Harry
ASFN Consultant and Senior Writer
Six games stand between the Cards and a first round bye. Why is that so important? JJ Watt is racing the clock, hoping to be activated for the playoffs. He’s needed because the Cards are significantly weaker without him, especially against the run. Buying an extra safe week could be huge and mean a ticket to the Super Bowl.
The biggest threat the Cards face would be the Packers. They own a head-to-head win and that’s the first playoff bracketing tie-breaker. This is the reason this week’s game is so critical. If the Pack beats the Rams the only remaining reasonably, possible loss is the road game at the Ravens. I suppose if things broke favorably the Vikings could challenge them but since their game is at Green Bay, the Pack figures to be favored.
The Rams will have to be at their best to win. Game time temp will be near freezing and since they’re using a late start that temp will rapidly decline. It won’t snow but it be very windy. The Rams are favored by the odds makers, but I’m hearing much of the smart money is taking the Pack. The Rams have added OBJ but I think he’s only a minor impact player; no longer a game changer. The Rams have lost Woods and that definitely is a weakening exchange. I find it hard to believe with all these factors considered that the Rams’ passing game will lead them to victory. The Rams best chance is if their defense can harass Rodgers and shut down the Pack offense, which has struggled in recent weeks. I expect a low scoring game.
The other contenders have a rough road to a bye. The Bucs get a gauntlet of a schedule. It’s been a mistake through the years to underrate Brady, but his receiving corp is simply not the same as last year. They get Indy, Buffalo and an improving Carolina team twice. They could easily lose twice.
The Rams and the Cowboys both play the Cards. On the whole, teams prefer to control their own destiny, so the Cards should be pleased. The Cards need to shake off this home game lethargy and become more aggressive at home. They have the better personnel overall and should win those games. The Cards play Indy on Christmas Day and I don’t like the Cards chances in that game, especially since Watt won’t be there. It is especially important to beat the Cowboys. If Dallas wins and so does Indy the Cards are in trouble. It’s hard to envision the Boys losing any of their other remaining games unless Philly rises up.
As for Los Angles even if they beat the Cards and the Cards lose to Indy, if the Cards win the rest LA’s 2 divisional loses puts them behind the Cards.
So it’s really quite simple. If the Cards beat Indy they will be hard to catch. If they beat Indy & Dallas they are truly in control.
As to the other games we’ve already discussed “on any given Sunday,” but I’d feel better if the Cards capture those key games. This team has come a long way in the last few years. They’ve done what was needed to secure an exciting opportunity. The path is clear. It comes down to can the Cards walk that path? I like their chances.
The biggest threat the Cards face would be the Packers. They own a head-to-head win and that’s the first playoff bracketing tie-breaker. This is the reason this week’s game is so critical. If the Pack beats the Rams the only remaining reasonably, possible loss is the road game at the Ravens. I suppose if things broke favorably the Vikings could challenge them but since their game is at Green Bay, the Pack figures to be favored.
The Rams will have to be at their best to win. Game time temp will be near freezing and since they’re using a late start that temp will rapidly decline. It won’t snow but it be very windy. The Rams are favored by the odds makers, but I’m hearing much of the smart money is taking the Pack. The Rams have added OBJ but I think he’s only a minor impact player; no longer a game changer. The Rams have lost Woods and that definitely is a weakening exchange. I find it hard to believe with all these factors considered that the Rams’ passing game will lead them to victory. The Rams best chance is if their defense can harass Rodgers and shut down the Pack offense, which has struggled in recent weeks. I expect a low scoring game.
The other contenders have a rough road to a bye. The Bucs get a gauntlet of a schedule. It’s been a mistake through the years to underrate Brady, but his receiving corp is simply not the same as last year. They get Indy, Buffalo and an improving Carolina team twice. They could easily lose twice.
The Rams and the Cowboys both play the Cards. On the whole, teams prefer to control their own destiny, so the Cards should be pleased. The Cards need to shake off this home game lethargy and become more aggressive at home. They have the better personnel overall and should win those games. The Cards play Indy on Christmas Day and I don’t like the Cards chances in that game, especially since Watt won’t be there. It is especially important to beat the Cowboys. If Dallas wins and so does Indy the Cards are in trouble. It’s hard to envision the Boys losing any of their other remaining games unless Philly rises up.
As for Los Angles even if they beat the Cards and the Cards lose to Indy, if the Cards win the rest LA’s 2 divisional loses puts them behind the Cards.
So it’s really quite simple. If the Cards beat Indy they will be hard to catch. If they beat Indy & Dallas they are truly in control.
As to the other games we’ve already discussed “on any given Sunday,” but I’d feel better if the Cards capture those key games. This team has come a long way in the last few years. They’ve done what was needed to secure an exciting opportunity. The path is clear. It comes down to can the Cards walk that path? I like their chances.
