In “Exploit or Avoid,” we take a close look at some of the week’s more favorable — and tough — matchups for skill-position players. Here’s who we like on each side of the ledger in Week Six:
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Exploit or avoid: Falcons ‘D’ remedy for McFadden (Pro Football Weekly)
If you were under the impression that the New York Jets might ditch the Tim Tebow Experiment after one year, given the lack of success the quarterback has enjoyed so far in his new offense, think again. Jets owner Woody Johnson, who seems to favor himself a football guy in the Jerry Jones mold these days, said in a Wednesday morning interview with CNBC that Tebow should definitely own instead of leasing. “Are we going to keep Tebow? Absolutely,” Johnson said. “He’ll be with us for three years, and he’ll be a real asset in terms of helping us win games.” Tebow’s current contract, which was traded with him from the Denver Broncos in March, runs through the 2014 season. He signed a five-year, $9.75 million contract in July of 2010, a few months after the Broncos selected him in the first round, and he’s set to make a little over $2.5 million in base salary and roster bonus this season. He could make as much next season, and there’s a “likely to be earned” escalator in his contract that Johnson seems determined to exercise. Johnson was asked if there’s been any wavering on his part, or on the part of head coach Rex Ryan, about Tebow starting over Mark Sanchez at some point. “No. No. There will be never be,” Johnson said. But with that said, Johnson seemed to hedge his bets on Sanchez.
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Jets owner: Tebow will be with the team through 2014 (Shutdown Corner)
The Tennessee Titans and Pittsburgh Steelers will meet during Week 6 of the 2012-13 NFL season on October 11, 2012. The game will be played at LP Field in Nashville, Tennessee. These are some picks against the spread for that contest.
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Fan’s Week 6 NFL Picks Against the Spread: Pittsburgh Steelers at Tennessee Titans (Yahoo! Contributor Network)
Off to the best start in team history, the Atlanta Falcons have tried not to make too much of their early accomplishments.
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Raiders-Falcons Preview (The Associated Press)
Herm Edwards thinks the Broncos could pull off the upset in San Diego.
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Video: Broncos’ chances vs. Chargers
Forget Sanchez’s coincidental spiritual numbers; the coach is at risk of the season slipping too far away.
By Rich Kurtzman Von Miller, LB #58 Height: 6’3” Weight: 240 Age: 23 Hometown: Dallas, Texas College: Texas A&M Experience: 2 years Linebacker Von Miller is a monster on the football field. Ever since he first put on his Denver Broncos jersey last year, Miller’s been a menacing force for opposing offenses, though his legacy doesn’t begin there. He started by playing for DeSoto High School in DeSoto, Texas, being named District 8-5A MVP in his senior season after recording 76 tackles, 14 for a loss, and six sacks. He played so well he was extended a scholarship to play at Texas A&M where Miller became one of the top collegiate defenders in the nation. (Credit, Doug Pensinger/Getty Images) Miller was amazing for the Aggies, switching back and forth between defensive end and weakside linebacker over his four seasons with the school. In his junior year, he played defensive end and ended up leading the nation with 17 sacks–enough to be named an All-American by Sports Illustrated. In 2010, his senior season, Miller moved back to linebacker where he was just as destructive. Although an ankle sprain would sideline him for the first half of the year, he still recorded 10.5 sacks and was named the Butkus Award winner as the nation’s top linebacker. That year he was also named a consensus All-American, leading to his being drafted No. 2 overall by the Broncos in 2011. What a prodigious pick he was, as Miller has continued to dominate on the gridiron every time he takes the field. He forced a fumble in his very first snap, a sign of the profound performances he would put together in the near future. The linebacker utilized his 4.53 speed to blow by would-be blockers and get after the quarterback again and again, recording at least half a sack in 10-15 games he participated in. He compiled 11.5 sacks, 64 total tackles and two forced fumbles last season, earning AP Defensive Rookie of the Year honors. And with a full season under his belt, Miller is back and better than ever this season. He’s already totaled five sacks in five games and has been the Broncos’ most consistent pass-rusher by far. His best game as a professional came last week against the Patriots where he was basically the only Denver defender to show up in New England. Miller led his team in tackles with eight, and also sacked Tom Brady twice while forcing one fumble. His first huge play came near the end of the first half, with New England knocking at the door, looking to take a 21-7 lead into the half. On a third-and-one from the Broncos’ one yard line, Miller surged, going low and under Patriots’ Pro Bowler Logan Mankins, dove at and took down running back Brandon Bolden for a five-yard loss. New England had to kick a field goal, keeping Denver within 10 points at the break. Right out of halftime, Miller made another big play, sacking Brady to force a three-and-out on the Patriots’ opening drive. In the fourth quarter—with the game on the line—he stepped it up even more. He tackled Bolden for a three-yard loss, setting up a third-and-16 in which he sacked Brady and forced the Pats to punt. Then, as the Broncos were trying to mount a comeback, the strong linebacker ripped the ball away from Stevan Ridley, setting up his team with an opportunity to get the game within three points. Miller’s a sack specialist, using his speed to run around tackles and his power to push through their chests. He’s also grown in coverage over the last year and a half, an area he’ll only continue to improve in as he gains experience. But he’s not just about being mean and nasty; Miller’s an intelligent young man, picked to represent rookies during the 2011 NFL lockout, and his trademark glasses have become a nation-wide fashion trend. Von Miller is a star in the making, and if it weren’t for Peyton Manning, he’d be the face of the Broncos. For more Local Football Bloggers and the latest Broncos news, see CBS Sports Denver . Rich Kurtzman is a Denver native, Colorado State University alumnus, sports nerd, athletics enthusiast, and competition junkie. Currently writing for a multitude of websites while working on books, one on the history of the Denver Broncos and Mile High Stadium. Find more of Rich’s Denver Broncos pieces on Examiner.com .
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Von Miller: A Menacing Linebacker, Sack Specialist And Rising NFL Star
Peyton Manning is entering Monday’s pivotal AFC West game at San Diego as one of the hottest quarterbacks in the NFL. He’ll be facing a team, however…
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Manning has struggled against Chargers
Harvin and the Vikings jump into our Top 10.
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NFP Week 6 Power Rankings (National Football Post)
Top AFC seeds : Houston Texans, Baltimore Ravens Other AFC division champs : New England Patriots, Denver Broncos AFC wild cards : Pittsburgh Steelers, San Diego Chargers Top NFC seeds : Atlanta Falcons, San Francisco 49ers Other NFC division champs : Minnesota Vikings, Philadelphia Eagles NFC wild cards : New York Giants, Green Bay Packers • Once again, we’ll start in the NFC, because that’s where we’ve got action. A hearty welcome goes out to the blonde gentleman with the ferocious mustache in the upper-right hand corner. Welcome, Minnesota Vikings, to the Absurdly Premature Playoff Picture. • I’m buying the Vikings. They run the ball, they stop the run, and Christian Ponder is a poor man’s Alex Smith. That used to be the kind of unspeakable insult that would drive a Tibetan monk to challenge you to a pit fight, but these days, it’s okay. They both have a relatively low number of attempts, a high quarterback rating (Smith’s at 108.7 and Ponder is at 95.5), the touchdown count is high and the interceptions are low. That, a two-game division lead, and an upcoming schedule without any top-shelf opponents (their next five are Washington, Arizona, Tampa Bay, Seattle and Detroit), and I’m in. Color me purple. • Notable by their absence are the Chicago Bears, and maybe I’m crazy to be buying the Vikings and not them, but I just can’t get myself to trust the Bears fully. It’s not the defense, obviously ‒ they’re a war machine. Easily one of the top five defenses in the league. I’m troubled by the fact that the one time they’ve been on the field with a good team (Green Bay, who happens to be the team they’re going to have to hold off), they weren’t even competitive. Also, there’s Jay Cutler. Nothing goes smoothly for too long when Jay Cutler is involved. Green Bay hangs on to a Wild Card spot by a thread.
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Absurdly premature 2012 playoff picture: Week 5 (Shutdown Corner)