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Spent the weekend, and I mean the entire weekend, in the ER. The Animal ER that is. My Yellow Lab, who is 9 years old, was very lethargic Friday night. I wake up Saturday morning and the poor guy ain't breathing! Yes, I gave my dog CPR and I will tell you it ain't no fun blowing air through a dog's nose! Make a long story short, my dog got something the Vet called "cold water syndrome". He said it was like a delayed hypothermia for dogs. I take my dog to the lake almost every morning around 5:30 am. The Vet said that the cold water can actually slow down the dog's heart until it actually just stops. And, it is a delayed thing! Has anyone ever experienced this? The dog is fine and he won't be swimming again until next July! Strange and scary experience.
Onto tonight's game. Should be a good one at Mile High, and I am wondering whether or not the Bronco's bring it home for the let down Rockies fans?
Green Bay (5-1) at Denver (3-3)
Line: Denver -3
O/U: 43
After knocking off the 4-1 Steelers last week, the Denver Broncos again welcome a one loss team to Mile High. Green Bay enters tonight's contest fresh off their bye week and are toting a 5-1 record which is their best start since 2002 when they went 8-1 in their first nine and ended up 12-4.
As far as the all-time series between the two, Denver holds a slight advantage with a 5-4-1 record. The teams last met in 2003 when the Packers came away with a convincing 31-3 victory in the frozen tundra, "Lambeau". The home team is 9-0-1 in the series and, beleive it or not, Green Bay is 0-5 in Mile High.
Green Bay ranks 11th overall in the NFL offensively generating 339.3 yards per game. They are led by the air attack and are ranked 2nd in the NFL in passing at 273 yards per game. Their running attack however is absent thus far this year. the Packers are dead last in the NFL in rushing averaging only 65.7 yards per game. Brett Favre looked like his MVP self in the Packers first 4 games throwing 8 TDs and only 2 interceptions. In his last two before the bye week he looked like the Favre we have come accustomed to seeing as he threw for only 1 TD against 4 interceptions. He will have to reverse that trend if the Packers are to have a chance at winning tonight. The Pack ru the ball by committee led by rookie DeShawn Wynn who has 202 yards rushing and 4 TDs. Wynn is followed by Brandon Jackson, 97 yards and 1 TD, Vernand Morency 56 yards rushing, and Ryan Grant, 27 yards rushing. The Packers could have better success running the ball tonight as Denver has yeilded an NFL worst 176 yards per game on the ground. Bad news for the Pack is that the Denver pass defense is number 2 in the NFL allowing only 164.7 yards per game through the air. Key for Denver tonight is the status of Champ Bailey who went down with a quadriceps injury in the Pittsburgh game last week.
Denver is not running the ball as well this year as they have in the past. that being said, they are still in the top 10 in the NFL in rushing, landing in the 9th spot on 130.7 yards rushing per game. The number 1 beneficiary of Denver's infamous zone blocking scheme has been offseason acquiree Travis Henry who has rushed for 549 yards and 1 TD thus far. Henry however got banged up against Pittsburgh and missed the entire 4th quarter with bruised ribs. If he can't go tonight it will be rookie Selvin Young carrying the rock. If Henry doesn't go, it will put added pressure on QB Jay Cutler who has more interceptions this year than TD tosses. his numbers are 1406 yards passing, 7 TDs, and 8 interceptions. He had his best str=art last week against Pittsburgh as he tossed for 248 yards on 22-29 passing. He connnected on 3 TD passes. Javon Walker will miss his 4th game tonighht as he is still sidelined with a knee injury. That leaves the catching duties to Brandon Marshall and Brandon Stockley. Tight end Tony Scheffler should also see some balls thrown his way tonight. Green Bay has played well on the defensive side of the ball this year and currnetly rank 11th in the NFL in total defense. They have been especially good against the run surrendering 100.2 yards per game on the ground. Only one running back has gone for over a 100 yards against them this year and that was Adrian Peterson who is sure to go over 100 on many, many teams before his career is done. The Packers do give up some ground through the air, as they are surrendering 220 yards per game. However, they have held opposing QBs to only a 57% completion percentage.
Some intersting stats and trends for tonights contest:
Brett Favre leads the NFL with a 68.1% completion percentage.
Green bay has the league's worst run offense.
Denver has the league's worst run defense.
Brett Favre is 17-15 straight up all-time on MNF.
Brett Favre has never thrown a TD pass at Mile High.
Packers are 5-0 ATS in their last 5 as an underdog.
Packers are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 following a straight up win.
Denver is 1-7 ATS in their last 8 against a team with a winning record.
Denver is 0-8 ATS in their last 8 following a straight up win.
Home Team is 4-0 in last 4 in this series.
Denver got a very nice win last week against Pittsburgh. The Steelers did commit an uncharacteristic 3 turnovers in the game and overcame a 14 point 4th quarter deficit before Elam won the game. Brett Favre has had an extra week to recoup physically and prepare for tonights game. Green Bay, behind the shadows of Indianapolis and New England, have now won 9 out of their last 10 going back to last year. While they possess no running game, Denver possesses no run defense. Look for Brett to do a better job with the ball tonight. If Champ is a no go it could be a long night for the Broncos.
Pick: Green Bay +3
OVER 43
Score Prediction: 28-17 Green Bay
But, what the hell do I know?
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