Wednesday NFL News

Yes, this is going to primarily be a CFL week here on Gridiron Gossip with the 97th Grey Cup to be played this Sunday but, that doesn’t mean that we’re going to leave NFL out in the dark. We’ve got plenty of interesting NFL news and information for you on this Wednesday, November 25, 2009.

-Some of the biggest news to come out of this past weekends slate of games is Ben Roethlisberger’s concussion which knocked him out of the game against the Kansas City Chiefs. Things then got worse for the Steelers. Back up Charlie Batch was pressed into duty but promptly broke his wrist forcing the Black and Gold to throw 3rd stringer Dennis Dixon into action. According to the Steeler’s Big Ben is expected to get the nod this week against the Ravens. This is Roethlisberger’s fourth concussion since 2006. I hope for Ben’s sake they aren’t rushing him back into action too soon due to their unfortunate QB situation. Four concussions in 3 years is definitely not helping his longevity any and I’d imagine the Steeler’s are going to want him around for the long-haul.

-Keeping with Steeler news…Safety Troy Polamalu has been listed once again as “questionable at best” for this weekends game. I wouldn’t expect to see Troy back in the line-up for at least another 2 weeks.

-It looked like things were finally starting to look up for the poor Detroit Lions. They’re 1st Overall Draft Pick, Quarterback Matthew Stafford, had just set an NFL Rookie Record by tossing for 422 Yards and 5 TD’s in an thriller against the Cleveland Browns and star Wide-Out Calvin Johnson posted a career best 161 receiving yards and a lone TD. Unfortunately, however, Stafford dislocated his right throwing shoulder on the second last play of the game and still amazingly threw the game winning TD on the very next play. Stafford has been a bystander at practices so far this week but he has company. Wideout Calvin Johnson is also suffering from “hand and knee injuries”. It is still up in the air if either will suit up for tomorrow’s Annual Thanksgiving Game against the Green Bay Packers.

-The New York Giants runningbacks have been taking a lot of punishment this season and it’s starting to show. RB Brandon Jacobs missed most of the 4th Quarter in last Sunday’s game against the Atlanta Falcons after his right leg was landed on awkwardly. Running back 1b Ahmad Bradshaw then took over and finished the overtime win despite learning after the game he has a severe ankle sprain and is currently in a boot. Coach Tom Coughlin has yet to make up his mind as to whether Bradshaw will make the trip to Denver. Jacobs is fully expecting to start against the Denver Broncos this Thanksgiving weekend and, in fact, stated that he could’ve finished the Atlanta game if needed.

“Yes, I could’ve went back in the game,” Jacobs said, “but we’ve got two solid backs in the game who were doing a really good job of pass protecting and running the ball well, so there was really no need.”

-The Denver Broncos have now lost 4 games in a row and find themselves now trailing the San Diego Chargers after last weekends beat down 32-2. The Chargers have now won 5 games in a row and are making a serious charge towards the post season. The Broncos are going to have to REALLY turn things around as the season begins to turn the corner into the stretch run. They’ve now split the season series with the Chargers so it’s not impossible to regain the division lead but it will be a definite uphill climb.

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In Week 11 NFL Predictions I went a respectable 11/15 or 73%. Can’t say I ever saw the Chiefs beating the Steelers or Raiders upsetting the Bengals but hey, that’s football.

1. Colts Vs. Ravens
MY PICK: Colts
RESULT: Colts

2. Redskins Vs. Cowboys
MY PICK: Cowboys
RESULT: Cowboys

3. Browns Vs. Lions
MY PICK: Lions
RESULT: Lions

4. 49′ers Vs. Packers
MY PICK: Packers
RESULT: Packers

5. Bills Vs. Jaguars
MY PICK: Jaguars
RESULT: Jaguars

6. Steelers Vs. Chiefs
MY PICK: Steelers
RESULT: Chiefs

7. Seahawks Vs. Vikings
MY PICK: Vikings
RESULT: Vikings

8. Falcons Vs. Giants
MY PICK: Giants
RESULT: Giants

9. Saints Vs. Bucaneers
MY PICK: Saints
RESULT: Saints

10. Cardinals Vs. Rams
MY PICK: Rams
RESULT: Cardinals

11. Chargers Vs. Broncos
MY PICK: Chargers
RESULT: Chargers

12. Jets Vs. Patriots
MY PICK: Patriots
RESULT: Patriots

13. Bengals Vs. Raiders
MY PICK: Bengals
RESULT: Raiders

14. Eagles Vs. Bears
MY PICK: Eagles
RESULT: Eagles

15. Titans Vs. Texans
MY PICK: Texans
RESULT: Titans

Be sure to check out all of these highlights in the “Weekly Highlights” section of Gridiron Gossip. Just click the page at the top of the screen.