Welcome to the latest edition of HNGN's NFL Weekend (and Monday and Thursday) Hero!
Every Saturday, our panel of knowledgeable (sorta) experts (really, keep reading) handpicks the players we think will make the biggest impact for their team, win or lose.
A big block, a timely tackle - heck, even some interceptions or a touchdown or two; every game is different and every play is important.
Here, we let you know who we think will really bring it and why.
Week 9
Brandon
Peyton Manning, Denver Broncos quarterback: Manning may be 5-10 in head to head games against Brady, and this next one may be in Foxborough, but the Broncos are on a roll. I'm just as impressed as anyone with New England's resurgence after a shaky 2-2 start. But outside of Gronkowski, they're still short of weapons. Missing key pieces on defense won't help either.
This is Manning's third season in Denver and you know what they say: third time's the charm. I think Denver is the Super Bowl favorite and they will show that this weekend. Manning will pick on all secondary members not named Revis while the Broncos win a competitive statement game.
Thomas
Tom Brady, New England Patriots quarterback: I think Tom Brady is going to get the job done this weekend against the Denver Broncos. Brady and the Patriots defeated Denver in Foxborough last year 34-31 after they went down 24-0 early in the game. Brady roared back and finished 34-of-50 for 344 yards and three touchdowns to complete the overtime thriller.
The Patriots' QB has been on a tear recently too, and I don't think the Broncos will be able to stop him on his home turf. Brady has 1,268 passing yards, 14 touchdowns and zero interceptions in his past four games, which include wins over the Bengals, Bills, Jets and Bears. Denver poses a much tougher challenge than any of those teams, but Manning is 2-8 in his career when visiting the Patriots.
I predict Brady to throw for 310 yards and three touchdowns, and let's add in a rushing touchdown too for fun. Patriots win 35-33.
Cal
Arizona Cardinals defense: Admittedly, a fair amount of this comes from the fact that Tony Romo isn't going to play on Sunday. But an even bigger amount comes from the fact that the Cardinals defense is beastly and I'm not so sure even the Dallas Cowboys vaunted offensive line can counteract that beastliness.
The Cards D, even after suffering the offseason loss of linebacker Daryl Washington, has been just as good if not better this season under new defensive coordinator Todd Bowles. With the help of monster defensive end Calais Campbell's return from injury last week, they held the seemingly unstoppable Philadelphia Eagles attack to a mere 20 points, only 0.1 off their season average of 19.9, good enough for fifth overall in the league.
Their pass defense needs some work, but sans Romo, their rush defense, third overall and allowing an average of only 77.9 yards per game, should be able to mitigate DeMarco Murray and force Brandon Weeden to attempt to beat them. Good luck with that, Dallas
