Perry Perspective: Dec 30
from BetWWTS.com
Final week playoff primer
As usual, trying to figure out the playoff picture with one week to go in the NFL is like trying to solve Rubik?s cube. And for most of us, that?s impossible.
So rather than try to figure out who plays whom, who gets home-field, and who gets a bye, let?s keep it simple.
Eight of the NFL?s 12 playoff spots have been locked up, and four teams can capture the remaining four spots with a win this weekend: Pittsburgh, Washington, Tampa Bay and Carolina.
The first three teams are facing teams with losing records and are virtual shoo-ins: the Steelers (10-5) host the Detroit Lions (5-10), the Redskins (9-6) visit the QB-less Philadelphia Eagles (6-9) and the Bucs (10-5) host the hapless New Orleans Saints (3-12).
Only Carolina faces a team with a winning record. On Sunday, the Panthers (10-5 SU, 8-7 ATS) travel to Atlanta to take on the Falcons (8-7 SU, 8-7 ATS) in an NFC South tilt (1 p.m. ET, Fox). We currently have Carolina listed as a 4-point road favorite.
The Falcons were eliminated from the playoffs after losing 27-24 in overtime as 4-point dogs in Tampa Bay last weekend. Atlanta had a chance to win the game in the extra frame but had a field goal blocked.
?To have the kick blocked. It kind of put everything into perspective - like maybe it just ain't our year. Things are not going the right way for us,? Falcons quarterback Michael Vick told reporters after the game.
The Panthers, meanwhile, made their lives more difficult by losing to the Dallas Cowboys 24-20 as 5-point home favorites. Carolina must win to guarantee a playoff spot.
With a bitter taste in their mouths, the Falcons now have the opportunity to end their disappointing season on a positive note by securing a winning record and playing spoiler to a division rival in front of home fans.
?Nothing else matters besides ending on a positive note and having a good feeling about next year,? said Vick.
In their last meeting on December 4, the Panthers rolled over the Falcons 24-6 as 3-point home favorites. For Vick, it was his first loss in six starts versus the Panthers. Surprisingly, he ran the ball only three times for 36 yards in the loss.
In the five previous games, Vick had run 40 times for 356 yards, averaging nearly nine yards per carry.
The decision to limit Vick?s carries raised eyebrows and put coach Jim Mora on the hot seat. The coach was hoping to balance Vick?s rushing with a more robust passing attack, but the plan failed.
Vick finished the game 17-for-35 for 171 yards and no TDs. He was also sacked five times and threw two interceptions.
Overall, Vick?s passing numbers have not improved markedly this year. He is averaging just 164.1 ypg and has thrown only 15 TDs through 14 games. Last year, he averaged 154 ypg and had 14 TDs in 15 games. Three years ago, he averaged 195.7 ypg and had 16 TDs in 15 games.
On the flipside, he is averaging 42.6 ypg on the ground compared to 60.1 ypg last year. Three years ago he averaged 51.8 ypg.
Vick?s counterpart on the Panthers, Jake Delhomme, is having a solid campaign having thrown for 3,258 yards, nearly 1,000 more than Vick, and 22 touchdowns (7th in the NFL).
His primary target has been wideout Steve Smith, who leads the NFL with more than 1,430 receiving yards and is tied for second in touchdowns with 11.
Carolina?s passing attack will benefit from the loss of Atlanta cornerback DeAngelo Hall. The NFC Pro Bowl selection, who leads the Falcons with six interceptions, will miss Sunday?s game after separating his shoulder last weekend in Tampa Bay.
On defense, the Panthers are well-rounded allowing less than 17 points per game (4th overall), less than 100 rushing yards (5th overall) and a little more than 191 passing yards (11th overall).
Their 22 interceptions are fourth-most and their 40 sacks are eighth-most in the league.
The total in this game has been set at 42. Seven of the past 10 meetings between these two teams have gone under the total.
Other notable game:
Rams at Cowboys (8:30 p.m. ET, ESPN)
To clinch a playoff spot, the ?Boys (9-6 SU, 7-6-2 ATS) must beat the Rams (5-10 SU, 4-11 ATS), and hope for a loss by either Washington or Carolina.
In a more unlikely scenario, Dallas could clinch with a win, combined with losses by both the Bucs (vs. Saints) and the Giants (vs. Raiders).
Since they don?t play until Sunday night, the Cowboys will know whether they have a shot at the playoffs when they take to the field.
This could be the last game for coach Bill Parcells, who is reportedly considering retirement.
Dallas is listed as a 12.5-point favorite and the total is pegged at 43.5.
from BetWWTS.com
Final week playoff primer
As usual, trying to figure out the playoff picture with one week to go in the NFL is like trying to solve Rubik?s cube. And for most of us, that?s impossible.
So rather than try to figure out who plays whom, who gets home-field, and who gets a bye, let?s keep it simple.
Eight of the NFL?s 12 playoff spots have been locked up, and four teams can capture the remaining four spots with a win this weekend: Pittsburgh, Washington, Tampa Bay and Carolina.
The first three teams are facing teams with losing records and are virtual shoo-ins: the Steelers (10-5) host the Detroit Lions (5-10), the Redskins (9-6) visit the QB-less Philadelphia Eagles (6-9) and the Bucs (10-5) host the hapless New Orleans Saints (3-12).
Only Carolina faces a team with a winning record. On Sunday, the Panthers (10-5 SU, 8-7 ATS) travel to Atlanta to take on the Falcons (8-7 SU, 8-7 ATS) in an NFC South tilt (1 p.m. ET, Fox). We currently have Carolina listed as a 4-point road favorite.
The Falcons were eliminated from the playoffs after losing 27-24 in overtime as 4-point dogs in Tampa Bay last weekend. Atlanta had a chance to win the game in the extra frame but had a field goal blocked.
?To have the kick blocked. It kind of put everything into perspective - like maybe it just ain't our year. Things are not going the right way for us,? Falcons quarterback Michael Vick told reporters after the game.
The Panthers, meanwhile, made their lives more difficult by losing to the Dallas Cowboys 24-20 as 5-point home favorites. Carolina must win to guarantee a playoff spot.
With a bitter taste in their mouths, the Falcons now have the opportunity to end their disappointing season on a positive note by securing a winning record and playing spoiler to a division rival in front of home fans.
?Nothing else matters besides ending on a positive note and having a good feeling about next year,? said Vick.
In their last meeting on December 4, the Panthers rolled over the Falcons 24-6 as 3-point home favorites. For Vick, it was his first loss in six starts versus the Panthers. Surprisingly, he ran the ball only three times for 36 yards in the loss.
In the five previous games, Vick had run 40 times for 356 yards, averaging nearly nine yards per carry.
The decision to limit Vick?s carries raised eyebrows and put coach Jim Mora on the hot seat. The coach was hoping to balance Vick?s rushing with a more robust passing attack, but the plan failed.
Vick finished the game 17-for-35 for 171 yards and no TDs. He was also sacked five times and threw two interceptions.
Overall, Vick?s passing numbers have not improved markedly this year. He is averaging just 164.1 ypg and has thrown only 15 TDs through 14 games. Last year, he averaged 154 ypg and had 14 TDs in 15 games. Three years ago, he averaged 195.7 ypg and had 16 TDs in 15 games.
On the flipside, he is averaging 42.6 ypg on the ground compared to 60.1 ypg last year. Three years ago he averaged 51.8 ypg.
Vick?s counterpart on the Panthers, Jake Delhomme, is having a solid campaign having thrown for 3,258 yards, nearly 1,000 more than Vick, and 22 touchdowns (7th in the NFL).
His primary target has been wideout Steve Smith, who leads the NFL with more than 1,430 receiving yards and is tied for second in touchdowns with 11.
Carolina?s passing attack will benefit from the loss of Atlanta cornerback DeAngelo Hall. The NFC Pro Bowl selection, who leads the Falcons with six interceptions, will miss Sunday?s game after separating his shoulder last weekend in Tampa Bay.
On defense, the Panthers are well-rounded allowing less than 17 points per game (4th overall), less than 100 rushing yards (5th overall) and a little more than 191 passing yards (11th overall).
Their 22 interceptions are fourth-most and their 40 sacks are eighth-most in the league.
The total in this game has been set at 42. Seven of the past 10 meetings between these two teams have gone under the total.
Other notable game:
Rams at Cowboys (8:30 p.m. ET, ESPN)
To clinch a playoff spot, the ?Boys (9-6 SU, 7-6-2 ATS) must beat the Rams (5-10 SU, 4-11 ATS), and hope for a loss by either Washington or Carolina.
In a more unlikely scenario, Dallas could clinch with a win, combined with losses by both the Bucs (vs. Saints) and the Giants (vs. Raiders).
Since they don?t play until Sunday night, the Cowboys will know whether they have a shot at the playoffs when they take to the field.
This could be the last game for coach Bill Parcells, who is reportedly considering retirement.
Dallas is listed as a 12.5-point favorite and the total is pegged at 43.5.
