If this is your first visit, be sure to
check out the FAQ by clicking the
link above. You may have to register
before you can post: click the register link above to proceed. To start viewing messages,
select the forum that you want to visit from the selection below.
49ers-Panthers: These teams may look like mirror images — dynamic QBs, grind-it-out offenses, smothering defenses — but further reflection shows otherwise. And don’t read too much into the way the Panthers’ Kaepernickel Defense shut down SF’s QB in their Week 10 win. Since then, two key weapons — Vernon Davis and Michael Crabtree — have returned to the Niners, while Steve Smith is now hobbling on a bad knee. It may take the Kaeped Krusader’s (Ric) Flair for the dramatic, but expect San Fran to pin a narrow defeat on the Panthers. 49ers 19-16. Chargers-Broncos: It’s Mile High, so the joint will be jumping, and it will be puffed and passed as well. Freak stat: The last four Super Bowl winners have played the Eagles in their home openers, which would seem to bode well for the Chargers, who saddled the Broncos their only home loss. However, Wes Welker’s return puts Denver’s receiving corps at full strength, which should be enough to prevent Peyton from having to explain another embarrassing early playoff dismissal. SD’s Super dream will go up in smoke, but don’t hesitate to bolt down a bet on the Chargers. Broncos 35-27.
Game: Iowa at Ohio State (1:30 PM Eastern)
Pick: Ohio State -6.5 (-105) at 5Dimes
A giant Big 10 battle between two Top 20 teams. One weakness for Iowa is they are not big in the frontcourt, and that weakness shows up on the road where they are winless. That will be a concern against the No. 3 ranked Ohio State Buckeyes, who shoot 47% as a team behind 6-11 junior center Amir Williams and 6-8 LaQuinton Ross pounding the frontcourt. Ohio State is off a close loss in OT at Michigan State and is a great bounce back team, 9-4 ATS following a loss. And it was their first defeat of the season, so they will not be kind to their visitors. Ohio State has won the last eight games against Iowa in the series, the longest winning streak for the Buckeyes over Iowa all-time. Thad Matta is 11-4 overall vs. the Hawkeyes, and Ohio State is 7-1 ATS against a team with a winning record. Throw in the fact that the Buckeyes are 10-1 ATS in their last 11 vs. the Big Ten and grab the home court. Play the Ohio State Buckeyes.
OVERALL ANALYSIS
Given the similar blueprints to how the teams run, the biggest difference going into Sunday's matchup postseason experience.
"Our guys have done this before. It isn't the first time they have done this. Onward now," said Harbaugh after the Green Bay game.
Newton is doing his best to shake off the lack of experience talk and both he and Rivera have mentioned that they fell the Panthers have been playing postseason football for weeks thanks to the slow start and tight race in the NFC, one that saw the 10-6 Arizona Cardinals not make the playoffs.
"(Less playoff experience) doesn't mean anything. We're all playing on a clean slate as far as playoff preparation. To be honest, this is similar to the games we've played all season, must-have wins," said the Panthers quarterback.
Then there is the fact that the Panthers have already bested the Niners once this season.
"I think one thing it did help is that San Francisco is a very physical football team and we were able to play with them and win the game. I think that really helped instill a little bit of confidence as to the type of football team we can be. They are the measuring stick of the NFC because they're the defending NFC champs," said Rivera.
Just like Newton can't worry about making his playoff debut, the Niners aren't likely to come in worried about mimicking the earlier loss. While it could once again prove to be a defensive test, the additions of Davis and Crabtree to the mix should tilt the field in San Francisco's favor.
Comment