Two sub-.500 teams who had high expectations going into this season, the Saints and the Chargers, hope to stay in the playoffs picture when they meet in a rainy, windy Wembley Stadium on Sunday at noon.
The Saints may have a tougher time on track because Reggie Bush is injured (knee again) and they're losing a home date on their schedule to serve as designated hosts.
Neither team has been able to get in rhythm this season. Bush had 660 scrimmage yards and five touchdowns and will return in three-four weeks. Aaron Steckler or Pierre Thomas will be called on to play alongside of Deuce McAllister in the Saints backfield.
Does Deuce see himself returning to his former role as the Saints; featured back? "I'm just a player, featured, first, second, whatever may be," said McAllister. "I'm just trying to get go out there to contribute and help this team win."
McAllister was asked if the offense has changed a lot because of the differing roles and strengths of Deuce and Reggie? "We're pretty much the same offense, so there's not a big difference of what we're going to do." said McAllister.
Does Deuce find himself a part of any packages that he didn't when Reggie was healthy? "The same thing," said McAllister. "It's still pretty much all the same as we've done."
Thus is Deuce's first visit to England. He said he would return if he has the opportunity. "But I don't know about this time of year," said McAllister."
The Saints (3-4) are in last place in the NFC South and have lost all three of their games away from the Superdome.
"We came here knowing that this is pretty much a must-win game for us," said wide out Marques Colston. "We have a “bye week” next week and just go in with a win could set our season back on the right track." A loss would almost take the Saints out of the playoff race.
Drew Brees, who would be having a MVP season if he was on a winning team, played at San Diego before signing with the Saints as a free agent. In the last meeting between the teams, Brees threw four touchdown passes against the Saints in a 43-14 Chargers victory.
Philip Rivers was a rookie quarterback for the Chargers in 2004 and the Chargers named him the starting quarterback in 2006 and he led his team to the AFC championship game last season. Rivers leads the league with 16 touchdown passes, but he's had little help from the ground in La Dainian Tomlinson, who still appears hesitant while nursing a toe injury, which he can’t push off on.
This matchup will be the league's second regular season game in London after the New York Giants defeated Miami 13-10 last Oct. 28.
The Giants were struggling then before they won the Super Bowl. "They came here and it kind of changed their season, said McAllister. " We're hoping for the same kind of luck. Hopefully, London will bring us back."
Prediction: Chargers cover the 3 points.
Two of the SEC's most dominate football programs this decade will meet on Saturday afternoon in Tiger Stadium to renew a rarely played series when 11th-ranked LSU hosts ninth-ranked Georgia. Kickoff is 2:30 on CBS (Ch. 4).
The Tigers enter the game with a 5-1 over-all record and a 3-1 league mark. The Bulldogs are 6-1 over-all and 3-1 in the SEC.
While LSU and Georgia are rarely found on each others football schedule, when they do meet there is usually a great deal on the line and this year is no exception. Saturday's meeting marks the fifth time in which both teams come into the game ranked No. 13 or higher in national polls. In terms of SEC dominance, the teams have combined to win five of the last seven SEC title with the Tigers claiming the v\crown in 2001, 2003 and 2007 and the Bulldogs winning the league championship in 2002 and 2005.
In December of 2005, the Tigers and Bulldogs met in Atlanta for a second time in three years. With LSU ranked No. 3 in the nation and Georgia No. 13, the Bulldogs jumped out to an early lead and never looked back in taking a 34-13 victory in the SEC title game.
That meeting in the Georgia Dome in 2005 is the last time the teams have met in football. A lot was on the line then, and a great deal will be at stake on Saturday afternoon as both teams will look to remain in the hunt for the SEC title.
While routs rule in some conferences, close games dominate the SEC. Eighteen of the 25 intra-conference games in the SEC this season -- 72 per cent -- have been decided by 10 points or less. That;s the largest number of games in any Division 1-A conference to be decided by so few points.
"There might be two or three games a year in the SEC where somebody can dominate," said Georgia quarterback Matthew Stafford. "But it seems almost every week in the Pac-10 and Big 12 there are games where somebody scored a lot of points."
USC beat Washington 69-0 last week.
Defending national champion LSU has won three SEC games by 10 or less.
Georgia has won three league games by an average of 9.67 points, beating South Carolina by 7, Tennessee by 12 and Vanderbilt by 10.
Prediction: Georgia and 2 over LSU.
THIS WEEK'S PICKS (to be read to the sound of rolling drums and cymbals clanging):
NFL: Cowboys -2 1/2 over Bucs, Lions +7 over Redskins, Bills -1 1/2 over Dolphins, Patriots -7 over Rams, Jets -13 (best bet) over Chiefs, Falcons +8 1/2 over Eagles, Steelers -2 1/2 over Giants, Seahawks +5 over 49ers (upset special), Panthers -4 over Cardinals, Jaguars -7 over Browns, Ravens -7 over Raiders, Texans -9 1/2 over Bengals, and Titans -4 over Colts.
College: Rice +2 over Tulane, La. +2 over Army, Ole Miss -5 over Arkansas, USC -16 (best bet) over Arizona, Miss. State -10 over Middle Tennessee St., USM -4 over Memphis, Texas Tech +1 1/2 over Kansas, Alabama -6 1/2 over Tennessee, Notre Dame -100 over Washington, Ohio State +13 over Texas, Ohio State +2 1/2 over Penn State.
BOTTOM 10: 1, North Texas. 2, WashingtonState. 3, Washington. 4, Idaho. 5, L-M. 6, San DiegoState. 7, SMU. 8, KentState. 9, Utah St. 10, Syracuse. Waiting list: Eastern Michigan, USM, Tulane, UCF and Wyoming.
SOME HITHER, OTHERS YON: Former Saints quarterback Kenny Stabler has been found not guilty of drunken driving charges in south Alabama. After three hours of testimony, acting Municipal Judge James Street issued his verdict: "I just don't think the city has met its burden of proof," said Sweet. The acquittal will allow Stabler to move on and return as Alabama's radio analyst next season. Stabler asked about the proof that got him acquitted....It's better to have been a "wus" rather than a "never wus."
Two sub-.500 teams who had high expectations going into this season, the Saints and the Chargers, hope to stay in the playoffs picture when they meet in a rainy, windy Wembley Stadium on Sunday at noon.
