Week 16 NFL Preview
Well, so much for NFL history as the Saints fell to the Cowboys 24-17 in New Orleans. That was unexpected, but then again we probably should always remember the old saying “On any given Sunday, any team can be beat.” The Colts on the other hand continue their perfect season and seem like they will calmly continue to do so.
Chargers at Titans – Two years ago the Chargers met up with the Titans and faced a Fisher team whose attitude has much changed. They’re a nasty team to play, with a nasty attitude. Several injuries and fines came from that game in a Chargers win in overtime. The Chargers expect more of this type of play, some may say is dirty at times, and they won’t be intimidated this time around either. At this point in time the Titans may be tough and have a tough attitude even at 7-7, but the Chargers being the better team should rise above it.
Prediction – Chargers 31 Titans 28
Ravens at Steelers – The last time these two teams faced each other was when the Super Bowl trip was on the line. This time around the stakes aren’t so high, but it is still an important game for both of these team. Both teams are vying for a spot in the playoffs. Ravens at 8-6 and Steelers at 7-7. Both teams will be bringing their “A” game to this one and it should be a battle. But it seems Roethlisberger may have the Ravens number since he has beat them the last four times that these teams have met. With a lot of pride on the line for the defending champs the Steelers are bound and determined to get into the playoffs. This week is do or die.
Prediction – Steelers 35 Ravens 28
Panthers at Giants – Panthers go into New York with their playoff dreams snuffed out and the only thing they can hope for is to be a spoiler and come out with a break even season with winning their last two games. If the Panthers beat the Giants then the giants pretty much can kiss their playoff hopes goodbye as well. Unless both the Cowboys and Packers lose their next two teams. But it would behoove the Giants if they help themselves by beating the Panthers this week. The past few games though the Panthers have improved their defense and have had eight interceptions and five fumbles. So it should be a tough game, but if Eli Manning brings his “A” game the Giants should be able to pull off a win here at home.
Prediction – Giants 24 Panthers 21
Buccaneers at Saints – The Saints have got to be reeling from that loss from last week. The game the Saints played truly wasn’t playoff caliber and was on rather the sloppy side and a bit careless. Whether it was a fluke or they let their success go to their heads, we won’t know and it pretty doesn’t much matter with the hapless Buccaneers coming to town. The Saints are already in the playoffs, so last weeks loss really only meant no perfect season and not much more. The one win Buccaneers are pretty much nothing to worry about, more like a small annoyance that needs to be shooed away. Saints however need to play some smarter football once they are into the playoffs or it could be a short road despite their record.
Prediction – Saints 40 Buccaneers 17
Jaguars at Patriots – The Jaguars have never beat the Patriots in New England but need a win to keep their playoff hopes alive. But with such a dim record it is hardly likely that the Patriots will let the Jaguars keep their hopes alive at their cost. Tom Brady and Randy Moss will more than like take advantage of the Jaguars defense and pretty much seal their entrance to the playoffs and hand the Jaguars an 0-6 record against the Pats at home.
Prediction – Patriots 24 Jaguars 17
Texans at Dolphins – Last week the Dolphins lost control of the playoff hopes and have a very slim chance with the chips all falling into place to be able to sniff out a playoff spot. The same holds true for the Texans as well. Both teams know that a loss here means no matter what else happens there is no chance of playoffs. Worse yet for the Texans it would mean that their first winning season would also be gone as well. So it will all depend on who wants the win more, who is more willing to stand in there till the very last second and take all the blows.
Prediction – Texans 28 Dolpins 20
Seahawks at Packers – Last week the Packers were exposed and it showed how much the injuries were beginning to hurt them in their loss against the Steelers. But they get a reprieve with the Seahawks coming to town. The Seahawks and Matt Hasselbeck have been struggling all year and it is doubtful that they will be able to muster up enough offense against a Packers defense that only allows about 14 pts per game and only 254 yards of offense. The Packers, even being beat up, shouldn’t have much problems against a Seahawks team that just doesn’t seem to know what direction they are going in.
Prediction – Packers 28 Seahawks 13
Raiders at Browns – Since neither one of these teams are going anywhere but home after next week, it is hard to gauge what team will come out playing the toughest. If the Browns want to keep their coach Mangini, they might want to fight hard to keep up their winning streak and increase it to three. Mike Holgrem has been appointed as the team president and it will be vital for Mangini to win his last two games. Being at home the likelihood that the Browns can pull it off against a not so good Raiders team could be the advantage.
Prediction – Browns 21 Raiders 17
Chiefs at Bengals – The Bengals have struggled the past two weeks and blew their chance of making it into the playoffs uncontested. Now they will have to make sure that they win their last two games in order to make those playoff hopes. But what better way to right the ship than to play one of the worst teams in the NFL, the Kansas City Chiefs. Larry Johnson will be a key figure in this game when he plays against his old team, who has been ailing ever since they got rid of the disgruntled player. The Chiefs offense is suffering, not so much due to Matt Cassle but mainly because none of their receivers seem to be able to hold onto the ball. Look for this to continue against the Bengals.
Prediction – Bengals 35 Chiefs 20
Bills at Falcons – Neither one of these teams will be seeing any playoff action this season, so it is pretty much a game for pride and who wants to end the season better more. Although the Falcons can end the season at 9-7 which would give them their first back to back winning seasons in 44 years. This will be the tenth straight season that the Bills have missed the playoffs and they may be without their much improved quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick.
Prediction – Falcons 24 Bills 17
Lions at 49ers – With the 49ers officially out of the playoffs as of last week, the only thing to do is to try and make this their best record in seven years. To do this they will need to win their last two games. With the Lions coming to town, they can pretty much put their money on winning this one. The Lions have just had one horrible season after another and this year has not been any different. Their last game is against the Rams, probably the worst team in the NFL so the 49ers have a great chance to finish the season on a winning streak.
Prediction – 49ers 30 Lions 28
Rams at Cardinals – The Rams should just throw in the white towel so they can beat out the Buccaneers for the overall number one draft in 2010. And that shouldn’t be too hard when they have to face Kurt Warner again this season. Ever since Warner was released from the Rams, he has had them in the palm of his hand and nothing has been able to stop Warner’s dominance over the Rams. It shouldn’t be any different in this game.
Prediction – Cardinals 35 Rams 20
Jets at Colts – So far it doesn’t look like the Colts will ease up at all the last two weeks and the Manning let team will be shooting for its 24th consecutive win and one game away from a perfect season. It is obvious the Jets would prefer that they ease up some but it is not going to happen. Peyton Manning has a 7-4 record against the Jets and that no doubt will move to 8-4 after this game.
Prediction – Colts 35 Jets 24
Broncos at Eagles – The Broncos who got off to a great start this season are now struggling to just try to win a playoff berth while the Eagles on the other hand are simply trying to win the 2nd playoff berth position. The Eagles can win their division with a Dallas loss and the Broncos will have to win out in order to secure a wild card spot. The likelihood of them coming to play the Eagles on their turf in very unfriendly territory is probably not going to bode well for the Broncos. McNabb will probably have a great game against the Broncos both in the air and with his continued ability to run with the ball as well.
Prediction – Eagles 35 Broncos 28
Cowboys at Redskins – The Cowboys are riding high off last weeks win against the Saints as well as breaking their usual December skid. They’ve been able to make their playoff hopes alive and know that with a loss here, they will be out just like that. But it is the Redskins they will be facing. So that should be putting some smiles on their faces this weekend. Although the Redskins played a hard fought game in their 7-6 loss against the Cowboys earlier in the season, the Redskins have done nothing but regress since then. Look for Romo to have a field day against the Redskins this time around.
Prediction – Cowboys 38 Redskins 21
Vikings at Bears – Watch out Bears here comes the old man Favre. It doesn’t matter how old this guy seems to get, he never seems to slow down when it comes to perfecting the art of quarterbacking. Favre though has been struggling the last couple of games and know that if he doesn’t shake it off that they will miss their shot at a first week bye. But that should be fixed playing against a Bears team that had high hopes with Jay Cutler and have had nothing but misery most of the season. The Bears seems to be in complete disarray and it doesn’t look like that will change in their last two games.
Prediction – Vikings 40 Bears 20
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