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N.Y. Giants at Washington – Last time these two teams met earlier this season, the G-Men completely dominated the game, 24-3. It was arguably their most complete performance that the Giants had this season. But it also came at a point when Washington had not found as much rhythm as they have later in the season. Meanwhile the Giants had fallen on hard times, in a streak that matched a record losing streak established in 1976, and which only ended last weekend. Plus, the Giants are on the road this time. All of that could make it much more difficult for them. My guess is that the home team pulls it off, but that both teams show a little something in this game. My pick: Washington
Pittsburgh at N.Y. Jets – While I hope that the Jets can pull this one off, my expectations are that they do not. The Steelers are clearly fighting for a playoff spot, and should be able to contain the Jets offense with that tough defense of theirs. Also, while the Steelers offense might not be as explosive as it was a couple of seasons ago, they should be able to stretch the Gang Green defense just enough to score enough points and secure a win here, even on the road. This game is too important for the Steelers to drop it, although you never know. There are upsets and teams that serve as spoilers, so we shall see. My pick: Pittsburgh
New Orleans at Tennessee – Another big game between two serious playoff contenders. The Saints are already in as NFC South champions, but they still have a shot at home field advantage throughout if they win out, and get a bit of help. Certainly, at least, they have a chance at a playoff bye, at the very least. So they have every incentive to win. Meanwhile, the Titans had been playing very well, but suffered a brutal and demoralizing loss to the Texans last weekend, and it cost them a chance at the AFC South division title. They can still reach the playoffs, but they have shown so much inconsistency, that it is hard to tell which Titans team shows up here. If they best version of themselves does, they can win. But I would not bank on it, especially against the Saints. My pick: New Orleans
Cincinnati at Miami – This is the fans putting paper bags over their head and wondering why they are here game. The Bengals have a 1-13 record, while the Dolphins sport a 3-11 record. Both pretty bad. But the Dolphins have home field advantage, and have played tough, almost beating the Jets a couple of weeks ago, denied victory after a controversial call right at the end of the game. Maybe the Bengals can win one more game before this year is up, and give their fans an early Christmas gift. But they have been so bad, that it is hard to imagine them doing that, especially on the road. If they can do it, though, Miami would be as good a bet as you can get. Hard to tell, but I will go with the home team. My pick: Miami
Jacksonville at Atlanta – A game with no playoff relevance whatsoever. Neither of these two teams are going. But for what it is worth, the Falcons are the most talented of these two teams. They have been playing very well as the season grew later and later, even if it seems like a case of too little, too late. Plus, they have home field advantage, which can often be considerable for the Falcons. This should be a win for the home team. My pick: Atlanta
Baltimore at Cleveland – The Ravens are red hot, and the Browns are not. True, Cleveland has recovered from a horrific start, and true, they actually, almost inexplicably beat the Ravens in Baltimore earlier this year. But that was a very different Ravens team. If the Ravens win this one, they clinch home field advantage throughout the playoffs outright, so they clearly have incentive. Also, they just have the better team. They have the defense, and they have an explosive offense, especially that running game that produces 200 yards per game. And they have just a ton of momentum, which should help them get past the Browns here. My pick: Baltimore
Carolina at Indianapolis – Another game with nothing major at stake for either teams, at least not in terms of playoff hopes or positioning. Both of these teams were serious contenders to reach the playoffs during the mid-season point, but they both suffered massive collapses and are both suffering major losing streaks. Interesting to see who might pull out of their slump at the expense of the other. Since both teams have played poorly, it is hard to tell which one will rise for this occasion. But since I have to make a guess, it will be with the Colts. My pick: Indianapolis
Oakland at L.A. Chargers – Neither of these two teams will be anywhere near the playoffs in a couple of weeks, either. The Raiders were in the hunt until recently, but then suffered an untimely collapse that saw them lose their last four. They may or may not be the better team here, but the Chargers are still a decent team that inexplicably keeps losing games in strange ways. Plus, they can pull it all together and win some games when they are really determined, and that is especially true when they play at home. That is why they are the team that I predict to come out on top here. My pick: L.A. Chargers
Detroit at Denver – Still another game with nothing major on the line for either team. The Broncos just lost to KC last weekend and were officially eliminated from the playoffs, while it feels like for the Lions, their last win came approximately at the end of the Roman Empire. That is an exaggeration, but this massive losing streak has been kind of all too predictable for Detroit. Sooner or later they will snap out of it, and it might just be today, with this game. But they have just played so poorly, that it would feel foolish to bank on that. My pick: Denver
Dallas at Philadelphia – Wow! Such a huge game, eh? This will decide who gets the division title, and who gets their season cut short earlier than wanted and expected. The Cowboys have been inconsistent all season, but then again, so have the Eagles. But this game is in Philly, and they want to get revenge from that loss earlier this season. I cannot shake the fact that they were Super Bowl champions just two short years ago, and always seem to expect them to revert back to that, even though they have shown too few signs of being able to do that. But whether or not they are that good, my guess is that they get past the ‘Boys in this one, albeit perhaps just barely. The home field should prove helpful to them. My pick: Philadelphia
Arizona at Seattle – The Seahawks can still win not only the NFC West, but home field advantage throughout, if they win out, and get a little bit of help. But that requires them to do what they have been doing very well so far this season, and to keep winning. They simply cannot afford to lose this game, because even though they would still have a chance to take the division title, they would likely have to play in the Wild Card round anyway with a loss here. Arizona has payed inconsistently but has shown glimpses at times, and could be a threat to play spoiler. However, the Seahawks really are the better team, and enjoy a considerable home field advantage, which is why they are my choice to win this game. My pick: Seattle
Sunday Night Football - Kansas City at Chicago – The Bears are now out of the playoff picture, even though they had a nice recovery from a poor start to the season in order to make a run. They host the Chiefs, a team definitely headed to the postseason as the AFC West champions. The Chiefs still have incredible potential on that offense, even if it has not always lit up the scoreboards this season, like they managed to do last season. But the Chiefs are still 10-4, and could still finish with an elite 12-4 record. They still have an outside shot at the number two seed, if they win out, and the Pats lose next weekend, although they also could slip all the way down to the fourth seed if they lose one of their remaining games, and the Texans win next weekend. But the Chiefs defense has been stepping up in a big way later on in the season, and KC's offense is very tough. The Bears defense is tough, too, obviously. But I like the Chiefs with the road win for this game. My pick: Kansas City
Monday Night Football – Green Bay at Minnesota – This is likely going to decide the division title. And the Packers are ahead in the standings right now, heading into this game. But the Pack has historically often had difficulty winning in Minnesota, and that might be especially true this season, because the Vikings are the only team in the league remaining with an undefeated home record. Can the Packers get past that, and beat them? Well, perhaps. But the defense has not been looking as solid as they did earlier this season, and the offense, while still dangerous, is not as explosive as we have been used to them being in recent seasons. Meanwhile, the Vikings defense is very stellar, and their running game is one of the strongest in the league. This will be a very tough test for the Pack, and I suspect it will prove to be a little too tough for them. Look for the Vikings to pull this one off. My pick: Minnesota
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