Once again, more good games on the schedule this week. Last week, many teams stumbled and they continue to make the standings into a WTF scenario. Here are your current standings:
NFC
1. New Orleans 10-0 (NFC South Leader)
2. Minnesota 9-1 (NFC North Leader)
3. Dallas 7-3 (NFC East Leader)
4. Arizona 7-3 (NFC West Leader)
5. Philadelphia 6-4
6. Green Bay 6-4
_________________________
7. New York 6-4
8. Atlanta 5-5
9. San Francisco 4-6
10. Carolina 4-6
11. Chicago 4-6
AFC
1. Indianapolis 10-0 (AFC South Leader)
2. Cincinnati 7-3 (AFC North Leader)
3. San Diego 7-3 (AFC West Leader)
4. New England 7-3 (AFC East Leader)
5. Jacksonville 6-4
6. Pittsburgh 6-4
________________________
7. Denver 6-4
8. Baltimore 5-5
9. Houston 5-5
10. Miami 5-5
So, without further ado, here's what I think of this week's games.
FIVE STAR GAMES
New England (7-3) at New Orleans (10-0) 7:30 Monday ESPN
There's only one game that has a giant impact in week 12 and this is it. Football fans have been looking forward to this matchup since the Saints improved to 6-0 a month ago. The bottom line is that the Saints don't have an opponent the caliber of the Patriots left on their schedule. A win for the Saints would greatly improve their chances of going 16-0. However, even if they do win, it's not going to happen. The Saints are really starting to get banged up in the secondary. They signed Chris McAllister and Mike McKenzie to help cover a couple of injuries, most notably the knee injury to CB Tracy Porter. A suspect secondary is not what you want when the Patriots are coming to town. Mix in the fact that DT Sedrick Ellis missed last week vs. Tampa Bay and the Saints defense could be in trouble. Remember, that if Bill Belicheck didn't go for that 4th and 2 a couple weeks ago, we may have been looking at the 8-2 New England Patriots, and all Viking fans better bust out their Randy Moss throwbacks for this one because if the Vikings can beat the Bears and the Patriots can beat the Saints, the Vikings are in the drivers seat for home field advantage in the NFC.
PREDICTION: Patriots
FOUR STAR GAMES
New York Giants (6-4) at Denver (6-4) 7:20 Thursday NFL Network
Both teams need a win again. Denver started 6-0 and once everyone jumped on their bandwagon, the wheels came flying off due to the weight. The Denver defense was dominating in their first 6 games, but has really gone by the wayside since then. In the other corner, the Giants are winners of one of their last 5 games, as they broke a 4 game losing streak last week vs. Atlanta. The Giants seem like they may be starting to band together, but I think that last week they just beat another team that they're better than. The Giants so far have beaten Washington, Dallas, Tampa Bay, Kansas City, Oakland and Atlanta (Combined record 22-38). The Giants have lost to New Orleans, Philadelphia, Arizona, and San Diego (30-10). The question is are the Giants better than the Broncos? I think both teams are evenly matched and this will be the one game to watch on Turkey Day.
PREDICTION: Giants
Pittsburgh (6-4) at Baltimore (5-5) 7:20 NBC
For the second straight week, NBC is going to carry a "Oh @#$%!" Bowl. The Steelers don't seem as fearsome without Troy Polamalu and you have to ask yourself whether or not Polamalu will make a valuable contribution the rest of the season with that sprained knee. Pittsburgh is also hurting at QB as Ben Roethlisberger suffered his fourth concussion since 2006 (the first one coming in the motorcycle crash following the Super Bowl), but will still play Sunday. In the other side, Baltimore is looking to climb back into the AFC playoff picture. They've had a difficult schedule and a couple injuries of their own (Terrell Suggs). The Ravens will truly face an elimination game in this contest and if they can't beat the Steelers (who have won the past 6 matchups between the two teams), they'll be on life support.
PREDICTION: Ravens
THREE STAR GAMES
Indianapolis (10-0) at Houston (5-5) 12:00 CBS
Houston squandered a golden opportunity when they fell to the Titans last Monday night. The Texans have never been to the playoffs, and in order for them to get to that goal, they'll need to beat the Colts. The Texans actually played well last time these two teams met at Lucas Oil Field (a building in which they've never won). Actually, if it wasn't for Kris Brown missing that field goal, the Texans would have forced OT and maybe would have won the game. (Brown also missed a GW Monday, so the Texans could be 7-3 right now) Bottom line is that the Texans are finding ways to lose, and if they don't start finding ways to win soon, they might not only be looking at missing the playoffs, but they may be looking at a new head coach in 2010.
PREDICTION: Colts
Arizona (7-3) at Tennessee (4-6) 3:15 FOX
Arizona is in that 2nd tier of good teams in the NFL right now as they sit in 4th in the NFC. However, the Titans may be the hottest team in football right now. Remember, the Titans started 0-6 under Kerry Collins, then coach Jeff Fischer put on a Peyton Manning jersey saying that it "makes me feel like a winner." At the same time, owner Bud McAdams told Fischer to start Vince Young, who was the third overall pick in the 2006 NFL Draft. Since then, Young has done a masterful job of managing the game and the Titans are 4-0. The defense has also helped Young out, but they'll have a tough task in stopping the pass happy Cardinals.
PREDICTION: Titans
TWO STAR GAMES
Green Bay (6-4) at Detroit (2-8) 11:30 FOX Thursday
Actually, this game may wind up better than we think. I mean, look at last week's Browns/Lions game. I barely stopped myself short of saying that this game is evenly matched because of Aaron Rodgers (Who apparently has called himself "the most talked about person in the NFL to hotel employees in a recent trip to Minneapolis). The injuries of Al Harris and Aaron Kampman will hurt, but they won't this week as the Lions are going to be without Matthew Stafford and Calvin Johnson, who both probably would have played if this was a Sunday game.
PREDICTION: Packers
Carolina (4-6) at New York Jets (4-6) 12:00 CBS
The Jets are playing so bad that their own coach is crying about it. The Panthers refuse to run the ball and Jake Delhomme is continuing to show the front office why they should draft a quarterback in the first round next year. Both teams need a win, but this game could turn into the interception bowl.
PREDICTION: Jets
Chicago (4-6) at Minnesota (9-1) 3:15 FOX
This game should be the funeral for the Chicago Bears. If you like to see someone beaten within a bloody pulp, this is your game. Jay Cutler will either throw 10 interceptions or get sacked 10 times. My money is on both. However, this is a two star game simply for the importance for the Vikings. If the Vikings get a win, it puts the pressure on New Orleans for Monday night.
PREDICTION: Vikings
ONE STAR GAMES
Oakland (3-7) at Dallas (7-3) 3:15 Thursday FOX
This is a head scratcher. Why would you put a consistently bad team on national TV. Maybe they expect everyone to be in their post turkey coma by the time this game is on? Anyways, the Raiders did get a win last week against the Bengals and Dallas barely escaped the high octane Redskins offense. Witten is hurt, Romo is starting to go into his late season swoon. It's anyone's guess how this game will turn out.
PREDICTION: Raiders
Tampa Bay (1-9) at Atlanta (5-5) 12:00 FOX
Atlanta needs a win. They're better than Tampa Bay, so they'll get it.
PREDICTION: Falcons
Miami (5-5) at Buffalo (3-7) 12:00 CBS
Just like the Atlanta game, the Dolphins could use a win to get back into the playoff picture. However, the Bills seem a little more motivated than they were under Dick Jauron.
PREDICTION: Bills
Cleveland (1-9) at Cincinnati (7-3) 12:00 CBS
I really hope that Cincy learned about taking teams too lightly last week. The Browns offense showed a pulse last week, but was it a short burst or a smoldering ember?
PREDICTION: Bengals
Washington (3-7) at Philadelphia (6-4) 12:00 FOX
Philly got a much needed win last week, and they'll look to extend their lead in the wild card race Sunday. Washington biffed two field goals as they continue their nightmare season.
PREDICTION: Eagles
Seattle (3-7) at St. Louis (1-9) 12:00 FOX
Seattle got pounded last week. St. Louis has shown signs of life. I smell an upset.
PREDICTION: Rams
Kansas City (3-7) at San Diego (7-3) 3:15 CBS
I thought that the Chiefs might have had a chance the last time these two teams met. I don't feel the same way this time around.
PREDICTION: Chargers
Jacksonville (6-4) at San Francisco (4-6) 3:15 FOX
Like I said before, the Jaguars beat teams that they are better than, and they are better than San Francisco. (NOTE: SF started 3-1 without Michael Crabtree. Since they've signed him, they're 1-5.)
PREDICTION: Jaguars
No comments:
Post a Comment