Courtesy of printableteamschedules.com
Thursday night saw what could likely be the last home game for the Rams franchise in St. Louis, as the franchise's owner looks to move the team to Los Angeles. The Color Rush game saw Mustard beating Ketchup 31-23, whereby the Rams essentially knocked the Bucs out of the playoff picture, as both teams now sit at 6-8.
Last night's game, saw the Cowboys finally join the ranks of those mathematically eliminated from the playoffs, and Skip Bayless's rhetoric about how he expected Dallas to finally turn the corner can be put back on the shelf until 2016. The Cowboys had a good chance to win the game with Kellen Moore at QB, but a late jump ball pass down the field to Dez Bryant ended in an interception and officially ended the season for the Cowboys.
One of today's biggest games has Houston and Indy both starting back up QBs in a game that could very well decide who wins the AFC South and secures the 4 seed in the playoffs. Carolina heads to MetLife Stadium to try and stay perfect, and the Chiefs looks to continue their winning streak in Baltimore. The most important game of the week though is probably Denver at Pittsburgh. With the Jets winning last night, the Steelers have to keep pace with a win, while Denver is hoping to stay in the hunt for a playoff bye after losing a close game to Oakland at home.
Chicago
at Minnesota -5.5
Minnesota suddenly looks like a mediocre football team after dropping 3 out of the last 4 to fall to 8-5. I still think this team makes the playoffs, but they are likely going to be the 6 seed and heading to Green Bay, unless something changes quickly. The Bears have played a lot better than expected this season, but that's because the expectations were very low. Chicago is coming off back to back loses to the 49ers and Redskins, both at home, and now they have to go on the road against a divisional opponent that is going to the playoffs. 9 of the last 10 Chicago games have been decided by 6 points or less, so give me the Vikings to win, but the Bears cover. Vikings 20 Bears 16.
Atlanta
at Jacksonville -3
Jacksonville's season will likely end on January 3rd, but in their last 3 games the Jags have scored 25, 39, and 51 points, so I think they have finally figured it out on offense. I like what Blake Bortles has done this year; he has 30 passing touchdowns, which is 3rd in the NFL this season, and he has clearly found a rhythm with Robinson, Hurns, and Julius Thomas. Atlanta has officially fallen apart after getting trounced 38-0 in Charlotte last week. Give me the Jags to win at home 34 - 31.
Houston
at Indianapolis -1.5
JJ Watt's hand is clearly affecting his performance. He has zero sacks and a pedestrian 7 total tackles in the last two games. Indy hasn't exactly been setting the world on fire either though in the last few weeks. They got blown out in the 2nd half against the Jaguars and were dominated by the Steelers, so they also need a win badly. With the AFC South crown likely on the line in this game, I'm going with the Colts to get the win. The Colts are playing at home, they have more explosive players than Houston, and I believe in Matt Hasselbeck more than I do TJ Yates. If Hasselbeck's rib injury gives him problems and the Colts have to turn to Charlie Whitehurst, that could open the door for the Texans, but assuming he's healthy I think the Colts get a win at home and likely secure the AFC South crown. Colts 22 Texans 20.
Carolina -4
at NY Giants
This game has probably been one of the most hyped 13-0 vs 6-7 match ups in recent memory, because it puts the best wide receiver (with all due respect to Julio Jones and Antonio Brown) in the game against the best corner in the game. Odell Beckham has 6 straight games with over a 100 yards receiving and 12 TDs this year, but Josh Norman's numbers against top wide receivers are insane. This year against DeAndre Hopkins, Mike Evans, T.Y. Hilton, Dez Bryant, and Julio Jones he has given up 9 receptions, 89 yards, and 0 touchdowns total. He hasn't give up more than 35 yards receiving to any receiver, and none of those players has caught more than 4 balls against him. That's total domination against some of the best players in the NFL. With Jonathan Stewart out, the Panthers are going to rely on Fozzy Whitaker to carry the load, with Cameron Artis-Payne and Mike Tolbert mixed in to change up the pace. I think this comes down to the fact the Panthers play good defense and run the ball well, and the Giants can't run the ball and don't play good defense. The Giants are too reliant on Eli and Beckham, and if you take away those two from them, their offense doesn't move the ball. I don't know if Josh Norman completely shuts down Odell Beckham, but I don't think Beckham has a career day either. It should be an awesome chess match between these two. Panthers 31 Giants 23.
Tennessee
at New England -14
I don't think anyone outside of a die hard Titans fan is expecting Tennessee to go up to Foxboro and get a win, so this questions comes down to will they cover the spread? The Titans have played a lot of teams close this year, but they got blown out last week against the Jets. The Patriots still have multiple key players nursing injuries, but they've still got far more talent than the Titans. Tennessee may keep it close for the 1st half, but I think New England pulls away and wins this one by double digits. It should be interesting to see how the Pats use Brandon Bolden and James White. Patriots 34 Titans 17.
Buffalo -2.5
at Washington
Rex Ryan's playoff hopes are likely over and there's dissension in the locker room in Buffalo. The Redskins meanwhile got a much needed win on the road in Chicago last week, and they are 5-2 at home this year. This game is pretty much a push, but I like Kirk Cousins and the Redskins at home over Rex Ryan's Bills. If this game was in Buffalo, I'd go with the Bills, but I think Washington just has more to play for today. Washington 21 Buffalo 20.
Kansas City -6.5
at Baltimore
Kansas City has won 7 of their last 8 games, but last week they struggled mightily against a bad San Diego Chargers team, only winning 10-3. Baltimore has been eliminated from the playoffs, but they've still been competitive in most of their games this year. While this might not be a sexy game, it does have significant playoff implications. The Chiefs have been finding ways to win and they should continue that today against the Ravens. They'll run the ball and Alex Smith will move the ball down the field when he has to. Chiefs 25 Ravens 17.
Cleveland
at Seattle -14
Mike Pettine has officially hopped aboard the I Don't Give A Damn Express. Is Russell Wilson elite? No. But the guy has still been to back to back Super Bowls, and his team is going back to the playoffs again this year. Additionally, his statistics over the last few weeks have been phenomenal. So, saying that someone is not elite, when your team has struggled at the QB position for the last 2 decades, isn't exactly smart, but you have to appreciate the fact that Pettine knows his days in Cleveland are numbered and he's going out with a bang. Maybe his comments help motivate his team; maybe they go into Seattle and surprise the Seahawks and only lose by 13 points. I don't see it happening, but it's worth a shot. Seattle 35 Cleveland 10.
Green Bay -3.5
at Oakland
Green Bay heads to the black hole today to try and keep their lead in the NFC North. This game should be a very good battle as both QBs love to throw the ball. Rodgers has completed 282-461 passes for 3175 yards and 28 TDs, while Carr has completed 283-455 passes for 3313 yards and 28 TDs. It's amazing to think that Carr, a second year player, has those kind of numbers compared to Aaron Rodgers. The Raiders likely aren't going to the playoffs, barring a miracle, but they've had a very nice season. I'm hoping this game is a high scoring affair in the Bay Area, but I like Green Bay to get a close win. Packers 38 Raiders 34.
Denver
at Pittsburgh -6
Reports from the Broncos via Ian Rapoport, are that Peyton Manning does not plan on being Brock Osweiler's back up, even if he's healthy, so it likely means the Manning era in Denver is over. Peyton wasn't going to play this week anyway due to injury, but this looks like to be an EXTREMELY interesting developing story over the next couple of weeks. With all these distractions, it looks like Pittsburgh's chances of winning and covering the spread just jumped through the roof. I think Denver's defense is going to play tough, but I still think the Steelers win and cover. Pittsburgh 24 Denver 17.
Miami
at San Diego -1
San Diego and Miami both have packed it in and are looking to 2016. The Chargers almost knocked off the Chiefs last weekend, but couldn't punch it in from the red zone. Miami has usually played well against bad teams, but heading to the West Coach for what could be the last Chargers home game in San Diego, could prove challenging. If this game was in Miami I'd go with the Dolphins, but being that this may be the last time Philip Rivers plays in San Diego, I'm going with the Chargers to get the win 27-24.
Cincinnati -6
at San Francisco
AJ McCarron gets the start today for the Bengals, and he's not shy about his confidence. The Bengals are clearly a better team than San Francisco, but going on the road with a QB who is making his first NFL start, is going to be a challenge. As has been well reported, the University of Alabama hasn't had one their alumni win an NFL game as a starting QB since Reagan was president. I think that streak ends today. As long as McCarron doesn't play terribly, the Bengals should move to 11-3. Cincy 20 San Fran 13.
Arizona -3.5
at Philadelphia
The Cardinals head to Philly tonight to take on an Eagles team that looks poised to take the NFC East crown. Arizona has already locked in a playoff spot and they can lock up the NFC West with a win or a Seattle loss. Carson Palmer has had an MVP type season and he'll look to lead to the Cards to another victory tonight. Philly, surprisingly controls their own destiny thanks to a deplorable NFC East. I think this game is close, but I like still like Arizona to get a win and lock up the NFC West. Cardinals 30 Eagles 24.
Detroit
at New Orleans -2.5
Monday Night's game sees the Lions heading to New Orleans to the face the Saints. Drew Brees against Matthew Stafford should be a fun to watch as two dynamic passing teams go up against each other with nothing to lose. The Saints got a win last week in Tampa, while Detroit fell to St. Louis. Stafford should have a better week against that bad Saints defense, but I think the Saints get a win at home in a high scoring game. Saints 34 Lions 28.
The Holidays are in full swing as Hanukkah ended on Monday and Christmas comes on Friday, which means the playoff race heats up. Cheers to the last few games of the season and the start of the NFL Playoffs.
No comments:
Post a Comment