The NFL Preview With The Rizz 12.29.07: Week 17 (Part 2)

Posted by Randy Isbelle on 12.29.2007

Let's continue with the fun!

Be sure to check out PART ONE!

Who will win the Super Bowl?

Who will play in the Super Bowl?

Can New Orleans actually make the playoffs?

Will any of my upsets work?

Have I given enough filler yet?

No?

One more?

Done. Okay on with the preview!

Week 17
7-8	New Orleans Saints (-3)	versus	Chicago Bears	6-9
December 30, 2007, 1:00 PM EST – Soldier Field

Last Three Weeks

New Orleans Saints: The Saints still have an outside shot at the playoffs, but first they have to go into Chicago and defeat the Bears in the same stadium that the Green Bay Packers, just last week, were torn a part. You would not think that a team from the warm south, who plays in a dome, would play well in the cold but you have to remember that New Orleans have struggled at home (3-5) while playing better on the road (4-3) including a huge win at Seattle earlier in the year, the only team to do so in 2007. Drew Brees just seems to be at his best when on the road, and he will need to be again this Sunday if New Orleans wants to win the game. For the Saints to make the playoffs, they must win and have Washington and Minnesota both go down, not the most likely thing but this is the NFL and anything is possible. New Orleans will be playing out of their minds just to keep that shot available, and if the Saints start off with a bunch of Stecker runs up the middle, and are successful, then they can throw it over the top and make the Bears defense run all over the place, I think that New Orleans will be able to keep right in the hunt. Marques Colston looks like he will return this Sunday after he left the game in the first half last week with a chest contusion that caused him to spit up blood. Colston has been the main target of Brees this season and will be so again on Sunday.

Chicago Bears: The Bears showed a lot of heart last week, and shocked the world by dominating the Green Bay Packers from the coin toss on. The Bears shut down Brett Favre to only nine yards passing in the first half, while intercepting two passes (both resulting into touchdowns, one returned by Brian Urlacher, his first ever). Chicago's defense has actually stepped up in the past two weeks, though the offense failed them two weeks ago in a loss to the Vikings, and the game comes down to whether or not the offense will finally step up and help the defense. Last week, the Bears' offense took a step forward by producing a season-high 139 yards on the ground, but without a solid quarterback the offense is left just trying not to lose the game, instead of trying to win it. Kyle Orton has been a step up, and hopefully during the off-season he can take that next step, but right now he is just not that guy.

Prediction: New Orleans needs the win to stay alive, and they will play like it. I know Chicago showed a lot of heart last week against Green Bay, but this isn't a rivalry game so don't expect the same performance this week.

Vs. Spread	Straight Up

New Orleans Saints

Chicago Bears

@ Arizona

W 34-14

@ Washington

L 16-24

Arizona

W 31-24

@ Minnesota

L 13-20

Philadelphia

L 23-38

Green Bay

W 35-7

Team	SU	ATS	O/U
New Orleans	7-8	6-9	9-6
Chicago	6-9	6-9	8-7

New Orleans

Team

Chicago

23.6 (10th)

Pts For

20.1 (20th)

23.7 (21st)

Pts Against

21.5 (16th)

357.9 (5th)

Total Offense

294.5 (25th)

267.4 (3rd)

Passing Yards

212.0 (15th)

90.4 (28th)

Rushing Yards

82.5 (31st)

353.0 (29th)

Total Defense

350.8 (28th)

249.7 (30th)

Passing Defense

226.7 (24th)

103.3 (14th)

Rushing Defense

124.1 (24th)

-7 (24th)

Turnover Diff.

+2 (17th)

New Orleans Leaders					Chicago Leaders
Passing	COMP	ATT	YDS	TD	Passing	COMP	ATT	YDS	TD
Brees	408	595	4108	25	Griese	161	262	1803	10
Rushing	CAR	YDS	AVG	TD	Rushing	CAR	YDS	AVG	TD
Bush	157	581	3.7	4	Benson	196	674	3.4	4
Stecker	114	444	3.9	5	Peterson	130	419	3.2	3
Receiving	REC	YDS	AVG	TD	Rushing	REC	YDS	AVG	TD
Colston	90	1108	12.3	9	Berrian	67	920	13.7	4
Patten	50	753	15.1	3	Clark	44	545	12.4	4

Week 17
6-9	Cincinnati Bengals (-2 ½)	versus	Miami Dolphins	1-14
December 30, 2007, 1:00 PM EST – Dolphin Stadium

Last Three Weeks

Cincinnati Bengals: Cincinnati has failed to score 20 points in four straight games (so much for their defense losing them games), and even though they are 2-2 in that stretch, Carson Palmer has been playing his worst football in his career. In fact, Palmer has thrown a career-high 19 interceptions already this season, while only throwing 23 touchdowns, his fewest since his rookie season back in 2004 when he threw 18. His struggling play has made the Bengals one of the most inconsistent teams in the NFL…or maybe the most consistent? Cincinnati has alternated wins and losses in their last seven games, and if the trend continues on Sunday, the Bengals will find themselves on the losing side of things.

Miami Dolphins: No matter what Miami does this week, they will end the season with the fewest wins in a season in franchise history. The good thing for the Dolphins is the fact that they have actually shown improvement in the past few weeks, and no I am not just saying that because they actually got a win. The Dolphins held the Patriots scoreless in the second half last week, though we don't know exactly how hard the Patriots were actually playing as they had up to a 28 point lead, but Miami did outscore them either way. Miami has dominated the series with the Bengals, winning nine of the last 10, and winning the last six at home en route to a 12-4 series lead. If Miami wants to end the season on a high note, which they really deserve, the defense needs to step up and push the Bengals' offense around a bit, get in their faces and disrupt their game. Cincinnati's offense has been struggling as of late and if Miami can get them out of their game early, Miami might be able to steal one at home.

Prediction: Miami actually has the 4th best passing defense in the league (though I'm sure that most of that stat is because they have found themselves trailing so often that the opposing team runs the ball in the second half, thus Miami not giving up very many points). Carson Palmer is not playing good football, and just wants to make it to the off-season so he can find time to figure out what went wrong, and the Dolphins' defense should be able to frustrate him throughout the game. If Cincinnati continues down the path they have been going the past four games, and score less then 20 points, Miami will be in the game till the end, and hopefully at home they find away to pull it out and end the season on a great note and a two game home winning streak.

Vs. Spread	Straight Up

CincinnatiBengals

Miami Dolphins

St. Louis

W 19-10

@ Buffalo

L 17-38

@ San Francisco

L 13-20

Baltimore

W 22-16

Cleveland

W 19-14

@ New England

L 7-28

Team	SU	ATS	O/U
Cincinnati	6-9	5-9-1	6-9
Miami	1-14	5-8-2	8-7

Cincinnati

Team

Miami

22.8 (13th)

Pts For

16.1 (28th)

24.0 (23rd)

Pts Against

26.6 (31st)

345.0 (10th)

Total Offense

284.3 (28th)

246.4 (7th)

Passing Yards

185.4 (26th)

98.6 (21st)

Rushing Yards

98.9 (20th)

349.6 (27th)

Total Defense

338.8 (21st)

229.1 (25th)

Passing Defense

180.2 (4th)

120.5 (23rd)

Rushing Defense

158.6 (32nd)

+5 (9th)

Turnover Diff.

-7 (23rd)

Cincinnati Leaders					Miami Leaders
Passing	COMP	ATT	YDS	TD	Passing	COMP	ATT	YDS	TD
Palmer	350	543	3815	23	Lemon	159	288	1650	5
Rushing	CAR	YDS	AVG	TD	Rushing	CAR	YDS	AVG	TD
Watson	157	694	4.4	6	Brown	119	602	5.1	4
Johnson	170	497	2.9	3	Chatman	116	473	4.1	1
Receiving	REC	YDS	AVG	TD	Rushing	REC	YDS	AVG	TD
Johnson	89	1309	14.7	6	Booker	49	547	11.2	1
Housh.	103	1053	10.2	5	Brown	39	389	10.0	1

Week 17
7-8	Detroit Lions	versus	Green Bay Packers (-3)	12-3
December 30, 2007, 1:00 PM EST – Lambeau Field

Last Three Weeks

Detroit Lions: The Lions go into their season finale with the Green Bay Packers needing a win to finish the season 8-8, but to do so they will need to do something that they have not done since 1990, win at Lambeau Field. From 1991, the year before Brett Favre came to Green Bay, the Lions have gone to Green Bay and returned home frustrated after another loss. This week could be a little different however, as Brett Favre will probably be taken out early into the game, and Detroit will have their shot at the 2nd string of the Packers. Detroit finally got on the winning side again, after a six game losing streak, with a close win against the Kansas City Chiefs last week to end the season on a good note at home, but to do so on the road will be a tougher task. Detroit might not reach 10 wins like quarterback, Jon Kitna stated he thought they should finish at the beginning of the season, but the seven wins are more then Detroit has won in all seven season under team president Matt Millen. The Lions lost Kevin Jones for the season last week after he tore a knee ligament, and now most of the carries will go to T.J. Duckett who could be a perfect fit for a cold day in Green Bay, but that is if they decide to actually run the ball again.

Green Bay Packers: Green Bay is coming off of a disappointing loss against division rival Chicago Bears last week in conditions that Green Bay is usually great in. Favre struggled all day, and the team played right along with him. Head coach, Mike McCarthy, said that the team will play to win, but you can't believe that Favre and the rest of the starters will play even a half of football. With that said, Aaron Rodgers has been great replacing Favre this season, but a cold day could show just how good Rodgers will do in Green Bay. It was once worried that Green Bay had become to one-dimensional, relying too much on Brett Favre, but the great play of young Ryan Grant has changed those opinions and now the main worry is whether or not the Packers can actually get the job done in cold temperatures. With a game against either the Seahawks, Buccaneers or Giants looming in their first playoff game, you have to believe that the Packers are going to be rooting for whoever the sixth seed is to defeat the Seahawks, while Tampa Bay takes care of New York so that the Buccaneers would have to travel to Green Bay where they have never played well. Because of either of the two cold area teams go up against Green Bay, the Packers could be in for a short playoff run and be forced to sit at home wondering what went wrong.

Prediction: I know a lot of people are going to look at me differently after I make this choice, but I am going to go against all the numbers, and against the good play of Aaron Rodgers, and I am going to take the Detroit Lions to make it to 8-8. Yes…yes I am crazy.

Vs. Spread	Straight Up

Detroit Lions

Green Bay Packers

Dallas

L 27-28

Oakland

W 38-7

@ San Diego

L 14-51

@ St. Louis

W 33-14

Kansas City

W 25-20

@ Chicago

L 7-35

Team	SU	ATS	O/U
Detroit	7-8	6-8-1	9-6
Kansas City	12-3	11-3-1	10-4-1

Detroit

Team

Green Bay

22.2 (16th)

Pts For

26.7 (4th)

27.3 (32nd)

Pts Against

18.5 (8th)

324.9 (29th)

Total Offense

369.1 (4th)

242.1 (8th)

Passing Yards

277.1 (2nd)

82.7 (30th)

Rushing Yards

92.0 (26th)

376.5 (32nd)

Total Defense

314.7 (10th)

263.6 (31st)

Passing Defense

207.8 (12th)

112.9 (19th)

Rushing Defense

106.9 (16th)

0 (16th)

Turnover Diff.

+3 (12th)

Detroit Leaders					Green Bay Leaders
Passing	COMP	ATT	YDS	TD	Passing	COMP	ATT	YDS	TD
Kitna	333	513	3822	17	Favre	347	524	4056	26
Rushing	CAR	YDS	AVG	TD	Rushing	CAR	YDS	AVG	TD
Jones	153	581	3.8	8	Grant	182	899	4.9	7
Duckett	52	306	5.9	3	Wynn	50	203	4.1	4
Receiving	REC	YDS	AVG	TD	Rushing	REC	YDS	AVG	TD
McDonald	74	874	11.8	5	Driver	82	1048	12.8	2
Williams	63	836	13.3	5	Jennings	53	920	17.4	12

Week 17
11-4	Jacksonville Jaguars	versus	Houston Texans (-6)	7-8
December 30, 2007, 1:00 PM EST – Reliant Stadium

Last Three Weeks

Jacksonville Jaguars: The Jaguars have clinched the fifth seed and the only question to them is where they will be traveling to in the first round of the playoffs, Pittsburgh or San Diego. With nothing on the line, the Jaguars will most likely rest most of their key players, especially young quarterback, David Garrard, and verteran running back, Fred Taylor, so they can both be at 100% going into the playoffs as they will try and win three games on the road to make the Super Bowl. If Garrard does find some time on the pine, then Jacksonville will look toward Quinn Gray who has started three games this season while Garrard was injured earlier this season. Gray has been decent, but no where near the level of Garrard, as he has completed 52.4% of his passes while throwing six touchdowns and five interceptions (two more then Garrard, although he has started in nine less games). Under Garrard, the Jaguars have been on a role on offense as they have put up at least 24 points in nine consecutive games and have gained at least 400 yards in five straight. Don't expect numbers like that this week, but as long as Gray stays out of trouble, it would not be out of the realm of possibility that Jacksonville finds themselves in the 20s yet again.

Houston Texans: The Texans are another one of the teams that need a win to finish the year 8-8, but that is not all they are playing for. Houston just wishes they were in the NFC South, and not the AFC South, as the Texans are 7-3 in non-divisional games this season, while going 0-5 in their division. Another loss against the Jaguars will give the Texans a winless division record and a bad taste in their mouth, while a win (even if it is against the backups) will give Houston a huge shot of momentum going into the off-season, the perfect factor of a team needing so close to being a playoff team. Sage Rosenfels is now 3-1 as a starter this season, after a tough loss against the red hot Indianapolis Colts last week, but even though he has shown to be a capable quarterback, Matt Schaub seems to be the man the team is looking at to be the starter this week, even though Schaub might not be exactly 100%. This is a great sign in Houston, because they are actually showing that they are behind Schaub all the way, and especially if he plays well, will give him a lot of confidence and security going into the off-season.

Prediction: I am loving on the teams needing a win to finish 8-8, I believe that getting that last win to make that mark is huge for a franchise, and teams play out of their helmets to get that final win. Add that in with a Jaguar team who will not be putting their best athletes on the field for the entire game, and you get a Houston Texan win on Sunday.

Vs. Spread	Straight Up

Jacksonville Jaguars

Houston Texans

Carolina

W 37-6

Tampa Bay

W 28-14

@ Pittsburgh

W 29-22

Denver

W 31-13

Oakland

W 49-11

@ Indianapolis

L 15-38

Team	SU	ATS	O/U
Jacksonville	11-4	11-4	11-4
Houston	7-8	7-8	8-6-1

Jacksonville

Team

Houston

25.5 (5th)

Pts For

22.5 (15th)

23.7 (6th)

Pts Against

17.5 (22nd)

355.9 (6th)

Total Offense

336.5 (13th)

202.9 (19th)

Passing Yards

242.1 (9th)

153.0 (2nd)

Rushing Yards

94.4 (24th)

315.4 (11th)

Total Defense

341.7 (23rd)

219.7 (18th)

Passing Defense

226.5 (23rd)

95.7 (7th)

Rushing Defense

115.3 (21st)

+9 (6th)

Turnover Diff.

-13 (31st)

Jacksonville Leaders					Houston Leaders
Passing	COMP	ATT	YDS	TD	Passing	COMP	ATT	YDS	TD
Garrard	208	325	2509	18	Schaub	192	289	2241	9
Rushing	CAR	YDS	AVG	TD	Rushing	CAR	YDS	AVG	TD
Taylor	223	1202	5.4	5	Dayne	173	685	4.0	4
Jones-Drew	167	768	4.6	9	Green	70	260	3.7	2
Receiving	REC	YDS	AVG	TD	Rushing	REC	YDS	AVG	TD
Northcutt	44	601	13.7	4	Walter	65	800	12.3	4
Williams	35	592	16.9	9	Johnson	54	777	14.4	8

Week 17
6-9	Carolina Panthers (-3)	versus	Tampa Bay Buccaneers	9-6
December 30, 2007, 1:00 PM EST – Raymond James Stadium

Last Three Weeks

Carolina Panthers: After surprising the Seattle Seahawks two weeks ago, the Carolina Panthers almost did the same thing last Saturday when they took the Dallas Cowboys to the limit in a 13-20 loss. Through all of their injuries, the Panthers have finally found a gem hidden deep in their roster, as Matt Moore has played well enough to keep his team in games. Last week against the Cowboys, Moore threw his first touchdown of his career, as he found Steve Smith for the score, but the big thing about Moore is that he has brought Steve Smith back into the offense. Smith has caught 17 passes for 209 yards in the two games that Moore has started, after not gaining more then 64 yards in a game in any of the previous six. However, even though Steve Smith has regained his game-breaker role on the team, and the Panthers have a quarterback who is able to manage the game effectively, the injuries will once again be the big story this season for Carolina, who has now missed the postseason in four of the last six season, while making it to the Super Bowl and the NFC championship game in the other two.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers: I know they are denying it, but the fact that they took their starters out of the game at halftime last week after finding out that the New York Giants had clinched the fifth seed speaks volumes. Tampa Bay basically gave up the chance to get the third seed last week, in favor of going up against New York in the first round, instead of going up against either Minnesota or Washington. The decision will also most likely keep them away from Green Bay in the second round, where Tampa Bay has been horrible in the past. Instead, the Buccaneers path to the NFC Championship game will go through the East division as they get the Giants in the first round, and then a probable match-up against the Dallas Cowboys in the 2nd round as long as the seeds hold. Tampa Bay has shown that they have no problem resting their players, and will most likely do the same this week against Carolina. A win against the Panthers this week will give Tampa Bay a 6-0 record in the division only one year after going 0-6 last season.

Prediction: Tampa Bay will most likely sit most of their main guys, and the starters that do see action will see limited action, which will probably make this game a low scoring close match-up. Carolina has played well in those situations, and with Steve Smith enjoying new quarterback, Matt Moore, look for Smith to score at least one touchdown and Carolina to end the season on a winning note.

Vs. Spread	Straight Up

Carolina Panthers

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

@ Jacksonville

L 6-37

@ Houston

L 14-28

Seattle

W 13-10

Atlanta

W 37-3

Dallas

L 13-20

@ San Francisco

L 19-21

Team	SU	ATS	O/U
Carolina	6-9	7-8	5-10
Tampa Bay	9-6	9-6	8-7

Carolina

Team

Tampa Bay

15.7 (29th)

Pts For

20.7 (18th)

21.6 (17th)

Pts Against

15.9 (1st)

280.7 (29th)

Total Offense

328.4 (18th)

171.1 (29th)

Passing Yards

210.7 (16th)

109.6 (17th)

Rushing Yards

117.7 (11th)

326.3 (16th)

Total Defense

273.7 (2nd)

215.3 (15th)

Passing Defense

170.6 (2nd)

110.9 (18th)

Rushing Defense

103.1 (13th)

+2 (13th)

Turnover Diff.

+14 (4th)

Carolina Leaders					Tampa Bay Leaders
Passing	COMP	ATT	YDS	TD	Passing	COMP	ATT	YDS	TD
Testaverde	94	172	952	5	Garcia	209	327	2440	13
Rushing	CAR	YDS	AVG	TD	Rushing	CAR	YDS	AVG	TD
Foster	236	830	3.5	3	Graham	222	898	4.0	10
Williams	124	596	4.8	2	Pittman	64	274	4.3	0
Receiving	REC	YDS	AVG	TD	Rushing	REC	YDS	AVG	TD
Smith	82	954	11.6	7	Galloway	57	1014	17.8	6
Carter	36	458	12.7	4	Hilliard	62	722	11.6	1

Week 17
7-8	Buffalo Bills	versus	Philadelphia Eagles (-7 ½)	7-8
December 30, 2007, 1:00 PM EST – Lincoln Financial Field

Last Three Weeks

Buffalo Bills: Last week, the Buffalo Bills had Eli Manning and the New York Giants against the ropes, and not only let them free but were destroyed in the fourth quarter by a team with a quarterback who had played terribly all game. Trent Edwards had a terrible game, throwing three interceptions, though you couldn't really blame him as he attempted to complete passes in monsoon-like weather conditions. No, the blame has to go to the other side of the ball, where the defense has played terribly all season long. Buffalo is giving up 361.2 yards per game, third worst in the league, while giving up more then 120 rushing yards in nine games, but was capped off last week when the New York Giants gained 291 yards on the ground. Buffalo is second-worst in the AFC in sacks (22) and passing yards allowed (232.8 per game) and unless they make major moves in the off-season this will be a problem for them as well next year. If Buffalo can take anything out of this season, other then disappointment that they have now missed the playoffs for seven straight years, it is the fact that six of their eight losses this season have been against teams that will make the playoffs this year.

Philadelphia Eagles: Amazingly, this will be the first time in four seasons that the Philadelphia Eagles will end their regular season with Donovan McNabb as their quarterback. Injuries have plagued McNabb's career, as he has had to sit out the regular-season finale in each of the last three seasons, including last year after he tore his ACL. This season has not really gone as planned for McNabb or the Eagles, but at least he is healthy enough to play at the end of the season, that is a step forward. That is not to say that McNabb is without injury this season as he has missed two games, and most of a third with problems in his thumb and ankle. In the last three weeks, McNabb has returned to form, completing 63.2 percent of his passes without throwing an interception while throwing five touchdowns in the process and rushing for 101 yards on 19 carries. A win on Sunday will give the Eagles a three game winning streak to end the season, and give fans the hope that their team could ride this year end momentum into next season, like the Packers have following their season ending run last year.

Prediction: I think you have figured out by now that I love 7-8 teams in the final game of the season. Well now we get a match-up between two 7-8 teams so who do I go with? Philadelphia is finally hitting their stride, though it is a bit late, while Buffalo just gave up nearly 300 yards on the ground, so who do you think I'm going to take?

Vs. Spread	Straight Up

Buffalo Bills

Philadelphia Eagles

Miami

W 38-17

New York Giants

L 13-16

@ Cleveland

L 0-8

@ Dallas

W 10-6

New York Giants

L 21-38

@ New Orleans

W 38-23

Team	SU	ATS	O/U
Buffalo	7-8	9-6	7-8
Philadelphia	7-8	8-7	7-8

Buffalo

Team

Philadelphia

16.2 (27th)

Pts For

21.3 (17th)

22.5 (18th)

Pts Against

19.4 (11th)

277.5 (31st)

Total Offense

355.9 (6th)

166.7 (30th)

Passing Yards

228.9 (12th)

110.8 (15th)

Rushing Yards

127.0 (8th)

361.1 (30th)

Total Defense

314.1 (9th)

232.8 (27th)

Passing Defense

221.4 (20th)

128.3 (27th)

Rushing Defense

92.7 (5th)

+7 (7th)

Turnover Diff.

-6 (22nd)

Buffalo Leaders					Philadelphia Leaders
Passing	COMP	ATT	YDS	TD	Passing	COMP	ATT	YDS	TD
Edwards	135	239	1497	7	McNabb	262	432	2979	18
Rushing	CAR	YDS	AVG	TD	Rushing	CAR	YDS	AVG	TD
Lynch	258	1010	3.9	7	Westbrook	271	1291	4.8	7
Jackson	53	284	5.4	0	Buckhalter	53	295	5.6	4
Receiving	REC	YDS	AVG	TD	Rushing	REC	YDS	AVG	TD
Evans	54	847	15.7	5	Curtis	70	1048	15.0	6
Reed	50	554	11.1	0	Westbrook	86	714	8.3	5

Week 17
5-10	San Francisco 49ers	versus	Cleveland Browns (-10)	9-6
December 30, 2007, 1:00 PM EST – Cleveland Browns Stadium

Last Three Weeks

San Francisco 49ers: San Francisco looks to finish the season with a three game winning streak after starting the year winning their first two games. Unfortunately for the 49ers, they only won one game in the other 11 games this season, giving San Francisco their fifth straight losing season. Third-string quarterback Shaun Hill is undefeated as a starter, leading his team to victories in each of his two starts, including a 21-19 victory last week over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, who had taken out their starters at halftime. Next season will be an interesting one in San Francisco as there will be a quarterback battle between Alex Smith, who they had planned to base the franchise around, and the up-and-comer Hill, who with a third straight win could take the lead in that race going into 2008. The good news is that San Francisco defeated the same Cincinnati Bengal team who seemingly ended the Browns playoff hopes last week, the bad news is that the loss the Cincinnati has pissed those Browns off.

Cleveland Browns: The Browns took a huge blow last week in their stunning loss to the Bengals, and now no longer control their own destiny. If Cleveland wants to make the playoffs this season, they need an Indianapolis Colts team, who will most likely bench most of their key players, to defeat the Tennessee Titans, only then will the Browns make the playoffs. With their playoff hopes in the hands of another team, the Browns play a meaningless game against the 49ers. However, don't expect the Browns to rest up and show no effort, a win will give them 10 on the season, as well as give them some momentum back that they lost last week. The Browns success relies heavily on quarterback Derek Anderson who has played poorly in the last few weeks, mainly last week as he threw four interceptions including two that lead to Cincinnati touchdowns in a 30-second span just before the half that turned a 6-0 lead into a 19-0 lead.

Prediction: Derek Anderson is finally becoming human again, and the Browns are going down with him. With their playoff hopes in the arms of another team, Cleveland will not come out with the fire that they would have if the game meant anything, whether they admit to it or not. Shaun Hill has given the 49ers new life, and Frank Gore has returned to form as of late. Add in the fact that Cleveland just does not have a defense, and Hill and Gore should both have great games, and I give the edge to the 49ers to pull the upset and kill the rest of the momentum that Anderson and the Browns had, basically handing the starting job to Brady Quinn next year.

Vs. Spread	Straight Up

San Francisco 49ers

Cleveland Browns

Minnesota

W 7-27

@ NY Jets

W 24-18

Cincinnati

W 20-13

Buffalo

W 8-0

Tampa Bay

W 21-19

@ Cincinnati

L 14-19

Team	SU	ATS	O/U
San Francisco	5-10	5-9-1	6-9
Cleveland	9-6	11-4	10-5

San Francisco

Team

Cleveland

14.1 (32nd)

Pts For

25.5 (6th)

22.9 (19th)

Pts Against

25.0 (27th)

240.8 (32nd)

Total Offense

350.9 (8th)

149.8 (32nd)

Passing Yards

235.4 (11th)

91.0 (27th)

Rushing Yards

115.5 (14th)

345.4 (24th)

Total Defense

371.2 (31st)

229.9 (26th)

Passing Defense

240.5 (29th)

115.5 (22nd)

Rushing Defense

130.7 (28th)

-13 (30th)

Turnover Diff.

-1 (18th)

San Francisco Leaders					Cleveland Leaders
Passing	COMP	ATT	YDS	TD	Passing	COMP	ATT	YDS	TD
Dilfer	113	219	1166	7	Anderson	287	507	3635	28
Rushing	CAR	YDS	AVG	TD	Rushing	CAR	YDS	AVG	TD
Gore	237	1008	4.3	5	Lewis	272	1176	4.3	9
Robinson	26	121	4.7	0	Wright	60	277	4.6	1
Receiving	REC	YDS	AVG	TD	Rushing	REC	YDS	AVG	TD
Battle	47	581	12.4	5	Edwards	77	1222	15.9	15
Davis	50	489	9.8	4	Winslow	78	1044	13.4	5