I ran my record to 11-4 last week, bringing my overall to 117-75. Divisions are on the verge of being clinched and they playoff picture is changing from being a muddled mess to a developing Polaroid. Let’s see where this week takes us, shall we?
IND vs. TEN
As badly as the Colts have been playing in recent weeks, this should be the game that gets them back on track. I know the Colts have a bad rush defense, but I don’t think that Chris Johnson having a good day, will overcome the shortfalls involved with having an old Kerry Collins as your quarterback. Colts win.
CLE vs. BUF
This could end up being a good game, if Buffalo can look like the team from two weeks ago instead of the team from a week ago. Regardless of which team shows up, the Bills terrible run defense will not be able to contain Peyton Hillis, who should get more hype for MVP in my opinion. The Browns win.
NYG vs. MIN
If Brett Favre wasn’t broken by the Bills defense last week, this Giants defense might do him in. However, Eli Manning has seems to forget how to play the game of football when he comes against the Vikings. Ever since he became the starter for the Giants, he has suffered bad game after bad game against the Vikings. Interim Head Coach Leslie Frazier knows how to get into Manning’s head. This is way I am picking the Vikings to win.
CIN vs. PIT
Cincinnati blew it again last week and they can’t wait for this train-wreck of a season to end. This week is not going to give them a break as they travel to Pittsburgh, where a big-time beating awaits them.
TB vs. WAS
Many media outlets I see are being too hard on the Buccaneers in my opinion. While they have yet to beat a team with a winning record, that is just part of the growing process that the Buccaneers are going through. The fact that should be more damning is the fact that the Buccaneers have lost four starters in the past two weeks for the season to injuries. With those injuries and recent changes in the offensive line’s starting lineup, I don’t think they’re going to be able to keep up in the division or the wild card. Even with as poorly as the Redskins have been playing the past few weeks, I think they’ll be able to beat the Buccaneers with the Bucs current starting lineup.
ATL vs. CAR
Well, at least Jimmy Clausen seems to be improving as the season goes on. Sadly, player improvement seems to be all that the Panthers will be able to take away from this season. Atlanta wins this game.
GB vs. DET
For all the injuries and issues that have plagued Detroit quarterbacks this season, Detroit has played very well and can go forward knowing they have good supporting cast for Matthew Stafford. However with Drew Stanton getting the start in this game, I’m not to terribly optimistic that they’ll be able to pull out the win. Green Bay wins.
OAK vs. JAC
Apparently all Oakland needed to gets themselves back on track was to face the Chargers. Who knew? The Jaguars aren’t known as the stoutest of defensive teams, but they have found ways to win and are currently in first place in the AFC South. Regardless of how they are doing it, the fact is that have found a way to get on a roll and I expect them to continue that roll against Oakland.
STL vs. NO
Regardless of how well St. Louis has been playing in these recent weeks, I don’t think they’re going to be able to compete with the strong New Orleans team. I mostly base this on the matchup between the veteran New Orleans receiving corp. and the very young and inconsistent St. Louis secondary. I just don’t think that matchup favors St. Louis.
SEA vs. SF
Ah, the NFC west. Normally, it’s pretty easy to figure out games involving teams from this division. They play a team from another division, they generally lose. When they play each other however, it’s anyone’s guess. I’m going with Seattle in this game, based almost solely on the fact that Frank Gore is on IR.
NE vs. CHI *Game of the Week*
This almost seems unfair given how good the Patriots looked on Monday night. However, the Bears defense has been very good at stopping opponents and knows how to cause turnovers. I don’t think that’ll be enough to beat the Patriots, especially since Devin McCourty decided to become a ballhawk in the last few games. Pats win, but this will still be the best game this week.
DEN vs. ARI
Denver finally did something right by firing Josh McDaniels. Now they can try and find someone who is going to actually work with and develop the Broncos young talent as opposed to fighting them and frightening them into following him as a coach. Now they get to play the listless Arizona Cardinals. Not a bad way to start over. The Broncos should win.
KC vs. SD
One only needs to look at how the Raiders gutted the Chargers run defense to show how this game is going to go. The Chiefs should win and cement themselves as the best in the West.
MIA vs. NYJ
An angry Jets team coming to facing a Dolphins team that is still reeling after a close loss to Cleveland? I doubt that spells good news for the Fins. The Jets win.
PHI vs. DAL
This will be the real test for Jason Garrett. As well as he has gotten the Cowboys playing since taking over as Head Coach, I’m not sure that defense is quite ready to take on the Michael Vick lead Eagles offense. I’m giving to the Eagles for the time being but there could be an upset in the works.
BAL vs. HOU
Houston has suffered a major backslide since the DeMeco Ryans injury. It’s pretty clear that they’re going to need to continue to address their defensive issues in the offseason, since that is what has lead them back to the land of mediocrity. Needless to say, I don’t think they have much of a chance in this game. Baltimore wins.
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