Friday Sep, 2015 1:25 PM | by admin | NO COMMENTS

FBGP’s 2015 NFL Week 1 Preview: Packers vs Bears

Thursday Sep, 2015 10:15 PM | by admin | NO COMMENTS

FBGP’s 2015 NFL Week 1 Preview: Browns vs Jets

Thursday Sep, 2015 6:48 PM | by admin | NO COMMENTS

FBGP’s 2015 NFL Week 1 Preview: Colts vs Bills

Thursday Sep, 2015 2:04 PM | by admin | NO COMMENTS

FBGP’s 2015 NFL Week 1 Preview: Vikings vs 49ers

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Keys to Victory: Minnesota Vikings

1. Offensive Tackles vs Niners Edge Rushers: LT Matt Kalil (who’s coming off a solid preseason) and Rookie RT TJ Clemmings will have their hands full vs the talented edge rushers of the 49ers, who have a great blend of both power and speed. Yes, interior OL play is huge here, but if they can control the edges, the Vikings offense should be able to do even more in this game.

2. Don’t Give Up Cheap Plays & Points: When facing a guy with mobility like Colin Kaepernick that does a masterful job of extending plays with his legs, you’ll see the defense start to sacrifice their gap responsibilities for the sake of trying to get to Kaepernick. When that happens, guys get relaxed in their coverage and next thing you know, it’s a 3rd down conversion or even a touchdown. Vikings must stay discipline vs #7.

3. Special Teams Matters: Minnesota has a really good special teams unit and so does the 49ers; not just in personnel, but also in coaching with new ST Coordinator Thomas McGaughey Jr. I’m not worried about the Vikings return game as I think they’re in great hands with Patterson, I worry about their ability to cover. That’ll be huge in this game.

Keys to Victory: San Francisco 49ers

1. Expand the Field – Quietly, I still think the 49ers can create a ton of matchup problems for a defense because of Colin Kaepernick as the X-Factor at QB and with the addition of Reggie Bush. Those two on the field opens things up for guys like Anquan Boldin, Torrey Smith and Vernon Davis to possibly see more 1-on-1 opportunities. The Niners will have to be able to capitalize on those.

2. Offensive Line Playing Great – I think this one goes without say. Their success offensively, not just in this game, but for the season hinges on the performance of the guys up front gelling and playing as a cohesive group.

3. Stay Active at the LOS – Teddy Bridgewater has the propensity to tip off his passes by patting the football. By staying active and keeping their hands up at the LOS, there’ll be plenty of opportunities for tipped passes which could ultimately end up as turnovers.

Thursday Sep, 2015 1:38 AM | by admin | NO COMMENTS

FBGP’s 2015 NFL Week 1 Preview: Philadelphia Eagles vs Atlanta Falcons

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Keys to Victory: Philadelphia Eagles

1. Keep it Tight: By staying aggressive on the outside vs the Falcons WRs, the Eagles can get Matt Ryan to hold the football a half second longer than he wants too; which will ultimately lead to either sacks or checkdowns. Philly has to dictate where Ryan goes with the ball.

2. Remember Why You Got RBs: Philly went out and grabbed two top-notch free agent running backs in Demarco Murray and Ryan Mathews. Those two, combined with Darren Sproles, gives the Eagles the best backfield in the NFC East. They can’t afford to get pass happy.

3. Make the Plays That Are There To Be Made: This is for both the offensive and defensive side of the ball. The offense can’t afford any missed opportunities to put points on the board because of dropped passes or miscommunication in the passing game. While defensively, it’s imperative vs Atlanta to make 1-on-1 plays in space. The Falcons possess two physical receivers and a rookie running back in Tevin Coleman that is one missed tackle away from a 50+ yard run.

Keys to Victory: Atlanta Falcons

1. Beat the Eagles at their Game: I think the Falcons have the playmakers on the flanks to go uptempo/no-huddle. That also allows their offensive line to not be exposed as much to Philly’s pass rush and could give Coleman the opportunity to break one by catching the defense in a bad position.

2. Don’t Be Afraid to Send Extra: Atlanta has, at least I think, the ability to apply pressure now with their new additions in the offseason. That, coupled with the fact that Sam Bradford still may be a little hesitant coming off the knee injury. I think it would be in the Falcons best interest to try and force him off the spot.

3. Play Excellent Special Teams: This is the one facet of the game that can turn the tide for either team because I think both squads are excellent in this area. For this game’s sake, the Falcons have to hope that they are the ones that have the better day of the two.

Wednesday Sep, 2015 7:19 PM | by admin | NO COMMENTS

FBGP’s 2015 NFL Week 1 Preview: Giants vs Cowboys

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Keys to Victory: New York Giants

1. Offensive Line Cohesiveness: A lot of the Giants success hinges on the offensive line coming together and being a strength, not a liability. Big Blue invested heavily in this group in the offseason and hopes that they’ll instantly pay dividends.

2. Work the Depth of the Cowboys Secondary: The Giants have the personnel to go ‘spread’, which is 3 WRs, 1 TE, and a tailback. I would also combine this set with an uptempo style to weaken the already ‘thin’ Cowboys secondary.

3. Backs vs Linebackers: Outside of Andre Williams, both Rashad Jennings and Shane Vereen have the ability to make plays in the passing game. This could be a possible area for the Giants to exploit.

Keys to Victory: Dallas Cowboys

1. Play it Like Two-a-Days – What I mean by that is the offensive line pushing the 5 man sled. If I were Dallas, with the depth and talent up front, I’d lean heavily on that Giants defensive line until they prove they can stop the run.

2. Get Creative with Personnel – I think the Cowboys have the ability defensively to flip between a 4-3 & 3-4 in certain situations to maximize some of the defensive line personnel. This would be another way to try and frustrate a Giants passing game.

3. Witten The Giant Slayer – Jason Witten has been a thorn in the side of the Giants defense throughout his career. This game shouldn’t be any different especially with the Giants having depth concerns on the back end.

Wednesday Sep, 2015 2:46 PM | by admin | NO COMMENTS

FBGP’s 2015 NFL Week 1 Preview: Steelers vs Patriots

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Steelers Keys to Victory

1. 3rd Wide Receiver Needs to Step Up – Without Martavis Bryant, the Steelers will look toward either Rookie Sammie Coates or veteran Darrius Heyward-Bey to play big in that slot role to open up things for both Markus Wheaton and Antonio Brown.

2. Don’t Change Anything with DeAngelo Williams – Williams is very capable of providing what you would’ve expected Le’Veon Bell to provide in both the running game and passing game, so there is no need to do things differently because Bell isn’t in the lineup.

3. When in Doubt, Simplify – The Steelers have tremendous athleticism in the front 7 and if they find that guys are not playing fast because of too much thinking going on, don’t wait until you’re down big to the Patriots to simplify. Defense is about attitude and want to, so don’t hesitate to go simple in order to get the job done.

4. Never Allow Gronkowski a Free Release – This goes without say, but you want to make him work for every opportunity he gets in this one. Take away their #1 option and force Brady to go elsewhere. Pittsburgh can’t let Rob Gronkowski beat them.

Patriots Keys to Victory

1. Play Great Perimeter Defense – Pittsburgh will try to attack the Patriots on the flanks with Counters, Quick Screens, Speed Outs, etc. in an attempt to take advantage of their athletes in one-on-one situations. The Pats aren’t shabby themselves defensively on the edges and will have to make sure they force the Steelers to play a north/south game instead of an east/west one.

2. Play Whatever Game You Want Offensively – This is one of the best things about what New England brings to the table offensively; they have the ability to play any style: uptempo, ball control, no-huddle, they can do it all. It wouldn’t surprise me to see all three verses Pittsburgh in order to frustrate their defense.

3. Takeaways are Key – There will be 2-3 plays in this game where Big Ben will put one up for grabs and those are the opportunities that the Patriots can’t let slip away. Take advantage of those chances to put the ball back into Tom Brady’s hands.

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