So a short story for you loyal readers before I get going. Last weekend, I spent the weekend at my house in Rochester, Minnesota. Yeah, it was great. Spent some time with the family and all of that stuff. The food was great, but then came the problem of Sunday morning. First of all, there was no NFL Network, so my pregame show was not on and had to watch the Fox pregame show with Terry "Yuk Yuk" Bradshaw and Michael "Gappy McGaptooth" Strahan. Then, there's the fact that there was NO SUNDAY TICKET! So in other words, I have been out of the football loop for an entire weekend, and I didn't even work! Hopefully, this will recalibrate my system.
As usual...here are your standings.
NFC
1. New Orleans 11-0 (NFC South Leader)
2. Minnesota 10-1 (NFC North Leader)
3. Dallas 8-3 (NFC East Leader)
4. Arizona 7-4 (NFC West Leader)
5. Philadelphia 7-4
6. Green Bay 7-4
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7. New York Giants 6-5
8. Atlanta 6-5
AFC
1. Indianapolis 11-0 (Clinched AFC South)
2. Cincinnati 8-3 (AFC North Leader)
3. San Diego 8-3 (AFC West Leader)
4. New England 7-4 (AFC East Leader)
5. Denver 7-4
6. Jacksonville 6-5
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7. Baltimore 6-5
8. Pittsburgh 6-5
And your games...
FIVE STAR GAMES
Minnesota (10-1) at Arizona (7-4) 7:30 Sunday NBC
Once again, there's only one really good game this week and this is it. The Vikings come into this game on fire. Brett Favre has been lifting the Vikings (and fantasy teams everywhere) into the upper tier of NFC teams and could give the Vikings a second straight NFC North Championship with a win Sunday and a Packers loss on Monday. Favre will also be looking to bolster his MVP stats as he finally has his second primetime game of the season. For the Cardinals, they're looking to rebound from giving up a 90+ yard drive to Vince Young, who supposedly can't pass. The Cardinals are going to also try and show the world that they can hang with the big boys, something they did last year en route to their first Super Bowl appearance. The wild card in this matchup will be the two injuries. The Vikings are hoping that Antoine Winfield can return from a foot injury and so far, it looks like he'll return after missing 5 games. For the Cardinals, they're hoping Kurt Warner can return from his concussion. I assume that Warner will play, as the Vikings are going to receive a lot of "Mangenius" like tactics from Ken Whisenhunt this week. Also remember that when Adrian Peterson was drafted, he vowed to make the 6 teams who didn't draft him pay. One of those six was Arizona (who took Levi Brown 5th overall).
PREDICTION: Vikings
FOUR STAR GAMES
Philadelphia (7-4) at Atlanta (6-5) 12:00 FOX
Another playoff-like game for the Falcons, and that's not good news. The Falcons lost Matt Ryan to a foot injury and it doesn't look like he'll play this week. They're also going to be without Michael Turner, who came back too soon from a high ankle sprain. While the Falcons are making this playoff push, (and the wheels seem to be coming off) the Falcons have never had back to back winning seasons or playoff appearances. For the Eagles, they'll be without Percy Harvin clone DeSean Jackson, as he received a concussion last Sunday vs. Washington. The final storyline is the return of Michael Vick to Atlanta. I'd go over that, but I'm sure you already know that he's going to be lucky to get out of the Georgia Dome alive if he takes the field.
PREDICTION: Eagles
Tennessee (5-6) at Indianapolis (11-0) 12:00 CBS
Well, it doesn't look that great on paper, but this matchup has evolved into a paper tiger. The Titans are the hottest team in the league right now, and Chris Johnson is looking like Miss Cleo after predicting that the Titans would make the playoffs in Week 4. The Titans are 5-0 under Vince Young, and it looks like Young has finally figured things out unlike his 2006 Quarterback Classmates (Jay Cutler, Matt Leinart, Tarvaris Jackson). Plus, Indy is very pourous against the run since the injury of Bob Sanders. The Colts are the Colts. They spotted Houston 17 points last week and then came back to kick their ass. This will be the game to watch for the early games Sunday, and it will be a shocker.
PREDICTION: Titans
Houston (5-6) at Jacksonville (6-5) 12:00 CBS
The other AFC South matchup isn't as juicy, but it features two teams clinging to their playoff lives. The Texans folded like a tent last Sunday. The Jaguars broke out Mr. Hyde vs. San Francisco. One of these teams have to win, and if the Texans aren't that team, Gary Kubiak will be sent packing.
PREDICTION: Texans
Baltimore (6-5) at Green Bay (7-4) 7:30 Monday ESPN
This game could be very similar to the Vikings/Ravens game in October. The Ravens are fighting for their playoff lives, and the Packers could use the win as well. Charles Woodson is making a strong case for Defensive POY and that could be the difference for a team going up against a struggling quarterback in Joe Flacco.
PREDICTION: Packers
THREE STAR GAMES
New York Jets (5-6) at Buffalo (4-7) 7:20 Thursday NFL Network
Matt Millen and Bob Papas! WHOOO!!! Well, other than that dynamic duo this game doesn't have much to talk about. Mark Sanchez has been doing a Jay Cutler impersonation since his first three games and the Bills have played much better since they fired Dick Jauron. Watch out for Thomas Jones who ran for over 200 yards and 2 TD last time these two teams met.
PREDICTION: Bills
New Orleans (11-0) at Washington (3-8) 12:00 FOX
This could be a trap game for New Orleans. Washington took Dallas and Philadelphia to the limit the past two weeks, and the Saints are coming off a short week. I still don't think it will matter, but this game could be closer than you think.
PREDICTION: Saints
Dallas (8-3) at New York Giants (6-5) 3:15 FOX
Joe Buck and Troy Aikman just peed themselves. The NFC East game of the week is upon us, and really, it's not that good. Eli Manning is dealing with a toe injury, and the Cowboys haven't had a winning December since 1996 (they won the Super Bowl that year).
PREDICTION: Cowboys
TWO STAR GAMES
New England (7-4) at Miami (5-6) 12:00 CBS
Yeah, not that great of a game. Miami got throttled by Buffalo, and the Patriots are a middle of the road team after not showing up to the Superdome on Monday. Hey, Tom Brady, why don't you throw the ball to this Randy Moss guy a couple of times? This Wes Welker guy is kinda overrated. FEEL THE POWER OF THE 3 YARD SLANT!!!
PREDICTION: Patriots
ONE STAR GAMES
Tampa Bay (1-10) at Carolina (4-7) 12:00 FOX
Battling for draft position. Jake Delhomme won't play for Carolina, Matt Moore will start.
PREDICTION: Panthers
St. Louis (1-10) at Chicago (4-7) 12:00 Fox
See above game. Jay Cutler should have a field day against the Rams, but expect 2-3 INTs to go with it.
PREDICTION: Bears
Denver (7-4) at Kansas City (3-8) 12:00 CBS
Beware of Arrowhead Stadium!
PREDICTION: Chiefs
Oakland (3-8) at Pittsburgh (6-5) 12:00 CBS
No immaculate reception will be needed here. Ben Roethlisberger will start by the way.
PREDICTION: Steelers
San Diego (8-3) at Cleveland (1-10) 3:15 CBS
A late game simply so the West Coast can watch this ass kicking.
PREDICTION: Chargers
San Francisco (5-6) at Seattle (3-7) 3:15 CBS
Quick note: The Seahawks GM is planning on resigning. Looks like Mike Holmgren won't have to go far for that front office job.
PREDICTION: 49ers
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