Week 16: Over/Unders
(WSCR) Here are this week's over/unders from The McNeil and Spiegel Show.
Bears receiver catches made by players other than Brandon Marshall
In the last three games, Cutler has a found a wide receiver or tight end not named Brandon Marshall a total of 16 times – including no catches last week against the Packers. Pass distribution has been an issue for this team as of late. How many catches total will Bears receivers or tight ends have this weekend, excluding Brandon Marshall?
OVER/UNDER: 4.5 catches
Brandon Marshall receiving yards against Patrick Peterson
Patrick Peterson, second year cornerback out of LSU, has quickly climbed the ranks of outstanding defensive backs in the National Football League. He leads the Cardinals with 7 interceptions this year.
Peterson has had no trouble shutting down opposing offense's number one receivers. Not much damage was done against him by the likes of the Stephen Hill's or Sidney Rice's of the world.
However, Peterson has struggled against "top tier" receivers this season:
Calvin Johnson – 10 receptions, 121 yards, no TD
Roddy White – 8 receptions, 123 yards, no TD
Michael Crabtree – 5 receptions, 72 yards, 2 TDs
How many receiving yards will Marshall rack up against Peterson Sunday?
OVER/UNDER: 89.5 Brandon Marshall receiving yards against Patrick Peterson
Cutler passes knocked down
Though the Cardinals with a record of 5-9 may not have much to brag about, there is one shining spot on this team in the 2012 season – the pass defense. Arizona ranks fourth best in the NFL in passing yards allowed, giving up 199 a contest. A lot of that has to do with the pass rush of the Cards, which ranks first in the NFL with 52 sacks complied against opposing passers. The defense has also ball hawks in knocking down passes, ranking sixth in the league with 96 balls swatted down. Over/under on the number of Jay Cutler pass attempts batted into the turf.
OVER/UNDER: 5.5 deflections (just below season average of 6.8 a game)
Ryan Lindlay quarterback rating
The team has relied on three different duds – Kevin Kolb, John Skelton and most recently Ryan Lindlay, a rookie from San Diego State –
In his five games played this year, Lindlay's passer ratings have gone like this – 52.9, 44.7, 28.0, 55.8 and most recently a 58.4 in the 38-10 win over the Lions last week (how?!). How well will Lindlay fare against the Bears defense?
OVER/UNDER: 57.5 passer rating
Cardinals total rushing yards gained
Beanie Wells started the season atop the depth chart but soon went on injured reserve, though not for the entire season.
Shortly thereafter, second year player Ryan Williams was placed on the same list as his season ended abruptly due to injury.
LaRod Stephens-Howling became the next man up. He's a single rush shy of 100 attempts for this season, accumulating 338 yards on the ground and finding pay dirt a total of 4 times. What better way to complement the league's 29th best passing game than with the NFL's 32nd ground attack?
The Cardinals are averaging only 80 yards running the pigskin a game while the Bears are allowing 109 yards a game on the ground – good enough for 12th best in the NFL. How many yards will Arizona pound out rushing?
OVER/UNDER: 89.5 yards rushing
BROADCAST
John Lynch references to his time with the Denver Broncos…and any of the relating stories…
OVER/UNDER: 1.5 references
Dick Stockton screw-ups (names, pronunciations, etc.) subjective. But we'll know.
OVER/UNDER: 2.5 miscues
Panoramic shots of a desert
OVER/UNDER: 1.5 shots
References to Dennis Green's infamous "The Bears Are Who We Thought They Were," either in its entirety or just a quick mention, or cutaways
OVER/UNDER: 1.5 references
