to slow down Gore, who is set to return after missing two games while recovering from a sprained right ankle. Quarterback Shaun Hill(notes) was San Francisco’s leading rusher in a 45-10 loss to Atlanta on Oct. 11, gaining 53 yards.
Gore was outstanding in his last full game, running for 207 yards and two touchdowns in a 23-10 win over Seattle on Sept. 20.
“We just have to be ourselves and just go out there and play and try to keep the chains moving and get points,” Gore said of facing an improved Texans defense. “If we do that, we should have a great chance of winning. That’s all we have to do.”
Gore spent some of the 49ers’ bye week working out with Crabtree. The rookie receiver, selected 10th overall, finally signed a six-year contract Oct. 7, and there’s a chance the former Texas Tech star will start Sunday.
Crabtree will make his debut in his home state of Texas.
“There are some things that you can prepare him for, but there are other things that he just has to go through and I think that this is one of them,” Singletary said of Crabtree’s first game. “You have to let those guys line up against him and put their hands on you and see some of the complexities of the defense and how they are setting you up.
“You come to the sideline with your head on a swivel a little bit, but I don’t think that it’s going to be too big for him. To me, even though he’s come in late, he looks like he’s ready.”
Hill is in desperate need of a big-play threat at wide receiver. He has been held under 200 yards passing in four straight games.
Hill completed 15 of 38 passes for 198 yards while throwing an interception against the Falcons. His favorite target has been tight end Vernon Davis(notes), who has 22 catches for 262 yards and three TDs.
Matt Schaub(notes), meanwhile, continues to lead a potent Houston offense. He matched a career high with four TD passes and threw for 392 yards against the Bengals.
In his last two games, Schaub has gone 63 of 90 for 763 yards with six TDs and a passer rating of 108.7. He’s done an excellent job of utilizing Andre Johnson(notes), one of the NFL’s most dangerous receivers.
Johnson has 16 receptions for 236 yards and two TDs in his last two games. He’s second in the NFL with 572 yards, averaging 15.9 per reception.
With safeties cheating toward Johnson, tight end Owen Daniels(notes) has had an easier time finding room to work over the middle. He had seven catches for 78 yards and two TDs against Cincinnati.
Houston was held to 196 yards passing in a 20-17 overtime loss at San Francisco on Jan. 1, 2006, the teams’ only meeting. Gore rushed for 108 yards in that game. (Y! Sports)
POD: Houston-3.0 (NFL) D
Sunday, October 25, 2009
POD: San Francisco @ Houston-3.0 (3K units) D
Watch the games live for FREE @ Bet365
The Texans and their much-improved defense look to stop a 49ers team that will have Frank Gore(notes) back and Michael Crabtree(notes) finally on the field Sunday.
Houston’s defense has rebounded after a terrible start, particularly against the run. The Texans (3-3) have limited opponents to 135 rushing yards over their last three games after giving up 615 in their first three.
Not even Cedric Benson(notes), who entered last week’s games as the NFL’s leading rusher, was able to get on track against Houston. The Texans held Benson to a season-low 44 yards in a 28-17 win at Cincinnati last Sunday.
It was Houston’s second win during its defense’s best three-game stretch against the run in team history.
“We have come a long way,” linebacker DeMeco Ryans(notes) said.
Kubiak said the players haven’t done much differently; they’re just handling the basics better.
“I think we’ve eliminated some mistakes and assignment issues and just been more sound in what we’re doing and it’s adding up to more plays,” he said.
Now Houston has to find a way to slow down Gore, who is set to return after missing two games while recovering from a sprained right ankle. Quarterback Shaun Hill(notes) was San Francisco’s leading rusher in a 45-10 loss to Atlanta on Oct. 11, gaining 53 yards.
Gore was outstanding in his last full game, running for 207 yards and two touchdowns in a 23-10 win over Seattle on Sept. 20.
“We just have to be ourselves and just go out there and play and try to keep the chains moving and get points,” Gore said of facing an improved Texans defense. “If we do that, we should have a great chance of winning. That’s all we have to do.”
Gore spent some of the 49ers’ bye week working out with Crabtree. The rookie receiver, selected 10th overall, finally signed a six-year contract Oct. 7, and there’s a chance the former Texas Tech star will start Sunday.
Crabtree will make his debut in his home state of Texas.
“There are some things that you can prepare him for, but there are other things that he just has to go through and I think that this is one of them,” Singletary said of Crabtree’s first game. “You have to let those guys line up against him and put their hands on you and see some of the complexities of the defense and how they are setting you up.
“You come to the sideline with your head on a swivel a little bit, but I don’t think that it’s going to be too big for him. To me, even though he’s come in late, he looks like he’s ready.”
Hill is in desperate need of a big-play threat at wide receiver. He has been held under 200 yards passing in four straight games.
Hill completed 15 of 38 passes for 198 yards while throwing an interception against the Falcons. His favorite target has been tight end Vernon Davis(notes), who has 22 catches for 262 yards and three TDs.
Matt Schaub(notes), meanwhile, continues to lead a potent Houston offense. He matched a career high with four TD passes and threw for 392 yards against the Bengals.
In his last two games, Schaub has gone 63 of 90 for 763 yards with six TDs and a passer rating of 108.7. He’s done an excellent job of utilizing Andre Johnson(notes), one of the NFL’s most dangerous receivers.
Johnson has 16 receptions for 236 yards and two TDs in his last two games. He’s second in the NFL with 572 yards, averaging 15.9 per reception.
With safeties cheating toward Johnson, tight end Owen Daniels(notes) has had an easier time finding room to work over the middle. He had seven catches for 78 yards and two TDs against Cincinnati.
Houston was held to 196 yards passing in a 20-17 overtime loss at San Francisco on Jan. 1, 2006, the teams’ only meeting. Gore rushed for 108 yards in that game. (Y! Sports)
Watch the games live for FREE @ Bet365
The Texans and their much-improved defense look to stop a 49ers team that will have Frank Gore(notes) back and Michael Crabtree(notes) finally on the field Sunday.
Houston’s defense has rebounded after a terrible start, particularly against the run. The Texans (3-3) have limited opponents to 135 rushing yards over their last three games after giving up 615 in their first three.
Not even Cedric Benson(notes), who entered last week’s games as the NFL’s leading rusher, was able to get on track against Houston. The Texans held Benson to a season-low 44 yards in a 28-17 win at Cincinnati last Sunday.
It was Houston’s second win during its defense’s best three-game stretch against the run in team history.
“We have come a long way,” linebacker DeMeco Ryans(notes) said.
Kubiak said the players haven’t done much differently; they’re just handling the basics better.
“I think we’ve eliminated some mistakes and assignment issues and just been more sound in what we’re doing and it’s adding up to more plays,” he said.
Now Houston has to find a way to slow down Gore, who is set to return after missing two games while recovering from a sprained right ankle. Quarterback Shaun Hill(notes) was San Francisco’s leading rusher in a 45-10 loss to Atlanta on Oct. 11, gaining 53 yards.
Gore was outstanding in his last full game, running for 207 yards and two touchdowns in a 23-10 win over Seattle on Sept. 20.
“We just have to be ourselves and just go out there and play and try to keep the chains moving and get points,” Gore said of facing an improved Texans defense. “If we do that, we should have a great chance of winning. That’s all we have to do.”
Gore spent some of the 49ers’ bye week working out with Crabtree. The rookie receiver, selected 10th overall, finally signed a six-year contract Oct. 7, and there’s a chance the former Texas Tech star will start Sunday.
Crabtree will make his debut in his home state of Texas.
“There are some things that you can prepare him for, but there are other things that he just has to go through and I think that this is one of them,” Singletary said of Crabtree’s first game. “You have to let those guys line up against him and put their hands on you and see some of the complexities of the defense and how they are setting you up.
“You come to the sideline with your head on a swivel a little bit, but I don’t think that it’s going to be too big for him. To me, even though he’s come in late, he looks like he’s ready.”
Hill is in desperate need of a big-play threat at wide receiver. He has been held under 200 yards passing in four straight games.
Hill completed 15 of 38 passes for 198 yards while throwing an interception against the Falcons. His favorite target has been tight end Vernon Davis(notes), who has 22 catches for 262 yards and three TDs.
Matt Schaub(notes), meanwhile, continues to lead a potent Houston offense. He matched a career high with four TD passes and threw for 392 yards against the Bengals.
In his last two games, Schaub has gone 63 of 90 for 763 yards with six TDs and a passer rating of 108.7. He’s done an excellent job of utilizing Andre Johnson(notes), one of the NFL’s most dangerous receivers.
Johnson has 16 receptions for 236 yards and two TDs in his last two games. He’s second in the NFL with 572 yards, averaging 15.9 per reception.
With safeties cheating toward Johnson, tight end Owen Daniels(notes) has had an easier time finding room to work over the middle. He had seven catches for 78 yards and two TDs against Cincinnati.
Houston was held to 196 yards passing in a 20-17 overtime loss at San Francisco on Jan. 1, 2006, the teams’ only meeting. Gore rushed for 108 yards in that game. (Y! Sports)
Sunday, October 18, 2009
POD: New Orleans-2.5 (NFL) W
Sunday, October 18, 2009
POD: New York @ New Orleans-2.5 (3K units) W
Watch the games live for FREE @ Bet365
Manning and the Giants take on Jeremy Shockey(notes) and the New Orleans Saints on Sunday in a matchup of two of the five remaining unbeaten teams.
This trip promises to be a special one for Manning. His main concern is helping New York (5-0) remain perfect after he played less than a half in last week’s 44-7 rout of Oakland due to plantar fasciitis suffered the week before.
Manning missed two days of practice last week and took a limited number of snaps Wednesday as a precaution against aggravating his heel.
His father, Archie, quarterbacked the Saints when Manning was a youngster, and his parents live about 10 minutes away from the Superdome.
“I am excited about it,” Manning said. “First time playing in the Superdome, ever, for any level of football. I am excited about getting the opportunity to play where my father spent most of his career, going to back to New Orleans and playing New Orleans, who is playing very well this year.
“Two undefeated teams. It should be a great atmosphere.”
While this game features a matchup of two of the top quarterbacks in Manning and the Saints’ Drew Brees(notes), a player who has emerged as New Orleans’ leading receiver has become a focal point.
Shockey will face the Giants for the first time since the tight end was traded to New Orleans (4-0) shortly before training camps opened in 2008. He spent six years with New York, reaching the Pro Bowl four times while blossoming with Manning as his quarterback.
Those years were marked, however, by numerous incidents, including a shouting feud with general manager Jerry Reese right before being traded. Shockey was critical of the way the Giants treated him during their run to the Super Bowl title two years ago, saying he did not feel welcome at team events or on the sideline during the playoffs.
On Wednesday, Shockey refused to discuss his feelings about the Giants.
“It’s not about me, all right? So no more questions (about that). It’s about two teams going against each other,” he said. “I want to make that clear. There’s already been some references about vendettas and stuff like that. It’s about two teams. It’s two great teams playing against each other.”
Giants players believe Shockey will be trying to prove a point Sunday. After an injury-plagued 2008 season, he currently leads New Orleans with 18 receptions and has 162 yards receiving and two touchdowns.
“I think Jeremy, just like any competitive guy, wants to get the ball and feels like any safety or linebacker is a great matchup and that he is going to get open,” Brees said. “Which the majority of the time he does, he is a great player. I think he fits very well into what we are trying to do.”
Manning and Brees rank second and third in quarterback rating this season, but both teams also have strong ground attacks. That’s not surprising for the Giants, who led the league in rushing last year and rank fourth in 2009 with 160.4 yards per game.
New Orleans, though, ranked 28th in that department last year and now features the second-best rushing attack in the NFL at 166.2 yards per game.
“This certainly presents a very real challenge,” said Giants coach Tom Coughlin, whose club also owns the league’s top defense. “Our guys have to rise up and play well against the run. As I said, there are a lot of things to defend. But certainly that is where it all starts for us, is with the run.”
The Saints, meanwhile, will try to stop a New York attack that also features Steve Smith, who leads the league with 37 catches and 481 yards receiving.
New Orleans’ defense is ranked sixth in the league, and the improved unit is guided by defensive coordinator Gregg Williams, who is familiar to New York from his days with Washington.
“Yeah, it’s his defense,” Manning said. “A lot of different schemes based by the game and some of it is the stuff he ran back at Washington and some of it is new stuff. But they can be very aggressive.”
Brees is 2-0 against the Giants, including a 30-7 road win Dec. 24, 2006 in the last meeting between these teams. He’ll be up against the league’s top-rated secondary that includes former LSU cornerback Corey Webster(notes).
This is the Giants’ second trip to the Superdome since 1995. They lost 45-7 in 2003 and a scheduled matchup in 2005 was shifted to Giants Stadium due to Hurricane Katrina as New York won 27-10.
Watch the games live for FREE @ Bet365
Manning and the Giants take on Jeremy Shockey(notes) and the New Orleans Saints on Sunday in a matchup of two of the five remaining unbeaten teams.
This trip promises to be a special one for Manning. His main concern is helping New York (5-0) remain perfect after he played less than a half in last week’s 44-7 rout of Oakland due to plantar fasciitis suffered the week before.
Manning missed two days of practice last week and took a limited number of snaps Wednesday as a precaution against aggravating his heel.
His father, Archie, quarterbacked the Saints when Manning was a youngster, and his parents live about 10 minutes away from the Superdome.
“I am excited about it,” Manning said. “First time playing in the Superdome, ever, for any level of football. I am excited about getting the opportunity to play where my father spent most of his career, going to back to New Orleans and playing New Orleans, who is playing very well this year.
“Two undefeated teams. It should be a great atmosphere.”
While this game features a matchup of two of the top quarterbacks in Manning and the Saints’ Drew Brees(notes), a player who has emerged as New Orleans’ leading receiver has become a focal point.
Shockey will face the Giants for the first time since the tight end was traded to New Orleans (4-0) shortly before training camps opened in 2008. He spent six years with New York, reaching the Pro Bowl four times while blossoming with Manning as his quarterback.
Those years were marked, however, by numerous incidents, including a shouting feud with general manager Jerry Reese right before being traded. Shockey was critical of the way the Giants treated him during their run to the Super Bowl title two years ago, saying he did not feel welcome at team events or on the sideline during the playoffs.
On Wednesday, Shockey refused to discuss his feelings about the Giants.
“It’s not about me, all right? So no more questions (about that). It’s about two teams going against each other,” he said. “I want to make that clear. There’s already been some references about vendettas and stuff like that. It’s about two teams. It’s two great teams playing against each other.”
Giants players believe Shockey will be trying to prove a point Sunday. After an injury-plagued 2008 season, he currently leads New Orleans with 18 receptions and has 162 yards receiving and two touchdowns.
“I think Jeremy, just like any competitive guy, wants to get the ball and feels like any safety or linebacker is a great matchup and that he is going to get open,” Brees said. “Which the majority of the time he does, he is a great player. I think he fits very well into what we are trying to do.”
Manning and Brees rank second and third in quarterback rating this season, but both teams also have strong ground attacks. That’s not surprising for the Giants, who led the league in rushing last year and rank fourth in 2009 with 160.4 yards per game.
New Orleans, though, ranked 28th in that department last year and now features the second-best rushing attack in the NFL at 166.2 yards per game.
“This certainly presents a very real challenge,” said Giants coach Tom Coughlin, whose club also owns the league’s top defense. “Our guys have to rise up and play well against the run. As I said, there are a lot of things to defend. But certainly that is where it all starts for us, is with the run.”
The Saints, meanwhile, will try to stop a New York attack that also features Steve Smith, who leads the league with 37 catches and 481 yards receiving.
New Orleans’ defense is ranked sixth in the league, and the improved unit is guided by defensive coordinator Gregg Williams, who is familiar to New York from his days with Washington.
“Yeah, it’s his defense,” Manning said. “A lot of different schemes based by the game and some of it is the stuff he ran back at Washington and some of it is new stuff. But they can be very aggressive.”
Brees is 2-0 against the Giants, including a 30-7 road win Dec. 24, 2006 in the last meeting between these teams. He’ll be up against the league’s top-rated secondary that includes former LSU cornerback Corey Webster(notes).
This is the Giants’ second trip to the Superdome since 1995. They lost 45-7 in 2003 and a scheduled matchup in 2005 was shifted to Giants Stadium due to Hurricane Katrina as New York won 27-10.
POD: New Orleans-2.5 (NFL) W
Sunday, October 18, 2009
POD: New York @ New Orleans-2.5 (3K units) W
Watch the games live for FREE @ Bet365
Manning and the Giants take on Jeremy Shockey(notes) and the New Orleans Saints on Sunday in a matchup of two of the five remaining unbeaten teams.
This trip promises to be a special one for Manning. His main concern is helping New York (5-0) remain perfect after he played less than a half in last week’s 44-7 rout of Oakland due to plantar fasciitis suffered the week before.
Manning missed two days of practice last week and took a limited number of snaps Wednesday as a precaution against aggravating his heel.
His father, Archie, quarterbacked the Saints when Manning was a youngster, and his parents live about 10 minutes away from the Superdome.
“I am excited about it,” Manning said. “First time playing in the Superdome, ever, for any level of football. I am excited about getting the opportunity to play where my father spent most of his career, going to back to New Orleans and playing New Orleans, who is playing very well this year.
“Two undefeated teams. It should be a great atmosphere.”
While this game features a matchup of two of the top quarterbacks in Manning and the Saints’ Drew Brees(notes), a player who has emerged as New Orleans’ leading receiver has become a focal point.
Shockey will face the Giants for the first time since the tight end was traded to New Orleans (4-0) shortly before training camps opened in 2008. He spent six years with New York, reaching the Pro Bowl four times while blossoming with Manning as his quarterback.
Those years were marked, however, by numerous incidents, including a shouting feud with general manager Jerry Reese right before being traded. Shockey was critical of the way the Giants treated him during their run to the Super Bowl title two years ago, saying he did not feel welcome at team events or on the sideline during the playoffs.
On Wednesday, Shockey refused to discuss his feelings about the Giants.
“It’s not about me, all right? So no more questions (about that). It’s about two teams going against each other,” he said. “I want to make that clear. There’s already been some references about vendettas and stuff like that. It’s about two teams. It’s two great teams playing against each other.”
Giants players believe Shockey will be trying to prove a point Sunday. After an injury-plagued 2008 season, he currently leads New Orleans with 18 receptions and has 162 yards receiving and two touchdowns.
“I think Jeremy, just like any competitive guy, wants to get the ball and feels like any safety or linebacker is a great matchup and that he is going to get open,” Brees said. “Which the majority of the time he does, he is a great player. I think he fits very well into what we are trying to do.”
Manning and Brees rank second and third in quarterback rating this season, but both teams also have strong ground attacks. That’s not surprising for the Giants, who led the league in rushing last year and rank fourth in 2009 with 160.4 yards per game.
New Orleans, though, ranked 28th in that department last year and now features the second-best rushing attack in the NFL at 166.2 yards per game.
“This certainly presents a very real challenge,” said Giants coach Tom Coughlin, whose club also owns the league’s top defense. “Our guys have to rise up and play well against the run. As I said, there are a lot of things to defend. But certainly that is where it all starts for us, is with the run.”
The Saints, meanwhile, will try to stop a New York attack that also features Steve Smith, who leads the league with 37 catches and 481 yards receiving.
New Orleans’ defense is ranked sixth in the league, and the improved unit is guided by defensive coordinator Gregg Williams, who is familiar to New York from his days with Washington.
“Yeah, it’s his defense,” Manning said. “A lot of different schemes based by the game and some of it is the stuff he ran back at Washington and some of it is new stuff. But they can be very aggressive.”
Brees is 2-0 against the Giants, including a 30-7 road win Dec. 24, 2006 in the last meeting between these teams. He’ll be up against the league’s top-rated secondary that includes former LSU cornerback Corey Webster(notes).
This is the Giants’ second trip to the Superdome since 1995. They lost 45-7 in 2003 and a scheduled matchup in 2005 was shifted to Giants Stadium due to Hurricane Katrina as New York won 27-10.
Watch the games live for FREE @ Bet365
Manning and the Giants take on Jeremy Shockey(notes) and the New Orleans Saints on Sunday in a matchup of two of the five remaining unbeaten teams.
This trip promises to be a special one for Manning. His main concern is helping New York (5-0) remain perfect after he played less than a half in last week’s 44-7 rout of Oakland due to plantar fasciitis suffered the week before.
Manning missed two days of practice last week and took a limited number of snaps Wednesday as a precaution against aggravating his heel.
His father, Archie, quarterbacked the Saints when Manning was a youngster, and his parents live about 10 minutes away from the Superdome.
“I am excited about it,” Manning said. “First time playing in the Superdome, ever, for any level of football. I am excited about getting the opportunity to play where my father spent most of his career, going to back to New Orleans and playing New Orleans, who is playing very well this year.
“Two undefeated teams. It should be a great atmosphere.”
While this game features a matchup of two of the top quarterbacks in Manning and the Saints’ Drew Brees(notes), a player who has emerged as New Orleans’ leading receiver has become a focal point.
Shockey will face the Giants for the first time since the tight end was traded to New Orleans (4-0) shortly before training camps opened in 2008. He spent six years with New York, reaching the Pro Bowl four times while blossoming with Manning as his quarterback.
Those years were marked, however, by numerous incidents, including a shouting feud with general manager Jerry Reese right before being traded. Shockey was critical of the way the Giants treated him during their run to the Super Bowl title two years ago, saying he did not feel welcome at team events or on the sideline during the playoffs.
On Wednesday, Shockey refused to discuss his feelings about the Giants.
“It’s not about me, all right? So no more questions (about that). It’s about two teams going against each other,” he said. “I want to make that clear. There’s already been some references about vendettas and stuff like that. It’s about two teams. It’s two great teams playing against each other.”
Giants players believe Shockey will be trying to prove a point Sunday. After an injury-plagued 2008 season, he currently leads New Orleans with 18 receptions and has 162 yards receiving and two touchdowns.
“I think Jeremy, just like any competitive guy, wants to get the ball and feels like any safety or linebacker is a great matchup and that he is going to get open,” Brees said. “Which the majority of the time he does, he is a great player. I think he fits very well into what we are trying to do.”
Manning and Brees rank second and third in quarterback rating this season, but both teams also have strong ground attacks. That’s not surprising for the Giants, who led the league in rushing last year and rank fourth in 2009 with 160.4 yards per game.
New Orleans, though, ranked 28th in that department last year and now features the second-best rushing attack in the NFL at 166.2 yards per game.
“This certainly presents a very real challenge,” said Giants coach Tom Coughlin, whose club also owns the league’s top defense. “Our guys have to rise up and play well against the run. As I said, there are a lot of things to defend. But certainly that is where it all starts for us, is with the run.”
The Saints, meanwhile, will try to stop a New York attack that also features Steve Smith, who leads the league with 37 catches and 481 yards receiving.
New Orleans’ defense is ranked sixth in the league, and the improved unit is guided by defensive coordinator Gregg Williams, who is familiar to New York from his days with Washington.
“Yeah, it’s his defense,” Manning said. “A lot of different schemes based by the game and some of it is the stuff he ran back at Washington and some of it is new stuff. But they can be very aggressive.”
Brees is 2-0 against the Giants, including a 30-7 road win Dec. 24, 2006 in the last meeting between these teams. He’ll be up against the league’s top-rated secondary that includes former LSU cornerback Corey Webster(notes).
This is the Giants’ second trip to the Superdome since 1995. They lost 45-7 in 2003 and a scheduled matchup in 2005 was shifted to Giants Stadium due to Hurricane Katrina as New York won 27-10.
Monday, October 5, 2009
POD: Minnesota-4.5 (NFL) W
Monday, October 05, 2009
POD: Green Bay @ Minnesota-4.5 (3K units) W
Watch the games live for FREE @ Bet365
The Green Bay Packers finally get their turn Monday night - with a year of acrimony already under their belts.
In a reunion fit for prime time, Favre faces the Packers for the first time since his bitter divorce from one of football’s most storied franchises, with the future Hall of Famer now trying to lead the rival Vikings to their first 4-0 start since 2003.
Favre first hinted at retirement in January 2006 before ultimately coming back for a 16th season with Green Bay (2-1), the team he became synonymous with while winning three consecutive league MVPs and a Super Bowl in the mid-1990s.
Arguably his best season since then came in 2007, when he led the Packers to the NFC championship game before losing to the New York Giants.
His first retirement - in March 2008 - didn’t last long, as Favre began hinting of a comeback. A summer-long feud erupted between Favre and Green Bay’s front office, which refused to grant him his unconditional release in July. The Packers eventually agreed to trade him to the New York Jets, whom he led to a 7-3 start before losing four of five games and missing the playoffs.
Favre admitted after the season that part of his initial comeback attempt was to “stick it” to Green Bay general manager Ted Thompson.
Favre retired from the Jets in February, but that just began another flirtatious offseason. The 10-time Pro Bowler was linked to the Vikings (3-0) repeatedly, and three weeks after telling coach Brad Childress he wouldn’t end his second retirement, he reversed course and joined them in mid-August.
That, of course, meant he’d have two shots at the team for which he made the first 253 of his NFL-record 272 consecutive starts by a quarterback.
“Nothing surprises me in this business, it really doesn’t,” said head coach Mike McCarthy, who’s led the Packers since 2006. “I’ve been around it long enough that there’s no surprises. I know the last time we talked face-to-face, he had a desire to play in Minnesota. So yeah, I’m not surprised by it.
“We want to beat everybody on the Vikings, Brett Favre included.”
So far, so good with his former nemesis, and Favre hasn’t just been riding All-Pro running back Adrian Peterson’s coattails like many believed he would. The gunslinging Favre has thrown just one interception through five games and has five touchdowns, including a miraculous 32-yard strike to Greg Lewis(notes) with two seconds left Sunday to give Minnesota a stunning 27-24 win over San Francisco.
Favre’s 43rd career fourth-quarter comeback from a deficit or tie didn’t stop him from looking ahead to the Packers, however.
“It’ll be a big game for a lot of reasons,” said Favre, who was 17-14 against Minnesota while with Green Bay. “They are a good football team. We’re going to have to play better than we did today to win it - to win any games.”
Part of the reason Green Bay felt comfortable with Favre’s initial retirement was the presence of Aaron Rodgers(notes), and the second-year starter - who sat behind Favre for three years - has thrown four touchdowns without an interception.
He’s only completed 56.7 percent of his passes, but Rodgers helped the Packers bounce back from a home loss to Cincinnati with a big effort Sunday in their road opener. He threw for 269 yards and two scores in Green Bay’s 36-17 rout of St. Louis.
“(My offensive line) really gave me some time,” Rodgers said. “I was able to move in the pocket.”
Rodgers was sacked twice against the Rams after being taken down 10 times in the first two games, and he might not have left tackle Chad Clifton(notes) protecting him Monday. Clifton, a 2007 Pro Bowler, sprained his right ankle against the Bengals and sat last week. McCarthy said Clifton would “at best” be a game-time decision.
The Vikings are fourth in total defense, allowing 259.7 yards per game, and have eight sacks, with Jared Allen’s(notes) two leading the way. Allen also has two forced fumbles.
That’s one more than Ben Leber(notes) has, but the eighth-year linebacker is eager for more from his defense against Rodgers and the Packers. Minnesota hasn’t won four in a row to begin a season since the 2003 club opened 6-0.
“I think everybody knows what’s at stake, and more importantly we’re on a roll right now,” Leber said. “I know that we want to go out and fight for Brett and get a win for him, but at the same time we want to be 4-0. It’s been a huge motivation for us to be 4-0 and just keep this streak going. That’s our main concern.”
Peterson, meanwhile, leads the NFL with 357 rushing yards and is second with four touchdowns, and he’ll be hoping for a repeat performance from when Green Bay last visited the Metrodome. Peterson ran for 192 yards in Minnesota’ 28-27 win over the Packers on Nov. 9, scoring the game-winning touchdown with 2:22 left.
That was Peterson’s first win in four tries against Green Bay, but he’s hungry for more - particularly with the additional hype this matchup carries.
“We’re ready for it,” Peterson said. “That doesn’t change the game. We still have to line up across from those guys and play football. That’s what we’re going to do.”
The Packers won four of their last five visits to the Metrodome with Favre, who threw 12 touchdown passes and had a quarterback rating of at least 100 in each game in that span.
Watch the games live for FREE @ Bet365
The Green Bay Packers finally get their turn Monday night - with a year of acrimony already under their belts.
In a reunion fit for prime time, Favre faces the Packers for the first time since his bitter divorce from one of football’s most storied franchises, with the future Hall of Famer now trying to lead the rival Vikings to their first 4-0 start since 2003.
Favre first hinted at retirement in January 2006 before ultimately coming back for a 16th season with Green Bay (2-1), the team he became synonymous with while winning three consecutive league MVPs and a Super Bowl in the mid-1990s.
Arguably his best season since then came in 2007, when he led the Packers to the NFC championship game before losing to the New York Giants.
His first retirement - in March 2008 - didn’t last long, as Favre began hinting of a comeback. A summer-long feud erupted between Favre and Green Bay’s front office, which refused to grant him his unconditional release in July. The Packers eventually agreed to trade him to the New York Jets, whom he led to a 7-3 start before losing four of five games and missing the playoffs.
Favre admitted after the season that part of his initial comeback attempt was to “stick it” to Green Bay general manager Ted Thompson.
Favre retired from the Jets in February, but that just began another flirtatious offseason. The 10-time Pro Bowler was linked to the Vikings (3-0) repeatedly, and three weeks after telling coach Brad Childress he wouldn’t end his second retirement, he reversed course and joined them in mid-August.
That, of course, meant he’d have two shots at the team for which he made the first 253 of his NFL-record 272 consecutive starts by a quarterback.
“Nothing surprises me in this business, it really doesn’t,” said head coach Mike McCarthy, who’s led the Packers since 2006. “I’ve been around it long enough that there’s no surprises. I know the last time we talked face-to-face, he had a desire to play in Minnesota. So yeah, I’m not surprised by it.
“We want to beat everybody on the Vikings, Brett Favre included.”
So far, so good with his former nemesis, and Favre hasn’t just been riding All-Pro running back Adrian Peterson’s coattails like many believed he would. The gunslinging Favre has thrown just one interception through five games and has five touchdowns, including a miraculous 32-yard strike to Greg Lewis(notes) with two seconds left Sunday to give Minnesota a stunning 27-24 win over San Francisco.
Favre’s 43rd career fourth-quarter comeback from a deficit or tie didn’t stop him from looking ahead to the Packers, however.
“It’ll be a big game for a lot of reasons,” said Favre, who was 17-14 against Minnesota while with Green Bay. “They are a good football team. We’re going to have to play better than we did today to win it - to win any games.”
Part of the reason Green Bay felt comfortable with Favre’s initial retirement was the presence of Aaron Rodgers(notes), and the second-year starter - who sat behind Favre for three years - has thrown four touchdowns without an interception.
He’s only completed 56.7 percent of his passes, but Rodgers helped the Packers bounce back from a home loss to Cincinnati with a big effort Sunday in their road opener. He threw for 269 yards and two scores in Green Bay’s 36-17 rout of St. Louis.
“(My offensive line) really gave me some time,” Rodgers said. “I was able to move in the pocket.”
Rodgers was sacked twice against the Rams after being taken down 10 times in the first two games, and he might not have left tackle Chad Clifton(notes) protecting him Monday. Clifton, a 2007 Pro Bowler, sprained his right ankle against the Bengals and sat last week. McCarthy said Clifton would “at best” be a game-time decision.
The Vikings are fourth in total defense, allowing 259.7 yards per game, and have eight sacks, with Jared Allen’s(notes) two leading the way. Allen also has two forced fumbles.
That’s one more than Ben Leber(notes) has, but the eighth-year linebacker is eager for more from his defense against Rodgers and the Packers. Minnesota hasn’t won four in a row to begin a season since the 2003 club opened 6-0.
“I think everybody knows what’s at stake, and more importantly we’re on a roll right now,” Leber said. “I know that we want to go out and fight for Brett and get a win for him, but at the same time we want to be 4-0. It’s been a huge motivation for us to be 4-0 and just keep this streak going. That’s our main concern.”
Peterson, meanwhile, leads the NFL with 357 rushing yards and is second with four touchdowns, and he’ll be hoping for a repeat performance from when Green Bay last visited the Metrodome. Peterson ran for 192 yards in Minnesota’ 28-27 win over the Packers on Nov. 9, scoring the game-winning touchdown with 2:22 left.
That was Peterson’s first win in four tries against Green Bay, but he’s hungry for more - particularly with the additional hype this matchup carries.
“We’re ready for it,” Peterson said. “That doesn’t change the game. We still have to line up across from those guys and play football. That’s what we’re going to do.”
The Packers won four of their last five visits to the Metrodome with Favre, who threw 12 touchdown passes and had a quarterback rating of at least 100 in each game in that span.
POD: Minnesota-4.5 (NFL) W
Monday, October 05, 2009
POD: Green Bay @ Minnesota-4.5 (3K units) W
Watch the games live for FREE @ Bet365
The Green Bay Packers finally get their turn Monday night - with a year of acrimony already under their belts.
In a reunion fit for prime time, Favre faces the Packers for the first time since his bitter divorce from one of football’s most storied franchises, with the future Hall of Famer now trying to lead the rival Vikings to their first 4-0 start since 2003.
Favre first hinted at retirement in January 2006 before ultimately coming back for a 16th season with Green Bay (2-1), the team he became synonymous with while winning three consecutive league MVPs and a Super Bowl in the mid-1990s.
Arguably his best season since then came in 2007, when he led the Packers to the NFC championship game before losing to the New York Giants.
His first retirement - in March 2008 - didn’t last long, as Favre began hinting of a comeback. A summer-long feud erupted between Favre and Green Bay’s front office, which refused to grant him his unconditional release in July. The Packers eventually agreed to trade him to the New York Jets, whom he led to a 7-3 start before losing four of five games and missing the playoffs.
Favre admitted after the season that part of his initial comeback attempt was to “stick it” to Green Bay general manager Ted Thompson.
Favre retired from the Jets in February, but that just began another flirtatious offseason. The 10-time Pro Bowler was linked to the Vikings (3-0) repeatedly, and three weeks after telling coach Brad Childress he wouldn’t end his second retirement, he reversed course and joined them in mid-August.
That, of course, meant he’d have two shots at the team for which he made the first 253 of his NFL-record 272 consecutive starts by a quarterback.
“Nothing surprises me in this business, it really doesn’t,” said head coach Mike McCarthy, who’s led the Packers since 2006. “I’ve been around it long enough that there’s no surprises. I know the last time we talked face-to-face, he had a desire to play in Minnesota. So yeah, I’m not surprised by it.
“We want to beat everybody on the Vikings, Brett Favre included.”
So far, so good with his former nemesis, and Favre hasn’t just been riding All-Pro running back Adrian Peterson’s coattails like many believed he would. The gunslinging Favre has thrown just one interception through five games and has five touchdowns, including a miraculous 32-yard strike to Greg Lewis(notes) with two seconds left Sunday to give Minnesota a stunning 27-24 win over San Francisco.
Favre’s 43rd career fourth-quarter comeback from a deficit or tie didn’t stop him from looking ahead to the Packers, however.
“It’ll be a big game for a lot of reasons,” said Favre, who was 17-14 against Minnesota while with Green Bay. “They are a good football team. We’re going to have to play better than we did today to win it - to win any games.”
Part of the reason Green Bay felt comfortable with Favre’s initial retirement was the presence of Aaron Rodgers(notes), and the second-year starter - who sat behind Favre for three years - has thrown four touchdowns without an interception.
He’s only completed 56.7 percent of his passes, but Rodgers helped the Packers bounce back from a home loss to Cincinnati with a big effort Sunday in their road opener. He threw for 269 yards and two scores in Green Bay’s 36-17 rout of St. Louis.
“(My offensive line) really gave me some time,” Rodgers said. “I was able to move in the pocket.”
Rodgers was sacked twice against the Rams after being taken down 10 times in the first two games, and he might not have left tackle Chad Clifton(notes) protecting him Monday. Clifton, a 2007 Pro Bowler, sprained his right ankle against the Bengals and sat last week. McCarthy said Clifton would “at best” be a game-time decision.
The Vikings are fourth in total defense, allowing 259.7 yards per game, and have eight sacks, with Jared Allen’s(notes) two leading the way. Allen also has two forced fumbles.
That’s one more than Ben Leber(notes) has, but the eighth-year linebacker is eager for more from his defense against Rodgers and the Packers. Minnesota hasn’t won four in a row to begin a season since the 2003 club opened 6-0.
“I think everybody knows what’s at stake, and more importantly we’re on a roll right now,” Leber said. “I know that we want to go out and fight for Brett and get a win for him, but at the same time we want to be 4-0. It’s been a huge motivation for us to be 4-0 and just keep this streak going. That’s our main concern.”
Peterson, meanwhile, leads the NFL with 357 rushing yards and is second with four touchdowns, and he’ll be hoping for a repeat performance from when Green Bay last visited the Metrodome. Peterson ran for 192 yards in Minnesota’ 28-27 win over the Packers on Nov. 9, scoring the game-winning touchdown with 2:22 left.
That was Peterson’s first win in four tries against Green Bay, but he’s hungry for more - particularly with the additional hype this matchup carries.
“We’re ready for it,” Peterson said. “That doesn’t change the game. We still have to line up across from those guys and play football. That’s what we’re going to do.”
The Packers won four of their last five visits to the Metrodome with Favre, who threw 12 touchdown passes and had a quarterback rating of at least 100 in each game in that span.
Watch the games live for FREE @ Bet365
The Green Bay Packers finally get their turn Monday night - with a year of acrimony already under their belts.
In a reunion fit for prime time, Favre faces the Packers for the first time since his bitter divorce from one of football’s most storied franchises, with the future Hall of Famer now trying to lead the rival Vikings to their first 4-0 start since 2003.
Favre first hinted at retirement in January 2006 before ultimately coming back for a 16th season with Green Bay (2-1), the team he became synonymous with while winning three consecutive league MVPs and a Super Bowl in the mid-1990s.
Arguably his best season since then came in 2007, when he led the Packers to the NFC championship game before losing to the New York Giants.
His first retirement - in March 2008 - didn’t last long, as Favre began hinting of a comeback. A summer-long feud erupted between Favre and Green Bay’s front office, which refused to grant him his unconditional release in July. The Packers eventually agreed to trade him to the New York Jets, whom he led to a 7-3 start before losing four of five games and missing the playoffs.
Favre admitted after the season that part of his initial comeback attempt was to “stick it” to Green Bay general manager Ted Thompson.
Favre retired from the Jets in February, but that just began another flirtatious offseason. The 10-time Pro Bowler was linked to the Vikings (3-0) repeatedly, and three weeks after telling coach Brad Childress he wouldn’t end his second retirement, he reversed course and joined them in mid-August.
That, of course, meant he’d have two shots at the team for which he made the first 253 of his NFL-record 272 consecutive starts by a quarterback.
“Nothing surprises me in this business, it really doesn’t,” said head coach Mike McCarthy, who’s led the Packers since 2006. “I’ve been around it long enough that there’s no surprises. I know the last time we talked face-to-face, he had a desire to play in Minnesota. So yeah, I’m not surprised by it.
“We want to beat everybody on the Vikings, Brett Favre included.”
So far, so good with his former nemesis, and Favre hasn’t just been riding All-Pro running back Adrian Peterson’s coattails like many believed he would. The gunslinging Favre has thrown just one interception through five games and has five touchdowns, including a miraculous 32-yard strike to Greg Lewis(notes) with two seconds left Sunday to give Minnesota a stunning 27-24 win over San Francisco.
Favre’s 43rd career fourth-quarter comeback from a deficit or tie didn’t stop him from looking ahead to the Packers, however.
“It’ll be a big game for a lot of reasons,” said Favre, who was 17-14 against Minnesota while with Green Bay. “They are a good football team. We’re going to have to play better than we did today to win it - to win any games.”
Part of the reason Green Bay felt comfortable with Favre’s initial retirement was the presence of Aaron Rodgers(notes), and the second-year starter - who sat behind Favre for three years - has thrown four touchdowns without an interception.
He’s only completed 56.7 percent of his passes, but Rodgers helped the Packers bounce back from a home loss to Cincinnati with a big effort Sunday in their road opener. He threw for 269 yards and two scores in Green Bay’s 36-17 rout of St. Louis.
“(My offensive line) really gave me some time,” Rodgers said. “I was able to move in the pocket.”
Rodgers was sacked twice against the Rams after being taken down 10 times in the first two games, and he might not have left tackle Chad Clifton(notes) protecting him Monday. Clifton, a 2007 Pro Bowler, sprained his right ankle against the Bengals and sat last week. McCarthy said Clifton would “at best” be a game-time decision.
The Vikings are fourth in total defense, allowing 259.7 yards per game, and have eight sacks, with Jared Allen’s(notes) two leading the way. Allen also has two forced fumbles.
That’s one more than Ben Leber(notes) has, but the eighth-year linebacker is eager for more from his defense against Rodgers and the Packers. Minnesota hasn’t won four in a row to begin a season since the 2003 club opened 6-0.
“I think everybody knows what’s at stake, and more importantly we’re on a roll right now,” Leber said. “I know that we want to go out and fight for Brett and get a win for him, but at the same time we want to be 4-0. It’s been a huge motivation for us to be 4-0 and just keep this streak going. That’s our main concern.”
Peterson, meanwhile, leads the NFL with 357 rushing yards and is second with four touchdowns, and he’ll be hoping for a repeat performance from when Green Bay last visited the Metrodome. Peterson ran for 192 yards in Minnesota’ 28-27 win over the Packers on Nov. 9, scoring the game-winning touchdown with 2:22 left.
That was Peterson’s first win in four tries against Green Bay, but he’s hungry for more - particularly with the additional hype this matchup carries.
“We’re ready for it,” Peterson said. “That doesn’t change the game. We still have to line up across from those guys and play football. That’s what we’re going to do.”
The Packers won four of their last five visits to the Metrodome with Favre, who threw 12 touchdown passes and had a quarterback rating of at least 100 in each game in that span.
Sunday, September 27, 2009
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