NFL Preview Capsules - NFC: Eagles and Giants meet for first place in NFC East
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — The lives of Michael Vick and Eli Manning were on very different paths in December 2007.
Vick was being sentenced in federal court to 23 months in prison for his involvement in a dogfighting ring. Manning was putting the New York Giants in gear for a run that would culminate in a stunning victory over the undefeated New England Patriots and a Super Bowl MVP award.
Three years later, the two former No. 1 overall draft picks will be the focal points when Vick and the Philadelphia Eagles (9-4) face Manning and the Giants (9-4) in a showdown Sunday for first place in the NFC East.
"We all know the magnitude of the game," Vick said. "We know it’s a big one. Where else would you want to be? What other position would you want to be in? (We’re) playing against a good team, so we’re going to have to be at our best. We’re going to need each and every day this week, as far as our preparation and getting to play a good football game. Come Sunday, it’s going to have to be lights out on both sides."
If the Eagles win, it will give them a sweep of the two-game series with the Giants and all but clinch the division title.
A Giants win makes the final two weeks more interesting. New York closes with road games at Green Bay (8-5) and Washington (5-8). The Eagles have home games against Minnesota (5-8) and Dallas (4-9), two of the league’s most disappointing teams this season.
"This is what this league is all about, playing big games in December," Giants linebacker Keith Bulluck said. "This is fun."
While defenses tend to decide games, all eyes are going to be on Vick and Manning.
Surprisingly, Vick is the one having the MVP-type season, and Manning is the question mark.
After starting the season as Kevin Kolb’s backup, Vick has taken over as the starter in what is turning out to be a career season. He has thrown for 2,513 yards, 17 touchdowns and four interceptions and added another seven TDs rushing. His 104.3 quarterback rating is tops in the NFC and second overall to New England’s Tom Brady.
The top pick in 2001 seemingly has also settled his personal life, and is even talking about owning a dog again.
Manning, who will be making his 101st consecutive start, has been the shaky one. The No. 1 pick overall in 2004 has thrown for 3,169 yards and 24 touchdown passes. He also has tossed a league-high 19 interceptions, including three in a 27-17 loss at Philadelphia on Nov. 21.
"These are the situations you want to be in," Manning said. "You want to be playing in these types of games in December, and we have to be excited. We have to have a great week of practice and get prepared. We know these guys, so a lot of it just comes down to Sunday and being prepared for all their looks and going out there and playing smart football."
The Giants haven’t played either smart or well against the Eagles over the past two years. In the losing to them for the fifth straight time last month, New York turned over the ball five times.
Still, they had a chance to win. They had a 17-16 lead with less than 5 minutes to go when LeSean McCoy took a pitch from Vick after he bobbled the snap on a fourth-and-1 gamble and scored on a 50-yard run.
New York had a chance to tie, but Manning lost a fumble when he dived for a first down instead of sliding.
Giants running back Brendan Jacobs said the turnovers have been the difference against Philadelphia.
"There is no doubt in our minds," Jacobs said. "This a different team. When we aren’t turning the ball over and have no penalties, we can beat anyone. This is a good football team we are playing against and if you give them an edge they are going to take advantage of it."
With Vick running the show, the Eagles have developed into the most potent offense (measured by yards) in the league. DeSean Jackson and Jeremy Maclin provide deep threats and McCoy can not only run, but his 70 receptions lead all running backs.
Philadelphia limited the Giants to 208 yards in total offense in the last meeting, holding the running game to 61 yards on 19 carries.
"They shut us down," Giants guard Chris Snee said. "They won that battle, that’s why they won the game. We have to do a much better job and that way we keep Vick off the field."
Since losing to Philadelphia, the Giants have reeled off three straight wins. The constant in that spurt has been the running game. Jacobs replaced fumble-prone Ahmad Bradshaw as the starter and the line has gotten its act together, with left tackle David Diehl returning to the lineup in Monday night’s 21-3 win over Minnesota in Detroit.
New York has rushed for 197 and 213 yards in the last two games, with Jacobs and Bradshaw both covering over 100 yards last week.
The Eagles are also going to have a major change in the middle of their defense: Middle linebacker Stewart Bradley is out with a dislocated right elbow and rookie Jamar Chaney will replace him.
"Their run game is pretty ridiculous," Eagles defensive end Darryl Tapp said. "They have two capable backs. So that’s really something we have to focus on, but you really can’t shy away from playing defense as far as the pass goes. Even though they didn’t have their starters playing the last few weeks, you don’t know when those guys are coming back. And you know the guys that they signed, they signed for a reason. They get the job done, too."
New York has its own injury problem. Steve Smith, who set a team-record with 107 catches last season, hurt his left knee Monday night and he is scheduled to have season-ending surgery.
Hakeem Nicks and Mario Manningham will start, but Manningham hurt his hip against the Vikings and his status will probably be decided before the game. Derek Hagan and tight end Kevin Boss will be asked to pick up the slack.
The key for the Giants will be containing Vick. New York limited him to 258 yards passing and no touchdowns in the first meeting, holding the Eagles to one touchdown and four field goals in five red zone trips.
New York’s defense did an outstanding job of forcing Vick to roll to his right, making the left-hander throw across his body.
"Even then he makes plays," Giants defensive end Justin Tuck said. "With a guy like Vick you have to get lucky, and a lot of luck comes from playing hard, and that’s what we are going to do."
Expect the same from Vick. He spent 1½ years in prison waiting for a chance to get back on the field and win again.
Playoff implications abound for Falcons, Seahawks
SEATTLE (AP) — One cross-country trip to the Pacific Northwest during the grayest, wettest time of the year is difficult enough.
A slip-up against the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday, and the Atlanta Falcons could be booking a return trip during the playoffs.
Atlanta, the hottest team in the NFC, winner of seven straight and the class of the conference with three weeks left in the regular season, still hasn’t nailed down the NFC South. A poor showing against Seattle could result in a wild-card berth.
The Seahawks, losers of five of seven and coming off a 19-point loss to San Francisco, are still in position to win the worst division in the NFL and earn a home game in the first round of the playoffs.
With New Orleans nipping at Atlanta in the division standings and a Monday night showdown between the two in Atlanta on Dec. 27, a flub by the Falcons could mean another cross-country flight in just a few weeks for a playoff meeting.
Amazing that 11-2 versus 6-7 can have so much meaning.
Maybe that’s why Falcons’ president Rich McKay suggested a change to the playoff seeding structure at the owners meetings this week.
"It really gives us a tremendous challenge to match up with these guys," Seattle coach Pete Carroll said. "It forces us to play really, really solid football. We will not be able to make mistakes and stay with these guys. They’re just too good at it."
Atlanta can simplify the situation by taking care of the slumping Seahawks. A win for the Falcons would wrap up a playoff berth and make the matchup with New Orleans likely for the division title and home-field advantage throughout the playoffs.
A stunning loss to Seattle would snap the Falcons’ longest win streak in a dozen years, open the division door for the Saints — barring their own stumble — and bring the real possibility of a return trip to chilly Seattle for a wild-card game.
"We know we have no room to spare," Atlanta receiver Roddy White said. "We can’t go out there and give up a game because those guys will be right there with us, so we’re just out there trying to win them all and we know we can’t give away any games, especially ones that we’re supposed to win."
The Falcons are closing out a difficult stretch of three straight road games and four of their last five away from the Georgia Dome.
While Seattle owns just one win over a team with a winning record, Atlanta has made its finest run since 1998 against some of the top teams in the league. In their current seven-game streak, four of the victories have come against winning teams with a combined 33-19 record. And that doesn’t include the Falcons’ overtime win at New Orleans earlier this season.
No wonder Carroll and the rest of the Seahawks were falling over themselves raving about the Falcons this week. In his weekly media conference, Carroll used "challenge" seven times in direct reference to the Falcons.
Ask anyone in the Seahawks locker room about the Falcons and they spoke with the utmost reverence for what Atlanta has accomplished in the three years since coach Mike Smith took over and quarterback Matt Ryan arrived.
Seattle safety Lawyer Milloy brings firsthand perspective, having played for the Falcons from 2006 through the 2008 season, the first year under Smith. He puts Ryan in the same category as Tom Brady, another quarterback Milloy has played alongside.
"He’s a guy who understands defenses, but also understands all he has to do is steer the ship and get the ball into the playmakers’ hands and if he does that he’s still going to be a star," Milloy said.
Ryan’s favorite target is clearly White, who has already set a career-high with 99 receptions this season and now gets to pick on a Seattle’s 30th-ranked secondary. Michael Turner also could be bound for a big game against Seattle’s regressing defense after reasserting himself last week at Carolina with three rushing touchdowns.
After a slow start, Turner has topped 100 yards rushing in five of his last seven games and scored touchdowns in six of seven.
"We’re really tough to handle right now because I feel like all of our guys are starting to hit their peak and they’re starting to hit their mark," White said.
While Seattle is clearly overmatched in most areas, they could be a problem for the Falcons thanks to an offense that will be as close to 100 percent as it’s been all season.
Receivers Mike Williams and Ben Obomanu are expected to play after missing last week’s loss to San Francisco with injuries. Williams had a sprained ankle that compounded an already balky left foot strain, while Obomanu couldn’t make it back from a severe cut on his hand from Week 13 against Carolina.
Their returns should instantly help quarterback Matt Hasselbeck, who is coming off the first five-turnover game of his career. Without his top two targets, Hasselbeck was careless with the ball against San Francisco, throwing four interceptions and coughing up a fumble. After five solid games in the middle of the season in which he heeded Carroll’s mantra of protecting the ball, Hasselbeck now has eight interceptions in the last three games.
And Seattle still has major control in how the NFC West will play out, thanks to a season-ending home game against St. Louis.
"Back in March if you told me all it took was three games to get into the playoffs I’d take it," Milloy said.
-- Tim Booth
Bucs look to bolster playoff hopes against Lions
TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — Raheem Morris isn’t counting on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers getting outside help in their push for a playoff berth.
The second-year coach wants the NFL’s youngest team to give themselves the best chance possible by handling their own business down the stretch, beginning Sunday against Ndamukong Suh and the Detroit Lions.
"I a firm believer in controlling your own destiny, Morris said, even though the Bucs (8-5) aren’t necessarily assured a postseason berth if they win remaining games at home against Seattle and on the road at New Orleans.
"I’m not the guy to rush home, look at the scoreboard, hoping for someone else to lose. I kind of prefer to go out there and do it our way," the league’s youngest coach added. "The one at a time theory. You remain resilient, don’t let injuries, don’t let any distractions slip in the way and become an excuse."
A lot of people laughed when the 34-year-old Morris, just a few months removed from going 3-13 in his first year as a head coach on any level, declared this season was a "race to 10 wins" — a number generally good enough to get a team into the postseason.
He’s since modified his stance, saying the objective is more about playing meaningful games in December than the Bucs actually earning a spot in the playoffs for the first time since 2007.
"We’re becoming improssible to ignore," he repeated, reiterating while his injury-depleted team is far from a finished product that Tampa Bay clearly is headed in the right direction with second-year quarterback Josh Freeman leading the way.
"We’re ready to go get it," said Freeman, who’s led five successful fourth-quarter rallies this season.
"We feel like if we can win out and get in the playoffs, then anything can happen," the 22-year-old added. "But our mindset, as Raheem would say, is the most important game is the one that’s right in front of you."
The Lions (3-10) have lost 26 consecutive road games dating to 2007 and already have been eliminated from playoff contention.
Neverthless, there have been no signs that they’ve given up on the season, despite playing most of the year without quarterback Matthew Stafford.
They snapped a five-game losing streak with last week’s 7-3 upset of Green Bay; Suh is on pace to set a league record for sacks by a rookie defensive tackle, and Calvin Johnson is having another big year with 63 receptions for 916 yards and 12 touchdowns.
Seven of Detroit’s 10 losses have been by eight points or less, with the only double-digit losses coming against Minnesota, Dallas and New England. The Lions led at the half in two of those games, and they trailed the Vikings 14-10 midway through the other.
Coach Jim Schwartz said it hasn’t been as difficult as some might suspect to keep the team motivated.
"Maybe you struggle with that if you’re getting blown out on a week to week basis. But that hasn’t been us," Schwartz added. "You’ve got to be resilient to be able to play in the NFL. ... Maybe making one more play has been an issue, but not focus."
Morris looks at the Lions and sees a team that reminds him a lot of last year’s Bucs, who lost their first seven games of the season before handing over the offense to Freeman, who was third quarterback selected in the 2009 draft behind Stafford and Mark Sanchez.
Tampa Bay won two of its last three games a year ago, then built on that confidence with a stronger than expected start in 2010.
"It really reminds me kind of that phase we went through last year where we were getting better, and it was hard to see the results unless you were there internally," Morris said of the Lions’ struggles this season.
"But from a guy who’s gone through something like that, I can kind of see what they’re going through. They’re just trying to find ways to win right now. And they will. They certainly are a lot better team than people give them credit for."
Suh is one of the biggest reasons.
The second pick in this year’s draft has played up to expectations with eight sacks, an interception and a fumble return for a touchdown. He needs three sacks in Detroit’s remaining games to break the league record for sacks by a rookie defensive tackle.
"He’s a beast," said Freeman, who’s been friends with Suh since college, when they both played in the Big 12 — Freeman at Kansas State and Suh with Nebraska.
"As a player, knowing him on a personal level, I know he gets after it. He’s got a personal vendetta against every offense he plays," Freeman said. "He’s going to make something happen, whether it’s stopping the run, whether it’s getting a sack ... he can do it all. He’s a complete player."
This actually was a game many circled on their calendars, simply because of the prospect of seeing Suh and Bucs rookie defensive tackle Gerald McCoy — another former Big 12 standout who was the third pick in the draft — on the field at the same time.
But McCoy’s season ended last week, when he tore his left biceps during Tampa Bay’s 17-16 win at Washington.
The Lions also considered the former Oklahoma star before selecting Suh because they felt he was a better fit for their defense.
McCoy started slowly for the Bucs, going nine games without a sack before making strides the past month and finishing with three.
"I think they’re both very dynamic players," said Morris, who serves as his own defensive coordinator and would have been happy winding up with either of them.
"The best part about it for me is I play to people’s strengths and what they do well. I saw certain strengths in McCoy, I saw certain strengths in Suh," he added. "When I do that, I get excited. ... I had visions for both of them."
-- Fred Goodall
Passing? A foreign concept for Cardinals, Panthers
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — The forward pass has been around for 100 years or so. It’s just a concept that hasn’t caught on with the Arizona Cardinals and Carolina Panthers this season.
The Cardinals (4-9) have used three quarterbacks, including two rookies, and signed an emergency backup recently who was out of the league and hog hunting when called. The Panthers (1-12) have used four QBs, including two rookies and a stay-at-home dad who had been out of the league.
Arizona has what looks to be a dismal passer rating (59.7) until you glance at Carolina’s (55.0). The teams have combined for 15 touchdown passes and 35 interceptions.
Carolina rookie Jimmy Clausen sure looks inexperienced with only seven starts and one touchdown pass — until you look at Arizona rookie John Skelton, whose first start came last week. Skelton has thrown zero TDs.
Add this up and you have the league’s two worst offenses and passing games squaring off Sunday in a showdown for draft positioning that’s sure to include an empty seat or two. Maybe a few running plays, too.
"I think they’re barely (ahead of) us as far as offensively in the National Football League," Panthers coach John Fox said. "Whenever you do that, it puts stress on your defense. So I think in a lot of ways they are very similar to us."
Much has happened since these teams met two seasons ago in the second round of the playoffs, with Arizona’s win moving it a step closer to its surprise Super Bowl appearance.
Now Kurt Warner is gone, and the Cardinals have gone through a carousel of inconsistent QBs. There was Derek Anderson, then rookie Max Hall, then Anderson again and now Skelton, a fifth-round pick from Fordham forced into duty after Anderson’s concussion.
"Who?" Panthers cornerback Captain Munnerlyn said four days before the matchup. "Oh, that’s his name?"
Skelton actually was part of a 43-13 rout of Denver last week, becoming the first QB to post that many points in his first start since a guy with a little more name recognition, Tom Brady of New England.
Take that, Munnerlyn.
"Hopefully, after Sunday he’ll know," Skelton said.
The 6-foot-6 Skelton completed 15 of 37 passes against the Broncos for 146 yards. But kicker Jay Feely’s touchdown off a fake field goal and Tim Hightower’s 148 yards rushing and two TDs were enough for Arizona to snap a seven-game skid.
"We have obviously played a number of different guys, some of it’s by injury and some of it’s because of production," Cardinals coach Ken Whisenhunt said. "Obviously we’re into our second game with our second rookie this year and we’re just hoping that he can continue to improve."
The Panthers know the feeling. Jake Delhomme’s six-turnover nightmare against the Cardinals in that playoff game following the 2008 season was the beginning of the end of his run in Carolina. But Matt Moore proved to be ineffective, then got hurt.
It’s been a difficult adjustment for Clausen, who has been in and out of the lineup with rookie Tony Pike and journeyman Brian St. Pierre.
"He ain’t at Notre Dame anymore, that’s for sure," Panthers receiver Steve Smith snarled after Clausen’s rough outing in last week’s 31-10 loss to Atlanta.
Clausen, 0-7 as a starter, has thrown 193 passes since his lone touchdown. He’s yet to have a 200-yard passing game as he’s struggled to read defenses and react quickly.
"The speed of the game, that’s one of the biggest things," Clausen said. "Disguises, teams don’t need to show what they’re doing because they’re so fast and so athletic. On the snap of the ball they can get to the positions they need to get to."
Even waking up Carolina’s dormant ground game hasn’t helped the NFL’s lowest-scoring team. Jonathan Stewart rushed for 133 yards last week, but his fumble on the first play from scrimmage set up a touchdown and Atlanta never trailed.
It was the Panthers’ seventh straight loss, leaving them three defeats away from securing the No. 1 draft pick and perhaps Clausen’s replacement, Andrew Luck of Stanford.
"Obviously, no one expected us to be in this situation right now," Clausen said. "But we are what we are and we have three games left to finish strong."
Thanks to being in a forgiving division, the Cardinals still are alive in the playoff race. They trail NFC West co-leaders St. Louis and Seattle by two games with three to play. All they have to do is get hot with an offense Whisenhunt acknowledged is scaled back for Skelton.
"Obviously, that is one of the most important positions on the field," Whisenhunt said. "I think that when you look at the level that a lot of these quarterbacks are playing at, you can understand why teams are being productive."
These two teams certainly aren’t productive. Just ask Smith and Arizona’s Larry Fitzgerald, Pro Bowl regulars whose numbers are way off thanks to passing games from another era.
"Very similar situation that we’re in," Fox said of the Cardinals. "They’ve had their rotation at quarterback. They’ve got some skill people outside that sometimes you don’t get to take advantage of in that situation. Again, it’s been hard for them to get continuity on offense."
-- Mike Cranston
Rams, Chiefs in playoff drive in December
ST. LOUIS (AP) — This time last year, the St. Louis Rams were zeroing in on the first overall draft pick. The Kansas City Chiefs were just a little bit better.
Now, look at ‘em.
Intrastate rivals who combined for five victories in 2009 have turned the standings upside down, leading their respective divisions heading into a rare meaningful December game. Thriving under second-year coaches, they’re both in playoff-drive mode.
"The NFL, they say it changes quickly, and I think this year’s a pretty good example," Rams defensive end Chris Long said. "It makes it fun and interesting, and that’s why I think it’s the best sport in the world and the best league in the world.
"You never really know what happens and nothing is given to any team."
Crowds have picked up this year for the Rams, so players aren’t worried about crowd noise from across Interstate 70 bothering them.
"I think our fan base will be there loud and proud," running back Steven Jackson said. "I think everyone in the town, everyone in the state knows what’s at stake."
Rams coach Steve Spagnuolo routinely refrains from using the "P" word, refusing to sneak a peek into the future lest a rapidly improving roster stumble in the present. Yet Wednesday afternoon, the overhead projector in the team meeting room proclaimed on a giant screen "NFC West Champions."
Probably just an attempt at positive thinking for a long-suffering franchise that’s matched its victory total from the previous three seasons. Their coach believes that as long as they keep mistakes to a minimum, they can play with any team.
"It’s not ‘We’ve got a long way to go,"’ Spagnuolo said. "It’s ‘If we can do this a little better and that a little better, we’re right in the middle of it."’
Chiefs coach Todd Haley noted the similarities between the franchises, meeting for only the fifth time since the Rams moved to the Midwest in 1995. The franchises have met 11 times in the preseason since the Rams relocation, however, competing for the Governor’s Cup.
"Things have been a little broke for a while," Haley said. "You’re seeing progress from both teams, which is a good thing, and it should be a good game."
Both teams lost big-time last week, but so what? They still hold the cards.
The Chiefs (8-5) have a one-game lead in the AFC West over the Chargers, who beat them 31-0 last week, and finish with a trio of sub-.500 teams. They’re seeking their first division title since 2003 and first playoff appearance since 2006 when they got clobbered by Indianapolis after securing a wild card berth.
"I’m not surprised with the way we’ve been playing," running back Thomas Jones said. "At the end of the day, every year’s different. I’ve never looked at what a team has done the year before, because that really doesn’t matter."
Maybe their resilience does.
The Chiefs fell behind 35-0 in the first half, a franchise record for biggest deficit, of an embarrassing blowout at Denver. Then they won their next three until flopping again last week, totaling only 67 yards, in one of the weakest offensive performances in team history.
With Brodie Croyle replacing Matt Cassel at quarterback, the Chiefs were 0 for 11 on third downs, passed for only 19 yards, punted eight times and had the ball for only 19:50.
"We’re a young, developing team that’s trying to become a good team, and I don’t think that’s going to be without the hiccups," Haley said. "It doesn’t happen overnight."
The Rams (6-7) hold the tiebreaker over Seattle in the humdrum NFC West and two of the last three are at home, where they’re 4-2.
"The fact we’re still playing in big games in mid-December, I think that’s really good for this team and this organization," rookie quarterback Sam Bradford said. "Hopefully, the games will only continue to get bigger."
St. Louis already has well distanced itself from last season’s 1-15 disaster. Everyone realizes the implications, and believe they just have to take care of their own end.
"Being where we are in December, you have to relish the opportunity," middle linebacker James Laurinaitis said. "But I don’t daydream. As soon as I think about anything else but Kansas City I’ll get off track and be making mistakes all over the place."
The Rams are ignoring the Chiefs’ lousy offensive showing last week and their injury situation at quarterback. Cassel could miss a second straight game after undergoing an emergency appendectomy and Haley said it might be a game-day decision.
St. Louis is concentrating on its own house while attempting to end a three-game trend of starting slow. The Rams have been outscored 30-0 in the first two possessions this season, and the variety of plays and personnel groupings during the opposition’s scripted section is likely a factor.
"It is something we’ve looked long and hard at," defensive coordinator Ken Flajole said. "Sometimes they can get you a little bit off-balance."
If Cassel plays, it’ll be only 11 days since the surgery.
"It’s not a normal injury that a lot of us have experience with," Haley said. "We’re going to have to defer to the medical staff, trainers, him."
The Rams insist they’re preparing for the system, and in any case they’re more concerned with harnessing the NFL’s top rushing attack. Jamaal Charles has 1,177 yards rushing and Jones is having a solid year with 766 yards as the backup, needing only 17 yards for 10,000 in his career.
St. Louis has allowed 100 or more yards rushing the last four games.
"If you’re off at all or you let some of their misdirection stuff affect you, that’s when they’ll gash you," outside linebacker David Vobora said. "We know these last few weeks we haven’t been as good as we want to be against the run and we’re going to have to change that."
-- R.B. Fallstrom
