49ers win thriller against the Saints breathes New Life into team. posted by 49ers Fan

 The niners came into this game on the brink of a demoralizing season. Jim Harbaugh's job status became a daily talking point, and people questioned the direction of the franchise.

Yet, Harbaugh and the 49ers shut everyone up by winning themselves back into the playoff race with a 27-24 victory over the New Orleans Saints Sunday.

Although unconventional, Colin Kaepernick led the Niners on a 50 yard two minute drill drive that resulted in a a 45-yard Dawson field goal to tie the game at 24-24 and send the game into overtime, after the Niners defense was able to hold off the Saints Hail Mary throw on a questionable offensive PI call on Jimmy Graham.

With the win, the Niners have breathed new life into their season. From the opening snap, the Niners look determined to win. Antoine Bethea picked Brees off on New Orleans' opening possession, helping set up a four-yard Frank Gore touchdown to give the 49ers' their first of two first-quarter scores.

And while the win was a good step in the right direction for the team, there is still a lot of work left to be done in San Francisco. The Niners are behind the Arizona Cardinals and Seattle Seahawks in the NFC West and one of many teams, stuck in a dog fight for a wild card spot. It'll be interesting to see how this team responds with a little bit of swagger and momentum as it travels to New York to take on the Giants next week.

Given the controversy surrounding the franchise, players, and head coach heading into this game, the 49ers are just happy to enjoy a win and the relative silence from their fan base and critics that comes after a big win. 

Why Defensive Injuries will keep Chargers out of Playoffs. posted by Chargers Fan

The chargers have the highest percentage of touchdowns allowed in the Red Zone in the NFL. That is not a playoff caliber team. That means not only are the Chargers giving up points, they are letting offenses sustain drives, which eats up clock, energy, and manpower. The Chargers can make the playoffs, but that means they have to be good again on defense, and that starts with getting healthy.

But the Chargers have the bye week to regroup and assess it’s gaping holes on defense. It shouldn’t be too hard as the Chargers, as late as five games into the season, where dominating on the defensive side of the ball. The rushed the passer, stuffed the run, had take-aways, and shut receivers down.

In fact, they led the NFL is scoring defense. They man handled Arizona, left the defending Super Bowl champs in the dust, and had their way with the Buffalo Bills as they notched a shut-out, the definition of a complete defensive performance.

But that only worked because the Chargers had youthful speed and depth to constantly rotate in and keep offenses on their heels. Rookie Jerry Attaochu is able to speed around tackles and get to the quarterback in no time. Rookie Jason Verrett with a sub 4.4 40 speed can keep up with any receiver in the league but also has the bulk to come up and stuff the run from the outside. Manti Te’o’s ability to read the line allows him to fill running gaps better than anyone in the league.

But all of that talent is of no use when all of the players sit watching the games from the sidelines for long periods of time.

Cardinals

Don’t Let The Cardinals Record Fool You. posted by AZ Cardinals Fan

The Arizona Cardinals are sitting pretty at 7 – 1 and in first place of the NFC West with the best record in the league. They are the team to beat and a sure thing for the playoffs, right?

Not necessarily. While on paper they look like the most complete team out there, don’t let their record fool you. They are far from a Super Bowl caliber team and have several key flaws that must be addressed if they plan to navigate their way through the second half of the season and subsequently, the playoffs.

One key area that came up last week when they faced off against the Cowboys was offensive yardage. They are not the most efficient team when it comes to offensive production, which means they need to take every yard that they can get.

During the game, Cardinals receiver Michael Floyd had opportunities to gain easy yardage after the catch, get the first down, and keep the chains moving. Instead he danced around looking for that “home run” play. One in the first quarter after a short curl route and another in the third quarter when he had the sticks in front of him, but decided to cut back to make a potential longer run but ends up fumbling the ball and only recovering it with minimal gain.

These two plays, while not costly in this game, are indicative of a larger mindset that can come back to haunt them down the road.

One home run play is less important than sustained drives and moving the chains, and that means taking what the defense gives you and removing a team ego from the equation.

The Cardinals must address this moving forward and they’ll have plenty of time to work on this before the St. Louis Rams come to U of Phoenix Stadium.

Cardinals

Are the Arizona Cardinals contenders in 2014 posted by AZ Cardinals Fan

The Arizona Cardinals finished the previous season with a 10-6 record, finishing out of the playoffs mainly because they are in the ultra-competitive NFC West. Many experts considered them the best team not to have made last year’s playoffs, and now the franchise looks to barge into the post-season.

While the NFC West remains very tough, the Cardinals hope their offense remains in sync to have a chance at winning games. This time around, second-year running back Andre Ellington will get more touches as coach Bruce Arians has promised.

Ellington figures to be the target for 34-year old quarterback Carson Palmer, whom the team traded for in the 2013 offseason. Palmer did help the Cardinals offense particularly after Week 8, with the team increasing its points average to 27.3 from the previous 19 points per game.

The team got Palmer more help after signing left tackle Jared Veldheer to a five-year contract worth $35 million. Formerly of the Raiders, Veldheer surrendered a solitary sack in five starts last year despite being slowed down by injury. He’ll definitely help Palmer who had to make do with Bradley Sowell as his blind-side protector last season.

The Cardinals will also welcome the seventh overall pick in the 2013 draft, Jonathan Cooper, who missed his entire rookie season due to a fractured fibula.

While the Cardinals offense will be better this year, their defense could be questionable. The team lost Karlos Dansby who left the team as a free agent.  All-Pro Daryl Washington, one of the top linebackers in the league, is also out for the season due to marijuana usage.  The team would have to rely on cornerback Patrick Peterson, one of the best shutdown cornerbacks in the entire league.

Draft Larry Fitzgerald or Andre Johnson? posted by TedLevin

Drafting a wide receiver in fantasy football can be a sticky situation. A receiver’s production hinges on multiple factors and risks.

Does the wide receiver have the quarterback capable of getting them the ball? Does their offense pass enough? Are there other offensive options that open up their game?

Larry Fitzgerald and Andre Johnson were once the top two fantasy wide receivers. Their production is still up there, but they aren’t as reliable as Calvin Johnson or AJ Green.

What if your first choices for receiver are already taken? Perhaps the best two options are Johnson and Fitzgerald? What do the  fantasy football cheat sheets tell you about these two stars?

Larry Fitzgerald

Fitzgerald is one of those guys everyone likes. He’s humble, works hard, and makes huge plays. He’s the type of large, fast, and reliable number one receiver every team wants. He almost helped the Arizona Cardinals win the Super Bowl years ago.

After Kurt Warner’s retirement,  Larry Fitzgerald’s production dropped. Why?

The Cardinals haven’t found a reliable or even decent quarterback to run their offense. Last season they constantly shifted between John Skelton and Kevin Kolb. Those two guys had no business playing as a starting quarterback. They couldn’t get the job done.

Starting a mediocre quarterback wastes Fitzgerald’s talent and diminishes his fantasy potential. He still has the talent and skills to stand out as the top fantasy wide receiver. Now, he’s a questionable pick.

2013 NFL Offseason: Quarterback Craze! posted by Joe Anello

Aside from a few relatively noteworthy transactions in NFL free agency, the past few days have been all about the quarterbacks. There’s been news aplenty regarding some premiere and not-so-premiere signal-callers across the league and the ramifications of their movements. Let’s get through all the news!

Dallas Cowboys extend QB Tony Romo with a six-year, $108 million deal ($55M gtd.)

So we’ve all heard about the basic numbers here, but there’s definitely some “fine print” to this contract. The extension does give Romo $55 million in guaranteed money, but that includes the $11.5M he was scheduled to make next season. He did get a $25M signing bonus, which is pro-rated over the life of the deal (which technically ends after the 2019 season).

This is the contract the Cowboys needed to get done. Through an odd contract loophole, Romo could have become a free agent after the 2013 season… but also after the franchising period ended. So he would have been able to simply walk out on Dallas and get into the free agent market directly, without fear of being franchised. So without a better plan in place or being in any sort of position to draft a quarterback, Dallas made the right, sensible move here. They locked up their franchise quarterback for the long-term.

QB Kevin Kolb signs a 2-year, $13 million deal with the Buffalo Bills

WHOAH. Did NOT see this coming. Can I still get partial credit for saying he’d land in the AFC East? Kolb somehow skirts the sideshow that is the Jets quarterback competition and lands in Buffalo, where he currently only has to beat out Tarvaris Jackson, who isn’t exactly Jim Kelly. Don’t expect this move to stop the Bills from taking a quarterback somewhere in the first two rounds. Kolb might be better than Ryan Fitzpatrick. But at least he’s not making a ludicrous amount of cash.

Free Agency 2013: Days Two and Three posted by Joe Anello

Welcome back everyone! I would have posted this last night but the lack of sleep Monday night really caught up with me. Now I’m back and ready to pick apart the transactions of days two and three of NFL free agency. Let’s get that money man!

OG Gosder Cherilus signs a 5-year, $34 million deal with Indianapolis Colts.
Additional signings: OG Donald Thomas (4 years, $14 million), LB Erik Walden (4 years, $16 million), S LaRon Landry (4 years, $24 million)

This is a group of Colt signings that I didn’t discuss in the day one recap because I was exhausted and there were too many to address. Cherilus was overpaid, but I get it. Thomas’ deal is tolerable and revamps the interior of their line. I don’t feel confident that Walden’s contract will prove to be money well spent. Still, signing Landry as well gives Chuck Pagano a play-making safety in his secondary. The Colts are spending, but not as crazily as the Dolphins.

WR Wes Welker signs a 2-year, $12 million deal with the Denver Broncos

Okay, I have a LOT to say about this deal. I took to Twitter to express my thoughts shortly after the news broke, but I felt utterly hindered by the 140-character limit. I was really upset by the news that New England only offered Welker $10 million (including incentives). He’s only been one of the hardest workers on your team for the past six seasons and this is how he gets rewarded? EFF YOU PATS.

Welker’s caught 100 balls in his entire run with the Pats and hasn’t shown signs of slowing down. So imagine my surprise when I heard the Broncos only had to pay him $12 million… for two years!  If he, in this odd-as-hell receiver market, shouldn’t get more than $6M a year, I obviously don’t know football.

Joe's 2012 Gameday Review: Bears 28, Cardinals 13 posted by Joe Anello

Chicago entered Sunday’s match-up with the Cardinals needing help to get into the playoffs. They got their help in the form of a Giants loss, but could they do their job on the road? It’s time for the Gameday Review!

(9-7) Chicago Bears 28

(5-10) Arizona Cardinals 13

An early reversal on what would have been a first down catch by Brandon Marshall in the first quarter forced the Bears to punt to the Cardinals, who received the ball at their own four yard line when it was downed by Zack Bowman. Bowman wouldn’t cease his involvement there however, as running back Beanie Wells fumbled the ball (without any real contact) in his backfield, which Bowman quickly picked up. Falling over the goal line with the ball, the turnover put the Bears up 7-0 in the first quarter, a lead they would not relinquish. Though to their credit, the Cardinals actually looked competent on their third drive as Ryan Lindley found Larry Fitzgerald twice on their way to an early field goal.

It took time for the Bears to formulate any sort of offensive rhythm, as Cutler didn’t complete a pass in the first quarter. Mike Tice eventually got Matt Forte involved in the game, calling his number 12 times for 88 yards, including a 36-yarder that ended the first quarter. Shortly after that, Cutler completed a pass to Marshall for 30 yards near the goal line. A Forte hand-off made it 14-3, Bears. With 2:18 left in the first half and a 14-6 lead, Jay Cutler led his team on their best drive of the day. A 35 yard pass to Alshon Jeffery (without a PI call) got the series started. Two plays later, Earl Bennett got involved with a 15 yard grab. After a Forte run, Jay delivered a ball to the corner of the endzone to Marshall, who hauled it in and made it a 21-6 lead. Marshall was wide open, spacing which was created by Cutler spreading the ball to his other targets. (And of course, those targets actually catching the ball.)

Joe's 2012 Gameday Review: Chicago Bears at Arizona Cardinals posted by Joe Anello

Following a disappointing loss to the Green Bay Packers last weekend (where life got in the way of the Gameday Review), the Chicago Bears are in desperation mode as they attempt to claw their way back into the playoffs. Can they start an upward trend against the struggling Cardinals? Answers abound in the Gameday Preview!

(8-6) Chicago Bears at

(5-9) Arizona Cardinals 

The Offense

For those of you thinking we can just roll up points again the Arizona defense, I’m not convinced. Calais Campbell and Darnell Dockett are on the edges of what is a very intimidating defensive front three. They won’t be manhandled by a suspect offensive line. Daryl Washington is having a fantastic year at linebacker. And the Cardinals have a very solid back secondary, highlighted by corner Patrick Peterson, who is absolutely electric. He’s joined by safeties Adrian Wilson and Kerry Rhodes, both of whom are good tacklers and reliable in pass coverage.

Where the Cardinal defense has struggled this year is in run defense. They’re 28th in the league in rushing yards allowed per game, which was a major issue during the nine game losing streak that took them from 4-0 to 4-9. (And you thought the Bears were slumping.) So what does that mean? It means that aside from forcing the ball into Brandon Marshall (which is going to happen regardless of the game plan), Mike Tice must establish the run. Matt Forte hasn’t been getting enough touches throughout most of the year, and now he doesn’t have Michael Bush behind him on the depth chart. I’m not crazy about Armando Allen or Kahlil Bell, but they’re going to spell Forte for a few plays today. Meh.

The Final Drive: Week 8, 2012 posted by Joe Anello

Week eight in the NFL brought disaster upon several supposed contenders and cleared up the divisional pictures.  A few days late or not, we can’t have a week go by without an edition of The Final Drive!

(3-4) Tampa Bay Buccaneers 36

(5-3) Minnesota Vikings 17

I guess the Vikings aren’t ready to be contenders just yet. Falling at home against a team on short rest and traveling for a Thursday night game? Thursday nights are built for the home team to get a win, but the Vikings failed to produce points. I put most of that on Christian Ponder, who honestly just looked terrible. Credit the Buccaneers for never taking their foot off the gas in this one, especially when there were several opportunities to lose the momentum.

(2-6) Cleveland Browns 7

(3-4) San Diego Chargers 6

Wow. San Diego only managed to put up two field goals against a team that has severe scoring issues. So yeah, I’d say Norv Turner’s job is in trouble. But where have I heard that before? Anyways, Cleveland really looks like a team that could be a legitimate contender in a few years if they stay on this track. Good for them.

(3-4) Detroit Lions 28

(4-4) Seattle Seahawks 24

Somehow Seattle’s defense took Calvin Johnson completely out of the game but let Titus Young and Brandon Pettigrew wreck them. The fact that those two pass-catchers stepped-up like they did gives more weight toward their possible development. Matthew Stafford had an outstanding game through the air, even managing to outshine Russell Wilson’s best game of the year. While the offensive signs should be encouraging for Seattle fans, the loss is still painful.

Former NFL coach Dennis Green dies at 67 (Yahoo Sports)

[read full article]

From Yahoo Sports

Cardinals sign 8-year NFL veteran Mike Jenkins (Yahoo Sports)

TEMPE, Ariz. (AP) -- The Arizona Cardinals have added experienced depth to their secondary by signing eight-year NFL veteran cornerback Mike Jenkins to a one-year contract. [read full article]

From Yahoo Sports

NBC to unveil new theme song for 'Sunday Night Football' (The Associated Press

Carrie Underwood won't be ''waiting all day for Sunday night'' this fall when NBC premieres a new theme song for its prime-time ''Sunday Night Football'' program. The Grammy-winning country star will be singing a new theme song, ''Oh, Sunday Night,'' during the first game telecast on Sept. 11 between the New England Patriots and the Arizona Cardinals. The song is based on her 2014 hit country duet ''Somethin' Bad'' with Miranda Lambert, but with new lyrics and additional changes to fit the program. [read full article]

From Yahoo Sports

NBC to unveil new theme song for 'Sunday Night Football' (The Associated Press

Carrie Underwood won't be ''waiting all day for Sunday night'' this fall when NBC premieres a new theme song for its prime-time ''Sunday Night Football'' program. The Grammy-winning country star will be singing a new theme song, ''Oh, Sunday Night,'' during the first game telecast on Sept. 11 between the New England Patriots and the Arizona Cardinals. The song is based on her 2014 hit country duet ''Somethin' Bad'' with Miranda Lambert, but with new lyrics and additional changes to fit the program. [read full article]

From Yahoo Sports

NBC to unveil new theme song for 'Sunday Night Football' (The Associated Press

Carrie Underwood won't be ''waiting all day for Sunday night'' this fall when NBC premieres a new theme song for its prime-time ''Sunday Night Football'' program. The Grammy-winning country star will be singing a new theme song, ''Oh, Sunday Night,'' during the first game telecast on Sept. 11 between the New England Patriots and the Arizona Cardinals. The song is based on her 2014 hit country duet ''Somethin' Bad'' with Miranda Lambert, but with new lyrics and additional changes to fit the program. [read full article]

From Yahoo Sports