Cincinnati Bengals 27-17 Philadelphia Eagles
The 4-9 Eagles are hosting the 7-6 Bengals. Cincinnati still has their playoff flame burning while the Eagles are in the hunt to be one of the worst teams in the league. The Bengals are the better team this year. With a potent offense highlighted by QB Andy Dalton and WR AJ Green, and a strong young defense with DT Geno Atkins, surprise rookie linebacker Vontaze Burfict, and experienced youngsters Ray Maualaga and Domata Peko, the Bengals are quite a handful. The Eagles are young, have had a horrible season, and key starters Michael Vick, LeSean McCoy, DeSean Jackson, and Brent Celek are all out injured. This one goes to the Bengals.
The 4-9 Eagles are hosting the 7-6 Bengals. Cincinnati still has their playoff flame burning while the Eagles are in the hunt to be one of the worst teams in the league. The Bengals are the better team this year. With a potent offense highlighted by QB Andy Dalton and WR AJ Green, and a strong young defense with DT Geno Atkins, surprise rookie linebacker Vontaze Burfict, and experienced youngsters Ray Maualaga and Domata Peko, the Bengals are quite a handful. The Eagles are young, have had a horrible season, and key starters Michael Vick, LeSean McCoy, DeSean Jackson, and Brent Celek are all out injured. This one goes to the Bengals.
Atlanta Falcons 32-27 New York Giants
The Atlanta Falcons are playing for revenge. After being embarrassed by a 24-2 loss at Metlife Stadium last year in the wild card round of the playoffs, the Falcons want to put away the Giants. I feel this Atlanta team is stronger than last year. They have bolstered their defense and Matt Ryan is having an MVP season (maybe). This game will be in Atlanta indoors so the Falcons do not have to play in the elements. This will be a good one and this game will play into the Washington Redskins making a playoff run (and winning the division (hopefully)).
The Atlanta Falcons are playing for revenge. After being embarrassed by a 24-2 loss at Metlife Stadium last year in the wild card round of the playoffs, the Falcons want to put away the Giants. I feel this Atlanta team is stronger than last year. They have bolstered their defense and Matt Ryan is having an MVP season (maybe). This game will be in Atlanta indoors so the Falcons do not have to play in the elements. This will be a good one and this game will play into the Washington Redskins making a playoff run (and winning the division (hopefully)).
Denver Broncos 35-20 Baltimore Ravens
Two words: Peyton Manning. When you have the guy who's "6'5", 230, laser-rocket arm" on your team, you have an automatic advantage. Peyton Manning is Peyton Manning, he's having an MVP season, and the Broncos have a great defense. They've won 8 games in a row. The Ravens are a talented team - offensively and defensively. However, they have been struggling in the past few games and have dropped two straight. Terrell Suggs may be active, but I give this one to the Broncos.
Two words: Peyton Manning. When you have the guy who's "6'5", 230, laser-rocket arm" on your team, you have an automatic advantage. Peyton Manning is Peyton Manning, he's having an MVP season, and the Broncos have a great defense. They've won 8 games in a row. The Ravens are a talented team - offensively and defensively. However, they have been struggling in the past few games and have dropped two straight. Terrell Suggs may be active, but I give this one to the Broncos.
Green Bay Packers 28-24 Chicago Bears
This is a tough one. It might not play out that way, but the Packers are a strong offensive team playing a great defensive team (fifth best in the NFL). The Bears have lost two straight and are excited to end that streak. The Packers are calm as usual, not going to the media like Brandon Marshall. The Bears aren't the team they were earlier in the season. They're trending down as the Packers have been trending up.
This is a tough one. It might not play out that way, but the Packers are a strong offensive team playing a great defensive team (fifth best in the NFL). The Bears have lost two straight and are excited to end that streak. The Packers are calm as usual, not going to the media like Brandon Marshall. The Bears aren't the team they were earlier in the season. They're trending down as the Packers have been trending up.
Washington Redskins 24-14 Cleveland Browns
I have to go with the Redskins. Winners of four straight, including two back-to-back wins over the Giants and Ravens. They have proven themselves worthy of the playoffs and a fifth straight win. The 'Skins will be without RGIII as rookie quarterback Kirk Cousins will be starting. Cousins has proven himself already a capable quarterback so the Redskins will win this one. Kirk Cousins will make some plays as will rookie running back Alfred Morris.
I have to go with the Redskins. Winners of four straight, including two back-to-back wins over the Giants and Ravens. They have proven themselves worthy of the playoffs and a fifth straight win. The 'Skins will be without RGIII as rookie quarterback Kirk Cousins will be starting. Cousins has proven himself already a capable quarterback so the Redskins will win this one. Kirk Cousins will make some plays as will rookie running back Alfred Morris.
Houston Texans 30-16 Indianapolis Colts
Houston is coming off an embarrassing loss to the New England Patriots. They will want to bounce back with a victory over the Colts. Andrew Luck has had a great season and has lead six fourth quarter comebacks this season. However, the Texans are a tough team. They will hold Luck and his high-flying offense and won't allow them to get into position for another game winning drive.
Houston is coming off an embarrassing loss to the New England Patriots. They will want to bounce back with a victory over the Colts. Andrew Luck has had a great season and has lead six fourth quarter comebacks this season. However, the Texans are a tough team. They will hold Luck and his high-flying offense and won't allow them to get into position for another game winning drive.
Miami Dolphins 21-10 Jacksonville Jaguars
The 5-8 Miami Dolphins have dropped two straight to two super bowl favorites: the San Francisco 49ers and the New England Patriots. However, they're playing a team at the opposite end of the football spectrum this week. Jacksonville and it's entire organization is a lost cause this year and the Dolphins are simply a better team.
The 5-8 Miami Dolphins have dropped two straight to two super bowl favorites: the San Francisco 49ers and the New England Patriots. However, they're playing a team at the opposite end of the football spectrum this week. Jacksonville and it's entire organization is a lost cause this year and the Dolphins are simply a better team.
New Orleans Saints 35-27 Tampa Bay Buccaneers
This is an intriguing matchup. The Saints are very dangerous offensively but have struggled defensively this season. The Buccs are a young and talented team, but are 6-7 this year. They have played a lot of close games and I don't think their secondary can handle all the weapons on the New Orleans offense. Saints will win, but thanks to their offense.
This is an intriguing matchup. The Saints are very dangerous offensively but have struggled defensively this season. The Buccs are a young and talented team, but are 6-7 this year. They have played a lot of close games and I don't think their secondary can handle all the weapons on the New Orleans offense. Saints will win, but thanks to their offense.
Minnesota Vikings 21-13 St. Louis Rams
The 7-6 Vikings take on the 6-6-1 Rams. By record they're pretty even but the big difference in this game is running back Adrian Peterson. Peterson is on pace to rival Eric Dickerson's single season rushing record and he has been an absolute beast this year especially after coming off a torn ACL. With Peterson and a stubborn defense, it will be hard for the Rams to overcome the Vikings.
The 7-6 Vikings take on the 6-6-1 Rams. By record they're pretty even but the big difference in this game is running back Adrian Peterson. Peterson is on pace to rival Eric Dickerson's single season rushing record and he has been an absolute beast this year especially after coming off a torn ACL. With Peterson and a stubborn defense, it will be hard for the Rams to overcome the Vikings.
Detroit Lions 32-9 Arizona Cardinals
The Detroit Lions have had a disaster of a season. After making the playoffs for the first time in years last season, they had high expectations for this season. Both teams are 4-9, but the Lions are the stronger team. With Matt Stafford throwing to Calvin Johnson, the Cardinals will have a tough time controlling them. I expect the Cardinals to drop a 10th straight game.
The Detroit Lions have had a disaster of a season. After making the playoffs for the first time in years last season, they had high expectations for this season. Both teams are 4-9, but the Lions are the stronger team. With Matt Stafford throwing to Calvin Johnson, the Cardinals will have a tough time controlling them. I expect the Cardinals to drop a 10th straight game.
Seattle Seahawks 33-18 Buffalo Bills
The Seattle Seahawks are red hot after coming off an overtime victory against the Chicago Bears and a 58-0 blowout against Arizona. Russell Wilson and Marshawn Lynch have had great seasons and will be too much for the Bills. The Bills have a good defense but have somewhat underperformed this year and their offense has struggled to hit their stride.
The Seattle Seahawks are red hot after coming off an overtime victory against the Chicago Bears and a 58-0 blowout against Arizona. Russell Wilson and Marshawn Lynch have had great seasons and will be too much for the Bills. The Bills have a good defense but have somewhat underperformed this year and their offense has struggled to hit their stride.
Carolina Panthers 30-28 San Diego Chargers
Both of these teams have had turbulent seasons. The Panthers are 4-9 and the Chargers
5-8. The Panthers have won against the Falcons, but have fallen to the Chiefs. The Chargers upset the Steelers last week, but lost a 7-6 thriller to the Browns earlier this season. Each team has outplayed themselves and failed themselves this year. I give this to the Panthers, narrowly, because of their win against the Falcons last week.
Both of these teams have had turbulent seasons. The Panthers are 4-9 and the Chargers
5-8. The Panthers have won against the Falcons, but have fallen to the Chiefs. The Chargers upset the Steelers last week, but lost a 7-6 thriller to the Browns earlier this season. Each team has outplayed themselves and failed themselves this year. I give this to the Panthers, narrowly, because of their win against the Falcons last week.
Pittsburgh Steelers 28-23 Dallas Cowboys
Each team is 7-6 and currently in respective divisional battles. The Cowboys boast the third best passing game in the league but also the third worst rushing game. The Steelers have a strong offense and a top three defense. The Steelers are the stronger and more complete team and have a more realistic chance at the playoffs.
Each team is 7-6 and currently in respective divisional battles. The Cowboys boast the third best passing game in the league but also the third worst rushing game. The Steelers have a strong offense and a top three defense. The Steelers are the stronger and more complete team and have a more realistic chance at the playoffs.
Kansas City Chiefs 23-20 Oakland Raiders
The Chiefs and Raiders are both at the bottom of the league. The Chiefs are 2-11. The Raiders are 3-10. The Raiders claimed the first game between the two divisional opponents earlier this season 26-16. This one can go to the Chiefs as there is no importance to this game. I give the edge to the Chiefs because of running back Jamaal Charles. The Chiefs are ranked fifth in the league in rushing.
The Chiefs and Raiders are both at the bottom of the league. The Chiefs are 2-11. The Raiders are 3-10. The Raiders claimed the first game between the two divisional opponents earlier this season 26-16. This one can go to the Chiefs as there is no importance to this game. I give the edge to the Chiefs because of running back Jamaal Charles. The Chiefs are ranked fifth in the league in rushing.
New England Patriots 35-24 San Francisco 49ers
The Patriots made mince-meat out of the Houston Texans last week. The Texans are a great defensive team that can run the ball extremely well and throw the ball with Schaub and A. Johnson. The New England offense ran all over their defense and the Patriots D stifled the Texans offense. The 49ers are a very good team and a super bowl contender, but I feel if the Patriots can force a lot of turnovers out of Houston, they can do the same to the young Colin Kaepernick. The game is in Gillette too and the Patriots thrive at home. They are 5-1 in New England this season. Also, you can never underestimate Tom Brady and his offense.
The Patriots made mince-meat out of the Houston Texans last week. The Texans are a great defensive team that can run the ball extremely well and throw the ball with Schaub and A. Johnson. The New England offense ran all over their defense and the Patriots D stifled the Texans offense. The 49ers are a very good team and a super bowl contender, but I feel if the Patriots can force a lot of turnovers out of Houston, they can do the same to the young Colin Kaepernick. The game is in Gillette too and the Patriots thrive at home. They are 5-1 in New England this season. Also, you can never underestimate Tom Brady and his offense.
New York Jets 27-17 Tennessee Titans
The New York Jets are 6-7 and are looking to prove to the league that they're not that bad, or at least as bad as everyone thinks they are. The Titans have had a miserable season as they are 4-9 and Chris Johnson has succeeded in fading away from being relevant in the league. I give this one to the Jets as Sanchez tries to prove he's not that bad (which he's not).
The New York Jets are 6-7 and are looking to prove to the league that they're not that bad, or at least as bad as everyone thinks they are. The Titans have had a miserable season as they are 4-9 and Chris Johnson has succeeded in fading away from being relevant in the league. I give this one to the Jets as Sanchez tries to prove he's not that bad (which he's not).