Left field

Tebow time makes way for Manning mania even outside U.S.

The Tim Tebow fairytale is over but NFL provided more drama with Super Bowl champions and previously imperious Green Bay being unceremoniously dumped out at home by New York Giants.

Over here in Europe, interest in NFL has grown markedly this year if Twitter trends are taken into account. Maybe the annual game in Wembley has boosted UK interest along with better live coverage on satellite TV but the players themselves deserve credit.

Undoubtedly the story of Denver Bronco’s quarterback Tebow has captured the imagination of fans around the globe. It’s not just his religious beliefs, it was his style of running and the fact he seemed to throw the ball all wrongly but still produced results.

The England Patriots, surely now the hot favourites for the title , ended his remarkable run in the divisional playoffs this weekend but Eli Manning’s nerveless performance for the Giants as Aaron Rodgers and the weak Packers defence fell apart means NFL’s new viewers may still be tuning in come next weekend’s Conference championships.

Manning looks a little unusual like Tebow. His helmet and shoulder pads seem way too big for his surprisingly small frame but his unerring passing accuracy and calmness under pressure at Lambeau Field, where teams are not meant to win, was remarkable.

The fact it’s the San Francisco 49ers aganst the Giants next week may also mean the worldwide NFL fanbase stays hooked. Along with the Cowboys and the Packers , the 49ers and the Giants are arguably the most well-known NFL teams outside the U.S. and the west/east coast fight adds to the allure.

The only shame? The game is being played in California. For European audiences that means a very late start. That will test the diehards.

Packers dilemma: To rest or not to rest?

You’re Green Bay Packers head coach Mike McCarthy, it’s the final game of the regular season against the Detroit Lions, and you’ve got a dilemma: play your strongest team, a winning combination, or rest your stars fearing serious injuries to any of them.

What do you do? McCarthy said on Monday he wants veteran left tackle Chad Clifton to play the game, he wants Clifton’s experience for the playoffs so naturally he needs a run out against the Lions. Easy.

But what about MVP favorite Aaron Rodgers?

“There is something to be said about trying to finish the season well though…and it would be nice to finish out the season, the way we started with a strong showing in a home game,” said the quarterback. Easy then..or not so.

Injury to Rodgers could spell disaster, but you get the sense he wants to play instead of understudy Matt Flynn no matter what the situation.

However, with no real game for almost three weeks, would a win against the Lions with a full strength team really give the Superbowl holders any more momentum than they’ve already built up all season?

The Packers are clicking on all fronts, just ask Donald Driver, speaking at the start of the season. It’s hard to see McCarthy not resting his main players come the last game of the regular season in the new year.

The Lineman: Week Nine NFL Picks

Week Eight was full of surprises, not many of them pleasant. The St. Louis Rams taking down the New Orleans Saints was the big shocker while the New York Giants and Baltimore Ravens managed to escape with wins but were unimpressive failing to cover.

It all it added up to a disappointing 2-4 week but we bounce back in Week Nine.

Record: 25-23; Last week 2-4; Pick of the Week: 6-2

PICK OF THE WEEK Atlanta Falcons (4-3) at Indianapolis Colts (0-8) (Line Falcons minus-7.5)

You have to feel for Indy, no NBA and no NFL. It is apparent now that there will not be any meaningful football played at Lucas Oil Stadium until the Super Bowl hits town in February.

It has been a truly miserable season for Colts fans, who can’t even get excited about the possibility of landing superstar college quarterback Andrew Luck with injured Peyton Manning having just signed a ba-zillion dollar contract. After being pounded 62-7 by the Saints, the Colts bounced back last week and only lost by 17 to the Titans but now await the Falcons coming off a bye week, well rested and starting to take flight as they chase a third straight win.

Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan, his superb pass-catching trio of Roddy White, Tony Gonzalez and Julio Jones and the punishing running of Michael Turner are likely to heap more embarrassment on a Colts defence that is surrendering a league worst average of 31.5 points a game.

The Lineman: Week Seven NFL Picks

By Steve Keating

That was more like it, a very solid 5-1 effort in Week 6 after a very tough month of average results.

Could we be perfect in lucky Week 7? Feels good.

Record: 19-17. Last week 5-1

Pick of the Week: 5-1

PICK OF THE WEEK

Green Bay Packers (6-0) at Minnesota Vikings (1-5)

The Lineman: Week Six NFL picks

The Lineman took a few hard hits early last week but recovered with a couple of late scores to win my last two picks and finish with a sort of respectable 2-4. The word of the week for Week Six is “desperation” for me and several teams.

Record: 14-16; Last week: 2-4; Pick of the Week: 4-1

PICK OF THE WEEK St. Louis Rams (0-4) at Green Bay Packers (5-0) (Lines Packers minus-14.5) The NFL’s best team against probably the league’s worst team (we say probably only because the Miami Dolphins have also yet to win a game). St. Louis has had a bye week to think about their visit to Lambeau but the Rams could have had a year to prepare and it would be the same result – a blowout. With a razor-sharp Aaron Rodgers at the controls the Packers are averaging a league best 34 points while the Rams are at the bottom of the heap averaging just 11.5. The Packers still have a few areas they could improve on, such as pass defence after giving up an average of 299 yards per game – third worst in the league. But Charles Woodson and Morgan Burnett are tied for the lead in interceptions with three each while Rams quarterback Sam Bradford has thrown just three touchdowns. Danario Alexander is the Rams’ top pass catcher with a measly 196 yards. Rodgers has thrown for 1,721 yards and a league-best 14 touchdowns and will likely add to both those numbers against a Rams secondary that has lost its two top cornerbacks to injury. Even when they were winning last season, the Rams were crummy on the road. The Pack are great at home. Giving up more than two touchdowns always leaves me jittery and there is always a chance the Packers could be in a generous mood and let up on their overwhelmed opponents. But I still expect to see plenty of Lambeau Leaps this Sunday. Take the leap. Give up the 14.5 and take the Packers. - – - - Philadelphia Eagles (1-4) at Washington Redskins (3-1) (Line Eagles plus .5) I could just cut and paste my reasons for taking the Eagles again because they are the same reasons I picked Philadelphia over the Bills a week ago (a wrong pick). The only difference from last Sunday is that the Eagles are even more desperate for a win. After four straight losses the “Dream Team” tag has been removed from the Eagles but is Philadelphia as bad as their 1-4 record? I think not. The Eagles offence ranks third, averaging 445 yards per game and first in rushing but quarterback Michael Vick has been prone to the big mistake, tossing a league-high seven interceptions including four against the Bills. Philadelphia’s more significant issues are on defence where they rank near the bottom of the league against the run, surrendering an average of 26.4 points and 140 yards on the ground. Defence has been the Redskins strength, Washington allowing just 15.8 points per game (third best behind Baltimore and San Francisco) and leads the NFL in sacks – not good news for an already banged up Vick. Great defence, coming off a bye week and playing at home everything would seem to be in the Redskins’ favour. But the Eagles are in desperation mode and so am I. Take the Eagles and the half point. - – - - Carolina Panthers (1-4) at Atlanta Falcons (2-3) (Line Falcons minus-4.5) The Eagles and Falcons are birds of a feather – both failing miserably to live up to pre-season expectations. The Falcons tailspin has not been nearly as dramatic as the Eagles but this is another team that needs to get things figured out in hurry (like this Sunday) or risk falling to the bottom of the NFC South. First-year quarterback Cam Newton may not quite be ready for the Hall of Fame as some would have you believe by the lavish praise but he is a lock for rookie of the year taking command of a Panthers offence that ranks fifth in total yards and passing. Newton has passed for seven touchdowns, run for five more and developed a special chemistry with wide receiver Steve Smith, who ranks second in pass catching with 609 yards. Atlanta has just been out of sync on both sides of the ball. The Falcons are a tough out at the Georgia Dome and this is the week when things finally start to click in Atlanta. Newton is also due for a wonky game and I think this is it. Take the Falcons and give up the 4.5. - – - - Houston Texans (3-2) at Baltimore Ravens (3-1) (Line Ravens minus-7.5) No All-Pro wide receiver Andre Johnson and no pass rushing maestro Mario Williams, means no chance for the banged up Texans against a well-rested Ravens team playing at home and coming off a bye week. It is hard to give up more than a touchdown against a team that has played as well as the Texans but, with their two biggest playmakers sidelined with injuries, it is hard to see Houston having any chance here. The Ravens defence, led by Ray Lewis (this guy still scares me), is the league’s stingiest allowing just 14.3 points a game while Joe Flacco and the Baltimore offence are starting to find their stride averaging 35 points in their three wins. M&T Bank Stadium has been a house of pain for visitors, the Ravens going 12-1 in their last 13 home games. The Texans have never beaten the Ravens and it won’t happen this week. Houston we have a problem. Take the Ravens and give up the 7.5. - – - - New Orleans Saints (4-1) at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (3-2) (Line Saints minus-4.5) New Orleans let me down last week when they failed to cover against the Panthers but I am giving them another shot this Sunday because 4.5 points seems to a little light against a Saints offence that is starting to fire on all cylinders. Drew Brees is the NFL’s second ranked quarterback tossing 1,789-yards and 12 touchdowns and is at the controls of a Saints attack that sits second in total yards (452 yards per game) and passing yards (336). Last week the Buccaneers were spanked 48-3 by the San Francisco 49ers, matching their worst loss in club history. Both defences have struggled giving up an average of 25 points a game but it is hard to see Tampa Bat quarterback Josh Freeman keeping pace with Brees. The Saints quarterback has an arsenal of weapons to choose from while the Bucs lost one of their biggest threats last Sunday when running back LeGarrette Blount went down with a knee injury. New Orleans should also be very motivated this week with a win allowing them to open up a two-game cushion on their NFC South rivals at the top of the division standings. Bucs stopped here. Take the Saints and give up the 4.5. - – - - Miami Dolphins (0-4) at New York Jets (2.3) (Line Jets minus-7.5) For me, a week off in Miami would never seem like a bad thing. Not sure, however, the winless Dolphins enjoyed their bye week as much I would have. So it’s back to work for the Fish and a visit to the Big Apple for the Monday Nighter against a Jets team that finally appears ready to take flight. Dolphins have a new look coming out of the break but it is a scary one, with backup Matt Moore in at quarterback for injured Chad Henne. Miami ranked near the bottom of the league averaging just 17 points a game with Henne calling plays so it is difficult to see Moore as any kind of upgrade – especially going against a Jets defence that ranks fifth against the pass. New York quarterback Mark Sanchez continues to come under scrutiny but expect him to silence his critics, for one day at least, with a big day against the NFL’s second worst pass defence. Both teams are desperate (see, I told you that was word of the week) for wins. Miami coach Tony Sparano likely needs one to keep his job while the Jets need a victory to stay in touch with the 4-1 New England Patriots and Buffalo Bills in the AFC East. The Dolphins have a history of playing the Jets tough, but give me the improving Jets against Matt Moore in the Monday Night prime time spotlight. Jets cleared for takeoff. Take the Jets and give up the 7.5

The Lineman: Week Four NFL picks

By Steve Keating

OK, OK; the shine of a 5-1 opening week is really starting to dim but after three weeks the Lineman is still batting .500.

But like the Atlanta Falcons, we get our season turned around in Week Four. Good Luck.

Record: 9-9. Last week 2-4

Pick of the Week: 2-1

PICK OF THE WEEK

New Orleans Saints (2-1) at Jacksonville Jaguars (1-2)  (Line Saints minus-7.5)

Super Bowl XLV: Packers v Steelers — live

Follow all the action at Super Bowl XLV with our live blog, featuring expert commentary and analysis, instant score updates and the best pix you’ll find on the internet.

Super Bowl will showcase QBs who can move

Given the nature of American football, Super Bowls inevitably get billed as a battle of two quarterbacks and this year’s finale features two of the most entertaining in the game – Pittsburgh Steelers’ Ben Roethlisberger and Green Bay’s Aaron Rodgers.

It is, of course, a gross over-simplification to view the complexities of the game as simply a contest between the two men who take the snaps.

So much depends on how much protection they can get from their offensive line, how well the opposition covers the receivers that are the main offensive outlet and of course how effective the running game is, but there is no doubt that the effectiveness of the decision-making and execution from the quarterback is key.

What is particularly fascinating about this year’s match-up is that both Roethlisberger and Rodgers are quarterbacks who are willing to run with the ball.

The two great quarterbacks of this era, Peyton Manning of the Indianapolis Colts and Tom Brady of the New England Patriots are both more in the category of ‘stand and deliver’ quarterbacks, who rely on their outstanding vision and passing ability to get their team moving forward.

Neither are noted for their ability to leave the ‘pocket’ (the immediate area where the quarterback receives the pass) and make a break for the endzone themselves.

Roethlisberger has long been noted as a quarterback who is prepared to take a good number of sacks in a game, he has the physique and the toughness to endure those hits without it risking his ability to be up and ready for the next play.

The Lineman’s NFL picks — Still backing the Pack

That was another great football weekend made all the more exciting for the Lineman by going a very respectable 3-1. Only two games this week and both look like crackers. Enjoy.

Playoffs: 5-3. Pick of the Week 1-1.

Last week: 3-1

Regular Season Record: 53-49

PICK OF THE WEEK:

Green Bay Packers (12-6) at Chicago Bears (12-5) (Line Packers minus-3.5): I backed the Pack to get to the Super Bowl when the season started and there is no reason to slip off the Green Bay bandwagon now.

The Bears and Packers have clashed 181 times since 1921 but number 182 promises something special as the NFL’s two most storied franchises renew a rivalry that is as old as the league itself.

The Lineman’s NFL picks — classics on the cards

The Lineman is only sure of one thing this weekend and that is that football fans are in for a real treat with all four games shaping up as potential classics.

It was a rough ride for home teams last weekend with only the Seattle Seahawks surviving and who says you need an elite quarterback to win in the playoffs.

Saints Drew Brees and Colts Peyton Manning will watch this weekend’s action from the couch while Jets’Mark Sanchez and Seahawks Matt Hasselbeck moved on.

Yes indeed, shaping up as another wild and wonderful weekend in the NFL.

Playoffs: 2-2. Pick of the Week 0-1.

Regular Season Record: 53-49

PICK OF THE WEEK: