Can you believe we're at the halfway point of the NFL season? Another scintillating season so far filled with surprise runs, dramatic comebacks, and a few crash n burns! As we move forward into the second half of the regular season teams are beginning to focus on their division races and ponder playoff positioning. Theme of this week: revenge and retribution. Payback will be on the minds of plenty as we'll see numerous teams try to take advantage of redemption opportunities! Other interesting storyline to watch: Can Miami or Indy score their first win? Here we go...
Jets travel to Buffalo for crucial division game: Do or die game for Rex's gang green and at 4-3 they can't afford a fourth loss at this point if they want to compete for the AFC East crown. As big as this contest is for the Jets, it's even bigger for the Bills. Long has it been since Buffalo has played a meaningful game in November and now they stand poised to compete all season for not only a playoff spot but potentially a first round bye. All that said, I think Fred Jackson is the x-factor in the game and the fact that the Jets have failed to win a road game this season. New York's embattled quarterback throws a couple of costly picks, combined with a weak running game ultimately leads to their demise. Behind their resurgent defense, Bills defeat NY by 9.
Seattle at Dallas: Cowboys are coming off an embarrassing loss in Philly and realize they have to take advantage of the lowly Seahawks to mount any type of charge to the postseason. Seattle played beyond terrible at home last Sunday and although they've already pulled off a stunning road win against the Giants I can't see them catching lightning in a bottle twice. Boys score early and often, smother pathetic Seahawks by 17.
Dolphins visit KC searching first W: Is this finally the week Miami tastes victory? They have been in most of their games and quite honestly, it's hard to believe they haven't pulled one out yet. However, they are running into the right team at the worst time. Maybe if they had the Chiefs in week 2 they would have a better shot at coming out on top? Perhaps. The Chiefs became first team in NFL history to lose their first three games then win four in a row and have a share of the division lead. The AFC West has suddenly become a very interesting race that should go down to the wire. Sorry Miami fans, this isn't the week your team breaks through. KC picks up more steam and wins... barely by 4.
Niners go coast-to-coast to battle Redskins: Washington was humiliated last week in Buffalo, getting shutout 28-0. San Fran is 6-1 and in prime position to win their division and possibly even get a first-round bye. At 3-4, the Skins are still alive for a postseason berth amid their quarterback turmoil. Will Shanahan put Rex Grossman back in? Can the Skins defense bring Alex Smith back down to Earth? I think desperation plays a huge role in this game and Washington plays desperate on both sides of the ball and finds a way to stop the 49er offense. Beck plays well enough to finish the game and keep the starting job for now. Niners finally look human as Washington humbles Harbaugh's crew by 7.
Payback game - Bucs land in hostile New Orleans: The Saints not only lost a crucial division game when played a few weeks ago in Tampa they also lost their head coach to a broken leg injury that will force him to coach from the booth, in all likelihood, for the rest of the season. The Buccaneers have been an up and down team, coming out tough and impressive some weeks then stunningly flat in others. The Saints were a disaster last week, losing a very winnable game to previously win-less St. Louis. I expect a angry team in the Bayou to smack Tampa Bay right in the mouth from the first play, reminding them they still aren't ready to play with the big boys. Huge day for Brees and his collection of speedy receivers, Saints win by 15.
Falcons fly into Indy as Colts try for elusive first victory: I won't waste any time on this game. Atlanta wins handily and Indy fans get to see first hand how nasty losses can be without the oh so valuable Peyton Manning. Dirty Birds soar high, crush Colts by 24. We will all be debating Monday if Indianapolis will finish the season 0-16?? Only time will tell but this sports guru sees Andrew Luck putting on a Colts hat shaking the commissioner's hand first at the 2012 NFL Draft!
Brownies try to play spoiler at Houston: Although the Texans are piling up injuries like Jared Allen is sacks, I still see the home team coming out on top. Arian Foster is a beast while Colt McCoy and the Cleveland offense can't seem to find any type of offensive rhythm. Regardless of Andre Johnson playing or missing another game, Houston does not have a problem. Texans over Browns by 10.
Bengals visit Titans: Don't fall off your seat now, I'm warning you... the Cincinnati Bengals are 5-2. Everyone ok? Trust me I'm just as shocked as you are. Cincy's rookie QB has played well enough to support their league-leading defense and set themselves up perfectly for a possible playoff return. Tennessee is an odd team this season. NFL game-breaker Chris Johnson has been a shell of his former self and newly acquired quarterback Matt Hasslbeck hasn't quite hit his stride yet. Still, the Titans are 4-3 and even after their dreadful performance at home against Schaub and their division rivals, they get another chance at home to gain their fifth win of the season. I may regret this pick but I'm going with the Titans. I just can't see the Bengals at 6-2 and Bengal quarterback Andy Dalton will have his stumbles at some point this season, starting this week. Bold prediction: CJ goes on a tear against the league's statistically best D, rushes for over 100 yards, leading the Titans to a stunning three point upset win. Is this an upset? Am I crazy? Did I just pick the Titans to win a meaningful game? This should be interesting!
Tebow leads Broncos into Black Hole showdown: Carson Palmer has had two weeks to learn the system and get some familiarity with his receivers. After Tim Tebow's amazing comeback in Miami in the final three minutes he came back down to Earth last week as the visiting Lions devoured him over and over again. The Raiders may very well be without game-changer Darren McFadden but they have enough to beat the fading Broncos. The game stays close in the first half but Oakland pulls away in fourth, holding off Denver to win by 12.
St. Louis at Arizona: This has let-down game written all over it. Just last Sunday the Rams shocked the NFL world with an unexpected win over the high-octane Saints. The Cardinals are fresh off their devastating collapse at Baltimore where they led by three touchdowns only to blow the shot at winning their second game of the year. I expect St. Louis to come out flat and Arizona to capitalize on it. Home team Cards win in a romp by 13.
Undefeated Packers take on San Diego: This is the week Green Bay falls. The Chargers choked away a very important division game Monday night in KC and are out to prove they can quickly rebound and save their season. Currently tied with the Chiefs and Raiders for first in the AFC West, Rivers must be sharp and aggressive to take advantage of a suspect Packer defense. Aaron Rodgers has been playing out of this world and eventually he will show his mortality... starting this week. Chargers hand the Cheeseheads their first loss, winning by 4 after Philip Rivers leads them to a go-ahead touchdown in the final minutes.
SuperBowl XLII rematch in Foxboro: Not a single Patriots fan has forgotten what happened in Glendale Arizona after completing a perfect 16-0 regular season. Especially Bill Belichick and Tom Brady. Revenge. Retribution. Payback. All of these will come in the form of multiple Brady TDs, I'll go with three. The heavily-criticized New England defense will rise to the occasion with Coach Belichick drawing up a special game-plan for the hated Gmen. Even though Eli has been playing at a high level, the Giants won't be able to match the emotional intensity brought by the home team. New England shakes off the Steelers loss as Welker explodes with a much-needed breakout game. Pats defeat NY, 34-21.
Ravens/Steelers Part II: Best rivalry in the NFL? Many would emphatically agree. If you like bone-crushing hits, smash mouth football, and heart-stopping battles then put your helmet on, buckle your seat belt, and turn on NBC Sunday night. Flash back to week one. The site: Baltimore. The Ravens were mad. No, they were angry. Wrong again, actually they were beyond furious. After the Steelers eliminated the Ravens last season in the playoffs, Ray Lewis and his defense were ready for revenge. And oh did they get it on day one of the 2011 NFL season. Baltimore stormed out of the gate, forcing SEVEN Steeler turnovers, scoring 35 points on the famous 'steel curtain' defense, and held Big Ben & co. to a measly seven points. Pittsburgh, still shining bright after a huge win over Brady and the Pats last Sunday, will have retribution on their minds when they welcome their division rivals to Heinz Field. At first glance you would pick the Steelers hands down because of the payback factor. However, the Steelers D is severely wounded at linebacker and I believe this comes back to bite them. Look for Flacco to get the ball to Ray Rice all night long, playing keep away with Pitt much like Big Ben did to Brady last Sunday. Shockingly enough, I'm going with Baltimore by 4. I know, gutsy pick!
MNF - Chicago takes on 'dream team' Eagles: Philly sent a message to the NFC last week that they shouldn't be buried and left for dead, not yet at least. Da Bears need this game to keep pace with Detroit and Green Bay but Philadelphia needs its more. Michael Vick looked motivated and determined against Dallas last week. Chitown will keep it close but Culter turnovers will ultimately lead to their demise. Eagles by 7.
Overtime - College football game of the year: LSU at Alabama - #1 vs #2 should definitely live up to the hype, as the best in SEC and country battle to remain unbeaten. The winner is all but guaranteed a spot in the BCS National Championship game in the Bayou. Trent Richardson will run hard for the Tide but unfortunately for him the Tigers have three of the best cover corners all around which will allow LSU to keep eight in the box all night. Is it an upset when 1 beats 2? In a hostile environment? Louisiana State loves big games on the road and this promises to be an instant classic in Tuscaloosa. Low-scoring, defensive heavy hitter bout ends with a game-winning field goal... by LSU! Tigers top Tide by 2.
No comments:
Post a Comment