I went 6-10 last week, bringing my overall to 140-100. I think I just heard my credibility being tossed out a window. I don’t expect to do much better this week, but here we go none the less.
MIA vs. NE
New England has nothing to play for, other than momentum. I doubt we’ll see their offensive starters and key defensive players for more than a half. Miami may not be great, but I think they are better than the New England backups. Miami wins.
BUF vs. NYJ
Pretty much the same situation here. The Jets may feel more inclined to play their starters for the entire game, but I doubt they’re going keep them out there for too long. Momentum is nice, but having a healthy team is nicer. The good thing for the Jets is that they have a deep bench and the Bills are hurting. Jets win, even with their backups.
CIN vs. BAL
Baltimore has plenty to play for. While they’ve already locked up a spot in the playoffs, they are still competing with Pittsburgh for the AFC North division title and a bye week. They’re not going to take it easy on Cincinnati. Baltimore should win, though Marvin Lewis is pretty much coaching for his job. A three game winning streak to end the season would give him a good chance to keep his job another year.
OAK vs. KC
These teams are very similar in approach to the game. Both use the running game to set up the pass and both are very good at running the ball. Both also play very good defense, though the Chiefs have done a better job with what they have. The Chiefs must feel like they have something to play for, even if they can’t improve their playoff seed. They’ve been riding momentum through the entirety of the season and I don’t think they want to lose that momentum now. The Chiefs will go all out and I think they’ll win.
PIT vs. CLE
Pittsburgh is in the same situation as Baltimore. They need this win to lock up a bye week, which they may desperately need to allow Troy Polamalu time to recover from his Achilles’ injury. Cleveland has shown plenty during the course of the season, but I don’t think they’ll be able to hold pace today. Pittsburgh wins.
MIN vs. DET
Detroit has been the most impressive team in the NFL this year…….Stop Laughing! Considering where they were two years ago to have come this far this fast is remarkable. They have been in almost every single game they have played and while they may not have won a lot of those games, they proved that they are ready to become contenders in the NFC North. That being said Minnesota has been playing better of late and I think they may have found at least a stop-gap solution at quarterback with Joe Webb. He hasn’t proven he can be a franchise player, but I think he can hold down the spot for a year or two if they want to wait to see which prospects are available. I’m going to pick Detroit to win though, just on my gut instinct.
TB vs. NO
This could’ve been the best game of the week, if Tampa Bay was relatively healthy. However with so many of their defensive starters hurt, I just don’t think they’ll be able to slow down the Saints offense; especially with New Orleans needing this win to have a chance at getting home field advantage throughout the playoffs. New Orleans wins.
CAR vs. ATL
I feel sorry for John Fox. While he is certainly deserving of losing his job considering the season he has had, it’s just a shame that his team has no chance in his final game. Atlanta needs this win to secure home-field advantage throughout the playoffs and they’re not going to go easy on Carolina. Atlanta wins.
JAC vs. HOU
Jacksonville is going to be without Maurice Jones-Drew and David Garrard in this game. While the Texans have the worst pass defense in the NFL, I think they’ll be able to handle Trent Edwards passing the ball. Texans win.
DAL vs. PHI
The injuries to the Philadelphia defense has left the Eagles an offensively oriented team. That offense has relied on the play of Michael Vick to keep them explosive, but he will not be playing in this game. I doubt most of the other starters will be playing for long either, since the Eagles have little to play for. I think most of the starters will be out by the second quarter. Dallas wins.
CHI vs. GB
This game has ton of implications in the playoffs. Green Bay needs a win to make the playoffs, while the Bears need a win to have a chance at home field advantage. The Bears are flat-out better than the Packers if they don’t pull off the dogs, however they have admitted that they will be watching the scoreboard to see how Atlanta and New Orleans are doing, since they need both of those teams to lose if they want to get home-field advantage. Since I think both Atlanta and New Orleans are going to win, the Bears have no incentive to play their starters for the entire game. The Packers will probably win.
ARI vs. SF
I’ve really got nothing here. Both teams are playing for pride. I’m picking Arizona because they haven’t changed coaches recently.
SD vs. DEN
This is the big test for Tim Tebow, at least for this year. San Diego’s defense is arguably the best defense he is going to face this season. How well he plays in this game determines, at least in my opinion, whether or not he gets a competitor for the starting job next season. He probably will, because I don’t think that Denver will win this game. San Diego will.
NYG vs. WAS
While the Giants are skidding badly, I’m still of the opinion that they shouldn’t have a hard time beating Rex Grossman. They should also be playing hard since they know that they need to win to have a chance at the playoffs. Giants win.
TEN vs. IND
Tennessee actually has a good chance to win this game. By this time, the Colts should know whether Jacksonville won or lost. Since Jacksonville is not likely to win their game against Houston, Indianapolis won’t need to play their starters to get into the playoffs. Given the injuries that have been crippling the Colts offense this past few weeks, I think that they won’t want to risk further injuries if they don’t have to. So I’m calling for the Tennessee upset.
STL vs. SEA *Game of the Week*
You can call this a play-in game all you want, the winner still goes to the playoffs. Both teams are probably going to pull out all the stops, in this fight for a playoff spot. Like I’ve said before, when the NFC West has a division game, I have no clue where to go because logic doesn’t seem to apply to this division. I’m picking the Rams, just because I want an 8-8 team in the playoffs as opposed to the 7-9 Seahawks.
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