PinoyCapper's Premium Picks via SMS

Let PinoyCapper do the analysis and betting for you while you get more time doing other important things, like PARTYING. All you have to do is forward PinoyCapper's text message to your local bookie and just wait for the KA-CHING$$$ to come to you.

Advantages:

• Daily POD and choice picks - depending on the game schedule, you will get a minimum of 3 picks daily from various leagues/sports listed below:

• Rated picks -  all picks are rated for your betting convenience. The ratings are as follows:
- POD - go big... bomba... all-in...   

- 3-stars (***) - very strong pick, almost a POD   

- 2-stars (**) - strong pick   

- 1-star (*) - feeling lucky pick

• Money back guarantee - if the Premium Picks resulted in a loss for the week, then you will get the subscription for the next week FREE. 

• Confidentiality - we will never give your details to anybody 

How to subscribe to PinoyCapper's Premium Picks?
All you have to do is to subscribe via Globe GCash or PayPal.

• Subscription via Globe GCash
- Register to GCash - You only need to do this once. Text REG (space) 4-digit PIN/mother’s maiden name/first name/last name/address and send to 2882.  

- Send GCash - Key in 450 (space) 4-digit PIN and send to 28829164196293. NOTE: PinoyCapper.com will ONLY use this number. If someone tells you otherwise then you are being scammed!   

- Sit back, relax and enjoy the games!   

- To know more about Globe GCash, please visit: http://www.globe.com.ph/gcash

• Subscription via PayPal (Now Available!)

After logging-in to Paypal, fill-up the "Message to Seller" field with your Name and Mobile Phone Number so that we will know where to send the picks.

Prices:  
We have one of the lowest subscription rates in the industry at present. For only Php450.00 or US$9.99 for 7 days, get the chance to earn as much as Php100,000 or more per week.

Subscribe PinoyCapper's Premium Picks via SMS now!

POD: Indianapolis-5.0 (NFL Superbowl) L

 POD: Indianapolis-5.0 vs. New Orleans (5K units) L

Preview: There may be more than a few people who are having a tough time hashing out their loyalties for Super Bowl XLIV. They’ll be watching a pair of quarterbacks, though, who are about as decisive as it gets.

Peyton Manning faces his hometown team, once quarterbacked by his father, as the Indianapolis Colts try for their second title in four years Sunday at Miami in a matchup with Drew Brees and a New Orleans Saints team making its Super Bowl debut.

Three years ago, Manning won his first championship, leading Indianapolis to a 29-17 win over Chicago in South Florida. He’s returning to the same site, this time to face a team that has deep roots in his family.

New Orleans is the city where his father, Archie, played and still lives. Manning played at Isidore Newman High School in New Orleans, as did his brothers, Eli - who won a Super Bowl with the New York Giants two years ago - and Cooper.

If Manning can outduel Brees in what has the potential to be one of the highest-scoring Super Bowls, many fans in New Orleans will certainly be celebrating their hometown hero’s accomplishment.
“New Orleans is a huge part of my life, as well as Eli’s life,” said Manning, who became the only four-time league MVP this season. “My dad’s been a part of the Saints organization for 39 years in some ways. We definitely have strong ties.”

Manning’s top receiver, Reggie Wayne(notes), also grew up in New Orleans and Colts running back Joseph Addai(notes) was still playing for LSU when Hurricane Katrina devastated the area in 2005.

Despite those ties, the Saints (15-3) have the undying loyalty of New Orleans natives, perhaps as much for their role in helping rebuild the city following Katrina as their success on the field.

New Orleans, still in recovery mode, has gotten a boost from the Saints’ rise to prominence. The 43-year-old franchise has never appeared in the Super Bowl.

“It’s a moment I’ve been waiting for a long time,” Brees said. “The job is not done yet but obviously we’re going to enjoy this. Now we’ve got to finish it in Miami.”

If the Saints win, parts of northwest Indiana will be cheering.

Near the Purdue campus in West Lafayette, 65 miles from Indianapolis, loyalties are split. Brees remains an icon in the area after leading the Boilermakers’ revival a decade ago.

Brees led the NFL with a 109.8 passer rating, throwing for 4,388 yards and a league-best 34 touchdown passes. He threw for three TDs as New Orleans won the NFC championship game 31-28 in overtime against Minnesota on Jan. 24.

With plenty of options offensively, New Orleans led the NFL with 31.9 points per game. The Colts were seventh, averaging 26.0 points.

“You understand just how explosive their offense can be,” Manning said. “I think you have to be careful trying to get out of your rhythm in order to keep up with them. You still have to go play offense the way we have played all year, trying to be efficient. We have been excellent on third down, been good in the red zone. Those things will be important this year.”

Manning once was criticized for his failure to win big games, but he’s won six if his last eight playoff contests. He’s led the Colts to a 16-2 record this season, and they may have been perfect if Manning and other starters weren’t rested by first-year coach Jim Caldwell in the final two games of the regular season.

Manning is attempting to join a short list of quarterbacks, including John Elway, Terry Bradshaw, Tom Brady(notes) and Joe Montana, to win more than one Super Bowl.

After finishing 2009 second in the NFL in yards passing (4,500) and TD passes (33), Manning was masterful in beating Baltimore and the Jets - two of league’s best defenses - in the postseason. Manning has a 104.6 passer rating in the playoffs, throwing a total of five TDs and one interception.

Manning passed for 377 yards and three touchdowns against the league’s top-ranked defense in the AFC championship game, leading Indianapolis to a 30-17 win over New York on Jan. 24.

Colts defensive leader Dwight Freeney(notes), though, suffered a torn ligament in his right ankle, which has been keeping him out of practice. The All-Pro defensive end, who led Indianapolis with 3 1/2 sacks, expects to play but it could be in a limited role.

“I think he’ll be back and playing third downs. And I think he’ll be effective, until I see something different,” said Raheem Brock(notes), who is first in line to replace Freeney in the lineup.

Freeney’s absence would be a big blow to the Colts, who ranked eighth in scoring defense (19.2 points per game) during the regular season and have been impressive during the playoffs.

New Orleans ranked 20th in scoring defense, giving up 21.3 points a contest, and has surrendered a total of 42 in the postseason. The Saints, though, have been opportunistic, forcing 39 turnovers during the regular season and seven in the playoffs.

Against one of the NFL’s top offenses in the NFC title game, New Orleans intercepted Brett Favre(notes) twice and recovered three fumbles. However, Favre wasn’t sacked in that contest and the Saints have one in two postseason games.

Though Manning was sacked 10 times in the regular season, New Orleans’ only chance defensively may be to find a way to pressure him. Defensive coordinator Gregg Williams created a buzz by saying the Saints will try to put some “remember-me hits” on Manning.

To help out their defense, New Orleans may focus a bit more on running the ball in an attempt to control the clock and keep Manning off the field.

Pierre Thomas(notes) led New Orleans with 793 yards on the ground during the regular season, but Reggie Bush(notes) is the Saints’ most dynamic player at that position. Bush has been relatively disappointing as a running back since being selected No. 2 overall in the 2006 draft, but he’s been a more physical runner in the postseason and he can make big plays as a receiver and a returner.

Bush has run one TD apiece rushing, receiving and returning in the postseason.

“They have really good backs, fast backs with Reggie Bush,” Colts linebacker Clint Session(notes) said. “We try not to get a lot of separation with a guy like him in the open field, so we’re probably playing him a little tighter than normal.

“We have to know the beast, as we call it. Know the beast, respect his speed, and try to keep a close eye on him.”

Bush was held to 38 yards on 12 carries, seven yards on four receptions and two yards on one punt return in the last meeting between the teams, a 41-10 Colts win Sept. 6, 2007. Manning threw for 288 yards and three TDs - two to Wayne - while Brees was picked off twice and finished with 192 yards.

POD: Minnesota+3.5 (NFL) W

POD: Minnesota+3.5 @ New Orleans (3K units) W

Preview: Drew Brees helped the New Orleans Saints score the most points in the NFL before leading his team to a convincing 31-point win in the playoffs.

Brett Favre and the Minnesota Vikings produced the league’s second-highest point total before he guided his team to its own 31-point postseason victory.

The quarterbacks meet Sunday in a marquee NFC championship matchup at the Superdome - where Favre won his lone Super Bowl title 13 years ago.

New Orleans started 13-0 and used Brees’ NFL-leading 34 touchdowns to earn the top seed in the NFC for the first time. The Saints (14-3) have never been to the Super Bowl and made their lone NFC championship appearance three years ago in a loss at Chicago.

Brees threw for three touchdowns and 247 yards last Saturday in a 45-14 win over Arizona that seemed to erase the sting of a season-ending three-game skid.
“We all see the team that won 13 games in a row, not the team that struggled against the Cowboys and let one get away from us against Tampa,” Brees said.

Brees’ impressive season seems to have been overshadowed by Favre, who finished with 33 touchdowns after opting to come out of retirement and join Minnesota (13-4). The 40-year-old seemed to be fading down the stretch as the Vikings lost three of five, much as he did last season with the Jets.

Favre, though, was at his best last Sunday in a 34-3 rout of Dallas. He turned in his first four-touchdown effort of his postseason career, throwing three scores to Sidney Rice(notes), to gain his fifth NFC title game appearance.

Favre, a native of nearby Kiln, Miss., led Green Bay to a Super Bowl XXXI victory over New England in New Orleans before losing to Denver the next season. He lost in NFC title games to San Francisco after the 1997 season and to the Giants two years ago.

Favre is anxious for his first opportunity with the Vikings.

“I hope the little experience I have in these games which is more than most will help some,” Favre said. “But that’s not to say I don’t get nervous or get stressed as well.”

Brees and Favre have plenty of weapons at their disposal. Marques Colston(notes) and Robert Meachem(notes) each had nine touchdown receptions for New Orleans, and Pierre Thomas(notes), Mike Bell(notes) and Reggie Bush(notes) all scored at least five rushing touchdowns.

Bush had a major impact last week with a 46-yard touchdown run and an 83-yard punt return for a score. He’s scored four touchdowns in three career playoff games.

“He’s as healthy as he’s been, and he was something,” coach Sean Payton said. “You saw it not only on the punt return, but you saw it on the big, long touchdown run. He’s a dynamic player.”

Favre may have had his biggest impact on Rice, who was an afterthought his first two years before finishing fourth in the NFL with 1,312 yards receiving in 2009. Rice’s three touchdown catches last week tied an NFL postseason record, and he finished with six receptions for 141 yards.

“With the addition of No. 4, it’s been huge for me,” Rice said. “It’s been great for me, and I’m thankful for that.”

A passing game that includes Rice, tight end Visanthe Shiancoe(notes) (11 touchdowns) and Offensive Rookie of the Year Percy Harvin(notes) has taken the pressure off 1,000-yard back Adrian Peterson, whose 18 rushing touchdowns led the league.

Harvin, though, is listed as questionable because of migraine headaches. Coach Brad Childress called the situation “less than ideal” and said Harvin’s ability to fly with the team Saturday to New Orleans could be affected.

The Saints will try to contain those offensive stars with a defense that ranked 25th in the NFL. That unit, though, saw 11 players combine for 26 interceptions.

Nine of those picks were by safety Darren Sharper(notes), who tied for the league lead. Sharper spent his previous four seasons with Minnesota after being Favre’s teammate at Green Bay his first eight years in the league.

“I think Darren, I played with him numerous years, and he’s one of those guys that is very instinctive,” Favre said. “I see Darren and he looks physically as good as he’s ever looked. But his instincts, those are the things you can’t coach.”

Childress says he has an idea about what to expect from Saints defensive coordinator Gregg Williams’ “multiple defense” scheme.

“Defensively, a little familiarity with Gregg and that defense,” Childress said. “Most recently, (playing) Jacksonville last year and two years ago he was with the Redskins when he came in with Joe Gibbs.”

Minnesota will unleash the league’s best pass rush to try to neutralize Brees. The Vikings produced 48 sacks, with an NFC-leading 14 1/2 by Pro Bowl end Jared Allen(notes).

That pass rush won’t be as effective if end Ray Edwards(notes) isn’t available. Edwards injured his knee in the third quarter against Dallas and returned for a few plays before leaving for good with the Vikings in command.

Edwards, who had three of Minnesota’s six sacks against the Cowboys, returned to practice Friday along with fellow starting defensive lineman Kevin Williams(notes) (knee).

“We’re a better team when Ray plays like that,” Allen said. “When Ray can take advantage of one-on-one blocks and get to the quarterback like that, we were swarming all around.”

This will be Favre’s first road playoff game in six years. The Vikings went 9-0 at home compared to a 4-4 road mark.

“That’s going to be a factor that we have to handle obviously,” Favre said. “I think it goes without saying how happy I am that we have this opportunity.”

Minnesota has won four straight over New Orleans, averaging 33.3 points.

POD: New England-3.5 (NFL) L

POD: Baltimore @ New England-3.5 (5K units) L

Preview: Commissioner Roger Goodell may be exploring ways to get teams to keep their starters in games that have little meaning. He might have a tough time getting the New England Patriots to cooperate.

After losing Wes Welker to injury in an essentially insignificant game, the Patriots find themselves without one of their top offensive threats as they host the Baltimore Ravens in a wild-card matchup Sunday.

Staying healthy for a Super Bowl run was more important to Indianapolis than going undefeated, as it rested many of its starters in the second half of a loss to the New York Jets in Week 16. The Colts were criticized by some for that move, and Goodell suggested this past weekend that the league would consider providing incentives for teams that continue to play their starters.

New England didn’t rest its key contributors when it went 16-0 in 2007. The AFC East champion Patriots (10-6) had many of those same players on the field last Sunday even though they were already in the playoffs, and Welker suffered a serious left knee injury on the first possession of a 34-27 loss to Houston.
Welker, the league leader with 123 receptions, will be unavailable for the playoffs after being placed on injured reserve Wednesday. Coach Bill Belichick, notoriously coy in regard to injuries, doesn’t want to dwell on the loss of Tom Brady’s(notes) favorite target.

“We’re over and done with that. We’re onto Baltimore,” he said.

Welker set a team record for receptions despite missing two games and almost all of the regular-season finale. Welker excelled as a slot receiver and now will be replaced in that role by rookie Julian Edelman(notes), who has a similar skill set. In the two games Welker sat out and in the season finale, Edelman had a combined 21 catches for 221 yards.

Still, Welker’s absence means Randy Moss(notes) will almost certainly see plenty of double coverage from Baltimore (9-7). Moss has 83 catches for 1,264 yards and finished in a three-way tie for the league lead in touchdowns with 13.

Moss, though, has been held to 11 receptions for 125 yards in his last four games against the Ravens, including the Patriots’ 27-21 home win Oct. 4.

New England is 5-0 all-time versus Baltimore, but this will be the teams’ first playoff meeting. Brady has a pedestrian 81.5 passer rating in three games against the Ravens, throwing for 687 yards and three TDs with one interception, and his 54.0 completion percentage against them is his lowest versus any opponent.

Brady is nursing an assortment of injuries, but certainly nothing as devastating as the season-ending torn knee ligaments he suffered in the 2008 opener. On Wednesday, he was named The Associated Press 2009 NFL Comeback Player of the Year.

Brady has thrown for 4,398 yards and 28 touchdowns, but has been hampered by injuries to his ribs and a finger on his right hand in recent weeks.

“Everyone breaks bones over the course of the year,” he said. “I’m feeling pretty good. It’s the best I’ve felt in a while.”

The three-time Super Bowl winner will face a Baltimore secondary likely to use Pro Bowl safety Ed Reed(notes) in a limited role.

Reed played in the Ravens’ regular-season finale, posting five tackles in a 21-13 win over Oakland last Sunday as Baltimore secured a wild-card berth. It was the first game in five weeks for Reed, who split time with Tom Zbikowski(notes) and expects to do so again against the Patriots.

A damaged nerve in his neck has hindered Reed over the past two seasons, but it was hip, ankle and groin injuries that kept him out of four December games.

“It’s hard, but if I can be that sixth man coming off the bench, I’ll do that,” said Reed, comparing himself to a basketball team’s top reserve.

Baltimore also got offensive tackle Jared Gaither(notes) back after he missed a month due to a foot injury.

“I think they both looked pretty good,” coach John Harbaugh said. “Obviously, it’s tough to just go out there and play for the first time in four weeks. They haven’t had a lot of practice. I think they’ll get even better.”

With Gaither in the lineup, Baltimore had one of its best rushing games of the season, gaining 240 yards. Even with quarterback Joe Flacco(notes) making progress in his second season, the Ravens remain committed to running the ball.

Ray Rice(notes) has been outstanding in his second season, rushing for 1,339 yards and seven TDs while leading the team with 78 receptions. He’s complemented by Willis McGahee(notes), who had 167 yards and three scores on 16 carries against the Raiders.

McGahee has 12 touchdowns and is averaging 5.0 yards per carry this season.

Rice and McGahee helped lead Baltimore to playoff wins over Miami and Tennessee last season before a loss to Pittsburgh in the AFC title game. The Ravens had to win their final regular-season game to make the postseason as a wild-card team.

Baltimore didn’t have an easy time getting into the playoffs this year, either, and won its only Super Bowl after finishing the 2000 season as a wild-card team. The Ravens are now hoping to make a similar run.

“There’s something to be said for coasting in, because obviously you’ve earned the right to do that,” Harbaugh said. “There’s an advantage to that, and there’s an advantage to fighting your way in. If you look at the history of who’s won the championship, it’s come from both places, right?”

POD: Green Bay+3.0 (NFL) W

POD: Green Bay+3.0 @ Arizona (3K units) W

Preview: There’s a strong possibility that the Arizona Cardinals could be hosting the Green Bay Packers next week in the playoffs. That adds a layer of intrigue to their matchup in the regular-season finale Sunday at University of Phoenix Stadium.

Arizona (10-5) and Green Bay (10-5) have clinched playoff spots, with the defending NFC champion Cardinals winning the West and the Packers earning a wild-card berth. The Cardinals still have an outside chance of earning the No. 2 seed and a bye next weekend.

For that to happen, Arizona needs to beat Green Bay, the Giants must win at Minnesota and Dallas must beat Philadelphia. Since New York and Minnesota are playing early Sunday, the Cardinals will know that result before they take the field and that will affect their approach.
If the Vikings win, a tie between Dallas and Philadelphia would be the only result that could prevent a meeting between Green Bay and Arizona next week.

“I think that we’ll go ahead and plan and prepare like we’re playing Green Bay for a game of significance,” coach Ken Whisenhunt said. “If that changes, at least we’ve gotten a good week of preparation in because there’s a chance we could play a Saturday game (in the playoffs) … and that would be a short week.”

Whisenhunt could replace Kurt Warner(notes) with Matt Leinart(notes), who started Nov. 29 in a loss at Tennessee with Warner held out due to a concussion. Warner is 278 passing yards shy of reaching 4,000 for the fourth time in his career.

Pro Bowl receiver Larry Fitzgerald(notes) needs six catches to reach 100 for the third time and has already posted his fourth 1,000-yard season. Anquan Boldin(notes) is 14 yards shy of his franchise-record fifth 1,000-yard receiving season.

“You would think they could get by with not playing,” Whisenhunt said. “But it’s going to be awful hard to keep Kurt or Larry or Anquan off the field. I’m just telling you that right now up front.”

Green Bay coach Mike McCarthy says the possibility of a rematch next week will not change how he prepares for this contest.

“We’re not going to change the way we approach games, the way we play games, and I’m sure our opponent’s not going to, this week or next week,” McCarthy said. “To me, I think a lot is being made of this, but it’s also part of game-planning.”

McCarthy, though, made that claim while not having anything at stake two years ago when Green Bay had the No. 2 seed wrapped up heading into a finale against Detroit. Seven starters were inactive, including receivers Donald Driver(notes) and Greg Jennings(notes), linebacker Aaron Kampman(notes) and cornerback Charles Woodson(notes) - one of three Packers named to the Pro Bowl on Tuesday.

Joining Woodson on the Pro Bowl roster are safety Nick Collins(notes) earning his second appearance and quarterback Aaron Rodgers(notes) gaining his first.

It’s been a gratifying season for Rodgers in his second full year as the starter after replacing Brett Favre(notes). Rodgers is tied with Favre for third in the league with 29 touchdowns and is the first player in NFL history to throw for 4,000 yards in each of his first two seasons as a starter.

“This reflects team success,” Rodgers said. “Definitely this is something that you hope for but you need to play well as a team. This is a team achievement in my opinion.”

The Packers have scored an NFC-high 213 points since Week 10. Rodgers has 13 touchdowns, two interceptions and three 300-yard efforts in that span.

Green Bay has had trouble protecting Rodgers, who has been sacked a league-high 50 times. The Cardinals are tied with Philadelphia for third in the NFL with 42 sacks, and that could be a reason for Matt Flynn(notes) to see extended action for the Packers.

Arizona, meanwhile, has recorded its first 10-win season since 1976 and last won 11 games the year before. The 1974-75 seasons mark the last time the franchise reached the playoffs in consecutive years.

“The young guys don’t know because it’s their first year or their second year coming in the league,” Pro Bowl defensive tackle Darnell Dockett(notes) said. “But for guys who have been around here playing at Sun Devil Stadium in those terrible uniforms, locked up in a little box locker room, it means a lot to us.”

A playoff meeting would mark the fifth time since 1994 that teams would play in the preseason, regular season and postseason. The Packers won 44-37 on the road Aug. 28 as Rodgers led the first-team offense to 31 points on six first-half possessions.

The Packers have won five of the last six regular-season meetings, winning 31-14 at home Oct. 29, 2006, in the last one.

POD: Minnesota-7.5 (NFL) L

POD: Minnesota-7.5 @ Chicago (3K units) L

Preview: Minnesota Vikings quarterback Brett Favre says he’s put aside any disagreements with coach Brad Childress.

The coach and quarterback would both agree Favre needs to avoid the sort of late-season swoon that plagued him last year. If he can replicate his last performance against the Chicago Bears, that won’t be an issue.

Favre and the Vikings try to bounce back from their second loss in three games and possibly clinch a postseason bye Monday night when they visit the struggling Bears.

Minnesota lost 26-7 at Carolina last week in a game that will be best remembered for what Favre termed a “heated discussion” with Childress on the sideline. It occurred after the coach attempted to pull the veteran quarterback in the third quarter even as Minnesota held a one-point lead.
Childress insists he was trying to protect Favre from a Panthers pass rush that sacked him four times. The two talked twice during the week to clear the air about the dispute, which included the coach grabbing his quarterback’s arm.

“I think it’s all resolved,” Favre said. “I think the team as well as the coaching staff knows where I stand and what I stand for, as I do them. … We’re trying to do this thing together.”

What would help most to mend the Vikings now would be a victory over the Bears and a better performance from their quarterback.

Favre led the Vikings to a 10-1 start by throwing 24 touchdowns and three interceptions, but the 40-year-old has had three TDs and four interceptions in the three games since.

That dropoff is eerily similar to his final five games with the New York Jets last season. Favre helped that team open 8-3, but the Jets missed the playoffs by dropping four of their final five as he totaled nine interceptions and two TDs.

The Vikings (11-3) have already clinched a second straight NFC North title, but they could miss out on a first-round bye if their quarterback can’t turn things around.

Minnesota enters Week 16 one game ahead of Philadelphia, and would clinch a bye with a win and an Eagles loss. There’s also a faint chance of earning home-field advantage throughout the NFC playoffs, but the Vikings would need two victories coupled with two losses by 13-1 New Orleans.

Playing a Bears team in disarray should help their cause, especially if Favre can repeat his performance from a 36-10 home win Nov. 29. In that game, he threw for a season-high 392 yards and three touchdowns, helping Minnesota rack up 537 total yards for its fourth win in five tries against Chicago (5-9).

Both of the Vikings’ recent losses have come away from the Metrodome, and they’re 1-7 at Soldier Field since 2001, including last season’s 48-41 defeat. Favre is 13-3 all-time in Chicago, but has lost in two of his last three trips there.

Besides Favre, Minnesota’s other concern is superstar running back Adrian Peterson, who’s had a string of underwhelming performances. He was held to 35 yards on 12 carries last week, and 19 yards on 13 attempts in a 30-17 loss at Arizona two weeks earlier. He’s run for 1,235 yards on the season, but hasn’t gained 100 in any of his last five games - the longest such drought of his three-year career.

“Our offense starts with Adrian Peterson and that’s where it ends, and we have to get that back on track,” Favre said.

Peterson has excelled in his two previous games at Soldier Field, including a then-franchise record 224 yards in his first trip there Oct. 14, 2007. He’s averaging 106.5 yards with nine touchdowns in five career matchups against the Bears.

Minnesota is also hoping rookie receiver Percy Harvin(notes) can continue to recover from migraine headaches. After sitting out a win over Cincinnati on Dec. 13, Harvin was limited to one practice last week and caught one pass for 10 yards against the Panthers.

Harvin had a career-best 101 yards and a touchdown in last month’s win over the Bears.

Chicago gave up four touchdowns through the air in last week’s 31-7 drubbing in Baltimore, its eighth defeat in 10 games - a slide which has led to rumors about coach Lovie Smith’s job security. The Bears owe Smith $11 million over the next two years, but general manager Jerry Angelo said the team’s performance in the final two games and not money would decide whether the franchise retains its coach.

“What’s a vote of confidence at this time? …(We’re) disappointed in our play, disappointed in our record,” Smith said. “I’m the head football coach, so I’m sure a lot of people aren’t knocking down the door wanting to pat me on the back.”

Chicago is assured of becoming the fourth NFL team to miss the playoffs at least three straight years following a Super Bowl appearance.

Jay Cutler(notes) threw three more interceptions last week to increase his NFL-worst total to 25. He’s in danger of becoming the first quarterback with 30 in a season since Vinny Testaverde(notes) in 1988, and is six shy of the franchise record set by Sid Luckman in 1947.

POD: Green Bay-3.5 (NFL) W

POD: Baltimore @ Green Bay-3.5 (3K units) W

Preview: The Green Bay Packers and Baltimore Ravens are in the thick of the playoff race in their respective conferences. That means both have little room for error in the final month of the season.

Both teams look to continue their recent success when they meet for the first time in four years Monday night at Lambeau Field.

While Green Bay (7-4) currently holds one of the wild-card spots in the NFC, the Ravens (6-5) are in the mix with Denver, Pittsburgh and Jacksonville for the two AFC wild-card berths.
“Our margin of error is going to need to be a lot less than it has been in the first 11 games because it’s December football now,” Packers coach Mike McCarthy said. “This is the most important football that we’ll play all season.”

Green Bay looks for a fourth straight victory after a 34-12 Thanksgiving Day rout of Detroit, while Baltimore is coming off a 20-17 overtime win over Pittsburgh last Sunday.

Though the Ravens have alternated wins and losses over their last five games, they allowed an average of 11.6 points while going 3-2 in November and their remaining five opponents have a combined .400 winning percentage.

“Our goal right now is just to win the game, no matter what it looks like, or what goes on in between, the first quarter, the fourth quarter,” said Baltimore receiver Mark Clayton(notes), who had seven catches for 129 yards against Pittsburgh.

A victory over a quality opponent in this contest could go a long way for either team. Green Bay is 2-1 all-time versus the Ravens and won the last meeting 48-3 at Baltimore on Dec. 19, 2005.

It’s likely this matchup will be closer, despite the Packers’ recent effort against the lowly Lions.

Aaron Rodgers(notes) was 28 of 39 for 348 yards with a career-high-tying three touchdowns, Donald Driver(notes) caught seven passes for 142 yards with a touchdown and cornerback Charles Woodson(notes) had a sack, a forced fumble, a fumble recovery and two interceptions - one returned for a TD.

While the Packers’ offense has totaled 906 yards and 64 points in their two latest wins over San Francisco and Detroit, their defense is a big reason the club closed November with three straight wins in a 12-day period.

Under coordinator Dom Capers’ 3-4 system, Green Bay allows an NFL-low 281.5 yards per game and has nine takeaways during the three-game winning streak.

“It feels good to be talking about No. 1 and keeping focused and staying focused, and you like to have that rather than, ‘Why is your defense 32nd?”’ linebacker Nick Barnett(notes) said. “But we’ve got to keep things in perspective. Like I say, you’re not No. 1 unless you end the season No. 1, and we know we’ve got a lot of work ahead of us and still got room to grow.”

So may Rodgers on the offensive side of the ball, but he’s completed 70.8 percent of his passes for 881 yards with six touchdowns and no interceptions in his last three contests.

Rodgers should face a stiff challenge against Ray Lewis(notes) and a Baltimore defense that hasn’t allowed more than 17 points in any of its last five games.

Baltimore’s five losses have come by a total of 23 points, including three defeats by three points or fewer. Winning a close one over the defending Super Bowl champs last weekend should instill even more confidence.

“We know how to play in a tight game, and winning a tight game against that kind of a team was huge for us,” coach John Harbaugh said.

Baltimore held a Steelers offense without injured quarterback Ben Roethlisberger(notes) to 298 total yards - a season-low 145 passing.

Offensively, budding star Ray Rice(notes) had 88 yards rushing and caught five passes for 67 for his eighth straight game of at least 100 total yards from scrimmage. Since Week 4, Rice has 1,126 scrimmage yards - second-most to Chris Johnson’s 1,233 for Tennessee.

Harbaugh also expects quarterback Joe Flacco’s(notes) nagging sprained ankle to be a little better after having a full week to heal.

“I think Joe’s done a heck of a job fighting through it,” Harbaugh said. “It’s not a major injury but I’m sure it’s bothersome for a quarterback to have that foot a little bit sore.”

Flacco was 23 of 35 for 289 yards and threw his first touchdown in four games last Sunday.

POD: Minnesota-10.0 (NFL) W

POD: Chicago @ Minnesota-10.0 (3K units) W

Preview: Before the start of the season, the Minnesota Vikings and Chicago Bears made big headlines by acquiring star quarterbacks expected to help lead their respective teams to the playoffs.

So far, it’s only working out for one of them.

Brett Favre(notes) looks to lead the Vikings to their 10th win Sunday when they host struggling Jay Cutler(notes) and the free-falling Bears.
Minnesota (9-1) signed Favre during the preseason, and after a disappointing year with the New York Jets, the 40-year-old is emerging as an MVP candidate. Favre has 21 touchdown passes to three interceptions, helping the Vikings stay on the heels of undefeated New Orleans for the top seed in the NFC.
ADVERTISEMENT

“There’s nothing he can do to surprise anybody anymore,” Minnesota center John Sullivan(notes) said. “He’s a great player. We know that as long as we protect him, him and the receivers and Adrian (Peterson), they’re all going to make plays.”

Opposing defenses keyed on Peterson in his first two seasons, and he still amassed 3,101 rushing yards. This year, defenses also have to respect Favre and the passing game.

In last Sunday’s 35-9 win over Seattle, Favre completed a career-high 88.0 percent of his passes (22 of 25) for 213 yards and four touchdowns. It was his second four-touchdown performance in three games and the 22nd of his career, surpassing Dan Marino for the record.

“Getting back to that confidence that I had when I didn’t know any better, that was pretty good,” Favre said. “And I’m feeling more confident. I’m more of a realist at this age, but that doesn’t mean you can’t go out there and turn it loose.”

This will be Favre’s first game against the rival Bears in a Minnesota uniform. Although he’s lost five of the last six meetings while playing for Green Bay, the three-time league MVP should benefit from lining up in the backfield with Peterson, who needs one more yard for 1,000.

In four games against the Bears, Peterson has rushed for 554 yards and eight touchdowns, his most scores against any opponent.

The Vikings are 3-1 against Chicago since drafting Peterson and have won six of the last seven meetings in the Metrodome.

While everything seems to be going Favre and the Vikings’ way lately, Cutler is mired in an awful stretch.

The Bears (4-6) had high hopes after pulling off the blockbuster trade with Denver for Cutler, but with losses in five of its last six, it appears Chicago will miss the playoffs for the third straight season.

“This wasn’t part of the master plan,” coach Lovie Smith said after last Sunday’s 24-20 loss to Philadelphia.

Cutler, leading the league with 18 interceptions, has been a big reason the team is falling short of expectations.

After throwing a career-worst five interceptions in a 10-6 loss to San Francisco on Nov. 12, Cutler was 24 of 43 for 171 yards with one touchdown and one pick against Philadelphia. His interception in the final minute sealed the win for the Eagles.

While Cutler made poor decisions against the 49ers, he was largely inaccurate last week. At one point, he overthrew a wide open Greg Olsen(notes) and Devin Hester(notes) on back-to-back plays for possible touchdowns, forcing Chicago to settle for a field goal.

“I haven’t played up to my expectations,” Cutler said. “I think that’s the most important part. I can play better. I know that.”

While Cutler is receiving a bulk of the blame, it’s not entirely his fault.

The offensive line has struggled to give Cutler time and will now face a pass rush that tops the NFL with 36 sacks. The line has also had little luck opening holes for running back Matt Forte(notes).

Chicago ranks 28th in rushing, averaging 89.3 yards, and it will likely be tough to get the ground game going against the vaunted Minnesota defense.

The Vikings boast the third-best rush defense, giving up 85.5 yards per game, and limited the Seahawks to four rushing yards on 12 attempts last week— the second-fewest yards allowed in franchise history. Minnesota has led the league in rush defense in each of the past three seasons.

POD: Houston-3.0 (NFL) D

POD: San Francisco @ Houston-3.0 (3K units) D

Watch the games live for FREE @ Bet365

Preview: Houston Texans coach Gary Kubiak insists his players haven’t changed much since an embarrassing start. Mike Singletary has to hope some alterations will help the San Francisco 49ers end their slump.

The Texans and their much-improved defense look to stop a 49ers team that will have Frank Gore(notes) back and Michael Crabtree(notes) finally on the field Sunday.

Houston’s defense has rebounded after a terrible start, particularly against the run. The Texans (3-3) have limited opponents to 135 rushing yards over their last three games after giving up 615 in their first three.

Not even Cedric Benson(notes), who entered last week’s games as the NFL’s leading rusher, was able to get on track against Houston. The Texans held Benson to a season-low 44 yards in a 28-17 win at Cincinnati last Sunday.

It was Houston’s second win during its defense’s best three-game stretch against the run in team history.

“We have come a long way,” linebacker DeMeco Ryans(notes) said.

Kubiak said the players haven’t done much differently; they’re just handling the basics better.

“I think we’ve eliminated some mistakes and assignment issues and just been more sound in what we’re doing and it’s adding up to more plays,” he said.

Now Houston has to find a way to slow down Gore, who is set to return after missing two games while recovering from a sprained right ankle. Quarterback Shaun Hill(notes) was San Francisco’s leading rusher in a 45-10 loss to Atlanta on Oct. 11, gaining 53 yards.

Gore was outstanding in his last full game, running for 207 yards and two touchdowns in a 23-10 win over Seattle on Sept. 20.

“We just have to be ourselves and just go out there and play and try to keep the chains moving and get points,” Gore said of facing an improved Texans defense. “If we do that, we should have a great chance of winning. That’s all we have to do.”

Gore spent some of the 49ers’ bye week working out with Crabtree. The rookie receiver, selected 10th overall, finally signed a six-year contract Oct. 7, and there’s a chance the former Texas Tech star will start Sunday.

Crabtree will make his debut in his home state of Texas.

“There are some things that you can prepare him for, but there are other things that he just has to go through and I think that this is one of them,” Singletary said of Crabtree’s first game. “You have to let those guys line up against him and put their hands on you and see some of the complexities of the defense and how they are setting you up.

“You come to the sideline with your head on a swivel a little bit, but I don’t think that it’s going to be too big for him. To me, even though he’s come in late, he looks like he’s ready.”

Hill is in desperate need of a big-play threat at wide receiver. He has been held under 200 yards passing in four straight games.

Hill completed 15 of 38 passes for 198 yards while throwing an interception against the Falcons. His favorite target has been tight end Vernon Davis(notes), who has 22 catches for 262 yards and three TDs.

Matt Schaub(notes), meanwhile, continues to lead a potent Houston offense. He matched a career high with four TD passes and threw for 392 yards against the Bengals.

In his last two games, Schaub has gone 63 of 90 for 763 yards with six TDs and a passer rating of 108.7. He’s done an excellent job of utilizing Andre Johnson(notes), one of the NFL’s most dangerous receivers.

Johnson has 16 receptions for 236 yards and two TDs in his last two games. He’s second in the NFL with 572 yards, averaging 15.9 per reception.

With safeties cheating toward Johnson, tight end Owen Daniels(notes) has had an easier time finding room to work over the middle. He had seven catches for 78 yards and two TDs against Cincinnati.

Houston was held to 196 yards passing in a 20-17 overtime loss at San Francisco on Jan. 1, 2006, the teams’ only meeting. Gore rushed for 108 yards in that game. (Y! Sports)

POD: New Orleans-2.5 (NFL) W

POD: New York @ New Orleans-2.5 (3K units) W

Watch the games live for FREE @ Bet365

Preview: New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning(notes) is returning to finally play an NFL game in the city where he grew up. He will also see a familiar face in a player that was once one of his favorite targets.

Manning and the Giants take on Jeremy Shockey(notes) and the New Orleans Saints on Sunday in a matchup of two of the five remaining unbeaten teams.

This trip promises to be a special one for Manning. His main concern is helping New York (5-0) remain perfect after he played less than a half in last week’s 44-7 rout of Oakland due to plantar fasciitis suffered the week before.

Manning missed two days of practice last week and took a limited number of snaps Wednesday as a precaution against aggravating his heel.

His father, Archie, quarterbacked the Saints when Manning was a youngster, and his parents live about 10 minutes away from the Superdome.

“I am excited about it,” Manning said. “First time playing in the Superdome, ever, for any level of football. I am excited about getting the opportunity to play where my father spent most of his career, going to back to New Orleans and playing New Orleans, who is playing very well this year.

“Two undefeated teams. It should be a great atmosphere.”

While this game features a matchup of two of the top quarterbacks in Manning and the Saints’ Drew Brees(notes), a player who has emerged as New Orleans’ leading receiver has become a focal point.

Shockey will face the Giants for the first time since the tight end was traded to New Orleans (4-0) shortly before training camps opened in 2008. He spent six years with New York, reaching the Pro Bowl four times while blossoming with Manning as his quarterback.

Those years were marked, however, by numerous incidents, including a shouting feud with general manager Jerry Reese right before being traded. Shockey was critical of the way the Giants treated him during their run to the Super Bowl title two years ago, saying he did not feel welcome at team events or on the sideline during the playoffs.

On Wednesday, Shockey refused to discuss his feelings about the Giants.

“It’s not about me, all right? So no more questions (about that). It’s about two teams going against each other,” he said. “I want to make that clear. There’s already been some references about vendettas and stuff like that. It’s about two teams. It’s two great teams playing against each other.”

Giants players believe Shockey will be trying to prove a point Sunday. After an injury-plagued 2008 season, he currently leads New Orleans with 18 receptions and has 162 yards receiving and two touchdowns.

“I think Jeremy, just like any competitive guy, wants to get the ball and feels like any safety or linebacker is a great matchup and that he is going to get open,” Brees said. “Which the majority of the time he does, he is a great player. I think he fits very well into what we are trying to do.”

Manning and Brees rank second and third in quarterback rating this season, but both teams also have strong ground attacks. That’s not surprising for the Giants, who led the league in rushing last year and rank fourth in 2009 with 160.4 yards per game.

New Orleans, though, ranked 28th in that department last year and now features the second-best rushing attack in the NFL at 166.2 yards per game.

“This certainly presents a very real challenge,” said Giants coach Tom Coughlin, whose club also owns the league’s top defense. “Our guys have to rise up and play well against the run. As I said, there are a lot of things to defend. But certainly that is where it all starts for us, is with the run.”

The Saints, meanwhile, will try to stop a New York attack that also features Steve Smith, who leads the league with 37 catches and 481 yards receiving.

New Orleans’ defense is ranked sixth in the league, and the improved unit is guided by defensive coordinator Gregg Williams, who is familiar to New York from his days with Washington.

“Yeah, it’s his defense,” Manning said. “A lot of different schemes based by the game and some of it is the stuff he ran back at Washington and some of it is new stuff. But they can be very aggressive.”

Brees is 2-0 against the Giants, including a 30-7 road win Dec. 24, 2006 in the last meeting between these teams. He’ll be up against the league’s top-rated secondary that includes former LSU cornerback Corey Webster(notes).

This is the Giants’ second trip to the Superdome since 1995. They lost 45-7 in 2003 and a scheduled matchup in 2005 was shifted to Giants Stadium due to Hurricane Katrina as New York won 27-10.

POD: Minnesota-4.5 (NFL) W

POD: Green Bay @ Minnesota-4.5 (3K units) W

Watch the games live for FREE @ Bet365

Preview: The Minnesota Vikings and their fans spent 16 years growing to despise Brett Favre(notes), more often than not coming out on the losing end against the NFL’s all-time leading passer.

The Green Bay Packers finally get their turn Monday night - with a year of acrimony already under their belts.

In a reunion fit for prime time, Favre faces the Packers for the first time since his bitter divorce from one of football’s most storied franchises, with the future Hall of Famer now trying to lead the rival Vikings to their first 4-0 start since 2003.

Favre first hinted at retirement in January 2006 before ultimately coming back for a 16th season with Green Bay (2-1), the team he became synonymous with while winning three consecutive league MVPs and a Super Bowl in the mid-1990s.

Arguably his best season since then came in 2007, when he led the Packers to the NFC championship game before losing to the New York Giants.

His first retirement - in March 2008 - didn’t last long, as Favre began hinting of a comeback. A summer-long feud erupted between Favre and Green Bay’s front office, which refused to grant him his unconditional release in July. The Packers eventually agreed to trade him to the New York Jets, whom he led to a 7-3 start before losing four of five games and missing the playoffs.

Favre admitted after the season that part of his initial comeback attempt was to “stick it” to Green Bay general manager Ted Thompson.

Favre retired from the Jets in February, but that just began another flirtatious offseason. The 10-time Pro Bowler was linked to the Vikings (3-0) repeatedly, and three weeks after telling coach Brad Childress he wouldn’t end his second retirement, he reversed course and joined them in mid-August.

That, of course, meant he’d have two shots at the team for which he made the first 253 of his NFL-record 272 consecutive starts by a quarterback.

“Nothing surprises me in this business, it really doesn’t,” said head coach Mike McCarthy, who’s led the Packers since 2006. “I’ve been around it long enough that there’s no surprises. I know the last time we talked face-to-face, he had a desire to play in Minnesota. So yeah, I’m not surprised by it.

“We want to beat everybody on the Vikings, Brett Favre included.”

So far, so good with his former nemesis, and Favre hasn’t just been riding All-Pro running back Adrian Peterson’s coattails like many believed he would. The gunslinging Favre has thrown just one interception through five games and has five touchdowns, including a miraculous 32-yard strike to Greg Lewis(notes) with two seconds left Sunday to give Minnesota a stunning 27-24 win over San Francisco.

Favre’s 43rd career fourth-quarter comeback from a deficit or tie didn’t stop him from looking ahead to the Packers, however.

“It’ll be a big game for a lot of reasons,” said Favre, who was 17-14 against Minnesota while with Green Bay. “They are a good football team. We’re going to have to play better than we did today to win it - to win any games.”

Part of the reason Green Bay felt comfortable with Favre’s initial retirement was the presence of Aaron Rodgers(notes), and the second-year starter - who sat behind Favre for three years - has thrown four touchdowns without an interception.

He’s only completed 56.7 percent of his passes, but Rodgers helped the Packers bounce back from a home loss to Cincinnati with a big effort Sunday in their road opener. He threw for 269 yards and two scores in Green Bay’s 36-17 rout of St. Louis.

“(My offensive line) really gave me some time,” Rodgers said. “I was able to move in the pocket.”

Rodgers was sacked twice against the Rams after being taken down 10 times in the first two games, and he might not have left tackle Chad Clifton(notes) protecting him Monday. Clifton, a 2007 Pro Bowler, sprained his right ankle against the Bengals and sat last week. McCarthy said Clifton would “at best” be a game-time decision.

The Vikings are fourth in total defense, allowing 259.7 yards per game, and have eight sacks, with Jared Allen’s(notes) two leading the way. Allen also has two forced fumbles.

That’s one more than Ben Leber(notes) has, but the eighth-year linebacker is eager for more from his defense against Rodgers and the Packers. Minnesota hasn’t won four in a row to begin a season since the 2003 club opened 6-0.

“I think everybody knows what’s at stake, and more importantly we’re on a roll right now,” Leber said. “I know that we want to go out and fight for Brett and get a win for him, but at the same time we want to be 4-0. It’s been a huge motivation for us to be 4-0 and just keep this streak going. That’s our main concern.”

Peterson, meanwhile, leads the NFL with 357 rushing yards and is second with four touchdowns, and he’ll be hoping for a repeat performance from when Green Bay last visited the Metrodome. Peterson ran for 192 yards in Minnesota’ 28-27 win over the Packers on Nov. 9, scoring the game-winning touchdown with 2:22 left.

That was Peterson’s first win in four tries against Green Bay, but he’s hungry for more - particularly with the additional hype this matchup carries.

“We’re ready for it,” Peterson said. “That doesn’t change the game. We still have to line up across from those guys and play football. That’s what we’re going to do.”

The Packers won four of their last five visits to the Metrodome with Favre, who threw 12 touchdown passes and had a quarterback rating of at least 100 in each game in that span.

POD: Cincinnati+4.0 (NFL) W

POD: Pittsburgh @ Cincinnati+4.0 (3K units) W

Watch the games live for FREE @ Bet365