2016 NFL Game of the Week Preview, Week 8: Cowboys vs Eagles

(photo credit: thelandryhat,com)

The Philadelphia Eagles (4-2) will travel to Dallas to take on the Cowboys (5-1) at AT&T Stadium on Sunday night. These two NFC East rivals will meet for the first time this season. This divisional matchup usually always has playoff implications, and we can expect this prime-time game to impact the division and the playoff picture down the road.

 Dallas is coming off their bye week. Since 2003, they are 8-6 in the game after their bye week. Philadelphia enters this game having dominated the Minnesota Vikings 21-10 last week. Quarterback Carson Wentz, the second overall pick in last year’s draft, has the Eagles playing much better than most expected, as they are second in the NFC East behind the Cowboys. 

The North Dakota State alumni has thrown for 1,324 yards and eight touchdowns, and he’s thrown three interceptions. Wentz has been a large part of this Eagle’s turnaround, but Philadelphia’s defense has dramatically improved, which is the reason why they are in a favorable position at the mid-way point of the season. Defensive Coordinator Jim Schwartz’s defense has recorded 20 sacks this season. 

The defense is allowing 14.7 points per game, which is third best in the league behind Seattle and Minnesota. Philadelphia has forced 12 turnovers, which has led to their plus-6 turnover differential. Led by Head Coach Jason Garrett, the Cowboys have enjoyed success despite injuries to key players. Quarterback Tony Romo has been out since the preseason, and wide receiver Dez Bryant has been out for three games. Dallas has also been missing guard La’el Collins, linebacker Rolando McClain, and cornerback Orlando Scandrick. 

Dallas has reeled off five straight wins since losing to the New York Giants in Week 1. Two rookie on offense have contributed to this winning streak. Rookie and fourth round pick Dak Prescott has filled in brilliantly for Romo, which makes him an early candidate for MVP. Prescott has thrown for 1,486 yards and seven touchdowns while only throwing one interception. The Mississippi State alumni has been handing off to one of the NFL’s best running backs. 

Rookie and former Ohio State running back Ezekiel Elliott has been running wild behind an offensive line that is one of the best in the league. Elliott has run the ball 137 times for 703 yards and five touchdowns. Elliott has rushed for an average of 5.1 yards per carry. Despite a plethora of injuries and suspensions, the Cowboys defense has been a pleasant surprise. Rod Marinelli’s unit has not allowed a 100-yard rusher or receiver, and the defense has forced nine turnovers. This game will begin at 8:30 p.m. ET on Sunday night, and it will air on NBC.  

NFL 2016 Game of the Week Preview, Week 7: Eagles vs Vikings

(photo credit: vikings.com)

The Philadelphia Eagles host the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday in a highly-contested battle. The Eagles traded quarterback Sam Bradford to the Vikings after Vikings quarterback Teddy Bridgewater tore his ACL and dislocated his knee. So Sunday will be Bradford's return to Philadelphia.

The trade seemed to work out for Philadelphia, as well. Carson Wentz has been a sensation, despite the Eagles having lost two in a row after a 3-0 start. The Eagles, behind Wentz, could possibly knock off the Vikings, the lone undefeated team left in the NFL.

NFL 2016 Game of the Week Preview, Week 6: Seahawks vs Falcons

(photo credit: sbnation.com)

After what happened with the Atlanta Falcons last year, no one would have thought they have been where they are now. No one would have thought that they would be a challenge to the dominant Seahawks team that's made the playoffs the last three years.

However, that is the case. The Falcons have a good shot at winning what would be a statement road game in Seattle this Sunday. However, the Seahawks still have that great team that they've had since 2012, when they drafted quarterback Russell Wilson.

The winner of this game is the team who's defense steps up in the final minute. 

NFL 2016 Game of the Week Preview, Week 5: Packers vs Giants

(photo credit: nj.com)

Week five in the NFL is filled with must watch games, including the Green Bay Packers (2-1) who will be hosting the New York Giants (2-2) in Prime Time on Sunday Night Football at Lambeau Field. Kickoff is at 7:30 p.m. CT.

Packers fans should be worried when the Eli Manning led Giants come to Wisconsin.  Eli Manning and the Giants broke the hearts of Packers fans back in 2007 when they defeated the Brett Favre led Packers in the NFC Championship game, 23-20, in overtime. Then they beat the Aaron Rodgers led Packers in 2011, 37-20. The 2011 Green Bay team was 15-1, and the top seeded team in the NFC. Both times the Eli Manning led Giants went on to win the Super Bowl.

Both teams head into their week five matchup with injuries to their secondary. For Green Bay, they'll be without their best cornerback, Sam Shields. As far as the Giants are concerned, they could be without Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, Nat Berhe and rookie Eli Apple.

Not only have Eli Manning and Aaron Rodgers each won a Super Bowl, but both run a similar offense. Given that both teams are a little weak in the secondary, expect a lot plays in the passing game. Especially with the New York Giants. Odell Beckham Jr. is looking to redeem himself after a very poor performance against the Minnesota Vikings on Monday Night Football where he had a career low 23-yards receiving on three catches.

The Packers do have the edge in the running game with Eddie Lacy, despite the Giants having a solid defensive line. New York will be without their top back out of the backfield in Shane Vereen, and the Packers have one of the best defenses against the run in this young NFL season so far.

The Packers will also be without tight end Jared Cook, who has a high ankle sprain. That means Richard Rodgers will need to step up and help out Aaron Rodgers by making some plays.

The Giants pass-rush will need to do a better job of getting pressure on the quarterback, and force Aaron Rodgers to get rid of the football quickly. Defensive end Olivier Vernon will be a tough test for Packers David Bakhtiari, while Bryan Bulaga will have to fend off Jason Pierre-Paul on the other side.

The Giants offensive line will have to do a much better job than they did last week against the Vikings. The left side of their line has two former first-round draft picks, but are still young. They're even weaker on the right side with former Packer Marshall Newhouse at tackle.

Look for Packers defensive coordinator, Dom Capers, to blitz Eli Manning by bringing linebackers from a number of angles and gaps. Blitzing has been a strength of the Packers defense thus far.

After winning their first two games of the season, the Giants have lost back-to-back games to the Washington Redskins and then to the Minnesota Vikings. With the Philadelphia Eagles sitting atop the NFC East at 3-0 heading into week five, along with the Dallas Cowboys right behind them at 3-1, this really is a must win game for New York.

The Packers are coming off a bye week, and should be well rested, despite being without Shields and Cooks. The Packers under head coach Mike McCarthy are 8-2 in games coming off a bye week. With the Vikings sitting atop the NFC North at 4-0, and facing a beatable Houston Texans team in Week 5 means this is a must win game for the Packers as well.

This game could come down to a shootout, and whichever team makes the most plays should win.

Panthers Release CB Bene Benwikere

(photo credit: ftw.usatoday.com)

In a shocking move to shake up their struggling secondary, the Carolina Panthers announced they had released starting cornerback Bene Benwikere. Benwikere shadowed Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Julio Jones last week, who compiled 300 yards and one 75-yard touchdown in one of the best performances by a receiver in NFL history. According to Pro Football Focus, Benwikere allowed Jones to have 220 yards.

 With Benwikere being released, Carolina promoted rookie Zach Sanchez to the active roster. Carolina (1-3) will battle the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Monday Night Football at 8:30 p.m. ET. Head Coach Ron Rivera said he had discussions with his staff about the secondary and decided “it was time to move on.” “We’ve got a group of young guys that we’re looking to play and get them out on the football field,” Rivera said. “It’s something we feel we needed to do as we go forward.

Rookie James Bradberry will see increased playing time going forward, but a toe injury will keep him sidelined for Monday’s game. Carolina will start Robert McClain and rookie Daryl Worley at cornerback against Tampa Bay. The Panthers will also be starting Michael Griffin over Tre Boston at safety. Benwikere began training camp on the PUP list, but started all four regular season games at outside cornerback.

 Benwikere admitted his conditioning wasn’t at its best after Sunday’s loss to Atlanta. Rivera didn’t comment on whether Benwikere’s condition attributed to him getting released. A fifth-round pick in 2014, Benwikere started in 14 games for Carolina over three seasons. His 2015 season ended after he fractured his fibula against Atlanta. Benwikere recorded 76 tackles and two interceptions in 27 games for Carolina. Over the last year, Carolina has either lost or cut their top four corners from last year (Josh Norman, Charles Tillman, Cortland Finnegan, and Benwikere.) 

NFL 2016 Game of the Week Preview, Week 4: Vikings vs Giants

(photo credit:giantswire.usatoday.com)

The New York Giants (2-1) will travel to Minneapolis, Minnesota, to take on the Vikings (3-0) at U.S. Bank Stadium on Monday night. New York is coming off a 29-27 loss to the Washington Redskins, while the Vikings defeated the Carolina Panthers, 22-10. These two teams last met in Week 16 last year, and the Vikings crushed the Giants, 49-16. 

Minnesota has shocked the league, as they enter this game without their starting quarterback or running back. Teddy Bridgewater is out for the season, and Adrian Peterson was placed on IR last week. Minnesota acquired Sam Bradford from the Philadelphia Eagles before the season started to be their quarterback, and that has worked out for Minnesota so far. Bradford has completed 67% of his passes, and he’s thrown for 457 yards and three touchdowns this season. 

With Peterson out, Minnesota will rely on Matt Asiata and Jerick McKinnon to lead their rushing attack. Bradford has made a seamless transition into Minnesota’s offense because he has a budding star at wide receiver. Stefon Diggs has caught 20 passes for 345 yards and one touchdown this season. The offense has been a nice surprise for Minnesota, but the reason they are undefeated is because of their defense. 

Their defense scored two touchdowns in Week 1 against Tennessee, limited the Green Bay Packers to 14 points in Week 2, and most surprising of all, they sacked reigning NFL MVP Cam Newton eight times last week. A defense that dominated New York last season, the Giants will have a tough task on Monday. With a high-powered offense, New York might be able to score enough points to beat Minnesota. New York is led by quarterback Eli Manning, who has thrown for 925 yards and four touchdowns this season. 

Running back Rashad Jennings is questionable, which means Orleans Darkwa and Paul Perkins will see more carries on Monday. Even with an unsettled rushing attack, Manning has a plethora of receivers that can make up for the rushing attack. It all starts with Odell Beckham Jr., who hasn’t caught a touchdown this season, but he’s caught 25 touchdowns in his young career. 

Another receiver Manning can look for is rookie Sterling Shepard, who’s caught 16 passes for 233 yards and two touchdowns. With Victor Cruz returning to full health, Minnesota will have their hands full. The game starts at 8:30 p.m., and will be broadcasted on ESPN.