The Falcons are 13-2. The Buccaneers are 6-9. Atlanta has already claimed homefield advantage in the NFC as the one seed. I don't see them taking their foot off the pedal in this one. Matt Ryan, Rhoddy White, and Julio Jones and the Falcons defense are too much for Tampa Bay. The Falcons are too good and will cap off a nice 14-2 season with a win today. The Buccs will end their season at 6-10 on a low note.
Both the Bills and Jets have had disappointing seasons. The Bills seem the stronger of the two as quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick has played better than Mark Sanchez and they have electrifying running back C.J. Spiller. Spiller I feel will be the difference as he has rushed for 1,185 yards, six touchdowns, and 6.5 yards per carry (and he didn't make the pro bowl!). The Jets have played really weak as of late dropping their last two games to the Titans and Chargers.
The Ravens have already clinched the AFC North. What they have left to play for is to move up from the four seed to the three seed. I feel Flacco proved he is a good quarterback last week in an impressive win over the Giants and he'll do the same today. The Ravens are a great defensive team and are the better team in this matchup. I really like the Bengals but they are younger and have less experience.
The Chicago Bears are sick and tired of being pushed around and losing in the second half of the season. Brandon Marshall has been vocal in the press and I feel he'll have a big game today (he has 113 receptions, 1,466 yards, and 11 touchdowns this year). The Bears defense gives up the second fewest points per game in the league (16.9) and preys on turnovers. The Lions have had an extremely disappointing season and have only mustered four wins this season. Bears are out to prove themselves. And look for Calvin Johnson Jr. to break 2,000 receiving yards - I think he'll do it.
My first instinct is to go with the Houston Texans. They can pass and run the ball, and they play very good defense. They have Arian Foster, Andre Johnson, and J.J. Watt on their team. However, this game is in Indianapolis, Houston has never won in Indianapolis, and coach Chuck Pagano is coaching his first game for the Colts since falling ill with Leukemia. I might have to give this one to the Colts. On second thought, I think I'll take the Texans. This is the hardest game of the week to predict. The Texans are strong and consistent, while the Colts are young, talented, inexperienced, and ChuckStrong. Controversy versus consistency. I'll take consistency.
The Saints started off the season 0-4. Since then, they are 7-4. They are looking to go .500 today and I think they will. With Drew Brees under center, the Saints passing game will be hard to handle. I take the Saints because of Brees and the recent upward trending play of the Saints.
I wanted to take the Eagles. I thought with quarterback Michael Vick taking over for Nick Foles who's out with a broken hand, he would want to prove himself in what might be his last game as an Eagle. But then again, the Eagles are a weak team this year. Everything has fallen apart and the Giants are still a decent football team. Plus, they need to win this game to stay alive for a wild card spot.
The Steelers are 7-8. The Browns 5-10. While I like the direction the Browns are headed they have nothing to play for in this game, and they are not as good as the Steelers. The Steelers are looking to finish 8-8 and salvage what pride they have left after this disastrous season. The Steelers also have Big Ben and a good defense.
This is my Oi Vey game of the week. The 5-10 Titans versus the 2-13 Jaguars. I really don't want to break down this game. So to keep it short, I take the Titans because they have Chris Johnson, and they're not as bad as the Jaguars.
Peyton Manning. 12-3. 10 game winning streak. Enough said.
If the 9-6 Vikings win then they clinch a wild card spot. If the Packers win, they clinch a first round bye. The Vikings are at home, and Adrian Peterson is on a mission. Not only to get to 2,106 rushing yards to break Eric Dickerson's record, but to get his team into the playoffs. Green Bay is a very good team, but I think the Vikings will have some week 17 magic up their sleeves.
With a win, and loses from either or both Denver and Houston, the Patriots could move up to claim the 2nd or even 1st seed in the AFC. With a loss and a Baltimore victory, they could drop to the four seed. That being said, Tom Brady is Tom Brady. He and his juggernaut of an offense are hard to stop and I don't expect the Dolphins to do so. Even though the Dolphins have the eighth best passing defense in the league, they rank 23rd in rushing defense giving up 104.5 yards per game. The Patriots have a strong run game this year as they average 134.5 yards per game thanks to 1,000 yard rusher Steven Ridley. I take the Patriots.
Both teams have had terrible seasons. Both are sub .500 teams. I'll take the Chargers. They have Philip Rivers at quarterback. Quarterback Carson Palmer for the Raiders is at the end of his career and doesn't have an weapons to work with on offense. The Raiders defense gives up the 12th most yards per game in the league (364.1) while the Chargers give up the 22nd most yards per game (330.5).
The Seahawks are hot. They're 10-5 and on fire. The Seahawks have won four straight. In their last three games they have averaged 50 points per game. The Rams are 7-7-1 and are confusing. They can beat teams like the 49ers, but lose to the Jets. They're shaky and still trying to make a name for themselves.
The 49ers are simply the stronger team. They're already in the playoffs and with a win they clinch the division. Quarterback Colin Kaepernick, running back Frank Gore, and the number two ranked defense in the league will be hard for the Rams to overcome.
The NFL season finale. The Washington Redskins and the Dallas Cowboys are playing for the NFC East division title. The winner clinches the division and will be the four seed. I have stuck with the Redskins every game since I started doing predictions in week 13. I have predicted that they would win every game starting that week and have been right. I am going to stick with them this week.
RGIII is a special player. He can throw, run, and lead. He has only thrown five interceptions all year, he has a strong arm and an extremely accurate deep ball, and has set the rookie record for rushing yards by a quarterback with 752 yards. Griffin also boasts a 67% completion percentage and a 104.1 quarterback rating. He is consistent, accurate, and deadly. To aid him on offense, he has rookie running back sensation Alfred Morris who has already rushed for 1,400 yards this season. Morris also helps set up the play action for the Redskins.
The Cowboys have a strong offense on their side. Their offense is highlighted by quarterback Tony Romo, wide receiver Dez Bryant, and tight end Jason Witten. Running back DeMarco Murray has been injured for most of this season and when he has played he's been ineffective. So the Cowboys with have to rely on their passing game. Advantage to the Redskins as they can run and pass the ball on offense.
This is a magical season for the Redskins. I think they'll win, and I hope they win.