The New England Patriots may still be the best team in the AFC, and possibly the NFL. Yet, they continue to get breaks, each of the last few seasons. The latest one came in a game where they were not even playing in, as the Broncos managed to beat the Bengals, giving New England the perfect opportunity to win at Miami next week to secure the best record in the AFC and home field advantage throughout the playoffs once again.
The Bengals were tough on the road throughout, even without Dalton. Still, Mile High Stadium is a tough place to play, and the Bengals just did not have enough to actually pull off what would have been an incredible road win.
Now, Denver is in position to clinch the second playoff bye, while the Bengals are, rather typically, on the outside looking in.
True, it went into overtime, but the Broncos got a field goal, and then forced a turnover to clinch a huge win that secured a playoff spot, and put them in a golden position to clinch the division, finally, next week.
NY Jets at Buffalo - The Jets are hot right now, and they want to exact a measure of revenge on the Bills and former head coach Rex Ryan, after the embarrassment at MetLife earlier this season. Look for the Jets to play mistake free if they are going to win this one. The Bills want to play the part of spoiler, although I suspect that they won't, and that the Jets fly high enough to land in the playoffs with a win upstate.
New England at Miami - The Patriots can clinch home field advantage outright now with a win at Miami. The Dolphins are an inconsistent team, playing hard one week, then getting blown out the next week. It is sometimes hard to predict which Dolphins team will show up, although I very much doubt that Miami will have enough to beat New England anyway this week.
New Orleans at Atlanta - The Falcons are finally coming to life again, in a typical case of too little, too late. They looked awesome racing out to a 5-0 start this season, and still looked very strong at 6-1. Then, they were 6-7, and looked out of it. They won their next two, and looked like a playoff contender again. Still, they were officially eliminated, but are now playing well enough to make a statement for next year. Atlanta should beat New Orleans in this NFC South showdown.
Baltimore at Cincinnati - Okay, so the Bengals lost the big showdown at Denver. But they still could possibly win a playoff bye with a Denver loss, and there is still a scenario (unlikely though it might seem) where they could win home field advantage throughout the playoffs. So, they have something to fight for, and should play hard and well. In the end, they should be able to pull off a win against a dangerous Baltimore team.
Pittsburgh at Cleveland - The Browns almost played spoiler against Kansas City last week. Now, they have one last chance to totally ruin another team's season with a devastating upset. Plus, the Browns have home field advantage. Still, the Steelers are a tough team with an offense that tests opposing defenses, and that should be enough for Pittsburgh to pull this out.
Jacksonville at Houston - All that stands in the way of Houston winning a relatively surprising AFC South division title would be the Jacksonville Jaguars, who want to play the part of spoiler. But the Texans are hot right now, and know how much is at stake. They showed no doubts and were relentless last week at Tennessee, and the Jaguars are looking mighty vulnerable these last few weeks. Look for the Texans to take over this game early, and never let up until they are celebrating their division title and playoff berth.
Tennessee at Indianapolis - The Colts should beat the Titans here, but it will likely be a case of too little, too late. Indy had an off season, plagued by injuries. After the seemingly tremendous step of an AFC Championship Game appearance last year, the Colts instead took steps backwards this season. They are better than their record appears, and should be solid next season. But that should not help too much this season, however.
Washington at Dallas - Washington already wrapped up the division title, and have nothing to really play for. This game does not matter to them, as they cannot move either up or down in the playoff picture. So, they will likely rest their starters early, and that could very well mean a determined Dallas team playing for pride finds a way to win and officially sweep the division champs.
Philadelphia at NY Giants - Two very disappointed and disappointing NFC East teams about to face a tumultuous offseason. The Giants got blown out in a humiliating nationally televised game, while the Eagles lost at home in a huge divisional game against Washington last weekend. Hard to tell what will happen here, although I would not be surprised if the Giants lose again. It could go either way, and given that these teams really are playing for pride, it almost does not matter.
Detroit at Chicago - The Lions are playing some hot football right now, and want to end the season right. Look for them to dictate the tempo against a Bears team that perpetually seems in chaos these days, as the Lions find a way to end this season right, with a nice victory on the road against a divisional opponent.
Tampa Bay at Carolina - No, Carolina no longer has a chance at the perfect season, and maybe it is best that they will not have that level of pressure on them in the postseason. Still, they are one of only four teams in NFL history to have started off 14-0, and every one of those other teams at least made it to the Super Bowl! Now, Carolina likely needs to win to secure the top seed in the NFC, because if they are tied with Arizona at the end of the weekend, the Cardinals would be the top seed. The Panthers could make history by being only the sixth team in NFL history with a record of 15-1 or better following a 16-game regular season (the 1984 49ers, the 1985 Bears, the 1998 Vikings, the 2004 Steelers, and the 2007 Patriots being the teams to have achieved that feat). Out of those teams, the 49ers and Bears won the Super Bowls, the Patriots reached the Super Bowl, and the Vikings and Steelers both lost in the Championship Game. That history would suggest that the Panthers should at least make it to the Championship Game, which is a big deal, since they have not made it that far as a franchise in almost a decade! Look for the Panthers to go up early on the wobbly Bucs, and to take over the game, cruising to a victory.
Oakland at Kansas City - The Raiders have pulled off some shocking upsets this season, and they very well might in KC this weekend, especially if the Chiefs, who have already clinched a playoff spot. But since the Chiefs still have a chance at the division if the Broncos get upset by the Chargers, that is doubtful. Plus, Kansas City wants to stay sharp, and may at least want to clinch the fifth spot to take on the Texans, rather than having to go to Cincinnati (assuming the Broncos win).
San Diego at Denver- The Broncos got past the Bengals in a tough one, and can now clinch the division and a playoff bye with a victory at home against San Diego. Look for them to win this one, playing it safe and avoiding the mistakes that have plagued them in recent weeks. They cannot afford a letdown, like they had at home against Oakland a few weeks ago. But Denver knows what is at stake, and should be able to pull this one off.
Seattle at Arizona - No, the division is not on the line, but this is still a big game, especially for Arizona. They can complete a season sweep against the Seahawks, and I do not even remember them having done that before, to my recollection. I am not saying that they definitely did not ever do it, only that it did not resonate. Seeing as though the Seahawks won the division and represented the NFC in the last two Super Bowls, it would be a big statement for the Cardinals to win this one, even if they do not win home field advantage. For the Seahawks, this probably is not as big of a deal, and they might rest their starters early, to make this almost like a bye week. I see the Cardinals winning this one.
St. Louis at San Francisco - The Rams are looking hot right now, while the 49ers, quite simply, are not. Look for St. Louis to take over the game early, and pull off a second straight road win within the division, ending this season off on the right note. Too bad that they did not get into gear a bit earlier, because they could have made a more serious run at the postseason. maybe next year.
Minnesota at Green Bay - The Vikings have picked up their play in recent weeks, while the Packers are still smarting from a stringing loss at Arizona, where they were truly embarrassed. Plus, Lambeau Field has not quite been the intimidating, virtually unwinnable stadium that it has been in the past for visitors. So, Minnesota has a real chance here. That said, the Packers will want to rebound, and already blew out the Vikings in Minnesota in that first meeting. They want to stay home for the Wild Card, and my suspicions is that they will win out in this one in the end, although it will take all four quarters, and possibly even more.
No comments:
Post a Comment