NFL Briefing

25.11.05

New York Giants v Seattle Seahawks

Sunday, 27 November, 1615 EST / 2115 GMT
Qwest Field
TV: FOX (US) / Sky Sports Xtra (UK)

Why it matters

This could be a preview of January's National Football Conference championship game, the Super Bowl semi-final, so there are plenty of psychological points to be scored . The NFC playoff picture is far from clear, with several of the leading teams apt to trip up, but the Seahawks have the best record in the conference, which would gain them home field advantage for the post-season, so they must be viewed as a strong candidate. And if these two sides finish with equal records after 16 weeks, the result of this match would decide who hosts any playoff game between them.

Seattle can clinch the NFC West division, and a guaranteed playoff spot with five games remaining, if they beat the Giants while rivals St Louis lose to Houston. After Dallas's defeat on Thursday, New York have the chance to move atop the NFC East with victory here.

Team talking points

The road to the Super Bowl could go through Seattle this year, goes the joke, if the rest of the NFL can find it. Hidden in the top corner of the Pacific north west, the profile of Seattle as a city has only grown since the success of Frazier Crane and Microsoft, whose co-founder Paul Allen is the Seahawks' owner. Former in 1976 and one of just seven teams not to have appeared in the Super Bowl – they haven't even won a playoff game since 1984 - the Seahawks generally sneak under the radar of most NFL fans, in part because they struggle for consistency. This year they appear to have it, after a six-game winning streak. The top-ranked offense in the league features the league's most successful running back, Shaun Alexander and quarterback Matt Hasselbeck, who has performed despite injuries to his best receivers. All they have to do now is deliver, which historically has been a bit of a problem.

Every week, all eyes in New York City – that's about 16 million eyes – are on the performance of Giants quarterback Eli Manning. The team rated him so highly that they traded their first selection in the 2004 college draft, and the rights to their first selection in 2005, to the San Diego Chargers to get him. The pressure on Manning is increased by his pedigree as the son of former New Orleans Saint Archie and brother of Indianapolis star Peyton. The youngest of the Manning clan has already shown flashes of brilliance in his first full season as starting QB and is at the helm of the only NFC team to score more than Seattle this season, averaging 28.1 points per game. But he endured a slump over the last few weeks. The Giants hope the low point came when he threw four interceptions in an upset defeat to Minnesota a fortnight ago. Last weekend he was back to form with three touchdowns in a victory over Philadelphia. Manning's play will continue to be scrutinised week-in, week-out as he is viewed as the long-term future of this team.

Star players

Shaun Alexander #37, RB, Seahawks
Alexander has been the engine of the Seahawks' offense since his second season in 2001, but this could be his last year at Qwest Field and he is making sure he enters a buyers' market at season's end. Alexander was unable to agree a new long-term contract last year, but at 28 – and with a profile similar to that of his team - there was no other side willing to pay out either. Instead he signed a one-year deal with Seattle worth $6.3 million (£3.7m), and the Hawks have had their money's worth. With 19, he has already passed his best season touchdown tally. Once the team secure a playoff place his workload is likely to be eased but he is currently on course for 1,966 rushing yards - just 139 less than the all-time record, set by Eric Dickerson of the LA Rams 21 years ago. This week will give Alexander a great test, against the NFL's sixth-ranked rush defense.

Tiki Barber #21, RB, Giants
Barber has been around since 1997 but it is only in the last two years that he has joined the top achelon of NFL rushers. Small for an every-down running back at 200lbs, he has passed the 1,000 yard - the mark of a good season - in four of the last five years, but gained a reputation as a player who would fumble at crucial times. In 2002 and '03 he coughed up the ball n 17 occasions, the Giants losing possession as a result - and undoing a lot of hard work - 12 times. However, new head coach Tom Coughlin kept faith in the 30-year-old, teaching him a safer way to hold the ball. This week he will look to combat the league's 11th-ranked defense with a combination of speed to the outside, moves to avoid contact and great pass-catching ability.

What to look for

Whoever makes the most mistakes will lose this clash, and despite their talent the Giants seem the most prone. The fitness of New York tight end Jeremy Shockey could make a difference – if a chest problem means he is unable to play, Manning will be without a reliable target in short range if the Seattle defense puts the pressure on.

Tip

Manning throws a crucial interception to tip the balance and the Seahawks come out with a 31-24 decision.
(Season so far 3-2)

Interesting trivia

Tiki Barber needs 33 more for his fifth career 1,000-yard season, which would tie Rodney Hampton for the Giants record.

The Giants have never played at Qwest Field, the 67,000-seat home of the Seahawks since 2002. Their last visit to Seattle was in 1995, when they won 30-28 indoors at the Kingdome.

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24.11.05

Denver Broncos at Dallas Cowboys

Texas Stadium
1615 EST / 2115 GMT
CBS (US) / Sky Sports Xtra (UK)


Why it matters

Finish off the turkey and cranberry sauce early because the second game on the Thanksgiving Day double-header is a cracker. Doubts still surround the Cowboys and the Broncos but, before a national TV audience, both teams have the chance to banish them and stake their claims as potential playoff threats.

Dallas won six and lost 10 last season and, despite the changes brought about by coach Bill Parcells in his third year - a new quarterback in Drew Bledsoe, a solid running game and a young, big, speedy defensive front - they have been far from convincing in some of their seven wins so far this term. They have so far shown a tendency to leave it to the last minute to secure victory, rather than dominate from the off, as is the Parcells style.

The Broncos were a surprise playoff side last year, without impressing regularly, and no one who saw their 34-10 opening defeat to Miami this September could have predicted their subsequent success. Playing at altitude in Denver often inflates their record - their two defeats so far have come away from home - but they have combined no-frills passing attack with a rushing game ranked second-best in the league and a defense that performs particularly well against the run. This may be the game in which they confirm they are worthy of being compared to John Elway's Super Bowl-winning Broncos side of 1997 and '98.

Team talking points

Rather than employing a single running-back, as is the NFL standard, both these sides have adopted a strategy of running by committee, using two backs to establish the ground game. Critics say a side that chops and changes its runners will struggle to find its rhythm. Supporters point to the statistics. Denver are second in the league in yards per game on the ground while Dallas have overcome injuries to stand 13th.

Dallas thought they had their running-back of the future last season when they drafted Julius Jones in the second round, and saw flashes of brilliance despite an injury-hit season from the 24-year-old. Marion Barber III was supposed to be insurance when he was selected in the fourth round this summer but, with Jones out for three games with an ankle injury, Barber had a chance to showcase his hard-running ability. Jones is likely to be used early, when there is space to showcase his dazzling moves, with Barber coming in for third downs as he is better at bulldozing short yardage and at picking up blitzers on passing plays.

Much of Denver's success on the ground has been put down to the simple-yet-effective "zone blocking" system used by the offensive line. The beneficiaries this season are Mike Anderson, who gets the bulk of the action on first and second down, and Tatum Bell, who comes in when the chips are down. Just four backfield pairings in NFL history have managed to pass the 1,000-yard mark in the same season, but these two look like they just might manage it.

Star players

Terry Glenn, #83, WR, Cowboys
The receiver, who collected a vital 20-yard pass against Philadelphia a fortnight ago with 3min 17secs remaining, is the man Bledsoe looks to when the game is on the line. The fastest of the Cowboys' receiving corps, when not making game-breaking catches, he is often drawing coverage away from others, or stretching the field so that the rushing game can prosper.

Jake Plummer, #16, QB, Broncos
Last season, his second with the Broncos, Plummer broke Denver legend Elway's single-season record in passing yards with 4,089 and tied his single-season touchdown mark, with 27. But he also completed just 58.2% of his passes and threw 20 interceptions. This year that percentage is up to a more respectable 61.4, and he has thrown just three picks in his first 10 games with a new the low-risk strategy, a major reason behind the team's improvement.

What to look for

Denver may shut down Dallas' young backs so the key to this game might be how quickly Parcells lets his quarterback cut loose, and how Bledsoe responds. As long as the Dallas offensive line holds up – and they have shown weakness at tackle so far this season so a question mark remains – the veteran passer will respond if he is allowed to.

Jake "The Snake" Plummer will be tested by the Dallas defense, who will put him under pressure and are likely to cut off the short options he has favoured this year, but they are vulnerable deep, especially as cornerback Anthony Henry is a doubt because of a groin injury. Plummer could prosper if he gambles, but that would mean giving in to the temptation he has averred so far this season. Denver may prefer to plug away with their running game, unless they are forced into going for broke.

Tip

Denver's susceptibility to the pass, combined with their relative mediocrity away from home, give the edge to Dallas, 34-27, with another late score.

(Last week 2-1; season 3-1)


Interesting trivia

The Terrell Owens soap opera continues to simmer, with Dallas becoming a widely-tipped destination for the Eagles cast-off next season. Dallas owner Jerry Jones, and coach Parcells have, both separately and collectively, managed to get the most out of troublesome players in the past but neither has yet been drawn on their interest. And, yes, this is the player who inspired loathing in Big D when he danced on the star at midfield after scoring for San Francisco five years ago.

This is a rematch of Super Bowl XII, which Dallas won 27-10 in New Orleans in 1977. The teams have only ever faced each other eight times in the regular season, with four wins each.

Denver are 2-6 on Thanksgiving Day, but one of those wins was over Dallas by a 26-24 verdict in 2001.

The Cowboys have played at home on Thanksgiving Day every year since 1978, winning 15 and losing 11 in that time.

Former Cowboys QB Gary Hogeboom is one of the contentants in "Survivor Guetemala", which follows the football on the CBS network on Thursday night. Hogeboom, who joined the Cowboys in 1980, replaced Danny White at the helm in 1984 and '85, before spending three years in Indianpolis and one with the Cardinals.

20.11.05

Minnesota Vikings at Green Bay Packers

Lambeau Field
2100EST Mon 21 Nov / 0200GMT
ABC (US) / Five (UK)

Why it matters

There is a popular tee-shirt in the Twin Cities of Minneapolis and St Paul. It's not necessarily original but it rings through the state of Minnesota: "I have two favourite teams: the Vikings and whoever's playing the Packers". November is still a little early for the full, frosty spectacle but a Monday night game in Wisconsin should still be chilly enough to showcase the battle of the frozen north. The Packers were one of the NFL's founder members in 1921, and have been league champions on 12 occasions. The Vikings are relative new boys, formed in 1961 and only becoming competitive in the 1970s, when they went to the Super Bowl four times without success. Perhaps as a result, the grudge in this grudge match seems to be borne more heavily in Minnesota.

But there are more practical things at stake in this, their second meeting of 2005. The Pack have won just two games all season, even though they have scored more points than they have conceded, which indicates their record should be better. Minnesota were tipped by several leading pundits as pre-season Super Bowl contenders, but were shaken by a string of off-field problems and currently sit 4-5. At 7-3, Chicago look likely to win the NFC North, although the Vikings could snatch a wildcard if they continue their recent improvements. However, a high-profile victory for Green Bay could still kick-start some momentum to start the chase.

Team talking points

Packers quarterback Brett Favre could have ended his storied career at the end of last season, with his glory barely on the wane. The 36-year-old is recognised as one of the grittiest, most passionate competitors in the league. And were he not to have played his better years in the era of Troy Aikman, Steve Young and John Elway – to whom he lost Super Bowl XXXI – he would be recognised more clearly as one of the finest passers of the era. The 2004 season ended in disappointment for Favre, as he threw four interceptions in a surprise playoff defeat to Minnesota, and after long contemplation he decided to continue for a 15th professional season. It has not begun well, though, with leading receiver Javon Walker injured and ruled out for the season in the first game. An offensive line shuffled because of departures and further injury have been unable to offer Favre his accustomed protection, and and injury-depleted backfield as left the Packers unable to mix their play-calling as they would have liked. Favre has yet to make a decision on next year. He has hinted he may only stay if coach Mike Sherman is kept on, which looks unlikely given the current position. Time is running out to see Favre in action.

Minnesota got rid of their bad boys during the summer, or at least they thought they had. Randy Moss, possibly the best receiver in the league, was allowed to go cheaply because he was viewed as a disruptive influence, then running back Onterrio Smith was released after being caught at an airport baggage check with a "whizzinator", a plastic penis and a bag of dried urine used to evade drugs testing. The cleaned-up Vikes could go all the way, some said, but the bad influences remained. Police were called to a cruise boat on Lake Minnetonka, just west of Minneapolis, to arrest a group of players celebrating the team's bye weekend by hiring strippers and engaging in what the authorities described as "lewd conduct". Coach Mike Tice is no beacon of virtue: he was reprimanded last year after being found to have touted his NFL-allocated Super Bowl tickets. He may need the extra cash come season's end.

Star players

Brad Johnson, #14, QB, Vikings
A five-year resident in the Metrodome before the arrival of Daunte Culpepper, Johnson returned to Minneapolis after a six-year odyssey just in time for Culpepper to go down for the season with a knee injury, and he has been at the helm for an about-turn in form that has seen the Vikes win their last two games. Johnson, who played the 1995 season with the London Monarchs of NFL Europe, has followed the same pattern for success throughout his career. He makes the most of his strengths, which revolve around the short-passing game, and covers up well for his weaknesses in passing long. However, it is a pattern that brought him a Super Bowl ring just two years ago with Tampa Bay and even at 37 Johnson seems to be the cool head the Vikings need.

Samkon Gado, #35, RB, Packers
The Falcons weren't looking for Gado when the Packers visited Atlanta last week. It showed as he ran for 103 yards and three touchdowns in his third NFL game. Fair enough, too, as the Packers didn't look to the Nigerian until injuries to their backfield forced them to promote a man who only started two games for his lower-division college side, Liberty. At 5ft10ins and 210lbs, Gado is the archetypal size for a running back and he can run 40 yards in 4.43 secs. His plans to become a doctor went on hold when his footballing ability was spotted by the pros, and if he continues this strong start they may be on hold for a while.

What to look for

NFC title favourites New York suffered a massive upset last weekend when the Vikings became the first side ever to return and interception a kick-off and a punt for touchdowns in the same game, a 24-21 victory. Gado, whose name sounds like an extra from Lord of the Rings, came out of nowhere for the Pack to surprise Atlanta 33-25. Even the teams don't know what to look for from their opponents this week, which could make for an entertaining Monday night.

Tip

Home field advantage counts for the Packers, who come through 34-20 at chilly Lambeau Field.

Interesting trivia

Minnesota's injury list includes coach Tice, whose left knee ligament was torn off the none when he was knocked over on the sideline by New York's Jamaar Taylor during a Vikings punt return last Sunday. Tice, who avoided serious injury during a 14-year career as a tight end with Seattle, Washington and Minnesota, tore a medial collateral ligament but will not need surgery.

The rivalry offers an interesting study in NFL business with the Vikings changed hands in June for $600 (£350m.) New owner Zygi Wilf is now busy trying to secure funding for a new stadium north of the Twin Cities. The Packers, formed as the company team of the Indian Packing Company in 1919, are the only team in North American professional sport owned by its fans. As of 8 June, 2005, 111,921 people (representing 4,749,925 shares) in Wisconsin can count themselves in Wilf's position, although with a considerably lower profile. The most recent floatation, in 1997, priced shares at $200, and financed the renovation of Lambeau Field, which has been sold out for every game since 1960.

Released by the Packers in March after eight years with the team because of the strictures of the salary cap, free safety Darren Sharper snatched a personal-best three interceptions, including that 92-yard return for a touchdown, for the Vikings last weekend.