Lets see what we have in store for this week
Vikings vs. Ravens
The Vikings season is basically going nowhere as they are on the verge of mathematical elimination. The Ravens would be in the playoffs today (albeit barely) but do not look poised for a repeat. Unlike the last two times with borderline playoff hopes that the Vikings played (Chicago & Green Bay), the Ravens seem to be playing like they have something to play for. They hold on to the #6 seed for at least another week.
Ravens 21 Vikings 10
Colts vs. Bengals
A battle of two likely playoff that have played well but don't seem like they are super bowl contender good. The winner of this game gets to move into the #3 seed in the AFC. Even though the Colts have a decent record over their last five (3-2), their three wins (two against Titans one against Texans) were against bad teams but not convincing. In addition, their two losses have been quite ugly (Rams & Cardinals) two teams that the Bengals are better than.
Bengals 38 Colts 14
Browns vs. Patriots
A tale of one team not good enough to win + incentive to lose so they can get a high draft pick so they never have to start Brandon Weeden again versus a Patriots team looking to get a stronger grip on the 2 seed and clinch the AFC East title and/or Playoff spot.
Patriots 42 Browns 21
Raiders vs. Jets
This feels like one of those games that is likely to be so bad/uninteresting that not even Red Zone is likely to give it much attention. Unless your a die hard fan of either team or interested in which team will be the 11th best in the AFC (currently Jets are 11th and Raiders are 12th) or you like bad quarterbacks, this game isn't for you.
Raiders 21 Jets 10
Lions vs. Eagles
Pretty interesting NFC battle. In one corner a Lions team that at times has played down to their competition but is coming off a dominating gift-wrapped win over the Packers. The Eagles, despite their recent strong play and Nick Foles playing like crazy are fighting to get into the playoff picture (currently they are the first team out). Just because the Lions can score 41 points against a Dom Capers defense doesn't shoe them in for a victory over a team that's playing like they actually care. I think Nick Foles is in for a monster game on Sunday.
Eagles 42 Lions 31
Dolphins vs. Steelers
A battle of two mediocre teams who still have playoff hopes. While neither team has been very likable this year, Mike Tomlin's stepping on the field (as bad as it may be) is at least not as bad as what Richie Incognito is accused of doing. I think the Steelers get the win and get a little closer to being inside the playoff picture.
Steelers 27 Dolphins 20
Bills vs. Buccaneers
Another clunker came. This one between the 14th best team in each conference. The Bills while going nowhere have a coach Doug Marrone that people are okay with (for now) and has mainly gotten a pass in his first year due to injuries. The Buccaneers have Greg Schiano who despite a few recent wins is about 4 games away from his tenure in Tampa.
Bills 27 Buccaneers 17
Chiefs vs. Redskins
The Chiefs won their first nine games against primarily inferior competition, lost their last three games (two to Denver one to San Diego) and are now back to the cream puffs as they play a Washington team that is already mathematically eliminated and going nowhere fast.
Chiefs 21 Redskins 7
Falcons vs. Packers
This looked like a marquee match up when the season started but isn't so much anymore. The Falcons have been consistently disappointing while the Packers have yet to prove they can win a game without Aaron Rodgers.
Matt Flynn (and the Packers play) was so bad that I received text messages being compelled to turn off the game to ensure that I didn't have a heart attack. One of these text messages, one of my friends was even telling Heather to turn off the tv. Thankfully, i've become numb to the losing and I was merely disappointed that things were going bad even acknowledging that I was okay with the Lions running up the score if it would lead to the Packers getting a new defensive coordinator next year. With games like this, i'm usually telling Zeplen that the Packers are not usually that bad.
The Falcons got a gift-wrapped win over the Bills due to wide receivers that can't hold on to the ball. They get another gift wrapped win on Sunday to a team that that's just downright bad.
Falcons 42 Packers 24
Titans vs. Broncos
The Titans may be 5-7 but are still very alive for the last playoff spot and could get back with a win Dolphins & Ravens losses. I hate to burst the Titans bubble but there is no way Ryan Fitzpatrick (who by the way went to Harvard in case no one ever said anything) is beating Peyton Manning.
Broncos 49 Titans 24
Rams vs. Cardinals
The Cardinals have been playing better lately as Carson Palmer has improved as the season has gone on. Currently, the Cardinals are on the outside of the playoff picture and need to win this game to keep the pressure on the 49ers who hold the last playoff spot. I don't see the Rams putting up much resistance in this one.
Cardinals 31 Rams 7
Giants vs. Chargers
A battle of under achieving 5-7 teams. There was a time where it looked like 5-7 would be enough to compete for the NFC East title but the Cowboys and Eagles have played well enough to prevent that from happening. The Chargers , despite being in the same division as the Chiefs and Broncos are very much in the hunt for the last playoff spot and could still grab the spot if they win out.
Chargers 38 Giants 30
Seahawks vs. 49ers
The Seahawks are coming off a home dismantling on the Saints and are the first team in the NFL to clinch a playoff berth. The 49ers are fighting just to get to the playoffs and are probably still fuming over the Sunday night dismantling they received earlier this year. This is probably the best game of the week and I think the 49ers fight tooth and nail and get rewarded with a victory.
49ers 27 Seahawks 20
Panthers vs. Saints
We got ourselves a very good Sunday night match up. At stake here is 1st place in the NFC South and the #2 seed in the NFC. The Panthers led by Cam Newton and Riverboat Ron have won eight games in a row and have passed all tests so far. The Saints did not hold up their end in making last week's Monday night match up a good one. However, the Saints are a much better team at home than they are when the opposition is breaking records for decibels.
Saints 35 Panthers 31
Cowboys vs. Bears
For the Cowboys, they need to win this game to prevent the Eagles from taking their playoff spot. For the Bears, they need this to to keep up with the Lions. While flawed, the Cowboys have been playing well enough to win lately and are the one team in this match up that does not seem to be on the verge of free fall mode.
Cowboys 38 Bears 17
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