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5) Mike Scifres a top punter. Punter Mike Scifres is one of the NFL's best, as the Chargers enter with the NFL's top net average (45.1). He has six punts inside the 20 and can shift field position.
FINAL ANALYSIS: This game has the potential for some special teams explosion with both clubs. The Patriots will need a better performance from punter Chris Hanson this week, specifically when it comes to directional punts that negate Darren Sproles' return abilities. Overall, the kicking and field position game are going to be essential. Elsewhere, the Chargers' corners are capable of winning one-on-one, man-to-man matchups against the Patriots' receivers, and if that happens, it will allow them to do more in other areas of the field. The Chargers have not played well the last two weeks on the road, and are banged up. They looked lethal in their last home game, a 48-29 win over the Jets. If the Chargers play like that, it's hard to see the Patriots being able to keep pace. Prediction: Chargers 24, Patriots 23.
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5) Mike Scifres a top punter. Punter Mike Scifres is one of the NFL's best, as the Chargers enter with the NFL's top net average (45.1). He has six punts inside the 20 and can shift field position.
FINAL ANALYSIS: This game has the potential for some special teams explosion with both clubs. The Patriots will need a better performance from punter Chris Hanson this week, specifically when it comes to directional punts that negate Darren Sproles' return abilities. Overall, the kicking and field position game are going to be essential. Elsewhere, the Chargers' corners are capable of winning one-on-one, man-to-man matchups against the Patriots' receivers, and if that happens, it will allow them to do more in other areas of the field. The Chargers have not played well the last two weeks on the road, and are banged up. They looked lethal in their last home game, a 48-29 win over the Jets. If the Chargers play like that, it's hard to see the Patriots being able to keep pace. Prediction: Chargers 24, Patriots 23.
ST will be where this game lies in the balance, and Hanson is a putz... So I guess the key will be to limit punts.
That said, the Chargers secondary has been more inconsistent than ours given the paper talent capability imbalance. And they've been run on to boot and struggled to get pressure on pocket passers. They're running out of WR's, their all world TE remains hobbled, not to mention Rivers and Classy remain gimpy and Norv is teetering.
Sproles will be everywhere unless Norv blows that and stopping him will likely be the key.
ST will be where this game lies in the balance, and Hanson is a putz... So I guess the key will be to limit punts.
That said, the Chargers secondary has been more inconsistent than ours given the paper talent capability imbalance. And they've been run on to boot and struggled to get pressure on pocket passers. They're running out of WR's, their all world TE remains hobbled, not to mention Rivers and Classy remain gimpy and Norv is teetering.
Sproles will be everywhere unless Norv blows that and stopping him will likely be the key.
SD's ST being inconsistent was my impression too,though I wasn't aware that SD's punter was among the best in the league. Position for position we'll therefore hope Hanson makes limited appearances. Gost was on the injury report the other day for thigh issues (not out, just limited practice participation I believe).
Plus there's the Norv Factor. Going in,I think we're in better shape than SD and our ST has been improving nicely (except for Hanson). Mike's analysis took me by surprise,not his pick so much as his emphasis on punting and ST,punting being our weakness.
If he also picked the Jets that's good. If he's wrong again this week-Keep picking,Mike
Remember the playoff game a couple years ago? Our rent a punter was KEY in that game. Hopefully Hanson gets it together this week.
We can only hope. If he doesn't, I wonder what,if anything,BB will do. Let's hope Mike is wrong about the game being decided by field position,or at least no more decided than it typically is.
Still, I see the banged up SD offence having a hard time to put points on the board. I see the Pats D putting a lot of pressure with some blitz's early on. Last week Thomas and Vrabel were getting good pressure on O'Sullivan and came close to some sacks.
I have to say that Hanson is the only weakness in our special teams unit. So far, I've been really impressed with the coverage and return game. I think we have a definite edge over SD on special teams.
Still, I see the banged up SD offence having a hard time to put points on the board. I see the Pats D putting a lot of pressure with some blitz's early on. Last week Thomas and Vrabel were getting good pressure on O'Sullivan and came close to some sacks.
The Globe page is picking against the spread. Mike picked the Pats only to beat the 5 point spread on that page but to lose by 1 in his own piece.
Reiss: Field position/punting looms large
Position for position we'll therefore hope Hanson makes limited appearances. Gost was on the injury report the other day for thigh issues (not out, just limited practice participation I believe). 
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