And now for the rest of the NFL...
Dallas Cowboys at New Orleans Saints
This may turn out to be the most important game for the Cowboys this season. I mentioned earlier this week that if they somehow come out of this game victorious, then I wouldn't be surprised to see the Cowboys in the Super Bowl come February. A win over an undefeated Saints team would go a long way towards reestablishing their swagger and reasserting their confidence and belief that they have the most talented team in football. But just ask anyone who has traveled down to New Orleans this season? Go ask Eli Manning or Tom Brady about the energy and the passion of that Saints fan base. Their loyalty and devotion to their respective team is uncanny and certainly boasts one of the more vibrant collection of fans in the entire NFL. And they will be on full tilt for America's team tonight. If the Cowboys have any chance at winning this game, Tony Romo must expose the weaknesses in that Saints secondary. The Saints have allowed 300-yard games from Jason Campbell and Chris Redman over the last two weeks. Tony Romo certainly has a lot more weapons to work with than both Campbell and Redman, which means that the Cowboys will have plenty of opportunities to make big plays down the field. Not only do they need to take advantage of those opportunities, but they also have to score as many touchdowns as they possibly can. WR's Roy Williams and Miles Austin must bring their A-game tonight and go after every ball that Romo throws their way. They must force the Saints secondary to commit penalties in order to save touchdowns. In other words, they must do everything in their power to move the ball down the field without stalling drives through turnovers and penalties. The Cowboys cannot afford to make any mistakes against the Saints because if they do, then Drew Brees will not be merciful. He will dissect the Cowboys secondary by zipping the ball to Marques Colston and Lance Moore constantly. He will find Robert Meachem in the slot and Jeremy Shockey over the middle with such a precise delivery to his throw. Brees will give us a masterpiece, which will be like watching Da Vinci paint the Mona Lisa. The Cowboys defense is not going to stop the Saints offense, especially when the game is in New Orleans. The Saints average over 36 points per game at home this season. They feed off the energy of that crowd and make teams pay for their mistakes. If the Cowboys are going to have success defensively tonight, then their linebackers must make plays in the backfield and they must collapse the pocket as much as possible. They cannot afford to have Brees burn them with the deep throw because it is very rare that he misses down the field. The wild card for the Cowboys will be whether or not Marion Barber, Felix Jones, and Tashard Choice can establish a coherent running attack. In their last two games, they have been held to an average of 59 yards rushing and have not scored any touchdowns. That must change if the Cowboys are going to survive their trip to New Orleans. Their season may very well be on the line in this game. Their backs are against the wall. How will the Cowboys respond? I think they come out guns blazing on Saturday night, but it won't be enough to beat dem Saints. Saints win 33-20.
New England Patriots at Buffalo Bills
This is not going to be an easy game for the Patriots on Sunday. They are facing a Bills team that almost defeated them in the beginning of the season. And even though they are playing for pride right now, the Bills are going to do everything in their power to ruin the Patriots' season. It's also a matchup between two of the best receivers in the game, both of whom have had their fair share of problems lately. Terrell Owens is coming off a disappointing season with the Bills. I'm sure that when he signed with Buffalo, he envisioned himself to be the savior of the organization and the guy largely responsible for getting the Bills back to the playoffs. Yet inconsistent quarterback play, combined with injuries on both sides of the ball, have hurt the Bills tremendously this season. Teams were able to double cover T.O. without worrying about the other weapons on offense. As a result, the Bills were never really able to establish any momentum throughout the season and fell victim to better teams within their division and their conference. On the other side of the field, you have Randy Moss. Moss has silently been the key ingredient for the Patriots' offensive success all season. However, if he feels disrespected or hurt in any way, then the Patriots suffer offensively because defenses can simply put a corner on Moss and then focus more attention on Wes Welker, Laurence Maroney, and Kevin Faulk. Moss did not have his best game last week and was accused of mailing it in during the first half of the game against Carolina. I expect a big game out of Moss this week as Brady will look to reestablish him as a deep threat. I also expect Wes Welker to have a monster game in the slot, which is nothing too surprising considering the wonderful season he's having. I expect the Patriots to curtail Fred Jackson and Marshawn Lynch at the line of scrimmage, which means the Bills will be looking to throw to Owens more along the sidelines. And as long as Owens doesn't drop the ball, then I think he will dominate the Patriots secondary with slant routes and fade patterns all over the field. If the Patriots force interceptions from QB Ryan Fitzpatrick, then the Bills will have no shot at winning this game. And I think that is exactly what's going to happen. Patriots win 23-10.
Arizona Cardinals at Detroit Lions
These are two teams coming off possibly their worst losses of the regular season. The Cardinals turned the ball over seven times against the 49ers last week and were unable to stop Frank Gore from inflicting damage at the line of scrimmage. The Lions were absolutely manhandled by the Baltimore Ravens last weekend. They were outplayed and outcoached in all phases of the game, looking as if they just desperately want this season to end. And to think that the Ravens only led 3-0 going into the 2nd quarter of that football game. There was no heart on the field for the Lions last Sunday, no desire to play or will to win. Expect more of the same against a Cardinals team angered by how poorly they played last week and just aching to exact their vengeance on a lackluster Lions team. Look for Kurt Warner to have one of those monster games offensively. Look for Larry Fitzgerald to take over the game by refusing to get tackled and gaining tremendous yards after the catch. And look for the Cardinals defense to just absolutely destroy the Lions' offensive line, forcing Daunte Culpepper to react indecisively from the pocket and throw some errant passes to his receivers. If the Lions have any shot of dignity remaining, they will work hard to give their fans an early Christmas present with an upset victory over the Cardinals. But with so many injuries on the offensive side of the ball, the Lions are willing to call it a season and give new meaning to the old addage "better luck next season". Cardinals win 34-10.
Miami Dolphins at Tennessee Titans
This game has major implications on the 2nd wild card spot in the AFC. With the Jaguars losing on Thursday night, both the Dolphins and the Titans find themselves in a must-win situation and are on the precipice of locating playoff glory. Both teams have valiant running attacks and will look to pound the ball at the line of scrimmage. Chris Johnson is on pace to break Eric Dickerson's single-season rushing record if he runs for over 125 yards in each of the remaining three games. The Dolphins are going to have a very difficult time containing him and will rely on Ricky Williams to match Johnson stride for stride. The key to victory for both teams will be if their passing games can establish enough potency through the air to make the defense concentrate less on the running attack. Vince Young suffered a hamstring injury last Sunday against the Rams. His status is questionable but I think he will play against the Dolphins. In order for the Titans to work their magic on Sunday, their offensive line will need to protect their quarterback. They cannot allow the Dolphins pass rush to lay a finger on Young because if Young re-aggravates the hamstring injury, it will take away the aerial attack and allow the Dolphins to devote all their time to stopping the run. The Titans are going to need big plays from their receivers if they are going to win this game. And the same thing applies to the Dolphins, with Chad Henne looking to find Ted Ginn Jr. all over the field on Sunday. I think the Titans will do a great job at limiting Henne's production through the air, which will prove to be the difference in this ball game. Young will be able to make comfortable decisions in the pocket and deliver the ball swiftly to his receivers while under pressure. Henne will be forced to evade the Titans' pass rush frequently on Sunday, which will oftentimes lead to a sack and some crucial turnovers. The Titans will use the home crowd to their advantage and allow for Johnson to roam freely all day long. Titans win 27-19.
Cleveland Browns at Kansas City Chiefs
The Browns are coming off their biggest win of the season against the Pittsburgh Steelers. They will be looking to build on that this weekend with a victory over the Chiefs. These are two teams going nowhere fast. However, both are looking to finish the season on high notes so that they have something to build on for next season. The Chiefs have played extremely poor football ever since their overtime win over the Steelers. They have pretty much lost any kind of home-field advantage they may have had and are one of the most erratic teams in the NFL right now. QB Matt Cassel may have received tons of money to come play quarterback for this team. Yet their shoddy offensive line has failed to protect him all season long, which has led to a mishandling of ball security and has devolved Cassel into a turnover machine. They traded away their most talented running back in Larry Johnson because he was disgruntled. You would be too if you were playing for a team that doesn't hand you the ball and can't win any games. The Chiefs are frustrated; they are angry and they are embarrassed by the way they have played this season. A loss to the Cleveland Browns on Sunday would send shock waves throughout the organization and cause widespread panic to feed their growing turmoil. The Browns made their season last week when they beat the Steelers at home. It will be interesting to see if they come out with the same kind of energy this week against the Chiefs. I think Brady Quinn will have a fine day throwing the ball, as will Matt Cassel for the Chiefs. In the end, the Browns will force a late turnover, which will cost the Chiefs the game and send them into football oblivion. Browns win 27-24.
Houston Texans at St. Louis Rams
Believe it or not, the Texans are hanging by a thread in this playoff race. They are barely alive going into this game against the Rams, living on a prayer that each team in front of them will fall apart in the final three games. And even though the Texans are playing the lowly Rams this weekend, one must always wonder which team will emerge on Sunday. The Texans showed up in a big way last week with Matt Schaub throwing for over 300 yards in the first half against the Seahawks. Andre Johnson finished the game with 11 catches for 193 yards. However, 10 of those catches came in the first half as the Texans showed how explosive they can be. Their problem all season has been developing consistency with their offensive prowess, which has translated into many heart-breaking losses. Look for the Texans to have another big offensive day on Sunday as it seems like the Rams are building towards next season. The lone bright spot for the Rams will be Steven Jackson as always. But that won't be enough to spar with the Texans' passing game. QB Keith Null has 5 interceptions last week against the Titans. The fact that Keith Null is starting at quarterback for the Rams is evidence enough that they have given up on this season. Even if the Texans come out flat on Sunday, I still think they will find a way to defeat the Rams simply because they have a greater desire to win games right now. Texans win 38-13.
Atlanta Falcons at New York Jets
In order for the Jets to make the playoffs this season, they need to win the rest of their games and pray for the Dolphins and the Ravens to lose. This week's game against the Falcons is a game the Jets should control from start to finish. With a blizzard coming into the New York area, do not expect either offense to throw the ball a whole lot on Sunday. Matt Ryan and Michael Turner are listed as questionable on the injury report and will be game-time decisions on Sunday. The only way I see the Falcons winning this game is if either one or both of them plays and it doesn't look like the Falcons are going to take any chances with them. The Falcons sit at 6-7 and are pretty much out of the playoff race in the NFC. It would be a foolish risk to start Matt Ryan and Michael Turner at this point in the season. As a result, look for Chris Redman and Jason Snelling to grab starting duties yet again. Should that happen, the Jets should have no problem at stifling the running game simply because they have the best run defense in the NFL. The Falcons' game plan will be centered around Snelling all day long. Head Coach Mike Smith will limit Redman's passing attempts because of the poor weather conditions, which means we will probably be seeing a good amount of smash mouth power football in this game. The Jets boast the better running attack in Thomas Jones and Shonn Greene. They will use that to their advantage on Sunday and will make sure that Mark Sanchez won't have to win the game for them. I expect the Jets' offensive line to dominate the Falcons at the line of scrimmage, allowing Thomas Jones to easily find his running lanes and pound the football for some extra yards upon first contact. I wouldn't be surprised if this game turned out to be a battle of field goals on Sunday simply because it will be very difficult to maintain control of the football in such porous conditions. This implies that there will be a good number of turnovers in this game, which will prevent both offenses from reaching the end zone frequently throughout the day. I expect the Jets to control the pace of the game and to send the Falcons home with a season-ending loss. Jets win 19-9.
Oakland Raiders at Denver Broncos
The Denver Broncos did everything they could to upset the Colts last week except stop Peyton Manning. Brandon Marshall had the game of his life with 21 catches for 200 yards and 2 touchdowns, proving why he is one of the best wide receivers in the game. And in spite of their loss to the Colts last week, the Broncos still find themselves in good position to win one of the wild card spots at the end of the season. They return home this week to play their rival in the Oakland Raiders, a team that was playing inspired football with Bruce Gradkowski at quarterback. Unfortunately for them, Gradkowski suffered a knee injury in last week's loss to the Redskins. As a result, the Raiders will be starting Charlie Frye at quarterback over JaMarcus Russell. When Russell came in off the bench last week, the Raiders went back to looking like a shoddy and deplorable offensive unit. Russell promptly turned the ball over in crucial situations and constantly made terrible throws that missed his receivers. The Raiders are a team that is devoted to winning football games. They will clearly have to explore other options at quarterback during the offseason. I don't expect Frye to have a tremendous impact on the Raiders' offensive production in this game. In fact, I don't think the Raiders even sniff the end zone in this game. The Broncos will come out motivated to play against their division rival. They will be fired up on the defensive side of the ball and looking to make a statement early against a depleted Raiders offense. Look for Elvis Dumervil to cause havoc in the pocket with a couple sacks of Charlie Frye. His pressure will cause Frye to throw the ball away more times than he wants to and will most likely result in a few interceptions. Look for the Broncos to run the ball thoroughly with Knowshon Moreno and Correll Buckhalter. Also look for Marshall to continue having great success against that Raiders secondary. Broncos win 30-9.
Cincinnati Bengals at San Diego Chargers
This is going to sound somewhat harsh, but I didn't think the Bengals had a chance in this game until Chris Henry died. I think that changes the emotional outlook of the game significantly and will give the Bengals plenty of incentive to go out and play hard against a good Chargers team. The Bengals are still in mourning over the death of Chris Henry. Chad Ochocinco has vowed to wear #15 on Sunday as a tribute to his fallen teammate, which I think is a very noble and decent gesture on behalf of Ochocinco. Even though people will say the death of Henry will deprive the Bengals of their focus in this game, I like to think that the death of Henry will have the opposite effect on this team. When defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer's wife died earlier in the season, the Bengals showed up and played their best defensive game of the season as a tribute and a sign of respect. I think we're going to see a similar performance from the Bengals offense on Sunday against the Chargers. Chad Ochocinco will be riding high on the wings of an angel and will have the game of his life against the Chargers. Cedric Benson will run the ball aggressively at the line of scrimmage and shed some tackles to break free for long gains. And Carson Palmer will open up the passing game extensively, returning back to the early days when he would pass for over 300 yards on a regular basis. The Bengals will come out and play inspired football on Sunday. But I think the Chargers will match their intensity stride for stride. Let's not forget that the Chargers have won 7 consecutive games, with some even calling them the team to beat in the AFC. Philip Rivers is having one of the best seasons of his career and LaDainian Tomlinson is running the ball better than ever. This is a game that will not be about any supposed fight between Chad Ochocinco and Shawne Merriman. This is a game that will feature a lot of emotion and a lot of intensity. The Bengals will come out fired up and ready to play the game of their lives. Unfortunately, they will suffer a heart-breaking loss when Nate Kaeding nails the game-winning field goal and sends the Chargers to their 8th consecutive win. Chargers win 31-30.
San Francisco 49ers at Philadelphia Eagles
This is going to be a very intense football game on Sunday afternoon. The San Francisco 49ers are coming off their best defensive performance of the season and are still alive in the playoff hunt. They basically need to win out in order to have a chance at making the postseason but even then it looks like the Niners will fall short. The Eagles are coming off their best offensive performance of the season as they absolutely torched the Giants defense with big plays from Donovan McNabb and DeSean Jackson. Expect the Eagles to establish more of their running game in this contest simply because the elements are not in their favor. Look for LeSean McCoy to have a big day running the ball as he will probably get 20-30 carries, which is very uncharacteristic of the Eagles offense. The Niners will look to create the perfect balance with Alex Smith and Frank Gore in the backfield. The only time Smith will air out the ball will be on slant routes to Michael Crabtree or inside curls to Vernon Davis. The Niners' offensive game plan will revolve around the production of Gore, especially with snow in the forecast. They do not want to put this game in the hands of Alex Smith because if the Eagles get enough pressure on him, he will be more prone to making mistakes and will force throws that may very well be intercepted by the opposing defenders. The Eagles can afford to be more pass-happy because they have an elite quarterback helming their offensive game plan. But they will not be as aggressive in terms of their passing game, which will basically center around screen passes to McCoy or short dump-offs to Brent Celek and Jason Avant in the slot. I expect the Eagles to control the pace of the game. They will move the ball gradually down the field and attempt to grind it out against the Niners defense. I think the Niners will attempt to do the same thing with Frank Gore but will only have limited success. This will be a physical football game, one that will be appreciated by the purest of defensive minds. Eagles win 23-13.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Seattle Seahawks
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have done absolutely nothing right in the last few weeks. Their offense remains stagnant because QB Josh Freeman makes too many mistakes with the football. He sits in the pocket way too long and is sometimes forced to scramble for his life because the offensive line is incapable of blocking anybody. Also, the Bucs have had trouble all season long with the development of their running game. Cadillac Williams and Derrick Ward simply haven't gotten the job done in the backfield mostly because of weaknesses on the offensive line. Tampa's defense has not been as efficient nor as tenacious as they have been over the years. Granted they are trying to rebuild and grow younger, which takes a lot of time and development. Yet the fact that their offense cannot pick up a 1st down until the 2nd half of ball games is very disgruntling and frustrating. They travel to Seattle this weekend in a very hostile environment and I think they will struggle once again to put points on the scoreboard. Seattle's defense has been ripped apart by injuries all season long. But I think they will handle the Buccaneers at the line of scrimmage and dictate the productivity of the running backs. The Bucs will fail to unleash any kind of momentum as Freeman will be under pressure consistently throughout the game and will be forced to take sacks and throw the ball away. I think Matt Hasselbeck has a fantastic day throwing the football as he will find T.J. Housmanzadeh early and often. I think the Seahawks will torch the Buccaneers with their passing game as Hasselbeck will find his slot receivers open all day long in the middle of the field. I think the Buccaneers will suffer from offensive penalties, which will prevent them from developing a rhythm and a flow to their game plan. In the end, the Seahawks will prove why the Bucs are one of the worst teams in football and will make enough big plays on offense to send the Bucs home crying. Seahawks win 27-10.
Chicago Bears at Baltimore Ravens
This could be the ugliest game to watch on Sunday, especially if there are snowy conditions. The Bears have had trouble executing on offense all season long. Crybaby Cutler's turnovers have hurt the team immensely over the course of the entire season. It killed them last week against the Green Bay Packers. I expect Cutler to throw a few interceptions against a Ravens defense that will be tenacious and relentless throughout the entire game. They will show no mercy to a Bears offense that has had trouble moving the ball all season long and putting points on the scoreboard. Look for the Ravens to pressure Cutler all day long, forcing him to scramble out of bounds numerous times and take sacks in the pocket. Cutler will try to make plays with his arm, forcing throws to his receivers that he wish he could take back. The Bears will try to establish the run with Matt Forte to no avail. I think he will fumble the ball a few times in this game as the Bears continue to have problems in terms of ball security. I expect Ray Rice to have a terrific game running the football for the Ravens, with Joe Flacco looking to connect with short passes over the middle to his receivers. This will not be an offensive shootout in any way. The Bears and the Ravens will come out relishing the elements and looking to play outstanding defensive football. I think the Bears keep it interesting until late in the 2nd half. But their inability to score points and lack of success with the turnover margin will hurt them in this game. Flacco's stats will not be flashy or outstanding in this game. Yet when it comes time to make a big play over the middle to one of his slot receivers, he will come up big and lead the Ravens to a convincing victory over a lackluster Bears team. Ravens win 26-3.
Green Bay Packers at Pittsburgh Steelers
This is the most fascinating game of Week 15. The Steelers come into this game with a surprising 6-7 record and have lost five games in a row. Their inability to close out games has killed them all season long and as a result, they will most likely miss the playoffs and fail to repeat as Super Bowl champions. To say that this team is disappointed in themselves would be a statement of the obvious. But to say that this team is devoid of spirit and pride would be a terrible lie. The Steelers may have lost their season and deservingly so. When you lose to teams like the Chiefs, Raiders, and Browns, you do not deserve to make the playoffs. With that being said, the Steelers are a team of great pride and dignity, which means they will relish this game against the Packers as an opportunity to prove themselves once more. The Steelers will now treat this game as if it were their Super Bowl. Look for Ben Roethlisberger to have a wonderful game throwing the football as he will establish the aerial threat early with deep connections to Hines Ward and Santonio Holmes. Look for Rashard Mendenhall to pound the ball up the middle against a talented Packers defensive front. The Steelers will return to playing smash mouth football and will use the play action with consistency as part of their offensive game plan. The key to this game will be how the Steelers secondary matches up with Donald Driver and Greg Jennings. It is no secret that the loss of Troy Polamalu has crippled this defense and shattered its season. Can the Steelers secondary be aggressive at the line of scrimmage and take away the rhythm of Driver and Jennings? Can they disrupt the routes along the sidelines and cause havoc over the middle? These will be the questions to answer with this football game. If Aaron Rodgers has time in the pocket, he will find his receivers in the middle of the field and they will break free for long runs toward the end zone. The Steelers have been torched all season long by short cuts to the middle of the field. If they do not put enough pressure on Rodgers, then the Packers will have their way with the Steeler defense and they will have no problem putting points on the scoreboard. But I think the Steelers come out with a great effort on Sunday night. They will get enough pressure on Rodgers to disrupt his throwing motion and cripple his accuracy. They will penetrate the gaps at the line of scrimmage and reach the backfield before Ryan Grant can have room to run. The Steelers will have no problem controlling Ryan Grant in this game. The question will be if they can limit the production of Aaron Rodgers. I don't think this is going to be a defensive struggle where both teams pound the ball for 60 minutes. The Steelers will try to run the ball with Mendenhall a little more than they have been. But they will not abandon the play action with Big Ben and will look for big plays over the middle to their receivers. The Packers have played well-balanced football during their 5-game winning streak. But I think the Steelers are going to want this game a little more because their pride is wounded and they need a victory in the worst way. Are the Steelers really going to lose 6 games in a row? I can't see that happening. Steelers win 27-24.
Minnesota Vikings at Carolina Panthers
The Minnesota Vikings are coming off yet another impressive victory over the Cincinnati Bengals last week. The Carolina Panthers are coming off yet another devastating loss to the New England Patriots. These are two teams headed in different directions. Is the outcome really that predictable? I am surprised that this game was chosen as NBC's Sunday Night Game of the Week. But how can NBC say no to Brett Favre or Adrian Peterson? Look for both to have big games against a Panthers team that has nothing to play for and no real legitimate threats on either side of the ball to challenge the Vikings on Sunday night. I know, you probably think I'm crazy because I'm saying the Panthers have no weapons on either side of the ball. Considering the way that veterans like Steve Smith and Julius Peppers have played this year, the Panthers look like a team anxiously awaiting a regime change in Carolina. Smith has underperformed all year long and has taken a step back in terms of being one of the elite receivers in the NFL. Peppers is getting older by the day and hasn't really been an effective pass rusher for a couple years now. The Panthers have a decent running game with DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart. But what else do they have when their starting quarterback is Matt Moore? How much of a chance can you honestly give them against a team priming itself to win a championship this year? The answer is certainly not much of a chance. Look for Brett Favre to have a big night throwing the football to Sidney Rice and Bernard Berrian. Also look for Percy Harvin to return from his migraines and be effective on special teams all night long. And finally, expect Adrian Peterson to have a terrific performance against a defense ranked 26th in stopping the run. If the Panthers are going to win this game, it will be because Matt Moore was very good at managing the game with DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart. It will also be due in large part to the fact that Moore did not turn the football over nor let drives stall with sacks and incompletions. Don't expect any of that to happen though as the Vikings prove why they have been the better team all season long. Vikings win 33-10.
New York Giants at Washington Redskins
The New York Giants now find themselves in the uncomfortable predicament of having to win every game for the rest of the season. If they slip up once, then they will not make the playoffs. As a result, Monday night's game against the Washington Redskins is the biggest game of the year for the Giants. And it is not going to be easy. The Redskins have been playing solid football for about a month now. If you think about it, they should really be 7-6 and in the playoff hunt right beside the Giants. Unfortunately, their inability to finish games has cost them a lot this season. Reports have been surfacing out of Washington that Mike Shanahan is in negotiations to take over as Redskins head coach next season. I think Jim Zorn knows his time in Washington is up, which means his players don't really have to try hard for him because they know he will not be there next season. Yet the Redskins are persevering with Zorn as their head coach. They have been a tough out for opponents like the Cowboys, Eagles, and Saints. They fought hard last week albeit against a terrible Raiders team and notched a decisive victory. And believe me, they will embrace the chance to knock the Giants out of the playoff race and play hard on Monday night. The Giants need this game a lot more than the Redskins do. Their offense is starting to come around at the right time. They scored 38 points and amassed over 500 total yards in a losing effort to the Eagles last week. So it is fair to say that the Giants offense is peaking right when it should be. The question mark with this team is obviously on the defensive side of the ball. The Giants have been pitiful defensively ever since they got destroyed by the Saints in Week 6. Their inability to get pressure on the quarterback, along with their capacity to give up the big play in crucial situations, has effectively ruined their credibility as one of the best defensive units in football. Granted the Giants have been banged up all season on defense, and it won't get any better now that Corey Webster and Aaron Ross are doubtful for Monday's game. Yet that is no excuse for a defense that halted a perfect season and won a Super Bowl two years ago. If the Giants are going to make the playoffs, then their defense must step up in the coming weeks. They must eliminate their vulnerability to the big play, especially on 3rd down conversions. And they have to find a way to limit their opponents' production in the red zone. They have to give their offense some breathing room and provide them with a chance to open the game up a little bit. They have the perfect opportunity to do that on Monday against the Redskins. Jason Campbell has played well in recent weeks, but he is still a long way from becoming an elite quarterback. The Giants did very well containing him in their first matchup and they will have to be as efficient in this game. If they allow Campbell to make big plays down the field to Santana Moss or Devin Thomas, then the Redskins are going to win this game easily. The key for the Redskins will be if Quinton Ganther can run the ball successfully and provide balance to the Redskins' offensive strategy. If the Giants don't stop him in the backfield, then they are going to have serious problems all night long. Look for Eli Manning to work the play action with Brandon Jacobs. Also look for Steve Smith and Hakeem Nicks to make plays in the slot and break free for long runs down the sidelines. If the Giants get Jacobs going early and often, they will control the tempo of the game and force Washington to make plays every time they have the ball. In the end, the Giants need this game more than the Redskins. Their defense will come out with enough heart to contain the amount of big plays and 3rd down conversions. And I wouldn't be surprised if the Giants season came down to the Redskins nailing a game-winning field goal. Giants win 20-17.
That's it for now...enjoy Week 15 of the NFL.
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