And now for my Week 16 NFL Preview
Buffalo Bills at Atlanta Falcons
The Atlanta Falcons could have easily sat down Matt Ryan and Michael Turner last weekend against the Jets. When the Cowboys beat the Saints on Saturday night, the Falcons' season was over. Matt Ryan and Michael Turner had no reason to play against the Jets last Sunday unless it was for team pride or for the pure enjoyment of the game. You don't really need to guess what happened. Matt Ryan and Michael Turner suited up for the Falcons and played the game in spite of the unfavorable weather conditions. This is a very good sign for a Falcons organization looking to build itself up into a perennial Super Bowl contender every year. They have players who are committed to their team and to the game of football. They come out every Sunday and play for the love of the game. It's not just about the paycheck with them. The Falcons have leaders on their team that love what they do and that is a sign of a team headed in the right direction. The Falcons played stout defense last week against the Jets, forcing three turnovers from Mark Sanchez and three missed opportunities in the red zone. The Falcons would capitalize on a game-winning touchdown pass from Matt Ryan to Tony Gonzalez, which may have effectively ended the Jets' season and given themselves a renewed sense of confidence. Look for the Falcons to have another terrific performance on defense against the lowly Buffalo Bills. QB Brian Brohm makes his NFL debut for the Bills and will hope to provide the offense with some kind of spark. Alas, I don't think that's going to happen. The Falcons will get tons of pressure on Brohm, who will have problems handling the football and will make some terrible throws in the pocket. The Bills will try to pound it with Fred Jackson up the middle but will have little success in doing so. Look for Matt Ryan to have a stellar game throwing the football against a Bills defense ready to mail it in for the season. Jason Snelling will gain the tough yards at the line of scrimmage and might even see the end zone a few times in this game. The Falcons are playing for pride and their first back-to-back winning seasons in franchise history. The Bills will not pose much of a challenge in that regard. Falcons win 27-13.
Kansas City Chiefs at Cincinnati Bengals
The Kansas City Chiefs had one of their best offensive performances of the season last weekend against the Browns. Yet they still lost the game because their defense was absolutely shredded at the line of scrimmage by Jerome Harrison. So if Jerome Harrison can run for 286 yards against your defensive line, whose to say that Bengals RB Cedric Benson can't do the very same thing. The Bengals are coming off one of their most emotional games of the season, leaving it all on the football field against the San Diego Chargers. They are focused and they are motivated on winning a championship for fallen teammate Chris Henry, which means that their offense will give their absolute best every Sunday. I wouldn't be surprised if Chad Ochocinco has a 200-yard receiving day in this game. I expect him to come out firing on all cylinders, playing with the kind of passion and sense of urgency required for a team headed into the playoffs. Cedric Benson will have a wonderful day running the football against a Chiefs defense anxiously waiting for the season to come to a bitter end. And Carson Palmer will have enough protection from his offensive line to zip the ball to Ochocinco frequently throughout the course of the game. The Bengals will have this game under control from start to finish. I think their defense will come out ready to make a statement after getting embarrassed on the final drive by Philip Rivers last weekend. They will put pressure on Matt Cassel all day long, forcing him to throw the ball away numerous times and stall any kind of momentum Kansas City would hope to generate. Jamaal Charles will not have a great day running the football as he will get stifled at the point of attack consistently by the Bengals' defensive line. The Bengals are looking to build momentum heading into the playoffs. In order to do that, they will have to feast on an inferior team like the Chiefs and then convincingly beat the Jets next week. And I think they are perfectly capable of doing that if Palmer keeps developing the passing game and Cedric Benson continues to run the football with power. The Bengals are looking to prove that they are not a one-hit wonder this season. I expect them to give their best effort as they cruise into the playoffs, proving to be a tough out for any team that faces them. The Chiefs will certainly figure that out after Sunday's game. Bengals win 26-7.
Oakland Raiders at Cleveland Browns
I honestly can't figure out the Oakland Raiders this season. At times, they have looked like the worst team ever to play the game of football. But then there are times when they look like a sound, disciplined football team with a lot of energy and focus on winning. The M.O. of the Oakland Raiders this season has been to play well against the tougher opponents and play horribly against the lesser opponents. Granted there have been times when the tougher opponents spanked the Raiders as well. But just look at what they have accomplished this season: upset victories over the Eagles, Bengals, Steelers, and Broncos. These are four teams that are already in the playoffs and/or fighting for their playoff lives. It's not like the Raiders don't know how to play the game of football. They just aren't motivated to win every single week. Their defense boasts some of the best talent on a weekly basis. If they were focused on winning every week, then the Raiders would have a much better record right now and would be in the playoff chase. This week they travel to Cleveland to play the Browns, a team looking to build a three-game winning streak and finish off the season strong. I see it being very difficult for the Browns to win this game should the Raiders actually try to play. Brady Quinn is now out for the season with a foot sprain. And I don't expect Jerome Harrison to have another career day simply because the Browns have been very inconsistent all year long. The Browns will rely heavily on Josh Cribbs to gain decent field position for their offense on special teams. They will try to control the pace of the game on the defensive side of the ball, forcing Charlie Frye to make plays with his arm and to scramble for his life. The Raiders will try to pound the ball with Michael Bush, Darren McFadden, and Justin Fargas. But I expect this to be a defensive struggle between two teams who, quite frankly, have problems putting points on the scoreboard. Raiders win 20-17.
Seattle Seahawks at Green Bay Packers
If Mike Holmgren were still coaching the Seahawks, this game might actually mean something for them. But considering they got destroyed by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers last weekend at home, I think it's safe to say that the Seattle Seahawks have called it a season. I don't expect this game to be close at all. The Packers have something to play for and are looking to clinch one of the wild card spots with some help this weekend. By all accounts, they should have won last week against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Their defense is embarrassed by the 503 yards they gave up to Ben Roethlisberger. They know they have a secondary worthy of facing any passing attack in the league and they will seek to illustrate that against a lackluster Seahawks team. Look for the Packers defense to shut down the Seahawks running game with very little problems. Matt Hasselbeck could be the wild card in this game. Yet he has been ineffective and injured all season long, which leaves us to wonder if he is the same quarterback he used to be. The Packers defense will pressure him all day long, leaving him vulnerable in the pocket and forcing him to throw the ball early to his receivers. This will allow for the Packers secondary to capitalize and will put an end to any Seattle drive throughout the course of the day. I expect Aaron Rodgers to have another magnificent game as he will have no problem finding his receivers over the middle and down the sidelines. Ryan Grant will also have a better game running the football between the tackles, providing the Packers with an offensive balance throughout the course of the day. The offensive line will give Rodgers time to throw the football and to react decisively within the pocket. The offensive line is getting better on a weekly basis for the Packers, which is a good sign as they head into the playoffs. If the Packers are going to make any noise this season, they will need to protect their quarterback and make sure that he has time to throw the ball to his receivers. And their defense simply has to play better against the pass. Teams like the Saints and the Cardinals will not show mercy towards the Packers if their secondary consistently gets burned along the sidelines. The Packers are still playing some of the best football in the NFL right now. Yet if their defense continues to get burned down the field, then it will force Rodgers to put points on the scoreboard on almost every drive. Exerted pressure on the offense is a situation you don't need to have in the NFL. As of right now, the Packers are sitting pretty. A victory against the Seahawks will reboot their confidence as they prepare for a hopeful run into the playoffs. Packers win 37-16.
Baltimore Ravens at Pittsburgh Steelers
This is the most intriguing game of Week 16. Not only are these two teams located in the thick of the AFC playoff hunt, but they are also intense division rivals. What's even more compelling about this game is how the Steelers did not have Ben Roethlisberger the first time these two teams met this season. The Ravens have had supreme difficulty over the years attempting to defeat the Steelers with Big Ben at the helm. And I think tomorrow will be no different. The Steelers saved their season last week on a miracle throw from Roethlisberger to Mike Wallace to end the game. Will this be the source of rejuvenation and momentum that the Steelers have been lacking all season long? By all accounts, this team should be dead and buried in the heart of Steel City right now. But they still have a heartbeat, albeit a very small one. Their pulse will quicken with a victory over the Ravens on Sunday. Big Ben is coming off the best game of his career and will look to echo that on Sunday against a Ravens secondary that is sorely depleted. It looks as if Ed Reed will miss his third consecutive game with a hamstring injury. That does not bode well for the Ravens, especially now that the Steelers are more of a pass-happy team offensively. There is an outside chance that this game could evolve into a shootout, which would be very uncharacteristic of a Ravens-Steelers game. This is a rivalry kindled on strong defensive performances and playing smash mouth football by attacking with the running game. However, Joe Flacco is throwing the ball much better as of late. He is making the most out of nothing with Derrick Mason and Mark Clayton as his starting receivers. However, the core of the Ravens' offensive success has been Ray Rice. Rice has supplanted Willis McGahee as the #1 back in Baltimore, proving to be a strong force at the line of scrimmage and an explosive weapon when he works out of the screen package. Look for the Ravens to continue to use Rice as the focal point of their offensive game plan. Yet they will also allow Flacco to try and spread the field out with his receivers, hopefully exposing the Steelers over the middle very often in this game. On the other side, the Steelers will try to reestablish Rashard Mendenhall as a valuable tool in the backfield. Mendenhall has struggled recently as the Steelers have relied more on their passing game. I think he continues to struggle against the Ravens, who are ranked #7 in stopping the run and will have no problem containing Mendenhall in this game. The outcome of the game will depend on whether or not Roethlisberger can make enough plays through the air to keep the Steelers breathing throughout the day. Their defense may take another huge hit if James Harrison is unable to play on Sunday. If he doesn't play, the Steelers are going to have major problems putting pressure on Flacco, which will leave them even more vulnerable to the big play and will allow for the Ravens to distance themselves on the scoreboard. I think Harrison plays on Sunday, and I think the Steelers come out motivated and hungry on the defensive side of the ball. They will limit the production of Flacco on Sunday, but they will have problems containing Rice in the backfield. And in the end, it will come down to yet another big play from Ben Roethlisberger saving the Steelers and their season for now. Steelers win 20-13.
Houston Texans at Miami Dolphins
This is another very intriguing game but to a much lesser degree than the Ravens and Steelers. The Texans are one of those 7-7 teams with a very slim chance of making the playoffs. They had many opportunities throughout the course of the season to distance themselves in the wild card race and they simply couldn't do it. This has been the story of the Texans ever since Gary Kubiak became their head coach. They have usually started out very slow and finish the season strong only to miss the playoffs by a game or two. This was supposed to be the year of the Texans, the year in which they would break away from their slow start and establish themselves as one of the dominant teams in the AFC. Yet their inability to seal victories in clutch situations has hindered them extensively all season. It is quite possible that Kubiak will be replaced when the season is over, which means the Texans will have to start fresh and anew. As for right now, they need to win the rest of their games and pray for massive collapses from almost every wild card team ahead of them. They face a tough opponent this Sunday in the Miami Dolphins. The Dolphins are coming off a tough loss to the Tennessee Titans but are still in good position in the AFC Wild Card race. Wins against the Texans and the Steelers to finish off the season will all but assure them of a spot in the playoffs. In order for the Dolphins to win this game, Chad Henne must take care of the football. He has thrown too many interceptions lately and is costing the Dolphins possible victories. Henne must practice good ball security this week against a Texans defense that will be able to pressure him in the pocket. Ricky Williams will have another big game for the Dolphins running the football. He will take a pounding at the point of attack, but he will also cut back and spin off defenders constantly. This will allow him to gallop free in the open field and put the Dolphins in prime position to score some touchdowns. If Henne can establish the passing threat early in the game, the Texans will be unable to keep the Dolphins out of the end zone. As for the Texans, their offensive game plan is Andre Johnson, Andre Johnson, and more Andre Johnson. The combination of Schaub and Johnson has been dangerous all season long. Johnson had 9 catches for 196 yards last week against the Rams. But unlike last week, Johnson must find the end zone if the Texans are going to have any chance at beating the Dolphins. The difference in this ball game will be the ineffectiveness of the Texan running attack. Ryan Moats and Steve Slaton have held this offense back all season long. This is an offense that could have been very explosive in every game this season. They haven't been because their running game has been absolutely pitiful. Look for the Dolphins to move the ball with ease against this Texans defense on Sunday. And rather than seeing the Texans match them stride for stride on Sunday, I think we'll see a lot of halted drives because the Dolphins will stop Moats and Slaton in the backfield. This will force Schaub to throw on almost every down, which means the Dolphins will adjust their game plan accordingly and eventually cease the production of the Texans offense. In the end, the Dolphins will emerge with their playoff hopes intact on Sunday afternoon. Dolphins win 34-27.
Jacksonville Jaguars at New England Patriots
The Jacksonville Jaguars did everything they could to beat the Colts last week, except actually beat the Colts. Their playoff hopes now rest in the hands of other teams, which is a sign that the Jaguars will most likely be out of the race after this weekend. They now travel up to Foxboro to face a Patriots team they have only beaten once in franchise history. The Jaguars gave the Colts their absolute best last Thursday night. Will they be motivated to challenge the Patriots knowing that their best may not be good enough to win? This is a team that has been battling a lot of confidence issues throughout the course of the season, a team that has been struggling with their identity as of late. While Maurice Jones-Drew has had a stellar season carrying the football, David Garrard has struggled to emerge as the definitive leader of that offense. He is a mistake-prone quarterback who can't seem to hold on to the football when the game is on the line. The Jaguars were looking to develop their passing game this season with the addition of Torry Holt from the Rams. And even though Mike Sims-Walker has emerged as a breakthrough receiver, the Jaguars' aerial attack has only been wonderful in spurts this season. The Jaguars boast no consistency to their offensive game plan and it has definitely cost them some games this season. If the Jaguars are going to beat the Patriots on Sunday, Garrard must establish the passing game early. The Patriots defense will focus on Jones-Drew throughout the course of the game as he will be the core of Jacksonville's offensive scheme. However, the fate of the game will play into the hands of Garrard and whether or not he can connect for big plays to Sims-Walker and Holt. Should these receivers beat the Patriots secondary down the field and over the middle, the Jaguars will have a very productive day offensively. However, if Garrard sits in the pocket too long because his receivers are unable to break free, then the Jaguars will be punting the football consistently all day long. This is a prime opportunity for Garrard and the Jacksonville offense considering how depleted the Patriots are on the defensive side of the ball. I expect Tom Brady to manage the game very well for the Patriots offense, finding Wes Welker in the slot as he usually does. But I do not expect him to have a magnificent game against the Jaguars secondary. Laurence Maroney will punch the ball into the end zone a few times, with the Patriots doing whatever it takes to sneak away with the win. Jacksonville gives a noble effort up in Foxboro. But the Patriots are too good at home to simply let the Jaguars waltz in and steal one from under their noses. Patriots win 24-13.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers at New Orleans Saints
The Saints encountered kryptonite last week in the form of the Dallas Cowboys. They are no longer on their mission to perfection, which means they can start focusing on more important matters. But they will not be resting their players this week against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. No sir! The Saints will be a very angry football team on Sunday afternoon. There are some experts out there who are now doubting what the Saints have accomplished over the last 15 weeks. They have viewed their breakdown against Dallas's 3-4 defense as a sign of weakness and potentially fatal exposure. They now see the Saints as a beatable football team. So how will the Saints respond to that notion? By inflicting swift and merciless destruction all over the Buccaneers on Sunday. Drew Brees will wipe the field clean and open up the passing game very early. Look for Marques Colston to have one of his best performances of the season against an overmatched and undersized Buccaneers secondary. The Saints will generate balance with the running game as Pierre Thomas and Reggie Bush will establish dominance at the line of scrimmage. The Buccaneers had their pinnacle moment last weekend against the Seahawks. Freeman had one of his better games this season, throwing for 205 yards and 2 touchdowns to just 1 interception. Derrick Ward and Cadillac Williams combined for 133 yards rushing and were lethal in between the tackles. Do not expect any of that on Sunday against the Saints. Look for Freeman to have a pitiful game against a Saints secondary that will be very hungry and very aggressive at the point of attack. Look for the defensive line to stifle Ward and Williams in the backfield as the Buccaneers will have a difficult time establishing any kind of rhythm for their offense. This will be a mismatch from start to finish. And by the end of the game, the Buccaneers will wish they had never stepped foot into the Superdome to play dem Saints. Saints win 41-10.
Carolina Panthers at New York Giants
The Carolina Panthers played their best game of the season last week against the Minnesota Vikings. As soon as I called out Steve Smith and Julius Peppers for being ineffective and past their prime, look at what they did against the Vikings on Sunday night. Smith had nine receptions for 157 yards and a touchdown, while Peppers had one sack and got pressure on Brett Favre all night long. He was the reason why Brad Childress wanted to take Favre out of the game on Sunday night. So it is fair to say that I spoke too soon regarding Smith and Peppers. It is also fair to say that the Giants should not take the Panthers for granted on Sunday afternoon. While the Panthers will be missing DeAngelo Williams in the backfield thanks to a sprained left ankle, they still have enough weapons to give the Giants fits on Sunday. Jonathan Stewart is one of the most underrated backs in the entire NFL and has the potential to be a star in this league. If the Giants are going to win this game on Sunday, they will have to close up the gaps at the line of scrimmage and prevent Stewart from generating momentum in between the tackles. Stewart is one of those backs who can bounce off linebackers and defenders very easily. This means that if you don't wrap him up at the point of attack, he can break free for long runs and cause havoc for opposing defenses. The Giants will have their hands full with Stewart on Sunday. But I think they will do a great job at containing Steve Smith. While the Giants secondary has been absolutely horrible this season, I think they played very well last Monday against the Redskins. They were very aggressive at the line of scrimmage and were able to force receivers off their routes, which led to miscues by Jason Campbell in the pocket. The Giants will try to be aggressive with Smith as well, hindering his speed and preventing Matt Moore from being accurate with his throws. I think the Giants will be able to get sufficient pressure on Moore throughout the course of the game, which will force him to scramble out of the pocket and make uncomfortable throws. The Giants will capitalize on these mistakes and will stall many drives throughout the game. I think the Giants will have another strong offensive outing on Sunday afternoon. Eli Manning and his receivers are piquing at the right time. Steve Smith and Hakeem Nicks have proved to be valuable assets over the last few weeks, with Mario Manningham returning back into the mix as well. These three receivers will serve as potent threats for years to come in the Giants organization. And right now, they are three of the best young wide receivers in the entire NFL. Look for Smith and Nicks to have terrific days catching the football, with Brandon Jacobs contributing out of the backfield and getting the tough yards against the Panthers run defense. The Panthers treated their game against the Vikings as if it were their personal Super Bowl. Will they have the same momentum going into this game against the Giants? If they do, then the Giants will find it very difficult to pull off the victory and remain in the playoff race. But I think the Giants will respond again under tremendous adversity and pressure. It's the final game at Giants Stadium. The Giants will do their part to stay alive in the race for at least another week and they will do it in convincing fashion. Giants win 27-13.
Detroit Lions at San Francisco 49ers
And once again, the San Francisco 49ers proved why they don't deserve to make the playoffs this season. The Niners followed up their magnificent defensive performance against the Cardinals with a stinker in Philadelphia. Donovan McNabb and DeSean Jackson torched the Niners secondary all day long and quite frankly, the Niners were never in the game to begin with. Alex Smith had a paltry 177 yards and 3 interceptions, never really allowing San Francisco's offense to get off the ground. Granted Frank Gore had a hell of a day running the football. But that was the lone bright spot for a Niners team that simply could not hang with the Eagles. This is a team that will now play for pride throughout the rest of the season. They have a very strong chance at finishing 8-8 with games against the Lions and the Rams. I expect the Niners to come out and dominate in this game. The Lions are done competing for the rest of the year. They left it all out on the field against the Cardinals last weekend. Matthew Stafford was placed on injured reserve so he can have knee surgery. Let's face it. The Lions have absolutely nothing to play for and will not be motivated to win this game out in San Francisco. Look for the Niners to take control from the start of the game until that final whistle is blown. Frank Gore will have a monster day running the football. Alex Smith will have more time in the pocket, which will allow him to find Michael Crabtree down the field for some big scores. And the Niners defense will be vicious at the point of attack. They will not allow the Lions to generate anything offensively. Daunte Culpepper will wish he could have stayed home for Christmas after this one. The Niners will play with fire and passion on Sunday as they look to finish the season strong and hope for greener pastures next year. 49ers win 31-6.
St. Louis Rams at Arizona Cardinals
The Arizona Cardinals are looking for a strong performance all-around before they head into the playoffs. They know they are going to clinch the 4th seed in the NFC. It would take a miracle for them to proceed any higher than that. As a result, they will rest players next week against the Packers. This means they have one more opportunity to end the season on a very productive note. The Cardinals have not been playing well since their dominating victory over the Minnesota Vikings. They struggled mightily against the 49ers two weeks ago on Monday Night Football and almost suffered an upset loss at the hands of the Detroit Lions. Kurt Warner has been showing signs of age and fatigue recently as the Cardinals offense has not looked as dynamic as we are accustomed to seeing. But I think that the Cardinals will go all out in this game. They will want to end their season on a high note and have an excellent opportunity to accomplish that against the St. Louis Rams. The Rams, like so many other teams, are awaiting the offseason with a great deal of relief. Yet they have not mailed it in as much as other teams have over the last few weeks. The Rams have been playing hard for head coach Steve Spagnuolo. QB Keith Null has not been as dreadful as one might think. He has managed the game really well for the Rams offense and has not turned the ball over consistently. He has given the Rams chances to win some ball games, but they simply do not have the talent or the personnel to capitalize in crucial situations. Look for Steven Jackson to once again be the lone bright spot for the Rams on Sunday. I think their defense will play hard throughout, but I also think the Cardinals will be motivated for a decisive victory. The Rams will perform decently in stopping the running attack of Arizona, limiting Beanie Wells to very little yards per carry at the line of scrimmage. But I think Warner gives one of those amazing statistical games we love seeing from him. Granted we haven't seen that from Warner in a while. But I think the Cardinals are simply too talented to just let him fall by the wayside every week. Look for Warner to spread the ball out to Larry Fitzgerald and Anquan Boldin. I know I've said this consistently every week about the Cardinals and I know I will get it right one of these days. Warner will come through in a big way against the Rams as he leads the Cardinals to another playoff appearance. Cardinals win 31-17.
New York Jets at Indianapolis Colts
I would feel more comfortable predicting a Jets upset had they beaten the Falcons last week. I would also feel more comfortable about it if Mark Sanchez wasn't their starting quarterback. Yet because the Jets stubbed their toes last week against the Falcons, and because Mark Sanchez is the worst starting quarterback in the NFL right now, I'm more inclined to think that the Colts will prevail at home on their way to a 15-0 record. Don't get me wrong. I think the Jets will come out and give an extraordinary effort on Sunday afternoon. I think their defense will show up to play in a big way. Hell, I even think Sanchez will play well enough to win the game. But in the end, the Colts are the better team in all phases of the game and I think there is no stopping them on the way to 16-0. The Jets have to play the same kind of football that the Dallas Cowboys played last week against the New Orleans Saints. In order for them to win this game, they will need to get pressure on Peyton Manning. But simply getting pressure on Peyton Manning is easier said than done and it is also very tricky. One cannot simply blitz Manning on every play because his receiving core is talented enough to quickly evade the pressure of the secondary. So how will Rex Ryan attack Manning? By using a defensive package that will showcase both the blitz and the stunts. The Jets will be looking to generate as much of a pass rush as possible on Peyton Manning. They will need to disrupt his pocket presence and force him to either take sacks, throw the ball away, or scramble out of the pocket. That is the only way the Jets are going to win this game. Even though they have the best run defense in the NFL, such a statistic means nothing when you're playing the Indianapolis Colts. Darrelle Revis must play the game of his life, which is easy for him considering he has played magnificently all season long. The key for the Jets will be if the rest of the secondary can match Revis's intensity on the football field. And I honestly don't think they can. Manning will do his best to stay away from Revis while also burning the Jets secondary with connections to Dallas Clark and Austin Collie in the slot. Joseph Addai will pound the ball at the line of scrimmage, but this game will be won or lost by Peyton Manning. There is no doubt in my mind that the Colts will be able to put points on the scoreboard. The question is whether or not Sanchez has enough confidence and swagger to lead his team down the field successfully. Look for Thomas Jones to take pressure off Sanchez and scamper away from Colts defenders early and often. The Jets will have a very difficult time containing the pass rush of the Colts. If Sanchez is going to make a difference in this game, he will need time to focus in the pocket and must have the ability to find Braylon Edwards and Jerricho Cotchery along the sidelines. This is not a game where Sanchez can take shots down the field. The Jets need to play conservatively if they are going to win this game. They cannot afford to make mistakes because if they do, then Manning will burn them every time. The offense needs to take as much time off the clock as possible because honestly, that is the only way they are going to stop Peyton Manning. I think the Jets will play hard on Sunday afternoon, and if they had a better quarterback I would probably pick the upset. But the Colts are on a mission to prove the naysayers wrong. An undefeated season would be sweet. A Super Bowl title would be much better. Colts win 27-19.
Denver Broncos at Philadelphia Eagles
My oh my oh my!!! The Denver Broncos are in a terrible place right now. How else would you describe their loss to the Oakland Raiders? This is a team right now that is on the verge of suffering two collapses after starting out 6-0. The first collapse was when they lost the division lead to the San Diego Chargers. The second collapse will be if they lose the Wild Card spot over the next two weeks. This was a team that gave their all against the Indianapolis Colts, albeit in a losing effort. It was also a team that could not afford to lose to the Raiders, especially when they saw the Eagles on their schedule for Week 16. The Broncos are in a dreadful slump defensively right now. Their confidence is absolutely shattered after giving up a game-winning touchdown to JaMarcus Russell. That's right, I said JaMarcus Russell, who is without a doubt the worst quarterback in the NFL right now. How are the Broncos going to recover from that? I don't know, but they will be hoping for an inspired performance from Brian Dawkins. His return to Philadelphia will be a very special moment for him and he will look to emphasize the importance of this game not just for his own personal benefit, but also for the Broncos' season. For all intensive purposes, the Broncos' season is on the line in this game. If they lose to the Eagles, then they will need to beat the Chiefs next weekend and hope that other teams lose. Unfortunately for the Broncos, I think they suffer yet another setback in Philadelphia on Sunday. Outside of Brandon Marshall, the Broncos offense has been very stagnant as of late. Knowshon Moreno and Correll Buckhalter have been unable to establish any consistency running the football. This has forced Kyle Orton to throw the ball more, which is very troublesome considering that Brandon Marshall is the only player finding the end zone. If the Broncos are going to win this game, they will need to get ahead of the Eagles early. They will need their running game to step up in a big way, plunging through the tackles and scrounging up as many yards as possible. This will limit the amount of pressure placed on Orton to win the game, which means he won't have to force deep throws to Marshall all the time. The Eagles are a very talented football team. They will get pressure on Orton frequently throughout the course of the game. The Broncos will have to be more physical at the line of scrimmage because if they're not, then they will have a lot of trouble moving the football against this defensive unit. I think the Broncos will have problems containing McNabb and company on the offensive side of the ball. Brian Westbrook is returning from his concussion, which basically means that the Eagles have another weapon in their arsenal. If Westbrook is an unstoppable force in the backfield, then the Broncos have absolutely no chance of winning this game. Fortunately for them, the Eagles don't plan on totally unleashing Westbrook in this game, which means that they will be seeing LeSean McCoy for the majority of the day. The bad news is that McCoy has been very productive in subbing for Westbrook. So no matter what, the Broncos will have their hands full with the Eagle running game. They will also need to get pressure on McNabb and prevent him from establishing the aerial assault with DeSean Jackson. The Broncos cannot afford to get burned by the big play in this game. They must not allow the Eagles to get on the board first or break away early. The Broncos must limit the Eagles to field goals instead of touchdowns. Then, and only then, will they give their offense a chance to win this game. I think the Eagles have another big day offensively. Instead of looking for the deep threat, McNabb will look for his options over the middle in this game, finding Jeremy Maclin and Jason Avant in the slot while also looking for Brent Celek running dig routes. The Broncos will not be able to trap the Eagles in the middle of the field. Look for LeSean McCoy to provide stability to their offensive game plan as the Eagles burn the Broncos in terms of time of possession and total yards accumulated. In the end, the Eagles will prove why they are the better team and why they deserve to be in the playoffs this season. Eagles win 34-20.
Dallas Cowboys at Washington Redskins
The Dallas Cowboys had their best win in the last ten years against the New Orleans Saints last weekend. It was one of those games that could change the course of the franchise, a victory that could finally lead them towards the promised land. Or could it? The problem with the Cowboys all season has been consistency, in particular their inability to build on their victories and develop a rhythm and flow to their success. The game against the Redskins on Sunday night is a crucial test for the Cowboys organization. How will they respond after such a decisive victory over arguably the best team in the NFL? They saw what the Giants did to the Redskins last Monday night as did everyone else in the NFL. But if they go into this game thinking the Redskins have given up on their season, then that would be a potentially catastrophic mistake. I guarantee you the Redskins will come out and play hard on Sunday night. I know that Albert Haynesworth was sent home from practice by Jim Zorn on Wednesday and that he is now saying his coaches are against him. But the Dallas Cowboys are the Redskins' most hated division rival. They look forward to playing America's team during the regular season, circling both games on their schedule as definite must-wins. The Redskins would love nothing more than to ruin the Cowboys' season in the same way they wanted to ruin the Giants' season last Monday. I think there is some heart left in this football team and I think it will show tonight against the Cowboys. Look for Jason Campbell to have a big game throwing the football as he finds Santana Moss down the field fairly often. Look for Quinton Ganther to wear down that Cowboys defensive front throughout the course of the game and to fight his way for some first downs and extra yards after contact. The Redskins may not score on the Cowboys, but they will be the more physical team on the football field and could very well get the better of the Cowboys in this game. But don't count on it. The Dallas Cowboys are way too talented to falter now. Tony Romo is playing the best football of his career and will show up with another huge performance in this game. Look for him to locate Miles Austin and Jason Witten over the middle of the field as the Redskins will be unable to stop the Cowboys on third down. The Redskins will do a great job at containing the three-headed monster in Barber, Jones, and Choice. But they will be susceptible to the deep play throughout the course of the game, with the Cowboys taking advantage more times than not. The Cowboys will survive this game against the Redskins on their way to a showdown with the Philadelphia Eagles at home next weekend. Cowboys win 24-16.
Minnesota Vikings at Chicago Bears
There is a scene in the film Antichrist where Willem Dafoe is walking quietly through the woods, turns his hand to move aside a bush, and encounters a fox that tells him "Chaos Reigns". How does that pertain to the Vikings-Bears game on Monday night? Chaos reigns in Minnesota right now. The Vikings started out the season 10-1 and were at one point considered to be the best team in the NFL. But recent struggles on the offensive side of the ball, combined with an interior conflict between Brett Favre and Brad Childress, have led many to doubt whether or not the Vikings are ready for a deep run to the Super Bowl. I am very skeptical about the mindset of the Vikings right now. Their hearts are definitely not set in the right place and it has shown by how Favre and Childress have attacked each other through the media. Both men say that the conflict is resolved and that there is no longer a reason for concern in Minnesota. But I beg to differ. Something like this doesn't go away in one week. It multiplies over time and acts like a parasite nagging at the skin. The conflict between Favre and Childress is a parasite stirred by the media. If the Vikings continue to let this ruin the chemistry of their football team, then they will be sitting at home come Super Bowl Sunday in February. But that is not the end of the Vikings' problems. Adrian Peterson has not gotten the same production we are accustomed to seeing from him over the course of the season. Opposing defenses have focused on him and have limited him to just 4.4 yards per carry this season. He has not had a 100-yard rushing performance since Week 10 against the Lions and has averaged a mediocre 63.6 yards per game over the last five weeks. In the two losses against the Cardinals and the Panthers, Peterson was held to 19 yards and 35 yards on the ground respectively. These stats illustrate how if Peterson does not have an effective game at the line of scrimmage, then the Vikings are in deep trouble when it comes to executing their offensive game plan. It forces Brett Favre to win the game and to become a gunslinger. The Vikings do not want Favre to win the game on his own. They need the balance provided by Peterson and they need it now. The fault cannot be entirely laid at Peterson's feet. Shoddy play by the offensive line has prevented Peterson from turning it up at the line of scrimmage. Their poor run blocking and horrible pass protection has made the Vikings look like an average team in all phases of the game. When the offense plays bad, the defense plays just as worse. Eventually, the opposing team finds a way to score because they are given good field position to work with. They end up executing, which is something the Vikings have been unable to do lately. Fortunately for the Vikings, they will square off against a Bears team reeling from adversity and with questions of their own. What will become of Lovie Smith at the end of the season? God only knows. But right now, the Bears can't possibly pose a significant threat to the Vikings on Monday night. Or can they? This is a game similar to the Cowboys and the Redskins. The Vikings are clearly a better team than the Bears. But are they motivated right now to win some games? It's very hard to say. All I know is that the Bears will be hungry to win this game. They will treat this game as if it were their Super Bowl much in the same way the Panthers played last week against the Vikings. Look for Crybaby Cutler to possibly have his best game of the season and look for Matt Forte to find the end zone at least once in this game. Cutler will manage the game very well and will give his team a chance to win in the final minutes. The question is whether or not Cutler will resort to his old ways and prove to be a turnover machine like he has all year. If Cutler holds on to the football, then the Bears will be very tough to beat on Monday night. As for the Vikings, their offensive game plan is simple: hand the ball off to Adrian Peterson. They need him to produce in this game because if he doesn't, then the Vikings will have serious problems all night long. This is Favre's first cold weather game of the season and he certainly hasn't been playing his best football as of late. I expect the Bears defense to show up with a very prideful effort on Monday night. They will take it to the Vikings from the start of the game to the final whistle. Expect a little frustration to settle in on the Vikings sideline on Monday night. In the end, the Vikings are the better team and I can't pick against them because the Bears have been awful all season long. But I wouldn't be surprised if the Bears pick off the Purple People Eaters this week. Vikings win 27-20.
That's it for now...enjoy Week 16 of the NFL
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