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Matchup No. 3 - Dallas Cowboys’ Demarco Murray vs. the Arizona Cardinals defense

The Cowboys come into this contest trying to rebound from last week’s overtime loss. The Washington Redskins escaped with a 20-17 victory. Romo injured his back in that contest, so backup Brandon Weeden may have to start in place of Romo. Regardless of the quarterback, the Cowboys will need another big game from DeMarco Murray. The Cardinals are flying high, leading the NFC with a 6-1 record. Last week the Cardinals defeated the Philadelphia Eagles 24-20. The Cardinals’ John Brown caught a 75 yard touchdown in the final minutes for the victory. This matchup will have a major impact on the NFC playoff standings. Each of these two teams is leading their division and fighting for a potential first round bye.

Murray is having a season for the ages. Murray played in 14 games last season. In only his 9^th game he will likely surpass last season in carries and rushing yards. Murray has a great opportunity to break Eric Dickerson season record for rushing yards in a season. More importantly than stats, the Cowboys host a critical NFC showdown on Sunday. With a win Dallas would regain the top seed in the NFC playoffs. A Cowboys loss could drop them to the five seed and out of the division lead. Through eight games, Murray and has run for at least 100 yards in each game. Murray possesses a unique blend of physical attributes. Not only is he very strong and physical he is fast and has breakaway speed. When he isn’t running through or past defenders he will likely juke, stutter step or throw a stiff-arm. He is also showing a much better feel for following the open holes and using cutback lanes for potential big gains.

The Cardinals run defense is one of the NFL’s best. They rank #3 against the run, allowing fewer than 80 rushing yards per game. This season no running back has topped 100 rushing yards against the Cardinals. Arizona plays a 3-4 defense which allows them to bring a variety of blitzes. No team has blitzed more than the Cardinals. Often times they will send several linebackers, safeties and even cornerbacks to create pressure, confusion and turnovers. This season the Cardinals have forced 14 turnovers which puts them tied for 5^th overall. The Cardinals defense plays a very high risk/high reward defense. Keep a close eye on the Cardinals’ strong safety Tony Jefferson. He is moving on up in only his 2^nd NFL season. He currently leads the team in tackles. Jefferson will likely be the last line of defense so he will have to tackle Murray when he faces him in one on one situations. If Murray wins the battle against Jefferson, I expect the Cowboys to win going away.

Matchup No. 2 - Pittsburgh Steelers’ Le’Veon Bell vs. the Baltimore Ravens defense:

The Pittsburgh Steelers are coming off a wild 51-34 shootout victory over the Indianapolis Colts. Ben Roethlisberger threw for 522 passing yards and six touchdowns! This was Roethlisberger career high and one of the best quarterback performances of all time. That means it’s all downhill from here for Roethlisberger. Last week the Ravens lost 27-24 to the Cincinnati Bengals. Both the Bengals and Steelers need this divisional contest. The Bengals are undefeated in the NFC North at 2-0. The Ravens and the Steelers already have two divisional loses.

This battle always goes down to the wire. Big plays always are at a premium. In fact the last time a quarterback in this matchup threw for over 300 yards was November 6^th 2011. Ultimately, the team that wins the line of scrimmage will be victorious. Bell gives the Steelers a physical identity, a tough hard-nosed running back. His ability to elevate his game to the next level is imperative to any Steelers success. This season he is one of the top running backs in the NFL. Bell is top three among running backs in; rushing attempts, rushing yards, receptions and receiving yards. Bell combines power with agility and elusiveness. He can run the ball inside and bounce outside for a big gain. He is also a great receiver out of the backfield. His importance in this matchup cannot be overstated. He will need a primetime performance to propel a Steelers victory.

The Ravens run defense is currently #7 in rushing yards allowed. This defense has always taken great pride in stopping the run. This season, only one team has exceeded 100 yards rushing. Amazingly the last time Steelers back ran for over 100 rushing yards against Baltimore was in 2004. Jerome Bettis broke through for 117 rushing yards on 27 carries. Defensive lineman Haloti Ngata is a rare player who can dominate a game without accumulating a bunch of stats. Ngata is 6’ 4” and 340 lbs. He is always a physical presence at the line of scrimmage. He has surprising speed and quickness and can overwhelm offensive lineman. Steelers will have to contain Ngata to create running opportunities for Bell. I expect the Steelers to answer the bell and win 17-13.

Matchup No. 1 - New England Patriots’ Tom Brady vs. the Denver Broncos defense:

The New England Patriots are coming off an October to remember. They finished 4-0 and averaged 39.5 points a game.  Last week Brady put on a clinic putting up 51 points on the Chicago Bears. Brady had 354 passing yards, five touchdowns and only five incompletions. Four of Brady’s incompletions were receiver drops. Containing Brady will be a tremendous challenge for the Denver Broncos. Denver was also 4-0 during October. Manning can match firepower with firepower. The Broncos averaged over 37 points a game in October. Ultimately, the defenses are going to have to stop the other team sometime.

Any AFC team playing the Patriots is facing an uphill battle. The Patriots have won 33 consecutive home games against AFC opponents. The last team to beat Brady and Belichick in New England was the Steelers in 2008! Brady, whether you love him or hate him is a natural born winner. This was a guy who was drafted in the 6^th round of the 2000 draft. The scouts said he was too skinny and awkward as an athlete. Brady also lacks the laser rocket arm of some of his peers. Three Super Championships and 15 seasons later he is still performing at the highest level. Brady’s accuracy has always been one of his best attributes. Brady’s preparation, competiveness and leadership are also off the charts. He has great awareness in the pocket and can make all of the throws needed. Brady’s go to guy is Rob Gronkowski. This dynamic duo is a tremendous challenge for any defense.

The Broncos defense is having a great season. They have the #1 ranked run defense; they rank in the top 10 in sacks forced and points allowed. The run defense is allowing only 3.5 yards a carry the 5^th best overall. It will be very difficult for the Patriots to establish a running game against this Broncos defense. The Broncos pass defense is solid but not dominating. They rank only 17^th in passing yards allowed. The Broncos pass defense is 2^nd best in passing yards allowed per attempt. I expect Brady to have to throw close to 50 times against the Broncos. He will have some success moving the ball and score some touchdowns. Ultimately the x factor for the defense is cornerback Aqib Talib. He possesses shut down ability and is a defensive playmaker. In his career, Talib has picked off 25 passes with five going for touchdowns. Talib has the size, speed and skill to cover multiple players. Talib also played for New England in 2012 and 2013. It will be interesting if Talib’s familiarity will be an asset or will Brady pick him apart? This week there is no better matchup than Brady vs Talib. Enjoy everyone, first one to 40 wins!

Matchup No. 3 - Dallas Cowboys’ Demarco Murray vs. the Arizona Cardinals defense

The Cowboys come into this contest trying to rebound from last week’s overtime loss. The Washington Redskins escaped with a 20-17 victory. Romo injured his back in that contest, so backup Brandon Weeden may have to start in place of Romo. Regardless of the quarterback, the Cowboys will need another big game from DeMarco Murray. The Cardinals are flying high, leading the NFC with a 6-1 record. Last week the Cardinals defeated the Philadelphia Eagles 24-20. The Cardinals’ John Brown caught a 75 yard touchdown in the final minutes for the victory. This matchup will have a major impact on the NFC playoff standings. Each of these two teams is leading their division and fighting for a potential first round bye.

Murray is having a season for the ages. Murray played in 14 games last season. In only his 9^th game he will likely surpass last season in carries and rushing yards. Murray has a great opportunity to break Eric Dickerson season record for rushing yards in a season. More importantly than stats, the Cowboys host a critical NFC showdown on Sunday. With a win Dallas would regain the top seed in the NFC playoffs. A Cowboys loss could drop them to the five seed and out of the division lead. Through eight games, Murray and has run for at least 100 yards in each game. Murray possesses a unique blend of physical attributes. Not only is he very strong and physical he is fast and has breakaway speed. When he isn’t running through or past defenders he will likely juke, stutter step or throw a stiff-arm. He is also showing a much better feel for following the open holes and using cutback lanes for potential big gains.

The Cardinals run defense is one of the NFL’s best. They rank #3 against the run, allowing fewer than 80 rushing yards per game. This season no running back has topped 100 rushing yards against the Cardinals. Arizona plays a 3-4 defense which allows them to bring a variety of blitzes. No team has blitzed more than the Cardinals. Often times they will send several linebackers, safeties and even cornerbacks to create pressure, confusion and turnovers. This season the Cardinals have forced 14 turnovers which puts them tied for 5^th overall. The Cardinals defense plays a very high risk/high reward defense. Keep a close eye on the Cardinals’ strong safety Tony Jefferson. He is moving on up in only his 2^nd NFL season. He currently leads the team in tackles. Jefferson will likely be the last line of defense so he will have to tackle Murray when he faces him in one on one situations. If Murray wins the battle against Jefferson, I expect the Cowboys to win going away.

Matchup No. 2 - Pittsburgh Steelers’ Le’Veon Bell vs. the Baltimore Ravens defense:

The Pittsburgh Steelers are coming off a wild 51-34 shootout victory over the Indianapolis Colts. Ben Roethlisberger threw for 522 passing yards and six touchdowns! This was Roethlisberger career high and one of the best quarterback performances of all time. That means it’s all downhill from here for Roethlisberger. Last week the Ravens lost 27-24 to the Cincinnati Bengals. Both the Bengals and Steelers need this divisional contest. The Bengals are undefeated in the NFC North at 2-0. The Ravens and the Steelers already have two divisional loses.

This battle always goes down to the wire. Big plays always are at a premium. In fact the last time a quarterback in this matchup threw for over 300 yards was November 6^th 2011. Ultimately, the team that wins the line of scrimmage will be victorious. Bell gives the Steelers a physical identity, a tough hard-nosed running back. His ability to elevate his game to the next level is imperative to any Steelers success. This season he is one of the top running backs in the NFL. Bell is top three among running backs in; rushing attempts, rushing yards, receptions and receiving yards. Bell combines power with agility and elusiveness. He can run the ball inside and bounce outside for a big gain. He is also a great receiver out of the backfield. His importance in this matchup cannot be overstated. He will need a primetime performance to propel a Steelers victory.

The Ravens run defense is currently #7 in rushing yards allowed. This defense has always taken great pride in stopping the run. This season, only one team has exceeded 100 yards rushing. Amazingly the last time Steelers back ran for over 100 rushing yards against Baltimore was in 2004. Jerome Bettis broke through for 117 rushing yards on 27 carries. Defensive lineman Haloti Ngata is a rare player who can dominate a game without accumulating a bunch of stats. Ngata is 6’ 4” and 340 lbs. He is always a physical presence at the line of scrimmage. He has surprising speed and quickness and can overwhelm offensive lineman. Steelers will have to contain Ngata to create running opportunities for Bell. I expect the Steelers to answer the bell and win 17-13.

Matchup No. 1 - New England Patriots’ Tom Brady vs. the Denver Broncos defense:

The New England Patriots are coming off an October to remember. They finished 4-0 and averaged 39.5 points a game.  Last week Brady put on a clinic putting up 51 points on the Chicago Bears. Brady had 354 passing yards, five touchdowns and only five incompletions. Four of Brady’s incompletions were receiver drops. Containing Brady will be a tremendous challenge for the Denver Broncos. Denver was also 4-0 during October. Manning can match firepower with firepower. The Broncos averaged over 37 points a game in October. Ultimately, the defenses are going to have to stop the other team sometime.

Any AFC team playing the Patriots is facing an uphill battle. The Patriots have won 33 consecutive home games against AFC opponents. The last team to beat Brady and Belichick in New England was the Steelers in 2008! Brady, whether you love him or hate him is a natural born winner. This was a guy who was drafted in the 6^th round of the 2000 draft. The scouts said he was too skinny and awkward as an athlete. Brady also lacks the laser rocket arm of some of his peers. Three Super Championships and 15 seasons later he is still performing at the highest level. Brady’s accuracy has always been one of his best attributes. Brady’s preparation, competiveness and leadership are also off the charts. He has great awareness in the pocket and can make all of the throws needed. Brady’s go to guy is Rob Gronkowski. This dynamic duo is a tremendous challenge for any defense.

The Broncos defense is having a great season. They have the #1 ranked run defense; they rank in the top 10 in sacks forced and points allowed. The run defense is allowing only 3.5 yards a carry the 5^th best overall. It will be very difficult for the Patriots to establish a running game against this Broncos defense. The Broncos pass defense is solid but not dominating. They rank only 17^th in passing yards allowed. The Broncos pass defense is 2^nd best in passing yards allowed per attempt. I expect Brady to have to throw close to 50 times against the Broncos. He will have some success moving the ball and score some touchdowns. Ultimately the x factor for the defense is cornerback Aqib Talib. He possesses shut down ability and is a defensive playmaker. In his career, Talib has picked off 25 passes with five going for touchdowns. Talib has the size, speed and skill to cover multiple players. Talib also played for New England in 2012 and 2013. It will be interesting if Talib’s familiarity will be an asset or will Brady pick him apart? This week there is no better matchup than Brady vs Talib. Enjoy everyone, first one to 40 wins!

Matchup No. 3 - Dallas Cowboys’ Demarco Murray vs. the Arizona Cardinals defense

The Cowboys come into this contest trying to rebound from last week’s overtime loss. The Washington Redskins escaped with a 20-17 victory. Romo injured his back in that contest, so backup Brandon Weeden may have to start in place of Romo. Regardless of the quarterback, the Cowboys will need another big game from DeMarco Murray. The Cardinals are flying high, leading the NFC with a 6-1 record. Last week the Cardinals defeated the Philadelphia Eagles 24-20. The Cardinals’ John Brown caught a 75 yard touchdown in the final minutes for the victory. This matchup will have a major impact on the NFC playoff standings. Each of these two teams is leading their division and fighting for a potential first round bye.

Murray is having a season for the ages. Murray played in 14 games last season. In only his 9^th game he will likely surpass last season in carries and rushing yards. Murray has a great opportunity to break Eric Dickerson season record for rushing yards in a season. More importantly than stats, the Cowboys host a critical NFC showdown on Sunday. With a win Dallas would regain the top seed in the NFC playoffs. A Cowboys loss could drop them to the five seed and out of the division lead. Through eight games, Murray and has run for at least 100 yards in each game. Murray possesses a unique blend of physical attributes. Not only is he very strong and physical he is fast and has breakaway speed. When he isn’t running through or past defenders he will likely juke, stutter step or throw a stiff-arm. He is also showing a much better feel for following the open holes and using cutback lanes for potential big gains.

The Cardinals run defense is one of the NFL’s best. They rank #3 against the run, allowing fewer than 80 rushing yards per game. This season no running back has topped 100 rushing yards against the Cardinals. Arizona plays a 3-4 defense which allows them to bring a variety of blitzes. No team has blitzed more than the Cardinals. Often times they will send several linebackers, safeties and even cornerbacks to create pressure, confusion and turnovers. This season the Cardinals have forced 14 turnovers which puts them tied for 5^th overall. The Cardinals defense plays a very high risk/high reward defense. Keep a close eye on the Cardinals’ strong safety Tony Jefferson. He is moving on up in only his 2^nd NFL season. He currently leads the team in tackles. Jefferson will likely be the last line of defense so he will have to tackle Murray when he faces him in one on one situations. If Murray wins the battle against Jefferson, I expect the Cowboys to win going away.

Matchup No. 2 - Pittsburgh Steelers’ Le’Veon Bell vs. the Baltimore Ravens defense:

The Pittsburgh Steelers are coming off a wild 51-34 shootout victory over the Indianapolis Colts. Ben Roethlisberger threw for 522 passing yards and six touchdowns! This was Roethlisberger career high and one of the best quarterback performances of all time. That means it’s all downhill from here for Roethlisberger. Last week the Ravens lost 27-24 to the Cincinnati Bengals. Both the Bengals and Steelers need this divisional contest. The Bengals are undefeated in the NFC North at 2-0. The Ravens and the Steelers already have two divisional loses.

This battle always goes down to the wire. Big plays always are at a premium. In fact the last time a quarterback in this matchup threw for over 300 yards was November 6^th 2011. Ultimately, the team that wins the line of scrimmage will be victorious. Bell gives the Steelers a physical identity, a tough hard-nosed running back. His ability to elevate his game to the next level is imperative to any Steelers success. This season he is one of the top running backs in the NFL. Bell is top three among running backs in; rushing attempts, rushing yards, receptions and receiving yards. Bell combines power with agility and elusiveness. He can run the ball inside and bounce outside for a big gain. He is also a great receiver out of the backfield. His importance in this matchup cannot be overstated. He will need a primetime performance to propel a Steelers victory.

The Ravens run defense is currently #7 in rushing yards allowed. This defense has always taken great pride in stopping the run. This season, only one team has exceeded 100 yards rushing. Amazingly the last time Steelers back ran for over 100 rushing yards against Baltimore was in 2004. Jerome Bettis broke through for 117 rushing yards on 27 carries. Defensive lineman Haloti Ngata is a rare player who can dominate a game without accumulating a bunch of stats. Ngata is 6’ 4” and 340 lbs. He is always a physical presence at the line of scrimmage. He has surprising speed and quickness and can overwhelm offensive lineman. Steelers will have to contain Ngata to create running opportunities for Bell. I expect the Steelers to answer the bell and win 17-13.

Matchup No. 1 - New England Patriots’ Tom Brady vs. the Denver Broncos defense:

The New England Patriots are coming off an October to remember. They finished 4-0 and averaged 39.5 points a game.  Last week Brady put on a clinic putting up 51 points on the Chicago Bears. Brady had 354 passing yards, five touchdowns and only five incompletions. Four of Brady’s incompletions were receiver drops. Containing Brady will be a tremendous challenge for the Denver Broncos. Denver was also 4-0 during October. Manning can match firepower with firepower. The Broncos averaged over 37 points a game in October. Ultimately, the defenses are going to have to stop the other team sometime.

Any AFC team playing the Patriots is facing an uphill battle. The Patriots have won 33 consecutive home games against AFC opponents. The last team to beat Brady and Belichick in New England was the Steelers in 2008! Brady, whether you love him or hate him is a natural born winner. This was a guy who was drafted in the 6^th round of the 2000 draft. The scouts said he was too skinny and awkward as an athlete. Brady also lacks the laser rocket arm of some of his peers. Three Super Championships and 15 seasons later he is still performing at the highest level. Brady’s accuracy has always been one of his best attributes. Brady’s preparation, competiveness and leadership are also off the charts. He has great awareness in the pocket and can make all of the throws needed. Brady’s go to guy is Rob Gronkowski. This dynamic duo is a tremendous challenge for any defense.

The Broncos defense is having a great season. They have the #1 ranked run defense; they rank in the top 10 in sacks forced and points allowed. The run defense is allowing only 3.5 yards a carry the 5^th best overall. It will be very difficult for the Patriots to establish a running game against this Broncos defense. The Broncos pass defense is solid but not dominating. They rank only 17^th in passing yards allowed. The Broncos pass defense is 2^nd best in passing yards allowed per attempt. I expect Brady to have to throw close to 50 times against the Broncos. He will have some success moving the ball and score some touchdowns. Ultimately the x factor for the defense is cornerback Aqib Talib. He possesses shut down ability and is a defensive playmaker. In his career, Talib has picked off 25 passes with five going for touchdowns. Talib has the size, speed and skill to cover multiple players. Talib also played for New England in 2012 and 2013. It will be interesting if Talib’s familiarity will be an asset or will Brady pick him apart? This week there is no better matchup than Brady vs Talib. Enjoy everyone, first one to 40 wins!

This weekly article will highlight, preview, and predict, three key player matchups and must see NFL games.

The NFL is known by many coaches, players, and fans, as “The Not For Long league.” The NFL is the most unpredictable and exciting sport in the world.  Fans and media will often make snap judgments on players and teams each week. As a fan of the NFL for 20 years, I want to give some insight on the best matchups each week of the NFL season, as well as fantasy football.

Matchup No. 3 - Cincinnati Bengals’ Giovanni Bernard vs. the Indianapolis Colts defense.

The Bengals are coming off a disappointing tie against the Carolina Panthers. The Bengals wasted golden opportunities in regulation and overtime to clinch the victory. Currently, the Bengals still lead the AFC North division. Meanwhile, division rivals Baltimore Ravens and Cleveland Browns are coming on strong. The Indianapolis Colts have weathered the storm of starting the season 0-2. They have won four straight and now lead their division. The Colts are winning games based on their explosive offense. Andrew Luck is leading the NFL in passing attempts and completions, passing yards and touchdowns. It’s no wonder the Colts are now the #1 scoring offense in the NFL.

The Bengals want no part of a shootout with the Colts this week. Bengals’ stud receiver A.J. Green is likely going to miss the game with a toe injury. Receiver Mohamed Sanu is quietly having a very productive season for Cincinnati. He leads the team in receptions, yards and touchdowns. With that being said, the #1 playmaker on this Bengals offense is running back Giovani Bernard. He is top 10 among running backs in rushing yards and touchdowns. This is very impressive, especially since he already had a bye week.  Therefore, Bernard had has one less game than many other top running backs. He is also one of the best receiving backs in the game. He already has 18 receptions and is averaging 9.9 yards a reception. Bernard showed his big play ability last week against the Carolina Panthers. He broke through for an 89 yard rushing touchdown, the longest in the NFL this season. Bernard at only 5’ 9” is very small by NFL standards. Often times he uses his size to his advantage. On his long touchdown run he got lost among the lineman, bounces off a defender and is off to the races. Bernard is extremely quick and elusive. He is very difficult to tackle in the open field. The Bengals best chance is to let Bernard carry them to the victory.

Last week against the Houston Texans, the Colts allowed their first 100 yard rusher of the season. Arian Foster had little trouble gashing the Colts Defense for 109 rushing yards and 2 touchdowns. Any Colts opponent has had little resistance when they commit to the running game. The Colts are allowing nearly five yards per attempt and are 2^nd worst in rushing tds allowed. The Colts defense is undersized but they hustle and have good overall speed. With this in mind Bernard is actually a good test for their run defense. Bernard strength is his quickness and speed. The Colts will need all eleven players stay in their gaps wrap up Bernard. I expect the Colts to make the necessary adjustments and effort plays to defeat the Bengals. 

Matchup No. 2 - Dallas Cowboys’ Dez Bryant vs. the New York Giants pass defense:

The Cowboys are playing their best football of the season. They are currently on a five game winning streak. They dethroned the Super Bowl Champs in their house! They just dropped 30 on the vaunted Seahawks defense and the Legion of Boom. Even with all of their success, the Cowboys are tied with the Philadelphia Eagles for the division lead. The Cowboys now have a great opportunity to take the division lead, and quiet all the haters out there. Last week the Giants got embarrassed 27-0 by the Philadelphia Eagles. The Giants are now two games out of 1^st place and need this game in the worst way. The Giants need a victory against their arch rival to stay in the division race.

My favorite thing about the NFL is that no two weeks are alike! Last week the Giants allowed over 200 rushing yards. This week I believe the Giants will sellout to stop the run. The Giants know that DeMarco Murray is the top running back and the engine to the Cowboys offense. New York will do everything they can to make the Cowboys one dimensional on offense. Cowboys stud receiver Dez Bryant is having a nice season. He is the team leader in receptions and yards. Bryant is a physical freak in the prime of his career. Surprisingly, he is currently averaging a career low in yards per reception. He has made as many big plays as any receiver the last few seasons. This season the Cowboys have become much more balanced on offense. They rely much more on the run and generally are more conservative on offense. With the Giants likely stacking the box, Romo will have opportunities for big plays down the field. Expect to see a steady diet of runs and play action throws. Bryant’s playmaking will be crucial in this divisional contest. If Bryant can have a breakout performance the Cowboys will roll over the Giants. If Bryant is held in check the Cowboys winning streak will be in major jeopardy.  

The Giants are a tough team to figure out right now. They started 0-2 and were overmatched from the start. During their three game winning streaks the defense was dominating and forcing turnovers in bunches. Last week the Giants decided to take a bye week against the Eagles and got blown out 27-0.  The Giants rank 24^th in passing yards allowed. The secondary is allowing a ton of big plays. The Giants defense is 27^th in yards per completion allowed. If the secondary can cut down on big plays they can be pretty good. The Giants defense ranks in the top 10 in completion % and passing touchdowns allowed. The Giants have also forced the most interceptions in the NFL. Keep your eye on cornerback Prince Amukamara. He is long and athletic. He has enough size and speed to keep Bryant in check. Amukamara is an up and coming player but he needs a primetime performance against Bryant. This game could have major implications on the NFC East division race and NFC home field advantage. This will be an exciting game filled with touchdowns, big plays and turnovers so sit back and enjoy this game.

Matchup No. 1 - Denver Broncos’ Peyton Manning vs San Francisco 49ers defense.

This is a fantastic matchup between Super Bowl contenders. Last week the 49ers overcame an early 11 point deficit to defeat the St. Louis Rams 31-17. This season the 49ers have a 4-1 record. They have managed to overcome 2^nd half deficits in the last three weeks. Shockingly, even with the comebacks the 49ers have zero offensive touchdowns in the 4^th quarter. That will not get it done against the Broncos. The Denver Broncos are 4-1 and the offense is starting to come together. Demaryius Thomas has been dominating defenses the last two weeks. Julius Thomas is leading all receivers in receiving touchdowns with nine.

The one constant on this offense is Peyton Manning. He is a tremendous competitor and always gives his team a chance to win each week. This could be a very special week for Manning. With three passing touchdowns he will break the NFL record for passing touchdowns in a career. Julius Thomas is Manning’s go to guy in the red zone. Julius Thomas is on pace to break Randy Moss’ record for receiving touchdowns in a season. Manning and Julius Thomas have a special connection which make this offense very difficult to stop. Manning also has pro bowl receiver Demaryius Thomas at his disposal. Demaryius Thomas has the size, speed and hands to dominate opposing cornerbacks. Manning dominates defenses with tremendous accuracy and football knowledge. He uses his knowledge to call his own plays and when necessary, audibles into favorable matchups. Manning has a very quick release and throws the ball where his playmakers can continue to rack up even more yards after the catch. So far this season, Manning has thrown at least 3 touchdowns in all but one game so far. If he can do that against the 49ers, we will be witnessing NFL history!

Manning is going to have his hands full with the 49ers. The 49ers rank 2^nd in pass defense and total yards allowed. They are in the top 10 in scoring defense allowing less than 21 points a game. This defense has the talent and scheme to make Manning uncomfortable. As good as Manning is, he can struggle when pressured and a 3-4 defense has historically had some success against him. The 49ers run a 3-4 defense and have players who can really get after the quarterback. Defensive end Justin Smith is defensive force. His tremendous strength and motor makes him very difficult to block. Linebacker Ahmad Brooks is rarely noticed by casual fans but is one of the better linebackers in the NFL. He won’t score touchdowns like J.J. Watt but Brooks plays the game at a high level. This season he is tied for the team lead in sacks with three. He is coming off his best game of the season, where he had a season high five tackles and two sacks. Normally, I don’t make predictions on the score. I like to leave it up the reader’s imagination. This matchup is too good not to predict the final outcome. Manning ties up the score in the last minute of regulation. Denver gets the ball first in overtime and Manning breaks the NFL record on a short touchdown to Julius Thomas! Denver wins 30-24.

This weekly article will highlight, preview, and predict, three key player matchups and must see NFL games.

The NFL is known by many coaches, players, and fans, as “The Not For Long league.” The NFL is the most unpredictable and exciting sport in the world.  Fans and media will often make snap judgments on players and teams each week. As a fan of the NFL for 20 years, I want to give some insight on the best matchups each week of the NFL season, as well as fantasy football.

Matchup No. 3 - Cincinnati Bengals’ Giovanni Bernard vs. the Indianapolis Colts defense.

The Bengals are coming off a disappointing tie against the Carolina Panthers. The Bengals wasted golden opportunities in regulation and overtime to clinch the victory. Currently, the Bengals still lead the AFC North division. Meanwhile, division rivals Baltimore Ravens and Cleveland Browns are coming on strong. The Indianapolis Colts have weathered the storm of starting the season 0-2. They have won four straight and now lead their division. The Colts are winning games based on their explosive offense. Andrew Luck is leading the NFL in passing attempts and completions, passing yards and touchdowns. It’s no wonder the Colts are now the #1 scoring offense in the NFL.

The Bengals want no part of a shootout with the Colts this week. Bengals’ stud receiver A.J. Green is likely going to miss the game with a toe injury. Receiver Mohamed Sanu is quietly having a very productive season for Cincinnati. He leads the team in receptions, yards and touchdowns. With that being said, the #1 playmaker on this Bengals offense is running back Giovani Bernard. He is top 10 among running backs in rushing yards and touchdowns. This is very impressive, especially since he already had a bye week.  Therefore, Bernard had has one less game than many other top running backs. He is also one of the best receiving backs in the game. He already has 18 receptions and is averaging 9.9 yards a reception. Bernard showed his big play ability last week against the Carolina Panthers. He broke through for an 89 yard rushing touchdown, the longest in the NFL this season. Bernard at only 5’ 9” is very small by NFL standards. Often times he uses his size to his advantage. On his long touchdown run he got lost among the lineman, bounces off a defender and is off to the races. Bernard is extremely quick and elusive. He is very difficult to tackle in the open field. The Bengals best chance is to let Bernard carry them to the victory.

Last week against the Houston Texans, the Colts allowed their first 100 yard rusher of the season. Arian Foster had little trouble gashing the Colts Defense for 109 rushing yards and 2 touchdowns. Any Colts opponent has had little resistance when they commit to the running game. The Colts are allowing nearly five yards per attempt and are 2^nd worst in rushing tds allowed. The Colts defense is undersized but they hustle and have good overall speed. With this in mind Bernard is actually a good test for their run defense. Bernard strength is his quickness and speed. The Colts will need all eleven players stay in their gaps wrap up Bernard. I expect the Colts to make the necessary adjustments and effort plays to defeat the Bengals. 

Matchup No. 2 - Dallas Cowboys’ Dez Bryant vs. the New York Giants pass defense:

The Cowboys are playing their best football of the season. They are currently on a five game winning streak. They dethroned the Super Bowl Champs in their house! They just dropped 30 on the vaunted Seahawks defense and the Legion of Boom. Even with all of their success, the Cowboys are tied with the Philadelphia Eagles for the division lead. The Cowboys now have a great opportunity to take the division lead, and quiet all the haters out there. Last week the Giants got embarrassed 27-0 by the Philadelphia Eagles. The Giants are now two games out of 1^st place and need this game in the worst way. The Giants need a victory against their arch rival to stay in the division race.

My favorite thing about the NFL is that no two weeks are alike! Last week the Giants allowed over 200 rushing yards. This week I believe the Giants will sellout to stop the run. The Giants know that DeMarco Murray is the top running back and the engine to the Cowboys offense. New York will do everything they can to make the Cowboys one dimensional on offense. Cowboys stud receiver Dez Bryant is having a nice season. He is the team leader in receptions and yards. Bryant is a physical freak in the prime of his career. Surprisingly, he is currently averaging a career low in yards per reception. He has made as many big plays as any receiver the last few seasons. This season the Cowboys have become much more balanced on offense. They rely much more on the run and generally are more conservative on offense. With the Giants likely stacking the box, Romo will have opportunities for big plays down the field. Expect to see a steady diet of runs and play action throws. Bryant’s playmaking will be crucial in this divisional contest. If Bryant can have a breakout performance the Cowboys will roll over the Giants. If Bryant is held in check the Cowboys winning streak will be in major jeopardy.  

The Giants are a tough team to figure out right now. They started 0-2 and were overmatched from the start. During their three game winning streaks the defense was dominating and forcing turnovers in bunches. Last week the Giants decided to take a bye week against the Eagles and got blown out 27-0.  The Giants rank 24^th in passing yards allowed. The secondary is allowing a ton of big plays. The Giants defense is 27^th in yards per completion allowed. If the secondary can cut down on big plays they can be pretty good. The Giants defense ranks in the top 10 in completion % and passing touchdowns allowed. The Giants have also forced the most interceptions in the NFL. Keep your eye on cornerback Prince Amukamara. He is long and athletic. He has enough size and speed to keep Bryant in check. Amukamara is an up and coming player but he needs a primetime performance against Bryant. This game could have major implications on the NFC East division race and NFC home field advantage. This will be an exciting game filled with touchdowns, big plays and turnovers so sit back and enjoy this game.

Matchup No. 1 - Denver Broncos’ Peyton Manning vs San Francisco 49ers defense.

This is a fantastic matchup between Super Bowl contenders. Last week the 49ers overcame an early 11 point deficit to defeat the St. Louis Rams 31-17. This season the 49ers have a 4-1 record. They have managed to overcome 2^nd half deficits in the last three weeks. Shockingly, even with the comebacks the 49ers have zero offensive touchdowns in the 4^th quarter. That will not get it done against the Broncos. The Denver Broncos are 4-1 and the offense is starting to come together. Demaryius Thomas has been dominating defenses the last two weeks. Julius Thomas is leading all receivers in receiving touchdowns with nine.

The one constant on this offense is Peyton Manning. He is a tremendous competitor and always gives his team a chance to win each week. This could be a very special week for Manning. With three passing touchdowns he will break the NFL record for passing touchdowns in a career. Julius Thomas is Manning’s go to guy in the red zone. Julius Thomas is on pace to break Randy Moss’ record for receiving touchdowns in a season. Manning and Julius Thomas have a special connection which make this offense very difficult to stop. Manning also has pro bowl receiver Demaryius Thomas at his disposal. Demaryius Thomas has the size, speed and hands to dominate opposing cornerbacks. Manning dominates defenses with tremendous accuracy and football knowledge. He uses his knowledge to call his own plays and when necessary, audibles into favorable matchups. Manning has a very quick release and throws the ball where his playmakers can continue to rack up even more yards after the catch. So far this season, Manning has thrown at least 3 touchdowns in all but one game so far. If he can do that against the 49ers, we will be witnessing NFL history!

Manning is going to have his hands full with the 49ers. The 49ers rank 2^nd in pass defense and total yards allowed. They are in the top 10 in scoring defense allowing less than 21 points a game. This defense has the talent and scheme to make Manning uncomfortable. As good as Manning is, he can struggle when pressured and a 3-4 defense has historically had some success against him. The 49ers run a 3-4 defense and have players who can really get after the quarterback. Defensive end Justin Smith is defensive force. His tremendous strength and motor makes him very difficult to block. Linebacker Ahmad Brooks is rarely noticed by casual fans but is one of the better linebackers in the NFL. He won’t score touchdowns like J.J. Watt but Brooks plays the game at a high level. This season he is tied for the team lead in sacks with three. He is coming off his best game of the season, where he had a season high five tackles and two sacks. Normally, I don’t make predictions on the score. I like to leave it up the reader’s imagination. This matchup is too good not to predict the final outcome. Manning ties up the score in the last minute of regulation. Denver gets the ball first in overtime and Manning breaks the NFL record on a short touchdown to Julius Thomas! Denver wins 30-24.

This weekly article will highlight, preview, and predict, three key player matchups and must see NFL games.

The NFL is known by many coaches, players, and fans, as “The Not For Long league”. The NFL is the most unpredictable and exciting sport in the world.  Fans and media will often make snap judgments on players and teams each week. As a fan of the NFL for 20 years, I want to give fans some insight on the best matchups each week of the NFL season. This article will highlight, preview, and predict, key player matchups and must see NFL games. Fans who read this article will gain insight on the big games and matchups that affect the NFL, as well as fantasy football.

Matchup No. 3 - Houston Texans’ Arian Foster vs. the Indianapolis Colts defense:

What a difference a few weeks can make in the NFL. The Colts started out 0-2, while the Texans started out 2-0. The Texans now have lost two of their last three games. The Colts are on a three game winning streak. Each team is now 3-2 and battling for 1^st place in the AFC South division. The Colts come into this matchup as the #1 passing offense in the NFL. The Texans offense is very run heavy. Arian Foster is top five among running backs in rush attempts, rushing yards and rushing touchdowns. That is amazing, especially since he missed a full game and gained only 6 yards in week 4.

Foster is the Swiss army knife of NFL running backs. He doesn’t do any one thing extremely well, but he can do everything better than most. Foster at 6’ 1” 227 lbs. is very well built for a running back. Although, he isn’t a traditional power back. Often times he will use his speed, quickness and agility to gain chunks of yards. Foster does possess a pretty sweet stiff arm. He has thrown many defenders to the ground with his powerful still arm. Foster has a natural instinct for the end zone. Since his rookie year in 2009, he is 2^nd among all running backs with 48 rushing touchdowns. Foster cashed in last weekend with two rushing touchdowns. He will need another strong performance for the Texans to win this week.

Statistically, you could say the Colts run defense is pretty good. They rank 12^th against the run and haven’t allowed a 100 yard rusher all season. But, the Colts run defense is among the worst in yards per carry allowed and rushing touchdowns. The Colts opponents haven’t run very much because of the big leads Indy has had the last few weeks. In this divisional matchup I expect a much closer contest. Foster will be a tremendous challenge for this defense. Veteran defensive end Cory Redding is the defensive player to watch. He has been a good player for a long time. He will need a great performance to contain the Texans running game.   

Matchup No. 2 - New York Giants’ Eli Manning vs. the Philadelphia Eagles defense:

Don’t look now Eli Manning is playing lights out football. During the Giants three game winning streak Manning has 8 touchdowns and only 1 interception. The offense has been explosive scoring at least 30 points in each victory. The Eagles are tied with the Dallas Cowboys with a 4-1 record in the division. The Eagles are fortunate to be at 4-1 right now. In the last four games the Eagles defense is allowing an average of over 28 pts a game.

This season the Giants have been very balanced on offense. Free agent Rashad Jennings has been a workhorse running back and good receiver out of the backfield. Jennings will likely be out with injury so the Giants will have to feature rookie Andre Williams. He is a powerful north south runner. He doesn’t have much speed so big plays must come out of the passing game. Manning is doing a nice job spreading out the ball to his receivers. Victor Cruz is the team’s leading receiver and is a major big play threat. Tight end Larry Donnell is the second leading receiver in yards and leads the team in touchdowns with 4. Rueben Randle is a solid wide receiver. Rookie receiver Odell Beckham Jr. possesses speed and big play ability. Manning doesn’t have off the charts athleticism. Manning does possess tremendous intelligence and toughness. He hasn’t missed a start in his 11 year career. Turnovers in this rivalry game will turn the tide one direction or another. If New York plays mistake free on offense then expect a Giants victory.

The Eagles defense is very generous in giving up yards. They rank 24^th in rushing yards allowed and 29^th in passing yards allowed. The Eagles secondary has allowed a league high 13 passing touchdowns. They allow over 400 yards per game and 26 points. The Giants offense should be able to move the ball against this defense.

The Eagles defense/ special teams are a very opportunistic bunch. So far the Eagles have recorded a kickoff return, punt return, interception return, two fumble returns and two blocked punts for a touchdown. The seven return touchdowns are more than the Oakland Raiders team has scored all season! Eagles’ free safety Malcolm Jenkins is the one defense player to watch. Not only does he lead Philadelphia in interceptions, he is the only Eagle with one! He recorded an interception return for touchdown in the Week 4 loss versus San Francisco. He is also 2^nd on the team in tackles for good measure. Jenkins will need another stellar performance to dethrone the Giants.

Matchup No. 1 - Dallas Cowboys’ DeMarco Murray vs. Seattle Seahawks’ Marshawn Lynch:

In today’s pass happy NFL, I couldn’t pass up comparing the top running backs facing off against each other. Marshawn Lynch is still pound for pound the most physical beast in football.  The Seahawks already had their bye week but are still leading the NFL in yards per carry and rushing yards per game. The Cowboys are tied for 1^st in rushing attempts, and are 1^st in rushing yards. Murray has 210 more rushing yards then the #2 running back!

Marshawn Lynch is a throwback running back. He reminds me of Earl Campbell back in the day. Nobody could tackle Campbell without help and Lynch is just as tough to bring down. One guy can’t bring Lynch down. He seeks out contact instead of trying to avoid it. When Lynch has the opportunity to run out of bounds he instead seeks out the nearest defender for a punishing blow. He runs through arm tackles with a single bound. Some people wear Superman pajamas, Superman wears “Beast Mode” pajamas. He is the perfect complement to Russell Wilson’s speed and quickness. Wilson is also very smart and elusive. Nobody runs the read option offense better than Wilson, this opens up holes for Lynch to break through. Lynch is now being used more often as a receiver. He is third on the team in receptions and leading the team with 3 receiving touchdowns.

In Murray’s four year career he has been a very productive running back. His career average of 5 yards per carry is off the charts good. Murray in his career has a total of 3352 rushing yards. In NFL history only three backs with at least 3352 rushing yards have a higher career average per carry. His average yards per carry is better than even all-time great Barry Sanders. Critics often question Murray’s durability, the Cowboys offensive line and the commitment to the running game. This season the critics have nothing to complain about. Murray is leading all rushers in rushing attempts, rushing yards and rushing touchdowns. The Cowboys offense line is also having a breakthrough season. Murray is running through some big holes as the offensive line is controlling the line of scrimmage. Lineman Tyron Smith is establishing himself as a dominant force at left tackle. Rookie right guard Zack Martin is living up to hype as a 1^st round pick. He is fast and physical and a strong run blocker.

If you love football and I know you do if you are reading my article all the way through, just sit back and enjoy this matchup. Two backs playing at the highest level, playing head to head on division leaders doesn’t happen very often! Grab your favorite food, drink with an extra helping of Beast a la mode.

This weekly article will highlight, preview, and predict, three key player matchups and must see NFL games.

The NFL is known by many coaches, players, and fans, as “The Not For Long league”. The NFL is the most unpredictable and exciting sport in the world.  Fans and media will often make snap judgments on players and teams each week. As a fan of the NFL for 20 years, I want to give fans some insight on the best matchups each week of the NFL season. This article will highlight, preview, and predict, key player matchups and must see NFL games. Fans who read this article will gain insight on the big games and matchups that affect the NFL, as well as fantasy football.

Matchup No. 3 - Houston Texans’ Arian Foster vs. the Indianapolis Colts defense:

What a difference a few weeks can make in the NFL. The Colts started out 0-2, while the Texans started out 2-0. The Texans now have lost two of their last three games. The Colts are on a three game winning streak. Each team is now 3-2 and battling for 1^st place in the AFC South division. The Colts come into this matchup as the #1 passing offense in the NFL. The Texans offense is very run heavy. Arian Foster is top five among running backs in rush attempts, rushing yards and rushing touchdowns. That is amazing, especially since he missed a full game and gained only 6 yards in week 4.

Foster is the Swiss army knife of NFL running backs. He doesn’t do any one thing extremely well, but he can do everything better than most. Foster at 6’ 1” 227 lbs. is very well built for a running back. Although, he isn’t a traditional power back. Often times he will use his speed, quickness and agility to gain chunks of yards. Foster does possess a pretty sweet stiff arm. He has thrown many defenders to the ground with his powerful still arm. Foster has a natural instinct for the end zone. Since his rookie year in 2009, he is 2^nd among all running backs with 48 rushing touchdowns. Foster cashed in last weekend with two rushing touchdowns. He will need another strong performance for the Texans to win this week.

Statistically, you could say the Colts run defense is pretty good. They rank 12^th against the run and haven’t allowed a 100 yard rusher all season. But, the Colts run defense is among the worst in yards per carry allowed and rushing touchdowns. The Colts opponents haven’t run very much because of the big leads Indy has had the last few weeks. In this divisional matchup I expect a much closer contest. Foster will be a tremendous challenge for this defense. Veteran defensive end Cory Redding is the defensive player to watch. He has been a good player for a long time. He will need a great performance to contain the Texans running game.   

Matchup No. 2 - New York Giants’ Eli Manning vs. the Philadelphia Eagles defense:

Don’t look now Eli Manning is playing lights out football. During the Giants three game winning streak Manning has 8 touchdowns and only 1 interception. The offense has been explosive scoring at least 30 points in each victory. The Eagles are tied with the Dallas Cowboys with a 4-1 record in the division. The Eagles are fortunate to be at 4-1 right now. In the last four games the Eagles defense is allowing an average of over 28 pts a game.

This season the Giants have been very balanced on offense. Free agent Rashad Jennings has been a workhorse running back and good receiver out of the backfield. Jennings will likely be out with injury so the Giants will have to feature rookie Andre Williams. He is a powerful north south runner. He doesn’t have much speed so big plays must come out of the passing game. Manning is doing a nice job spreading out the ball to his receivers. Victor Cruz is the team’s leading receiver and is a major big play threat. Tight end Larry Donnell is the second leading receiver in yards and leads the team in touchdowns with 4. Rueben Randle is a solid wide receiver. Rookie receiver Odell Beckham Jr. possesses speed and big play ability. Manning doesn’t have off the charts athleticism. Manning does possess tremendous intelligence and toughness. He hasn’t missed a start in his 11 year career. Turnovers in this rivalry game will turn the tide one direction or another. If New York plays mistake free on offense then expect a Giants victory.

The Eagles defense is very generous in giving up yards. They rank 24^th in rushing yards allowed and 29^th in passing yards allowed. The Eagles secondary has allowed a league high 13 passing touchdowns. They allow over 400 yards per game and 26 points. The Giants offense should be able to move the ball against this defense.

The Eagles defense/ special teams are a very opportunistic bunch. So far the Eagles have recorded a kickoff return, punt return, interception return, two fumble returns and two blocked punts for a touchdown. The seven return touchdowns are more than the Oakland Raiders team has scored all season! Eagles’ free safety Malcolm Jenkins is the one defense player to watch. Not only does he lead Philadelphia in interceptions, he is the only Eagle with one! He recorded an interception return for touchdown in the Week 4 loss versus San Francisco. He is also 2^nd on the team in tackles for good measure. Jenkins will need another stellar performance to dethrone the Giants.

Matchup No. 1 - Dallas Cowboys’ DeMarco Murray vs. Seattle Seahawks’ Marshawn Lynch:

In today’s pass happy NFL, I couldn’t pass up comparing the top running backs facing off against each other. Marshawn Lynch is still pound for pound the most physical beast in football.  The Seahawks already had their bye week but are still leading the NFL in yards per carry and rushing yards per game. The Cowboys are tied for 1^st in rushing attempts, and are 1^st in rushing yards. Murray has 210 more rushing yards then the #2 running back!

Marshawn Lynch is a throwback running back. He reminds me of Earl Campbell back in the day. Nobody could tackle Campbell without help and Lynch is just as tough to bring down. One guy can’t bring Lynch down. He seeks out contact instead of trying to avoid it. When Lynch has the opportunity to run out of bounds he instead seeks out the nearest defender for a punishing blow. He runs through arm tackles with a single bound. Some people wear Superman pajamas, Superman wears “Beast Mode” pajamas. He is the perfect complement to Russell Wilson’s speed and quickness. Wilson is also very smart and elusive. Nobody runs the read option offense better than Wilson, this opens up holes for Lynch to break through. Lynch is now being used more often as a receiver. He is third on the team in receptions and leading the team with 3 receiving touchdowns.

In Murray’s four year career he has been a very productive running back. His career average of 5 yards per carry is off the charts good. Murray in his career has a total of 3352 rushing yards. In NFL history only three backs with at least 3352 rushing yards have a higher career average per carry. His average yards per carry is better than even all-time great Barry Sanders. Critics often question Murray’s durability, the Cowboys offensive line and the commitment to the running game. This season the critics have nothing to complain about. Murray is leading all rushers in rushing attempts, rushing yards and rushing touchdowns. The Cowboys offense line is also having a breakthrough season. Murray is running through some big holes as the offensive line is controlling the line of scrimmage. Lineman Tyron Smith is establishing himself as a dominant force at left tackle. Rookie right guard Zack Martin is living up to hype as a 1^st round pick. He is fast and physical and a strong run blocker.

If you love football and I know you do if you are reading my article all the way through, just sit back and enjoy this matchup. Two backs playing at the highest level, playing head to head on division leaders doesn’t happen very often! Grab your favorite food, drink with an extra helping of Beast a la mode.

This weekly article will highlight, preview, and predict, three key player matchups and must see NFL games.

The NFL is known by many coaches, players, and fans, as “The Not For Long league”. The NFL is the most unpredictable and exciting sport in the world.  Fans and media will often make snap judgments on players and teams each week. As a fan of the NFL for 20 years, I want to give fans some insight on the best matchups each week of the NFL season. This article will highlight, preview, and predict, key player matchups and must see NFL games. Fans who read this article will gain insight on the big games and matchups that affect the NFL, as well as fantasy football.

Matchup No. 3 - Indianapolis Colts’ Andrew Luck vs. the Baltimore Ravens defense.

Right now Luck is playing quarterback at the highest level. In back to back weeks Luck has powered the offense. He has put up at least 370 passing yards, 4 passing touchdowns and 41 points in wins over Jacksonville and Tennessee. Let’s face it, the Colts competition has been weak, but Baltimore is no pushover! The Ravens are currently on a three game winning streak. During this streak they have dominating wins over playoff hopefuls Pittsburgh Steelers and Carolina Panthers. The Ravens needed a very late comeback to defeat division rival the Cleveland Browns.

In his brief career, Luck has been the master of the 4^th quarter comeback. In his first two seasons he has led eight 4^th quarter comebacks. He orchestrated the 2^nd best playoff comeback of all time last year. The Colts overcame a 38-10 3^rd quarter deficit over the Kansas City Chiefs. Luck has all the tools you could want in a franchise quarterback; size, accuracy, arm strength, athleticism, intelligence and leadership. Throughout his career the Colts have struggled early in games, needing miraculous comebacks to win.

Great teams and quarterbacks dominate and don’t allow inferior teams to hang around. To be successful in this matchup against the surging Ravens, four quarters of outstanding football is required. Football is the ultimate team game, so the Colts will need major contributions from Reggie Wayne, T.Y. Hilton and Ahmad Bradshaw. Wayne is Luck’s go to guy. He makes the tough catches that keep drives alive. Hilton brings a much needed big play element to this offense. Hilton’s 4.34 40 time is freaky fast. He is much more than a speed guy. He is skilled at eluding defenders in space and turning short gains into big plays. Bradshaw is technically the backup running back but is outperforming current starter Trent Richardson. He can make plays on his own that Richardson isn’t capable of doing. Bradshaw has much more speed and elusiveness than Richardson. Bradshaw has also excelled in the passing game with four receiving touchdowns. Those four receiving touchdowns rank him 5^th in the entire NFL!

Luck has supreme confidence in his ability and his teammates. His supporting cast is much deeper and consistent than last season. It would seem like I’m ready to crown the Colts as the Super Bowl Champs. In the words of ESPN College Football Analyst Lee Corso, not so fast my friend. Luck’s fatal flaw in his career has been turnovers. One turnover often turns into two which may even turn into three turnovers. He will have to avoid turnovers against this Baltimore defense.

The Ravens run defense is very good currently ranked 7^th overall. Their pass defense is weak only ranked 24^th overall. This could be problematic because Indy is a much stronger passing team than a running team. The Ravens linebackers must create havoc on defense. This season, linebacker Elvis Dumervil has 3.5 of the team's 4.0 quarterback sacks. The Ultimate X factor will be linebacker C.J. Mosley. This rookie from Alabama is leading the team in tackles, tackles for loss and passes defended. He has also forced and recovered a fumble. His early season is impressive but don’t forget that he is still a rookie! I expect the offense to challenge Mosley early and often and to see how he holds up. I can see a lot of misdirection, screens and even receiver reverses as they see how disciplined Mosley plays.

Matchup No. 2 - Dallas Cowboys Demarco Murray vs. the Houston Texans run defense.

If everything is bigger in Texas what do you call this matchup between two Texas rivals? The Texas Two Step Bowl presented by Jerry’s World? One liners aside, this is a fantastic football matchup. The Dallas Cowboys are making a lot of haters eat crow during their current three game winning streak. The Cowboys defense is much better than most would have expected. The run offense is carrying the load right now. Murray is the 4^th running back in NFL History with 100+ rushing yards and a rushing touchdown in the team's 1^st four games. The Texans are a surprising 3-1, considering that last season they went 2-14. The Texans are a balanced team. They can win on offense and defense. They have big time playmakers in Andre Johnson and DeAndre Hopkins. Arian Foster when healthy is a rare workhorse running back. The defense is fast and physical.

Murray is the focal point of this team right now. The Cowboys will go as far as Murray can take them. When Murray runs for 100 yards the Cowboys are 8-3. The Cowboys have always favored the pass but now are showing a commitment to Murray and the running game. Murray has run for at least 100 yards in each game, that is a big reason why they are now 3-1. The Cowboys have realized they have a great offensive line that can control the game on the ground. They also have a talented running back that can carry the load. Murray is one of the most versatile backs in the game. He is a very strong runner with deceptive speed. He can run inside and outside. He can break tackles with his power and can juke defenders with a nice stutter step. He is also a strong receiver in the backfield. He has elevated his performance in the red zone. He has been finishing goal line runs with touchdowns. He also broke open last week’s game with a 15 yard touchdown run. As good as Murray has been, he has had a fumbling problem this year. His three fumbles lost leads all running backs. He can’t afford to fumble this week against the Texans which thrive on turnovers.

Speaking of turnovers the Texans are tied for the league lead with nine turnovers forced. Their five fumble recoveries are also tied for the league lead. The Texans defense has forced four interceptions this season. As we learned last Sunday not all interceptions are created equal. Buffalo was leading 10-7 and had a golden opportunity to build their lead until J.J. Watt intercepted an E.J. Manuel pass. Eighty yards later, this defense end made a house call reservation for six. Watt’s touchdown return gave the Texans their 1^st lead that they would never relinquish. Watt is a complete football player. He is a dominant pass rusher but also an outstanding run defender. His presence will open up opportunities for teammates to make plays. Defensive end Jared Crick stepped up last week with 1.5 sacks. If he complements Watt on the defensive line then watch out. Ultimately, Murray vs. Watt is the heavyweight battle which will decide the ultimate outcome.

Matchup No. 1 - Denver Broncos’ Peyton Manning vs. the Arizona Cardinals defense.

What in the world happened to the Broncos high octane offense? So far this season, Denver is scoring less points in each game, going from 31, 24, to 20 points scored. To date, the Broncos have only scored one more point then the Cleveland Browns. Last season the Broncos broke all kinds of offensive records for yards, points and touchdowns. This season the New York Jets actually average more total yards per game then the Broncos. The Cincinnati Bengals and the Arizona Cardinals are the only remaining undefeated teams. This year the Cardinals defense is winning games for them. They have the 2^nd best scoring defense allowing only 15 points per game. This team could win a lot of games and challenge the Seahawks for the division if they can play this well on defense.

Truth be told, some regression from the Broncos' recording breaking offense should be expected. The Broncos' running game hasn’t produced, which is making the offense very predictable. Manning thrives on play action, but without an effective run game those fakes don’t work as well. The Cardinals have the 4^th best run defense, allowing less than 72 rushing yards per game. I expect the Broncos' running game to be stuck in neutral so Manning is the key for this matchup. The Broncos and Cardinals are each coming off a bye which should help each team recover from injuries. Wes Welker should be healthy and is a great slot receiver. Several times Welker will extend drives with crucial 1^st down catches. Julius Thomas’ five receiving touchdown ties him for league lead. Emmanuel Sanders has been a major addition; his ability to make big plays is much needed for this offense. Demaryius Thomas only has 141 receiving yards and 1 touchdown. He is capable of getting that production in one game. He is converting less than half of the passes thrown his way into catches. Demaryius Thomas is much better than that. He needs to become a dominant #1 receiver to bring some life into the offense. For most of the season Manning has played conservatively, he is rarely taking chances down the field. Finally, late in the Seattle game Denver challenged the defense and it led to some big plays. I hope Denver unleashes Manning this week against the Cardinals. I want to see a great quarterback challenge a great defense and see who comes out on top.

The Cardinals are not a defense that forces a lot of big plays. They have forced only 3 sacks which is 2^nd worst overall. They have forced 5 turnovers which is just about average. Their run defense is really good but their pass defense is only 18^th overall. Facing Manning will be a great challenge for their pass defense. Cornerback Patrick Peterson is the best defensive playmaker on this team. He has the size, speed, quickness and ability to be a shutdown cornerback. He will line up against Demaryius Thomas often but he can play several positions. Peterson could also cover Welker in the slot. Julius Thomas is having another outstanding year so Peterson may shadow him as well. The best defense for a Manning offense is a great pass rush. Defensive end Calais Campbell is a massive presence at 6’ 8” and 300lbs. He is a good pass rusher so he has the opportunity to make impactful plays against Manning. I predict the first team to score 21 points will ultimately win this game.

This weekly article will highlight, preview, and predict, three key player matchups and must see NFL games.

The NFL is known by many coaches, players, and fans, as “The Not For Long league”. The NFL is the most unpredictable and exciting sport in the world.  Fans and media will often make snap judgments on players and teams each week. As a fan of the NFL for 20 years, I want to give fans some insight on the best matchups each week of the NFL season. This article will highlight, preview, and predict, key player matchups and must see NFL games. Fans who read this article will gain insight on the big games and matchups that affect the NFL, as well as fantasy football.

Matchup No. 3 - Indianapolis Colts’ Andrew Luck vs. the Baltimore Ravens defense.

Right now Luck is playing quarterback at the highest level. In back to back weeks Luck has powered the offense. He has put up at least 370 passing yards, 4 passing touchdowns and 41 points in wins over Jacksonville and Tennessee. Let’s face it, the Colts competition has been weak, but Baltimore is no pushover! The Ravens are currently on a three game winning streak. During this streak they have dominating wins over playoff hopefuls Pittsburgh Steelers and Carolina Panthers. The Ravens needed a very late comeback to defeat division rival the Cleveland Browns.

In his brief career, Luck has been the master of the 4^th quarter comeback. In his first two seasons he has led eight 4^th quarter comebacks. He orchestrated the 2^nd best playoff comeback of all time last year. The Colts overcame a 38-10 3^rd quarter deficit over the Kansas City Chiefs. Luck has all the tools you could want in a franchise quarterback; size, accuracy, arm strength, athleticism, intelligence and leadership. Throughout his career the Colts have struggled early in games, needing miraculous comebacks to win.

Great teams and quarterbacks dominate and don’t allow inferior teams to hang around. To be successful in this matchup against the surging Ravens, four quarters of outstanding football is required. Football is the ultimate team game, so the Colts will need major contributions from Reggie Wayne, T.Y. Hilton and Ahmad Bradshaw. Wayne is Luck’s go to guy. He makes the tough catches that keep drives alive. Hilton brings a much needed big play element to this offense. Hilton’s 4.34 40 time is freaky fast. He is much more than a speed guy. He is skilled at eluding defenders in space and turning short gains into big plays. Bradshaw is technically the backup running back but is outperforming current starter Trent Richardson. He can make plays on his own that Richardson isn’t capable of doing. Bradshaw has much more speed and elusiveness than Richardson. Bradshaw has also excelled in the passing game with four receiving touchdowns. Those four receiving touchdowns rank him 5^th in the entire NFL!

Luck has supreme confidence in his ability and his teammates. His supporting cast is much deeper and consistent than last season. It would seem like I’m ready to crown the Colts as the Super Bowl Champs. In the words of ESPN College Football Analyst Lee Corso, not so fast my friend. Luck’s fatal flaw in his career has been turnovers. One turnover often turns into two which may even turn into three turnovers. He will have to avoid turnovers against this Baltimore defense.

The Ravens run defense is very good currently ranked 7^th overall. Their pass defense is weak only ranked 24^th overall. This could be problematic because Indy is a much stronger passing team than a running team. The Ravens linebackers must create havoc on defense. This season, linebacker Elvis Dumervil has 3.5 of the team's 4.0 quarterback sacks. The Ultimate X factor will be linebacker C.J. Mosley. This rookie from Alabama is leading the team in tackles, tackles for loss and passes defended. He has also forced and recovered a fumble. His early season is impressive but don’t forget that he is still a rookie! I expect the offense to challenge Mosley early and often and to see how he holds up. I can see a lot of misdirection, screens and even receiver reverses as they see how disciplined Mosley plays.

Matchup No. 2 - Dallas Cowboys Demarco Murray vs. the Houston Texans run defense.

If everything is bigger in Texas what do you call this matchup between two Texas rivals? The Texas Two Step Bowl presented by Jerry’s World? One liners aside, this is a fantastic football matchup. The Dallas Cowboys are making a lot of haters eat crow during their current three game winning streak. The Cowboys defense is much better than most would have expected. The run offense is carrying the load right now. Murray is the 4^th running back in NFL History with 100+ rushing yards and a rushing touchdown in the team's 1^st four games. The Texans are a surprising 3-1, considering that last season they went 2-14. The Texans are a balanced team. They can win on offense and defense. They have big time playmakers in Andre Johnson and DeAndre Hopkins. Arian Foster when healthy is a rare workhorse running back. The defense is fast and physical.

Murray is the focal point of this team right now. The Cowboys will go as far as Murray can take them. When Murray runs for 100 yards the Cowboys are 8-3. The Cowboys have always favored the pass but now are showing a commitment to Murray and the running game. Murray has run for at least 100 yards in each game, that is a big reason why they are now 3-1. The Cowboys have realized they have a great offensive line that can control the game on the ground. They also have a talented running back that can carry the load. Murray is one of the most versatile backs in the game. He is a very strong runner with deceptive speed. He can run inside and outside. He can break tackles with his power and can juke defenders with a nice stutter step. He is also a strong receiver in the backfield. He has elevated his performance in the red zone. He has been finishing goal line runs with touchdowns. He also broke open last week’s game with a 15 yard touchdown run. As good as Murray has been, he has had a fumbling problem this year. His three fumbles lost leads all running backs. He can’t afford to fumble this week against the Texans which thrive on turnovers.

Speaking of turnovers the Texans are tied for the league lead with nine turnovers forced. Their five fumble recoveries are also tied for the league lead. The Texans defense has forced four interceptions this season. As we learned last Sunday not all interceptions are created equal. Buffalo was leading 10-7 and had a golden opportunity to build their lead until J.J. Watt intercepted an E.J. Manuel pass. Eighty yards later, this defense end made a house call reservation for six. Watt’s touchdown return gave the Texans their 1^st lead that they would never relinquish. Watt is a complete football player. He is a dominant pass rusher but also an outstanding run defender. His presence will open up opportunities for teammates to make plays. Defensive end Jared Crick stepped up last week with 1.5 sacks. If he complements Watt on the defensive line then watch out. Ultimately, Murray vs. Watt is the heavyweight battle which will decide the ultimate outcome.

Matchup No. 1 - Denver Broncos’ Peyton Manning vs. the Arizona Cardinals defense.

What in the world happened to the Broncos high octane offense? So far this season, Denver is scoring less points in each game, going from 31, 24, to 20 points scored. To date, the Broncos have only scored one more point then the Cleveland Browns. Last season the Broncos broke all kinds of offensive records for yards, points and touchdowns. This season the New York Jets actually average more total yards per game then the Broncos. The Cincinnati Bengals and the Arizona Cardinals are the only remaining undefeated teams. This year the Cardinals defense is winning games for them. They have the 2^nd best scoring defense allowing only 15 points per game. This team could win a lot of games and challenge the Seahawks for the division if they can play this well on defense.

Truth be told, some regression from the Broncos' recording breaking offense should be expected. The Broncos' running game hasn’t produced, which is making the offense very predictable. Manning thrives on play action, but without an effective run game those fakes don’t work as well. The Cardinals have the 4^th best run defense, allowing less than 72 rushing yards per game. I expect the Broncos' running game to be stuck in neutral so Manning is the key for this matchup. The Broncos and Cardinals are each coming off a bye which should help each team recover from injuries. Wes Welker should be healthy and is a great slot receiver. Several times Welker will extend drives with crucial 1^st down catches. Julius Thomas’ five receiving touchdown ties him for league lead. Emmanuel Sanders has been a major addition; his ability to make big plays is much needed for this offense. Demaryius Thomas only has 141 receiving yards and 1 touchdown. He is capable of getting that production in one game. He is converting less than half of the passes thrown his way into catches. Demaryius Thomas is much better than that. He needs to become a dominant #1 receiver to bring some life into the offense. For most of the season Manning has played conservatively, he is rarely taking chances down the field. Finally, late in the Seattle game Denver challenged the defense and it led to some big plays. I hope Denver unleashes Manning this week against the Cardinals. I want to see a great quarterback challenge a great defense and see who comes out on top.

The Cardinals are not a defense that forces a lot of big plays. They have forced only 3 sacks which is 2^nd worst overall. They have forced 5 turnovers which is just about average. Their run defense is really good but their pass defense is only 18^th overall. Facing Manning will be a great challenge for their pass defense. Cornerback Patrick Peterson is the best defensive playmaker on this team. He has the size, speed, quickness and ability to be a shutdown cornerback. He will line up against Demaryius Thomas often but he can play several positions. Peterson could also cover Welker in the slot. Julius Thomas is having another outstanding year so Peterson may shadow him as well. The best defense for a Manning offense is a great pass rush. Defensive end Calais Campbell is a massive presence at 6’ 8” and 300lbs. He is a good pass rusher so he has the opportunity to make impactful plays against Manning. I predict the first team to score 21 points will ultimately win this game.