NFL GridIron Gab Daily Digest

The Steelers are on a short week, playing their first Thursday night game since last December’s awful game in Cleveland, the final loss they had of the 2009 season. Now things are a lot different, as they play a Panthers team that is 2-12, and the Steleers have already clinched a playoff spot, and are two wins or a Ravens loss away from clinching the North, and they should be also able to clinch the #2 seed in the AFC. With that, here’s our keys and prediction for the matchup with the Panthers.

1. Force Turnovers – Last week the Steelers were unable to get any turnovers from the Jets, this after the week before Mark Sanchez was a fumbling machine and also threw two picks. This week the team should be able to get to and force rookie QB Jimmy Clausen into some mistakes. The Steelers again need to make sure when they get the chance, to force mistakes, and also look for possibly RB Jonathan Stewart to cough up the ball like he did late against the Cardinals last week.

2. Put it Away Early – The Panthers are 2-12 for a reason, simply put, they are not very good. Allowing them to even be in this game by the start of the fourth quarter would be a letdown, this from a team that wants to be playing its best ball before the playoffs start. Carolina is going to be entering a cold, hostile environment, and a fast start should have them warming the bus early.

3. Keep Ben Upright – Same as last week, as the O-line did a solid job of not allowing Ben to have to scramble for his life, and though he was sacked three times, one was on a fumble after the ball got stripped. With Trai Essex back in at LT, the line seemed to play better on the last drive, and the Panthers don’t have much of a pass rush, putting up just 29 sacks, or 2.2 sacks per game. The O-line has taken a beating this season, and this is a game where they should easily contain the Panthers defense.

Prediction – There’s no question that this shouldn’t be much of a game, and that’s a good thing on a short week for the Steelers, who then will have plenty of time to get ready for the season finale against the right now 5-9 Browns in a game they may need to wrap up the division and the #2 seed. The Panthers have little to offer on offense, and they have given up points in bunches on the road, 85 in their last three road games. The Steelers should be able to put up 24-30 points, and their D should make Clausen eat dirt a more than a few times. Pittsburgh 28 Carolina 7

Senior writer jclombardi reviews QB Rodgers return for Giants game.

Rodgers cleared to practice again: The Green Bay Packers medical staff has cleared quarterback Aaron Rodgers to return to the practice field, and possibly to play Sunday against the New York Giants, after he sat out for a week with a concussion, according to a report. ESPNWisconsin.com said a text message from Rodgers on Tuesday revealed the news. ”I’ve been cleared,” Rodgers is quoted as texting. Then the website said he added, after a pause, “It’s not that big of a story. Is it?” It is for the 8-6 Packers fighting to get in to the playoffs. Rodgers missed his first start after 46 straight (including a playoff game) on Sunday against New England.

Rodgers back in the game: QB Rodgers says he’ll be back in the lineup for the Green Bay Packers’ must-win game Sunday against the New York Giants at Lambeau Field. Rodgers, who missed last week’s 31-27 loss at New England with a concussion, let his status be known Tuesday in a text message to espnmilwaukee.com. ”I’m baaaaaaacckkkk,” it read. That means Rodgers has been cleared to play by both Dr. John Gray, the Packers’ team physician, and an independent neurologist. Rodgers was hoping to get that clearance last week after suffering his second concussion in a span of 64 days during a 7-3 loss Dec. 12 at Detroit. Rodgers, whose consecutive starts streak of 46 games counting the postseason was snapped, was replaced in the lineup by Matt Flynn. The third-year backup completed 24 of 37 passes for 251 yards with three touchdowns and an interception against the Patriots in his first career start. The Packers (8-6) trail the Giants (9-5) for the second and final playoff berth in the race for an NFC wild card bid. However, victories in its final two games — the Chicago Bears visit Lambeau Field in the regular-season finale on Jan. 2 — would send Green Bay to the postseason for the second consecutive season.

The San Francisco 49ers have yet to announce their starting quarterback for Sunday's bigger than big NFC West showdown between the San Francisco 49ers and the St. Louis Rams.

The Rams lost to Troy Smith and the 49ers in their last meeting at San Francisco and Troy Smith's mobility gave the Rams a huge problem.  The Rams even had trouble with the mobility from Matt Cassel against KC, who had an appendectomy 1 and a half weeks before.  49ers quarterback Alex Smith will never be known for his mobility and that gives the Rams pass rush a steady target to rush towards.

If Alex Smith starts, the Rams pass rush will be all that much more effective, which will help their chances of winning on Sunday.

After stating Monday that the team was going to keep an open mind about him playing Thursday night, it seems that the team will once again be without safety Troy Polamalu when the Steelers host the Panthers at Heinz Field.

The game changing safety didn’t practice Tuesday, leaving his status for Thursday evening’s game against the visiting Panthers very questionable at best, and it looks like he won’t be playing since today was the only practice the team will have before the game.

Second-year S Ryan Mundy is on target to make his second straight start for the veteran defensive back. Mundy didn’t play all that badly for Polamalu, but for sure there’s no mistaking when #43 is in the game.

Donovan McNabb is talking, and for the first time since being benched last week, he is talking about actually coming back to the Redskins in 2011.

McNabb chatted about it on ESPN 980's "The Donovan McNabb Show," co-hosted by Kevin Sheehan and Thom Loverro.

A couple of the highlights included being asked if he would be back next year, and a Redskin. "Well, I definitely hope so and I expressed that,” the QB said. “I don't want to go anywhere. I love the fans here, in the Northern Virginia, D.C. area – the DMV. I've enjoyed myself here. I think we can do some good things here. I thank the fans for all the support they have given me through this whole process and ever since I've been here. I look for good things to happen."

Coming back in 2011 seems a lot more like a longshot after a tough first season as a Redskin, and even coach Mike Shanahan has said that he could not guarantee McNabb would be back next year as a Redskin.

"I really wasn't looking for a guarantee,” McNabb said. “I want to be here, I do. I don't believe in starting something and not finishing. I've always said from the beginning of the season that we have a core of guys here we can do thing

Shanahan told McNabb of the decision to go with Rex Grossman Thursday night, and the veteran QB said that he was disappointed with the process that went into him sitting against the Cowboys Sunday.

"Normally if you go through a process like that you would find out about it on a Monday or a Tuesday," McNabb said. "I don't think you hear about it on a Thursday morning going into Friday practice. My mindset was obviously on being a starter, preparing to go down to Dallas and trying to help the team win. Obviously that came to an end on Thursday evening."

In the business of every sport, TV ratings play a large part. In the NBA, they will be celebrating the star-laden scenarios for the playoffs from the top seeds with Miami’s Big 3, the physical Boston team, Dirk, Tim, ‘Melo, Durant, Derrick, Derron and maybe even low seed appearances by Blake Griffin and John Wall. In the NHL, they’ve benefited from Stanley Cup victories for two of their most outspoken fanbases and are now putting the fresh Penguins vs. Capitals rivalry on full display with a reality show and a Winter Classic. For baseball, they just point to their ticket sales.

The NFL has had record TV ratings this year and I think it has a lot to do with the Eagles and Vikings, who play each other this week. People tune into watch the Michael Vick Experience (now more for throwing than for running), and they can’t turn away from the sad, theatrical demise of Brett Favre.

Here’s a look at some games that could hit record numbers for football:

Postseason Ratings Bonanzas
Kansas City @ New England
Tom Brady vs. Matt Cassel is just the tip of the iceberg as Haley has worked under Belichick and Pioli, Vrabel, Weis, and Crennel all earned rings in New England. Also, the Chiefs have the weapons to attack the Pats defense. I would pick KC.

Philadelphia @ Atlanta
It seems like perfect drama that the teams met earlier this year but it was without Michael Vick. The home crowd would definitely be a little torn and – especially if Green Bay doesn’t get in – this is the clash of the two top teams in the NFC.

Super Bowl Ratings Bonanzas
Baltimore vs. Atlanta
The first game ended in controversy with Roddy White – after pushing off on an earlier first down catch – shoving down Josh Wilson for the game-deciding TD. The storylines would include Mike Smith coaching against his old team, the 2008 rookie QBs facing off, Ray Lewis trying to get his first ring in 10 years and Tony Gonzalez finally getting to the Big Game.

Pittsburgh vs. Chicago
Two of the oldest franchises with the biggest fanbase going up against the third or fourth biggest fanbase. Two strong defenses with two exciting quarterbacks until the Steelers knock Cutler out for the game.

San Diego vs. Chicago
The drama for this one would be pretty big. Ron Rivera coaching against his old team, Martz and Rivera potentially coaching for head coaching jobs next season, Cutler and Rivers’ rivalry picks back up, and one of the two embattled head coaches guaranteed to return next year. I had thought about San Diego vs. New York or New Orleans given the Brees/Rivers/Manning saga but I think the players and organizations are more happy with where they are now than they are bitter about what happened.

New England vs. Philadelphia
Of all the potential Super Bowl rematches (San Diego vs. San Francisco, Indianapolis vs. Chicago, New England vs. St. Louis; Pittsburgh vs. Seattle, Oakland vs. Tampa Bay, Tennessee vs. St. Louis, New England vs. Green Bay, New England vs. New York, and you could do a lot worse than Indianapolis vs. New Orleans), I know Roger Goodell and FOX will be pulling for this one. PETA boycotts will not diminish the redemption story of Vick in the Super Bowl. Additionally, the Patriots are one of the most divisive teams in all of sports and people will want to see the duel of the two MVP candidates – Brady vs. Vick.

We’d like to avoid these:
Jacksonville vs. Seattle
With Seattle losing 8 games by 15 or more points and Jacksonville losing to Denver and getting blown out by Tennessee, you would think it would take huge injuries to the top teams for the Hawks and Jaguars to make it.

Oakland vs. San Francisco
Once was enough for this match-up in 2010. I think the 49ers would be the first team in NFL history to go 7-9, fire their offensive coordinator, get shut out at home and bench their quarterback and his replacement to make it to a Super Bowl. All this with Joe Buck and Troy Aikman.

Joseph Addai's first two seasons in the league were fantastic. He ran for 1,081 rushing yards in his rookie season, along with two very big games for his career. He had a career-day against the Philadelphia Eagles in the regular season, rushing for over 175 yards with four touchdowns in a 45-24 victory. Addai would also have a great game, rushing for great yards in the Super Bowl along with leading the team in catches for a 29-17 victory over the Chicago Bears.

Addai would play much better entering the 2007-08 season, as he ran for 1,072 rushing yards. The Colts excelled that season, finishing 13-3, but wound up losing in the playoffs to the San Diego Chargers, 28-24.  In the 2008-09 season, Addai's production plummeted. It was a slump year, as he had many injuries. He only had 544 rushing yards that season.

As the 2009-10 season came by, Addai was close to reaching the 1,000-yard-mark, but he had some injuries that season as well. But Addai played great that year, as he was a premier passing target and showed he is one of the top five receiving backs in the league. He also improved a lot better in blocking skills as well.

This season, Addai was much better. When you can rush for 100 yards in games with one of the top five worst offensive lines in the league, that's saying something. Addai has so far 406 rushing yards this season. But that also goes along with over four yards per carry, something he hasn't gotten since 2007. But still, Addai got struck by injuries.

Now the Colts enter a big question entering the off-season: Do they keep Addai? He is on the last season of his contract. With the great game by Donald Brown against the Jacksonville Jaguars yesterday, the Colts could make Addai end up like what happened with Edgerrin James. With the latest emergence of Javarris James and the veteran presence of Dominic Rhodes, the Colts could make Addai the odd man out.

But I don't think they will. Addai is the only great all-around back the Colts got and his last game, in which he ran for 128 yards against the Washington Redskins in a 27-24 victory, proved he is one of the top ten backs in the league.

I think the Colts will most likely franchise-tag him. If Addai does well in the 2011-12 season, then they will keep him and re-sign for a few more years. However, if he gets struck by injuries or does not produce, they will stick with Donald Brown and maybe get another running back in free agency or the NFL Draft.

But if Addai comes back early and shows up, Addai could maybe agree to a deal worth about 2-4 years. But time will tell. But most likely, no matter what, the Colts will in fact re-sign Addai.

Plus, there should be no excuse for the Colts' running game next season. I am pretty sure they will be getting a whole new cast of offensive-lineman for next season. The O-Line is terrible this season. Bill Polian agrees even. I expect them to get a new one in the off-season and the draft.

But Addai will stay, in my opinion.

What do you think?

Things I know.

Rushing matters in this "passing league". Back in week 3 I noted a higher percentage of teams with high passing yards lost games compared to teams with high rushing yards in a game. This is counter-intuitive to the "common knowledge" of a passing league that is ruled by quarterbacks. However it continues to be true. Go back and look at the week to week leaders in both categories. Last week was a particularly noticeable week for this stat. The bottom line is that in general teams have to rush well to win games. Don't forget that the Saints, who are known as a passing team ran exceptionally well last year and were quite balanced, and this year are not. It should be no surprise that the Colts and Ravens look the best they have in a long time when Donald Brown and Ray Rice broke out for 100 yard games.

Special teams suffer as injuries pile up. You can see it across the league. As teams pile up injuries, special teams start to suffer. Coaches are caught with two options. Either suffer on special teams with depleted talent, or play special teams aces over other backups. It's a tough choice and special teams do matter. Look at how many games were won in the special teams this week and in recent weeks. Everything from returns, to FG kicks (missed or made) and finally punters who can pin opponents back deep with a big leg. By the way, what don't punters get about "don't kick to that guy."? Is it that difficult to kick a football out of bounds? Of course referring to Hester and Jackson.

The NFC West is just plain terrible. It's official. No team from the NFC West is going to have a winning record. Not a one. It's likely that the winner of the NFC West will have a losing record. That would be the first time a team with a losing record would make the NFL playoffs. The Seahawks play TB and then host STL at home. The Rams have the 49ers, who at 5-9 could win the division at 7-9, and then go to Seattle, a tough place to play. Then whoever wins this division will probably host the Saints, Giants or the Packers. Oh the humanity!

Things I think I know.

The Eagles are a scary team. The Eagles have been out on the fringe making noise all season, but pundits have been focusing on the Falcons, Jets, Steelers and Patriots while the Eagles have been putting together some good performances and getting lucky in ways that only winning teams do. This team is just plain FAST all around. If Vick can make it through the next few weeks and the playoffs healthy, they are going to be a force to be reckoned with. There has to be doubt that he can do that, but the QB slides on Sunday are a good sign.

Matt Cassell makes a huge difference to KC. Who would have thought that Matt Cassell was actually going to make it, even after going 11-5 in NE. He never started a game in college, but is a legitimate starting QB in the NFL. Kansas City looks like a different team with Matt Cassell in the game. Not just when passing, but running, on defense and special teams. Sometimes, having a leader that you trust changes the entire teams belief and effort in winning a game. They haven't won the AFC West, but at 9-5 with a game lead on SD, the Chiefs have two winnable home games where they have yet to lose a game this year.

Cost is driving teams to rely on young players. And those rookies and second year players are making a difference. Many times the teams that break out and make deep runs have good young talented rookies making big plays. Talented veterans who cost more aren't affordable because of the amount drafted rookies are paid before they even start playing football. This year we're seeing several rookies and second year players making a big impact for KC and NE. KC obviously has Eric Berry (FS), Dexter McCluster (KR) and Tony Moeaki (TE), but has anyone noticed Kendrick Lewis (S) who leads the team in interceptions? NE has Gronkowski and Hernandez (both TEs) with Jermaine Cunningham (DE), and Devin McCourty (CB) who are all rookies and at last count five 2nd year starters to add to that. Then take into consideration rookies Sam Bradford (QB-STL), LeGarrette Blount (RB-TB), Mike Williams (WR-TB), Ndamukong Suh (DT-DET), Carlos Dunlap (DE-CIN) and Joe Haden (CB-CLE). This league is getting younger fast.

Things I know I don't know.

What does Matt Flynn's performance mean? After NE has been ripping teams up on defense, no one expected Matt Flynn to be much more than road kill to Bill Belichick and the Patriots. But Flynn ripped up the NE defense. Up and down the field, running, passing and handing off the ball to a resurgent running GB team. Maybe it just proves just how important Bill Belichick's film study is. He didn't know how to defend a new entity in Matt Flynn. Maybe it's just that Matt Flynn is better than anyone thought. What it means we will only know if Flynn gets another chance to play. Either because GB gets rid of him or because Rodgers has injury issues.

Is everyone ready for the new overtime rules? There have been a lot of overtime games this year. There's no reason for that to change in the playoffs, so is everyone prepared for the new rules? A FG doesn't win it. Only six points more than the OT beginning points wins the game. It's going to be interesting to watch how this works out. If there are several OT games, it's very possible that games will be extended longer than overtime games usually are. That could effect how tired a team could be after a game lengthened by this new rule. Who knows how this will turn out…

Why didn't Leslie Frasier start someone who will play next year? With Favre's 1 millionth injury this year, it won't matter now, but, it was known that Favre is not coming back to play next year (thank goodness). So why didn't Frazier give Joe Webb a chance, to see what he can do? Maybe they are not optimistic that Joe Webb is the long term answer to the Vikings quarterback position, but why not try? What is the benefit of playing Favre? No one really wants to see Favre, and the fans would be more excited to see an unknown quantity given a shot. It just doesn't make sense.

The Jets got some good news today on the throwing shoulder of QB Mark Sanchez. Aaron Wilson of the National Football Post reports that an MRI done on Sanchez’s sore throwing shoulder revealed no major issues. The MRI was done as a precautionary measure and head coach Rex Ryan says that Sanchez will play Sunday against the Bears.

Sanchez hurt his shoulder Sunday in Pittsburgh against the Steelers. He played well enough to help the team pull out a huge 22-17 win.

More than likely Sanchez may sit out a practice or will be limited. “Any time it’s your quarterback, you’re going to make sure he’s OK,” Ryan said. “The MRI showed it was a positive thing for us. He'll be ready to play on Sunday. Will it limit him? I don't know.”

The Chargers want to keep WR Vincent Jackson around, and according to Kevin Acee of the San Diego Union-Tribune, the team is thinking about using the franchise tag on Jackson. That is if a labor deal is reached before the next season and allows for such a designation.

An exclusive tag would mean Jackson would be guaranteed a one-year salary worth the average of the five highest-paid receivers, which could be more than about $10 million.

If they do that, he would not be unable to negotiate with any other teams. A non-exclusive tag would mean he gets the $10 mil-plus salary but would be able to negotiate with other teams. If he did agree to a contract with another team, the Chargers would be able to match the offer to keep him or be entitled to two first-round picks as compensation for losing him.

The team views Jackson, who has sought as much as $50 million for five seasons, as a risk because of his arrests for DUIs and driving with a suspended license. There is the potential for a long suspension from the NFL if he gets in more trouble off the field.