Last week’s total: 8-8
Overall record: 119-73
At 5-7, New Orleans is tied with Atlanta for the NFC South lead, with Atlanta owning the tie-breaker. With Carolina being 3-8-1, they are technically still in the race for the division title. A win for them, and an Atlanta loss against Green Bay, could give Carolina a huge boost of confidence. Then again, this match is being played in New Orleans, where Drew Brees is very hard to beat. Look for Jimmy Graham and Mark Ingram to have big days for New Orleans.
I years past, it would be pretty easy to pick Pittsburgh as the season came to a close. Although I have a very tough time putting faith into Cincinnati, it is very hard to say how much better Pittsburgh really is in comparison to their AFC North rival. Andy Dalton has been one of the biggest question marks but has played well enough to get his team to 8-3-1 and atop of the AFC North. Pittsburgh has also been quite inconsistent but I shall stick with the defending AFC North champs.
Indianapolis is one win and a Houston loss from pretty much wrapping up the AFC South. Cleveland, on the other hand, is fighting to stay alive in the playoff hunt. With Miami hanging onto the 6th seed in the AFC playoff bracket at 7-5, Cleveland sits at 11th despite having the same record. At this point, one loss could just about kill their chances. Andrew Luck has been incredible all season and it will be very hard for the Cleveland defense to hold on. It will be up to Brian Hoyer and the offense to match-up with Indy. Unfortunately, I do not see that happening.
Detroit is currently at 8-4 and just behind Seattle, who are sitting on the 6th seed, in the wildcard standings because of a tie-breaker. Playing Tampa Bay at home could be a blessing as Seattle takes on Philadelphia in Philly. Knowing that, Matthew Stafford and this Detroit team will realize how much is on the line. Tampa Bay could play spoiler but it is pretty unlikely. 95% unlikely sounds about right.
The hot seat has never been this toasty for Tom Coughlin. Who am I kidding? It is red hot! But, like Rex Ryan (who has a job by being the best mediocre coach out there), Coughlin finds ways to win near the end. Eli Manning has been pretty inconsistent the last few seasons but they have found a bright spot in Odell Beckham Jr. Playing against a weak Tennessee team may help keep Coughlin’s job.
I had predicted Miami making the playoffs earlier this year. They have been solid all year and their defense has been stout as can be. Playing Joe Flacco and Baltimore is always a tough task, especially since they too are in the playoff hunt. Playing this game in Miami will be a huge component in the team’s success. Ryan Tannehill has shaped up to be a formidable quarterback but will need to outplay Flacco, who has only missed the playoffs once in his first 6 season.
Teddy Bridgewater is slowly improving at the QB position. Despite the New York Jets being terrible, they still claim the #7 defense in the NFL. Minnesota will surely have a test but I doubt Geno Smith will have much luck against the Minnesota defense. Not that Minnesota has anything overwhelming on defense but they do have the #10 defense and this New York offense is just terrible. Does Percy Harvin wish he kept his mouth shut?
The best non-playoff team out there. At this point, it would be a miracle if St. Louis made it in. But to whoever plays this team as the season winds down, good luck! If you saw what they did to Oakland last week, you will know exactly what I am talking about. Tre Mason broke out with 117 yards on 14 carries for 2 TDs. The defense forced 3 INTs and 3 fumbles en route to a 52-0 win. Their victim this week? Lowly Washington.
As the season started, many had J.J. Watt as their favorite to win MVP. I was pretty skeptical but the man has not slowed down. If the team has any success, it usually has to do with him. With 5 TDs, 3 on offense and 2 on defense, Watt is showing that there are still some players that can do it all. On defense, he also has 3 forced fumbles and 11.5 sacks. As a player, he adds the most value to his team. Blake Bortles should be afraid. Very afraid.
Buffalo is yet another 7-5 AFC team that is in the hunt for a playoff spot. Unfortunately, they travel to Denver. Peyton Manning has once again kept his team atop of the AFC West but is being chased by San Diego, who is one game behind. Julius Thomas may be out for the game but it should not be much of a problem when you have Demaryius Thomas, Emmanuel Sanders, and Wes Welker at your disposal. Also, having the #3 defense is also quite nice. Kyle Orton has been a decent QB for Buffalo but there is a reason why he is known as a temporary fix. Denver should have no problem.
Drew Stanton has not had a great time since Carson Palmer‘s season-ending surgery. Seattle is now creeping up behind them in the NFC West rankings but still claim the #1 seed in the NFC at 9-3. Playing a Kansas City team that has faced two straight losses, Arizona will have a lot to worry about. The Kansas City pass rush is one of the best in the league but the secondary has suffered since losing Eric Berry, who has always been a presence in the secondary. Arizona’s defense can certainly handle the Kansas City offense. It will come down to Stanton’s protection in this match-up.
The good ol’ “Bay Area Rivalry” goes into its next chapter as San Francisco looks to desperately make a playoff run and Oakland looks to play spoiler. I say desperately because a loss here would just about put the playoffs out of reach for San Francisco if both Seattle and Detroit win. After losing to Seattle last week, Oakland is the perfect bounce back team for Colin Kaepernick, who has not been very flashy this season. In order to win this one, Kaepernick will need to take control of the game. Playing in the Black Hole is tough but true playoff teams pull out these wins.
Who knew Mark Sanchez would become somewhat relevant again? Well, I shall just throw it out there and say that I have always thought he was a good QB. You can thank Rex Ryan for his demise. Chip Kelly, and a Nick Foles injury, helped Sanchez get back in the limelight and actually lead Philadelphia to a 9-3 record. With Seattle rolling into town, the question will be how the Legion of Boom disrupts Sanchez. In case you did not know, Seattle has the #1 ranked defense in the NFC. No surprise there. I do firmly believe that the Philly defense will go toe to toe with Russell Wilson and the Seattle offense. This game will land on the hands of Sanchez.
I had to mull this one over for a while. I was going to pick New England because it would be the most “logical” choice. Then again, picking Philip Rivers in December at home on a 3 game winning streak is pretty hard to pass by. It is pretty rare to see Tom Brady lose two games in a row but who says it is impossible? Rob Gronkowski should be the main weapon the San Diego defense should worry about. Talking about tight ends, the Patriots defense should also worry about Antonio Gates, who makes appearances when you least expect it. This game will truly be a treat.
After a huge home win against New England, it is safe to say that the Packers are the hottest team in football. Atlanta leads the NFC South at 5-7 but playing in Lambeau against Aaron Rodgers is not going to help much in their run to a possible division title. To put it simply, this game should not be close and Green Bay will be a game closer to locking up the NFC North.
Photo Credit: John F. Rhodes / Associated Press
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