NFL Preview Week 11
There are just two teams left that are standing at 9-0. Both the Colts and the Saints are undefeated in their own leagues. Although the Saints came close to losing, in an upset against the Rams last week, they still stand at 9-0. Was this a weakness in the Saints armor? Doubtful, they just had their hands full with the likes of Steven Jackson. Jackson may be on a losing team, but he’s up there statistically with the Vikings Adrian Peterson.
Dolphins at Panthers - Both teams are standing at 4-5 and play during a short week playing on Thursday. Both teams just played this last Sunday, and more than likely this will have an effect on both teams, but more so on the Dolphins who are also the visiting team. Both teams have had a good season when it comes to running, but Jake Delhomme has been on fire lately and it will probably come down to how well he plays. This game may have already been decided by the time this is read, but here’s my prediction anyway.
Prediction - Panthers 30 Dolphins 21
Saints at Buccaneers - The Saints will be going into Tampa Bay probably a little leery after their near loss to the Rams on the previous Sunday. But, the Rams seem to be an improving team and having a fired up Jackson made their near defeat almost a reality. As for the Buccaneers, there hasn’t been any improvement and there are no true threats on their team that the Saints should worry about. Should be a cake walk for the Saints this week.
Prediction - Saints 48 Buccaneers 23
Falcons at Giants - The Falcons come limping into New York without their key runner, Michael Turner. This could be a big break for the Giants who are looking for anything to help them get off of a four game losing streak that they find themselves on. Matt Ryan will need to play much better than he has recently. He’s had eight interceptions in his last four games. Giants reeling from the last four games and Falcons without Turner looks as if the Giants may have the advantage here.
Prediction - Giants 28 Falcons 24
Seahawks at Vikings - The Seahawks have been struggling all year and the three games that they have won were very hard to come by. Now they find themselves going into Minnesota to play a very hot Vikings team led by, old man Favre. If anyone questioned why Favre would have once again scoffed at retirement, they only need to look at the Vikings standing in 1st place in the NFC North. The Seahawks may be feeling a little better about themselves, but that does not hide the fact they have lost 5 road games in a row. The struggling Seahawks with a suspect secondary will be biting off more than they can chew in this game.
Prediction - Vikings 38 Seahawks 21
Steelers at Chiefs - Normally, the Chiefs would at least be able to fend off their opposition when playing at Arrowhead, but this year the Chiefs stand at 0-5 when playing at home. With the Steelers reeling off of what happened last week, they’re probably thinking that the Chiefs are just what they need to fire things up again. The Chiefs have allowed on an average 443. 3 yards and 30 points, in the last three games. The Chiefs also have bigger woes with the release of Larry Johnson and with Duane Bowe being suspended for the next four weeks. Steelers shouldn’t have any problems winning one in Arrowhead.
Prediction - Steelers 35 Chiefs 17
Bills at Jaguars - The Bills are going into Jacksonville just after the firing of their head coach Dick Jauron. It’s pretty much a given that a team that loses their coach during the season can feel a sense of disarray. It also doesn’t help that they have to travel to Jacksonville. Even though the Bills have threats like Evans and Owens, they have yet to get their offense on track. Jaguars shouldn’t have any problem beating the Bills at home.
Prediction - Jaguars 24 Bills 17
49ers at Packers - Both teams are coming off of must win games last week and are looking to extend that feeling of confidence this week. The 49ers have not beat the Packers since 1990 and the Packers are hoping to keep that streak going. With the Packers boasting a 4th ranked defense, the 49ers will probably find it difficult to get past that, especially in Lambeau Field.
Prediction - Packers 28 49ers 21
Browns at Lions - The Browns, who are struggling as much as the Lions, should feel a little bit relieved to know that the Lions, have allowed the most points in the NFL. On the flip side of this coin, the Browns haven’t exactly been the hardest team to keep out of the end zone this year. The Browns are averaging just 8.7 points per game and are on track to set a new record in the NFL. There’s nothing on the line here for either team except perhaps pride.
Prediction - Lions 17 Browns 7
Redskins at Cowboys - Even though the Redskins are on a skid this season and the Cowboys stand at 1st place in their division, doesn’t mean you won’t see a dog fight here. The Redskins and Cowboys have had a heated rivalry for quite some time now, so no matter what the records are here, there should still be a lot of passion throughout this entire game. Despite the fact that the Redskins only have a 3-6 record, they do have the #1 rated pass defense that already has 24 sacks. This sack hungry defense will probably give Romo a run for his money. This could be an outcome that the Cowboys aren’t expecting. I’m going for the upset here.
Prediction - Redskins 24 Cowboys 21
Colts at Ravens - Although the Ravens are having a decent season and they are playing at home, they still are facing a nearly flawless 0-9 Colts team. Manning is having a career year and he doesn’t look like he’ll be slowing down any time soon. It doesn’t seem to matter who Peyton has out there for receiving, he doesn’t seem to have a problem finding all of them. One of the reason for Manning’s success is the fact his offensive line is getting the job done with only eight sacks recorded against their quarterback. There shouldn’t be any problems here for the Colts to pull off this division win, moving to five games ahead of the Ravens for the title race.
Prediction - Colts 31 Ravens 21
Cardinals at Rams - Although the rebuilding Rams have shown some improvement over the past few weeks, it probably won’t be enough to overcome the Kurt Warner and the Cardinals. Warner has been leading his team patiently through the season with it’s ups and downs, and look to go 5-0 on the road for the first time in 61 years. That could be enough incentive for the Cardinals to get a win here. Warner also seems to always be able to come out as the victor when returning to his old stomping grounds. This does not mean however that the Rams won’t put up a good fight. It should be a close game.
Prediction - Cardinals 31 Rams 28
Bengals at Raiders - Can the trouble ridden Larry Johnson make an immediate impact with the Bengals? With the loss of Benson to a sore hip, he may have his opportunity. Even with that note, the Bengals who are having a surprisingly good year, probably won’t have any problems getting past the struggling Raiders who have continual on and off field problems. This should be an easy one for the Bengals this week.
Prediction - Bengals 35 Raiders 17
Jets at Patriots - After the bad fourth down call that ended in a painful loss for the Patriots, they are probably feeling a little relieved that they are facing an opponent that isn’t exactly having that great of a year. The Jets had a great start with 3-0 and their defense seemed to be on fire, but as of late that has not been seen. Since then the defense has allowed 126 yards rushing per game. To make matters worse, the Jets pass offense is ranked 27thin the NFL. This probably just the ticket for the Patriots at home.
Prediction - Patriots 35 Jets 21
Chargers at Broncos - The Chargers, who have been on fire the last few games go and face a Broncos team in Denver, that may be without their starting quarterback on Sunday. The Broncos had a great 6-0 start but have lost three straight and without their quarterback, should he not play, could mean that the Broncos will drop more in their division rankings. The Chargers are charged up and will probably let the Broncos know it.
Prediction - Chargers 28 Broncos 21
Eagles at Bears - The Eagles come limping into Soldier Field without the help of their star player, Brian Westbrook. Without his help the team is going to have to try and rely on the footwork of Donovan McNabb. This is a very important game for both teams. A loss for either team will place both teams in jeopardy of playoff hopes. The Bears, although at home do seem to have trust issues with their quarterback. It’s become apparent that they may not feel they can rely upon him. This could give an advantage to the Eagles.
Prediction - Eagles 21 Bears 17
Titans at Texans - The Titans, who are having one of their worst years in the history of their franchise, go into Texas to face a Texan team, that may see their first playoff birth in their franchise history. Although the Titans have gone 3-0 since the return of Vince Young, the ability to out shoot the hot Matt Schaub may be too much of a task for Young and the Titans.
Prediction - Texans 35 Titans 32
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