Last week was officially the week of special teams. DeSean Jackson, Tyjuan Hagler, Dan Connolly and Devin Hester all made great return plays to help their team to wins. Atlanta, Chicago, New England and Pittsburgh have wrapped up a play-off spot. With bye weeks and home field on the line though I don’t expect these sides to relent. A shorter preview this week, it’s Christmas time in case you didn’t realise and the family are over tomorrow. This has meant getting the house ship-shape and less time for NFL. Home team in caps…
PITTSBURGH STEELERS (-14) over Carolina Panthers (Friday 1:30am, Sky Sports)
The Steelers have yet to wrap up the AFC North so they’ll be going all out for the win. But as last week showed the lack of Troy Polamalu in the secondary severely limits what they can do on defense. Jimmy Clausen looked better for Carolina last week with his job possibly on the line already. The rookie can’t survive in such a high pressure environment for long, as will be shown by the Steelers defense.
Dallas Cowboys (-7) over ARIZONA CARDINALS (Sunday 1:30am, Sky Sports)
Dallas nearly threw it away against Washington last week when those defensive issues reared its ugly head again. Arizona are in a mess and finally out of the play-off hunt. Expect Christmas day fireworks on one side of the ball at least. Dallas have the ability to score quickly however, even without rookie hot shot Dez Bryant on the outside
Detroit Lions (+3.5) over MIAMI DOLPHINS
Miami is 1-6 at home this year while Detroit are riding high on back to back wins and snapped their horrible winless streak on the road last week. The Lions actually look like they could compete in the NFC North next year if they can improve their offensive line and get one or two more playmakers in the defense. Miami meanwhile look like a team in trouble. They have a defense capable of terrorizing the opposition but an offense unable to take advantage of it. They could well look to replace QB Chad Henne in the offseason and get younger at runningback.
JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS (-7) over Washington Redskins
Jacksonville no longer control their own fate after last weeks lose to Indy, but they should do well against a ‘Skins team in dissary. The benching of McNabb last week could spell the end of his brief career in Washington despite the big extension they handed him. But given the QB situation in places like Arizona and Carolina i can see teams picking him up if he's not in the capital.
ST LOUIS RAMS (-2.5) over San Francisco 49ers
Bradford looks to have hit the rookie wall, which isn’t good for the Rams playoff hopes. He’s thrown 0 touchdowns and 5 interceptions in the last 3 weeks. San Fran can still make it in but will need to win out and a Seattle loss. The NFC West ladies and gentlemen!
TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS (-6) over Seattle Seahawks
A little unsure about this pick. The Bucs haven’t really blown anyone away this year and suffered a lot of injuries recently. But the Seahawks suck on the road, Matt Hasselbeck looks awful, and so does his backup Charlie Whitehurst. Bucs are 3-0 vs the rest of the NFC West and love to beat bad teams, so let’s go Josh Freeman!
New England Patriots (-7.5) over BUFFALO BILLS
Tom Brady now has 292 pass attempts without an interception, but in the last 2 weeks there have been some stone-cold drops from opposing defenses. He also has the flu. Quite how this will affect his playing status on Sunday, or possibly spread through the team, is unclear.
CHICAGO BEARS (-1) over New York Jets
Gut feeling on this one. The Bears looked good Monday night against the Vikings in chilly conditions, while the Jets played well against the Steelers. While Chicago have wrapped up their division they’re still in a race for a bye week and need a win. Their defense plays the run well and will force Sanchez to win the game. I don’t think he can.
Baltimore Ravens (-3.5) over CLEVELAND BROWNS
Baltimore been susceptible to the run more than usual but I think they’ll confuse and agitate Colt McCoy. Cleveland are a hard working team but lack the quality to compete with a team on the level Baltimore are. That said, they’ve pulled out surprising victories already this season, I wouldn’t be shocked if they do here.
KANSAS CIY CHIEFS (-5) over Tennessee Titans
Matt Cassel is one tough man. 10 days after an appendectomy he took to the field and looked good against the Rams. Tennessee are a tougher team however, and will no doubt look to get early hits on Cassel. The Titans O took off against Houston last week (not hard), much harder to go to Arrowhead and play well these days.
Indianapolis Colts (-3) over OAKLAND RAIDERS
Indy held Jacksonville to just 3 yards a carry last week, aided by the return of middle linebacker Gary Brackett. Next comes Darren McFadden. Peyton Manning is looking back to his normal self but WR Austin Collie has been put on IR after sustaining a second concussion, once more reducing Manning’s weapons. Biggest battle will be between Nnamdi Asomugha and Reggie Wayne on the outside, two of the best at the best in the bizz going toe to toe.
DENVER BRONCOS (NL) over Houston Texans
Tim Tebow getting his second start of the season. He looked ok last week in Oakland but only completed 50% of his passes. This should get better this week in a friendly Mile High stadium against the worst pass D in the league. As for Houston, they’re a bit of a mess right now, the offense is ticking along but is unable to make up for the troubles on D. Gary Kubiak could be gone sooner rather than later.
GREEN BAY PACKERS (-3) over New York Giants
Two last second defeats, two contrasting feelings for these teams. Giants gave up 28 points in 7:28 to lose to the Eagles while Matt Flynn had a great game for the first 55:30 against New England before messing up a 4th down play that cost the Pack on a drive to win the game. Aaron Rodgers is expected to be back which should boost them against a tough Giants pass rush. Tom Coughlin verbally baratted punter Matt Dodge on the field after he punted to Jackson in the closing seconds, but the coaches and play calling ought to take a lot of the blame for last weeks defeat, I don’t see the Giants making the post season now.
San Diego Chargers (-7.5) over CINCINNATI BENGALS
No Owens puts more pressure on Carson Palmer against a stout D that has to win. Rivers has his big target Vincent Jackson back, who is going to put on a show before he enters free agency in the off season.
PHILADELPHIA EAGLES (-14) over Minnesota Vikings (Monday 1:30am, Channel 4)
There’s definitely going to be no surprise start for Favre this week after getting drilled into the turf again. This season has been a lesson in “Me me me!” football from the old timer and I won’t be sorry to see the back of him. Rookie Joe Webb looked ok against Chicago and was extremely mobile in the pocket. QB's scrambling everywhere in this one!
ATLANTA FALCONS (-2.5) over New Orleans Saints (Tuesday 1:30am, ESPN)
Huge game. Atlanta clinches the division and Home Field advantage with a win, the Saints need to bounce back quickly to ensure they make the post season. Drew Brees is tied for the lead in TD passes, but has 19 INT’s, too many when the team relies so heavily on him.
Last Week: 9-7
Coming soon: The illustrious Toby Durant end of year awards
No comments:
Post a Comment