Atlanta blew out Jacksonville on Thursday night, and Dallas blew past Tampa Bay on the Saturday night special. With the Steelers visiting Candlestick on Monday night, there's 13 games on Sunday, including the Sunday Night Football game on NBC. I once again have time on a Sunday to do a proper report, so here we go!
Early Games
Miami (4-9) at Buffalo (5-8)
The Dolphins' good run has stuttered in the past few weeks, but the team are definitely better off for havin Matt Moore as starting quarterback rather than Chad Henne. With Reggie Bush finding the form that saw him win the Heisman (yes, I know he vacated, but he still bloody won it!), their running game has something that it hasn't had in some time. Of course, the team are technically coachless, having fired Tony Sparano on Monday, but whoever inherits this team does have a decent stepping stone. The Bills started the season fantastically well. However, they haven't won since October and are on a horrific six game slide after a 5-2 start. Ryan Fitzpatrick has thrown 9 interceptions in those six games, but hasn't actually been playing badly. I do feel though, that the Dolphons will pick up a narrow victory.
Prediction: Miami 31 Buffalo 27
Seattle (6-7) at Chicago (7-6)
To keep their very slim chances of a wildcard berth alive, the Seahawks must win this game. The fact that it would put them ahead of Chicago in the race would be another bonus. Tavaris Jackson hasn't performed badly as a starting quarterback, but it's been Marshawn Lynch at running back who has been the key to the Seattle offence all season. They do have some injury problems on the offensive line though, and it will be a large task for Jackson and Lynch to avoid a strong Bears defence. The bears also have major problems on offence. Jay Cutler and Matt Forte are out, and while Marion Barber genrally ran well last week, it was his two big mistakes that cost the Bears the game against Denver. With Caleb Hanie looking exactly like a backup, and having lost wideout Sam Hurd to what looks like a long prison sentence if found guilty, the Bears are stretched. That said, their defence is better than Seattle's and cold weather forecast at Soldier Field, the Bears will run out scrappy winners.
Prediction: Seattle 13 Chicago 16
Carolina (4-9) at Houston (10-3)
Carolina have already won twice as many games as they did last year, thanks in no small part to Cam Newton, who has accounted for 28 touchdowns and over 4000 yards in his rookie season. While he is still learning and making some mistakes, he is showing signs of being a franchise player, and is the main reason for the Panthers new found dynanicism this season. The Texans have already secured the AFC South and therefore the playoffs, but there are two ways that they could enter this game. They either want to ensure they stay ahead of the pack for the AFC number 2 seed, or they realise that injuries are mounting up and decide to rest some key players. Either way, TJ Yates has coped admirably after stepping in for the injured Matt Schaub, and the Texans have their first ever trip to the playoffs to look forward to. I expect a close game, but the home side to take it and keep in the hunt for a bye.
Prediction: Carolina 31 Houston 34
Tennessee (7-6) at Indianapolis (0-13)
The Titans still have a decent chance of making the playoffs as an AFC wildcard, and even if Matt Hasselbeck doesn't make the game, Jake Locker showed enough in last week's loss to the Saints to show that he is a more than capable understudy. With Chris Johnson seemingly now remembering how to play, the Titans offence is looking pretty good, and should quite frankly rip through the Colts. The Colts haven't quite confirmed themselves as the worst in the League yet, as Minnesota and St Louis appear to fancy Andrew Luck as well, but they are quite simply awful, and don't look like beating anyone, never mind a team looking to secure playoff football. The Colts hierarchy can start to plan their draft pick now, and the only way it's not Luck, is if Payton Manning decides he'll be fit next year, and doesn't want the young pretender sniffing around.
Prediction: Tennessee 41 Indianapolis 10
Green Bay (13-0) at Kansas City (5-8)
The Packers look unstoppable. A win tonight ensures them homefield advantage through to the Superbowl, and what an advantage Lambeau is, the Packer shave lost at home just 3 times in 16 postseason games. Aaron Rodgers has been outstanding all season, accounting for 41 total touchdowns, and his receivers have shared the wealth admirably. This is quite simply an even better team than last year's championship winners. The Chiefs have stumbled around all season and have looked no better than average, while being pretty shocking in a number of games. Their 24th ranked defence will not be able to cope with the Packers, and Green Bay will move to 14-0.
Prediction: Green Bay 38 Kansas City 13
New Orleans (10-3) at Minnesota (2-11)
Drew Brees is on course to beat Dan Marino's single season passing record by some way. Today he plays in a dome with no weather hanpering him, against a secondary who simply cannot defend against a quarterback with any accuracy. Mark Ingram is still out, but Chris Ivory quite easily slots into the Saints' three back system, and with Jimmy Graham able to fully participate in practice, Brees has all of his favourite receivers available. The Christian Ponder experiment for the Vikings doesn't seem to have paid off, with their first round pick having more turnovers to his name than touchdowns. There's a good chance that Joe Webb could be in as the Vikings' thirs starting QB of the season. On the bright side, Percy Harvin is playing well and Adrian Peterson is back from injury. But other than that, the Vikes must be hoping the Colts take a different direction in order for them to get "Lucky". Saints win to keep the race fr the NFC #2 seed wide open!
Prediction: New Orleans 44 Minnesota 6
Washington (4-9) at New York Giants (7-6)
The days of the 3-1 start for the Redskins must seem like a long, long time ago now. Going 1-8 since then, they have become one of the worst teams in the league, and only their good start will prevent them from being see as that. Both of their quarterbacks look like backup quality at best, and their defence, especially the secondary, are awful. Mike Shanahan will need to make big changes close season. If he still has a job. The Giants lead the NFC East, but have had a pretty up and down season themselves. Eli Manning has looked brilliant some weeks and poor in others. Second year receiver Victor Cruz has come up good though, and the Giants should put their divisional rivals to more misery.
Prediction: Washington 13 New York Giants 31
Cincinnati (7-6) at St Louis (2-11)
The Bengals have fallen away in the hotly contested AFC North after a great start, and therefore also in the competitive AFC wildcard race. A win on the road at the frankly shocking Rams could put them back in the hunt though. Andy Dalton may have had a few lean weeks, but he has had a fantastic rookie year to this point, as has leading receiver AJ Green. The Rams have won twice, upsetting the Saints in a shock result, and against the almost equally shocking Browns. Sam Bradford has had a poor season following his offensive rookie of the year debut last year, and is likely to miss out again today through injury. AJ Feeley will step in, and wel... it's not even worth betting on the Bengals this week really with the odds on offer.
Prediction: Cincinnati 34 St Louis 12
Late Games
Detroit (8-5) at Oakland (7-6)
The Lions win against the Vikings last week on the back of an incredible defensive display has rocketed them right back into playoff contention. Matthew Stafford hit a stumbling block at midseason, but has refound his form, and aided by Megatron and his defence - now once again featuring Ndamukong Suh after he served his suspension look like the team they did in teh first few weeks. The Raiders have lost the lead in the AFC West, and it has all been their own fault. The loss to Green Bay last week was expected, but Carson Palmer has been atrocious since heading to the Bay. His 14 turnovers compared to 10 touchdowns have been a big part of their downfall and the controversial Terrelle Pryor sits awaiting his chance. The Lions keep their playoff dreams alive with a comfortable road win on the west coast.
Prediction: Detroit 31 Oakland 17
Cleveland (4-9) at Arizona (6-7)
The Browns head to Glendale on a three game losing streak against all of their divisional rivals. Colt McCoy has been abysmal for most of the season, but the hit to the head he sustained at the hands of Pittsburgh's James Harrison last week has forced him out. That means that Seneca Wallace gets the start for Cleveland this week. Seneca Walalce who has thrown just 29 touchdowns in nine seasons in the NFL. It must be tough being a Browns fan just now. The fact that the Cardinals can technically still make the playoffs is baffling. It's even more baffling when their most impressive offensive player is rookie kick and punt returner Patrick Peterson - who is technically a defensive player as a cornerback. His four punt return touchdowns have been a big part of Arizona actually winning games. The Cards should go .500 today, even with Kevin Kolb probably missing out through injury. Kolb has been disappointing, and his backup John Skelton has done pretty well when called upon.
Prediction: Cleveland 13 Arizona 24
New England (10-3) at Denver (8-5)
Confidence is running high at Mile High, but surely this is the week that Tebow comes unstuck? Tom Brady brings his Patriots into town sitting second in passing and total yards, behind only Drew Brees and the Saints. The altitude will only increase Brady's marksmanship, and with Wes Welker and Rob Gronkowski both enjoying great seasons, the Patriots could have blown the Broncos away by the time Tebow realises how to play in the fourth quarter. However, the Patriots defence is leaky, and that could play right into the hnads of Tebow, and leading rusher Willis McGahee. If the Broncos can hook things up before the fourth quarter, they will be a major threat to the Patriots. If, like that last few games, it requires a fourth quarter comeback, the Pats run away with this. I'm stuck on how to call this, I feel the Patriots will have too much. But I can just as easily see Tim Tebow continue to show me that maybe he is an NFL quarterback after all.
Prediction: New England 34 Denver 31
New York Jets (8-5) at Philadelphia (5-8)
The Jets are only two games behind the Patriots in the AFC East, but having comprehensively lost the head to head, the wildcard race is their only real chance of the playoffs this season. Currently occupying the #6 spot in the AFC, Rex Ryan knows his team will realistically need to win 2 of their last three to keep them in the hunt. This game, although on the road, looks highly winnable. The Eagles, dubbed the "Dream Team" preseason by some of their own players, have spectacularly failed to live up to the hype. Michael Vick has spent a lot of time injured, and Vince Young has proved himself to be not quite as good as he thinks he is in backup. The Eagles' season has already ended, the Jets' could go on for some time yet, and I feel that the Jets will keep their playoff hopes on track.
Prediction: New York Jets 27 Philadelphia 20
Sunday Night Football
Baltimore (10-3) at San Diego (6-7)
The Ravens lead the AFC North on a tiebreaker, and will want to win to keep themselves in the #2 spot in the AFC. Joe Flacco and Ray Rice are a fearsome offensive tandem (and remember Rice has actually thrown a touchdown pass this season!) and their defence is as fearsome as ever. John Harbaugh can be very pleased with the team's progress this year. The Chargers on the other hand, sit third in their division, but still only two games back. Philip Rivers has had a hugely disappointing season by his lofty standards, and that has brought the whole team down. Still, Rivers cant take all the blame, as the defence has struggled, and his offensive line has a tendency to collapse. It's for that reason I fancy teh Ravens to keep their run going, albeit in a close one.
Prediction: Baltimore 27 San Diego 24
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