I wrote in my season preview that getting the
'dream team' to play together would be difficult - that wasn't as smart as I'd
like it to appear, because football teams are dogged (no pun intended) by huge
egos and the idea of knitting together so many on one sideline was always
likely to be a poor one.
As it is, we've seen a combination of injuries and
petulance begin to blunt the Eagles so badly that they look easy to oppose
tonight.
The running backs on either side are the most
potent element on the respective offenses, but McCoy is banged up (and Reid
still insists on passing first) and facing a tough front seven who can shut
down the ground game and Marshawn Lynch is similarly facing an Eagles' D that
has toughened up considerably against the run in recent games.
Attacking the Philly wide nine D should encourage
the Hawks, and Lynch needs to run between the tackles and attack the great
weakness of that scheme - the soft middle. The same flaw presents an
interesting bet with Doug Baldwin, who can exploit the Eagles weakness over the
middle in the passing game, operating as a slot receiver. Philly are carrying
injuries in the secondary and Tarvaris Jackson will be asked to keep it simple,
either handing it off, or passing short - the perfect look for Baldwin.
DeSean Jackson is acting up and managed to get
benched last week, adding to Reid's problems (both men are on limited time imo)
and to make things worse, in this pass-heavy O, he's started dropping the ball,
missing some important catches last week - this is a particular problem because
he's a big play receiver, but his talent can't be denied.
Vince Young is by no means as limited as Tarvaris
Jackson, and he can make plays with his strong arm, but Seattle are pretty
tight on D - although look for Brent Celek, who could have a big night.
Honestly, this a trappy game. Both teams are
difficult to predict, because if key elements break down on offense, there's
little room for manoeuvre. The only real value betting the game result is
taking Seattle to win at home, but it's not a bet I love.
Pick: Seahawks SU @ 2.45; 145; 16/11
Pick: 1st TD DeSean Jackson @ 11; 1000; 10/1
Pick: Anytime TD Brent Celek @ 2.25; 125; 5/4
Pick: Doug Baldwin Over 55.5 yards receiving @
1.88; -114; 7/8
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