Five Players To Watch During Week 16

Added on Dec 24, 2010 by Scott in

NFL

The 2010 NFL regular season is quickly winding down. A few teams have already clinched playoff spots, while a host of others are still jockeying for position. The Bears will look to hold onto the No. 2 seed in the NFC by disposing of the visiting Jets. San Francisco and St. Louis will battle for supremacy in the awful NFC West. The Giants hope to rebound from last week’s debacle in the Meadowlands against the Aaron Rodgers-led Packers. And the Falcons will attempt to wrap up the NFC South and the No. 1 overall seed on Monday night versus the rival Saints. Here are five players to keep a close eye on during this weekend’s action.

Matt Forte (Bears) – The Jets defense is solid across the board, but the Revis/Cromartie combo should handle Chicago’s underwhelming receiving corps. That leaves Forte as the Bear most likely to do damage. He’s gained over 90 total yards in four of the last five games and will be leaned on to carry the offense in what should be a low-scoring matchup.

Brandon Flowers (Chiefs) – Kansas City needs to win to keep the surging Chargers at bay. Stopping the Titans Chris Johnson will be the priority, but in order to avoid the upset, Kenny Britt must be contained. That job will fall to Brandon Flowers, who has quietly become one of the league’s best young cornerbacks. Britt has the size advantage. Flowers possesses excellent quickness and instincts. Should be a duel worth watching.

Chris Long (Rams) – The Rams have stumbled lately with back-to-back losses. However, they are still alive in the ugly NFC West. Defensive end Chris Long has registered 7.5 sacks and is their best pass rusher. If he can put pressure on Niners quarterback Troy Smith and force him into mistakes, the Rams could steal a win. Smith torched them for 356 yards in the first meeting, but Long did have a sack.

Hakeem Nicks (Giants) – The Giants have to put the collapse versus the Eagles behind them and come out swinging in Lambeau. Charles Woodson and Tramon Williams might be the best cornerback duo in football. The onus will be on Nicks to use his size and strength to make plays downfield. The second-year wideout has been a beast this season with 75 catches for 959 yards and 10 touchdowns.

Matt Ryan (Falcons) - Atlanta’s surprising 2010 continues with a Monday night melee with the defending champion Saints. Ryan has tossed a career high 25 scores and only nine interceptions. His poise and decision-making has never been better. He was silky smooth in the September victory over New Orleans, completing 19/30 passes for 228 yards, a pair of touchdowns and no picks. If he can deliver a repeat performance in front of a raucous Georgia Dome crowd, the Falcons will capture the NFC South crown.