NFL Week 15 Preview
Now is the time of year that most of the games really don’t mean much except for those few that are the cream of the crop and have risen to the top. Most teams are just trying to either finish with a decent record or see who they need to replace in 2010. The Colts and Saints are just a couple of weeks away from reaching an NFL record and it does not look like they will have any problems obtaining that either because it does not look like there is anyone that can beat them. At least not in the regular season.
Colts at Jaguars - With nothing left to prove the Colts have the number one seed in the playoffs, most consecutive wins and the most wins in a decade, they still plan on playing all of their starters when they go to face the Jaguars. This is not good news for the Jaguars who need to win out to be able to get into the playoffs. And with a defense that has problems with the pass rush, this pretty much spells doom this week for the Jags with Peyton Manning at the helm.
Prediction - Colts 35 Jags 24
Cowboys at Saints - The Saints are still standing with no losses and although the last few games haven’t been that easy for them to win, they still have managed to find ways to win. And that is what good teams do. With the Cowboys coming into New Orleans and struggling in December, as they have done in the past, the likelihood of them beating the undefeated Saints is probably slim to nil.
Prediction - Saints 38 Cowboys 28
Miami at Titans - A little while ago both teams were playing so bad that no one would ever have thought that either team would be trying to get into the playoffs. But this week spells the end of one of these teams hopes of doing just that. The Titans who started 0-6 will have their hands full knowing that they have to not only beat out an entire group of 7-6 teams but also the Steelers and Texans who are both 6-7. If all things go well, all the teams losing where they should, the Titans could have a shot. If Miami can keep Titan’s running back Johnson at bay though, the game could go in Miami’s favor.
Prediction - Miami 33 Titans 30
Texans at Rams - The hope of going to the playoffs for the Texans are pretty much gone, but ending with the first winning record in their short franchise history is very possible especially coming to St. Louis where the only hope the Rams have is to hold on to that number one draft pick that is theirs should they continue to lose. That shouldn’t be a problem, with the ineptitude of the defense against the run (making any runner look like a super star) and the offenses inability to make things happen in the red zone, no matter who the quarterback is, chances are they are ending the year 1-15.
Prediction - Texans 35 Rams 13
49ers at Eagles - The 49ers may have won four of their last five games but that still won’t be enough for them to be able to win their division, nor will it take them to the playoffs. They will need to win all three of their last games and that home stretch begins in Philly. With the duo of McNabb and DeSean Jackson, it is highly unlikely that the 49ers will be able to rise above that combo.
Prediction - Eagles 30 49ers 21
Falcons at Jets - The last few games for the Jets have actually brightened their hopes for the playoffs at 7-6 should they continue and with the possible return of Mark Sanchez, their hopes could get even brighter. On the other hand the Falcons’ hopes of being bound for the playoffs are dimming. They are two games behind Dallas and would need to win out to even get a wild card spot. Both teams in the end have the same on the line and must win out to get in. Since both can’t win out, one of them will find out this week if their hopes have been crushed.
Prediction - Jets 28 Falcons 21
Browns at Chiefs - Well, this should be a shoe in for the Chiefs to add another win to their feeble record of 3-10. The Browns come into Arrowhead with one of their worst teams in franchise history, if it weren’t for the Rams they might be vying for the first round draft pick. The fluke win over the Steelers isn’t exactly drawing much attention since all eyes are elsewhere. Both teams have beaten the Super Bowl champs making them bottom of the barrel teams that caught the champs off guard. How will battle of the bottom feeders in up? Arrowhead Stadium is a plus so advantage Chiefs.
Prediction - Chiefs 21 Browns 13
Cardinals at Lions - With the Cardinals coming off a sloppy game they need to play against a Lions team that have only won two games and may not be with Matt Stafford. The Cardinals with Warner, Fitzgerald and Boldin should have a field day in Detroit against a very defeated Lions team that probably doesn’t have enough fight left in them to fight off a hoard of old grandmas from a bingo convention.
Prediction - Cardinals 40 Lions 21
Patriots at Bills - Although the Patriots stand at 8-5 it has not been an easy season for them and not one they probably would like to see again. But they should be able to secure things a little more when they go to play the Bills who are 5-8 and have no hopes of even getting close to a playoff spot. The Bills chose to ignore all the problems controversial player Incognito caused for the Rams in the past and picked him up anyway. As many problems they’ve had with changing coaches and quarterbacks, bringing in such a player more than likely will do more harm than good.
Prediction - Patriots 30 Bills 20
Bears at Ravens - The Bears thought by getting Jay Cutler for the season that it would make a big difference in their game play but it seems to be the same old story with this team. The offensive line doesn’t help either and the fact they don’t have a receiver pretty much seals the Bears fate. The Ravens on the other hand have been gradually improving the last few weeks and everyone should be healthy on their defense will give them the opportunity to probably get into the playoffs. There won’t be much the Bears offense can do against an always tough Ravens defense.
Prediction - Ravens 21 Bears 17
Bengals at Chargers - The Chargers can clinch a playoff berth with a win over the Bengals. Although the Chargers have not been successful on the ground with Tomlinson they still have managed to keep things going with some successful passing. The Bengals on the other hand who has been focused on nothing but the running game have shown their weakness over the past month or so and that is they don’t have a balanced offense because they can’t get the passing game going. Bengals need the game worse than the Chargers but it will probably difficult for the Bengals to pull off a win in San Diego.
Prediction - Chargers 28 Bengals 21
Raiders at Broncos - When the Broncos first started out of the gates they looked like a team that was going to make it easily to the playoffs. But as the season has progressed the Broncos have found it harder and harder to hold onto those playoffs hopes. But the Raiders are coming to town and the Broncos had no problem beating them in their first match and probably shouldn’t have a problem here. This will help them keep their playoff hopes alive.
Prediction - Broncos 21 Raiders 13
Buccaneers at Seahawks - The feeble Buccaneers whose only hope of getting the first round draft pick is if the Rams win a couple of games before the season is up, will be facing a Seahawks team that isn’t doing so good itself, but at least they do have more than one win to their name. Even though the Seahawks haven’t done well this season, having the Buccaneers come to town should be a breath of fresh air.
Prediction - Seahawks 23 Buccaneers 10
Packers at Steelers - The season the Steelers have been having after their Super Bowl win actually makes you wonder if the right team won the Super Bowl last year. The Steelers haven’t been looking like defending champs since the season began and now will be facing a Packers team that is playing far better and has a lot more at stake than the Steelers who would have to win out to even hope to get a wild card birth. The Packers have won five games in a row and can clinch with this game.
Prediction - Packers 35 Steelers 20
Vikings at Panthers - The Packers are in route for the playoffs and have had a pretty good year under the leadership of Brett Favre. The last couple of weeks though have not been pretty for Favre with three interceptions in each of his last two games. However; the Packers are facing a Panthers team that is coming off a disappointing game against the Patriots and have lost three of their last four games. With no playoff hopes alive for the Panthers the fire might not be as strong as it will be for the Packers.
Predictions - Packers 28 Panthers 13
Giants at Redskins - The Giants losing last week pretty much ended their hopes of winning their division. They still could have a decent shot at getting into the playoffs with a win over the Redskins. But that may be a harder task than most would think. Even though the Redskins are just 4-9 they have not been one of the easier opponents to beat. They have been able to stay in most of their games this second half of the season and have given a lot of teams some tough fights. So if the Giants can’t play a mistake free football game they could have a tough fight on their hands.
Prediction - Redskins 28 Giants 21
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