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View Full Version : NFL, road trouble usually signals rough year



Lonestar
12-13-2009, 03:35 AM
Posted: 12/13/2009 01:00:00 AM MST


You wouldn't think five-star hotels, chartered aircraft and catered meals would constitute grueling travel in the NFL, but some teams' fortunes would be far different this season if they could handle their business on the road.

Take New England, sitting at 7-5 and atop the middling AFC East. The Patriots are 1-5 on the road this season, with their only win coming in London over Tampa Bay.

Jacksonville (7-5) is trying to stay in the AFC playoff race, but the Jaguars haven't helped themselves with a 2-4 mark on the road. Atlanta is 5-1 at home, 1-5 on the road.

Then there are the Chargers (9-3), who are 4-2 at home, including a loss to the Broncos in October, and 5-1 on the road, including a win over the Broncos in November.

The Saints and Colts have won wherever they have played. The Bengals and Cardinals have been strong away from home, with 4-1 and 5-1 marks, respectively.

But in the end, it's a good measure of the playoff hopefuls to see who can pack up, take their show on the road and not let a one-night stay in a place with mints on the pillows and marble floors in the lobby get to them.

Must-see game of the week
Bengals at Vikings 11 a.m.

The skinny: In all the buzz about other people in other places, the Bengals have quietly put together one of their franchise's best regular seasons. A team of NFL misfits and second- and third-chance players, the Bengals play good enough defense to be a tough out next month. Last Sunday, the Cardinals showed it is possible to stonewall the Vikings' pass rush and also stop Minnesota running back Adrian Peterson in the same game. QB Brett Favre is having a season for the ages. But last week's loss showed that without Peterson's production, the Vikings' chances of going deep in the postseason are limited.

The difference will be: Which team gets the run game going. The Bengals have ridden Cedric Benson so far. He has carried the ball at least 34 times in three of his last four starts and rushed for at least 110 yards in each of those three games. The Bengals have been committed to the run enough that three tailbacks — Benson, Larry Johnson and Bernard Scott — have had a 100-yard rushing game over the last three weeks. Since Oct. 25, Peterson has had just one 100-yard game.

The call: Bengals 27-24


Catch them if you can
Saints at Falcons 11 a.m.

The Falcons have been a far different team at home. QB Matt Ryan has thrown eight touchdown passes and two

interceptions in the Georgia Dome this season. He has eight TD passes and eight interceptions on the road.

The call: Saints 31-20

Packers at Bears 11 a.m.

Charles Woodson is playing at an elite level at cornerback, helping the Packers have the No. 1-ranked defense in the league. Green Bay also leads the league in turnover margin, at plus-18, and no quarterback in the league has turned the ball over more than the Bears' Jay Cutler this season — 20 interceptions and one lost fumble.

The call: Packers 20-17

Chargers at Cowboys 2:15 p.m., KCNC-4

Both teams are led in receiving by a tight end and have a quarterback with just over 3,300 yards passing for the season. Oh, and they each split the carries in the backfield.

The call: Chargers 30-28

Eagles at Giants 6:15 p.m., KUSA-9

The Giants are maddening for fans who watch them week to week. One week they are disinterested and listless, and the next they are reasserting themselves in the NFC East race with a win over the Cowboys. Eagles QB Donovan McNabb has won 10 of his last 14 starts vs. the Giants.

The call: Eagles 24-17


Quick hitters
Lions at Ravens 11 a.m.

This is the first time these teams have met in Baltimore since 1998, when Jim Harbaugh was the Ravens' QB.

The call: Ravens 20-13

Seahawks at Texans 11 a.m.

Running back Steve Slaton (injured reserve) is a big loss to a Texans offense that is 29th in the league in rushing.

The call: Texans 21-20

Dolphins at Jaguars 11 a.m.

The Dolphins are hoping the 32-year-old legs of Ricky Williams can power them to the playoffs. Williams has three 100-yard games in his last four starts.

The call: Jaguars 17-14

Bills at Chiefs 11 a.m.

The Bills have played with passion for interim coach Perry Fewell. QB Matt Cassel appears to be buckling under the weight of the contract the Chiefs gave him.

The call: Bills 10-9

Panthers at Patriots 11 a.m.

The Patriots are at home, where six of their seven wins have come this season.

The call: Patriots 24-14

Jets at Buccaneers 11 a.m.

The Jets lead the league in rushing. while the Buccaneers rank 31st in run defense.

The call: Jets 22-7

Rams at Titans 2:15 p.m.

This game features the league's top two rushers, Chris Johnson of the Titans and Steven Jackson of the Rams.

The call: Titans 23-16

Redskins at Raiders 2:15 p.m., KDVR-31

The Raiders' offensive line is battered, but new starter Bruce Gradkowski has six touchdown passes and just one interception behind that makeshift front.

The call: Raiders 24-23


Legwold's record
7-8 last week

122-63 for the season

http://www.denverpost.com/premium/broncos/ci_13988022