Sunday
Game: NY Jets at Buffalo
Prediction: Buffalo - The New York Jets are flying high coming off their win over the New England Patriots this past weekend, are talked about as one of the hottest teams in football, and a scary team come playoff time. How much would former Jets head coach Rex Ryan like to spoil his old team's playoff fortunes with an upset win at home? I look for the Bills to come out with an extra fire in this game and for the Jets to come back down to earth in a low-scoring Buffalo victory. Bills by 4.
Result: Buffalo 22 NY Jets 17
Record: 1-0
Game: New England at Miami
Prediction: New England - The way Miami's playing right now, I couldn't see them defeating a middle school team from Waterloo, Nebraska, let alone the New England Patriots. I'll take the Pats by at least 10.
Result: Miami 20 New England 10
Record: 1-1
Game: New Orleans at Atlanta
Prediction: Atlanta - Even following Atlanta's upset win over then unbeaten Carolina this past weekend, I still don't have much faith in either team. Having said that, with the Falcons at home and the Saints defense being one of, if not the worst in the league, I have less faith in New Orleans. I'll take Atlanta by 6.
Result: New Orleans 20 Atlanta 17
Record: 1-2
Game: Baltimore at Cincinnati
Prediction: Cincinnati - Baltimore may be coming off a big upset win over Pittsburgh and Cincinnati's quarterback situation may still be up in the air, the fact of the matter is the Bengals are still playing for something, are playing at home, and I believe they'll use that to their advantage. Bengals by a touchdown.
Result: Cincinnati 24 Baltimore 16
Record: 2-2
Game: Pittsburgh at Cleveland
Prediction: Pittsburgh - After Ben Roethlisberger's ugly performance in his team's loss to Baltimore on Sunday, I have to feel sorry for the Browns in this one. Big Ben and the Steelers will be taking all their frustrations out on Cleveland and should make things pretty ugly by game's end. I'll go with Pittsburgh by at least 17.
Result: Pittsburgh 28 Cleveland 12
Record: 3-2
Game: Jacksonville at Houston
Prediction: Houston - Jacksonville is healthier on offense, but with a win at home, Houston will be guaranteed a playoff spot. Given that, it's hard for me to see the Texans lose this one. I'll take Houston at home by a touchdown.
Result: Houston 30 Jacksonville 6
Record: 4-2
Game: Tennessee at Indianapolis
Prediction: Indianapolis - Given the health situation for both teams, they could very well go down as one of, if not the ugliest football game this season. Like I've said for previous games, however, of the two teams playing, Indianapolis is the one with something for which to play. I'll take the Colts at home by a touchdown.
Result: Indianapolis 30 Tennessee 24
Record: 5-2
Game: Washington at Dallas
Prediction: Washington - Washington is set at the #4 spot in the NFC playoffs, so it's possible Dallas could squeak this one out if Washington decides to rest some key starters. For as well as Washington is playing right now, though, and for this being a game against the hated rival Cowboys, I'm still going with the 'Skins. I'll go with Washington by 4.
Result: Washington 34 Dallas 23
Record: 6-2
Game: Philadelphia at NY Giants
Prediction: NY Giants - I only have four things to say about this game: 1) Odell Beckham Jr. will be back, 2) the Philadelphia Eagles defense will be back as well, 3) the NY Giants want Tom Coughlin to come back, 4) the Philadelphia Eagles don't care if Chip Kelly comes back. Giants by 10.
Result: Philadelphia 35 NY Giants 30
Record: 6-3
Game: Detroit at Chicago
Prediction: Detroit - Detroit's defense has really stepped it up in the second half of the NFL season and should make things difficult for the inconsistent Bears offense. Also, while Chicago's John Fox is likely safe after the season's over, it being his first year in the windy city and all, many Detroit Lions players and coaches are playing for their jobs. Given that, I'll give the edge to the Lions. Detroit by a touchdown.
Result: Detroit 24 Chicago 20
Record: 7-3
Game: Tampa Bay at Carolina
Prediction: Carolina - Carolina played a sloppy football game last week in their loss to Atlanta and didn't play particularly great against the New York Giants the week prior. They may be 14-1 and the #1 seed in the NFC come the postseason, but while Arizona and Seattle (except this past week against St. Louis) are playing their best football of the season (Minnesota might be as well), the Panthers are not and need to start correcting their mistakes if they want to make a deep run into the playoffs. I'm not sure they'll get all their kinks worked out against Tampa, but should work out enough to come out on the winning end. I'll go with Carolina at home by 10.
Result: Carolina 38 Tampa Bay 10
Record: 8-3
Game: Oakland at Kansas City
Prediction: Kansas City - This is a difficult game to pick, but with Kansas City right in the thick of the playoff race, hypothetically in the running for an AFC West title, and playing at Arrowhead, I'll go with the Chiefs by a touchdown.
Result: Kansas City 23 Oakland 17
Record: 9-3
Game: San Diego at Denver
Prediction: Denver - This is not a guaranteed victory for the Broncos. It should be low-scoring, close, and Philip Rivers will give it everything he has to end the season on a winning note. As has typically been the case this year for he and the Chargers, though, I see them coming up just a bit short. I'll take the Broncos at home by 4.
Result: Denver 27 San Diego 20
Record: 10-3
Game: Seattle at Arizona
Prediction: Seattle - Arizona is my current favorite to represent the NFC in the Super Bowl. However, Seattle has to be embarrassed by their lackluster performance against St. Louis over the weekend and will do everything in their power to get back on the right track. I'll take the Seahawks by a field goal.
Result: Seattle 36 Arizona 6
Record: 11-3
Game: St. Louis at San Francisco
Prediction: St. Louis - St. Louis has been an incredibly streaky team this year. Lucky for them, they're currently hot and I look for them to continue that against the short-handed 49ers. The Rams finish 8-8 with a 6 point win on the road.
Result: San Francisco 19 St. Louis 16 OT
Record: 11-4
Game: Minnesota at Green Bay
Prediction: Minnesota - To put it simply, I just don't like how Green Bay is playing right now. The offensive line has been ineffective, and with that, the running game and even Aaron Rodgers to a certain extent. They're reminiscent of Denver in that regard. The big difference? The Broncos' defense is a hell of a lot better than the Packers'. Minnesota, meanwhile, is getting healthy at the right time and is coming off their most impressive victory of the season - a 49-17 thrashing of the New York Giants. I'll take the Vikings in this one by 4.
Result: Minnesota 20 Green Bay 13
Record: 12-4
Week 17 Record: 12-4 (.750)
Overall Record: 151-105 (.590)
Game: NY Jets at Buffalo
Prediction: Buffalo - The New York Jets are flying high coming off their win over the New England Patriots this past weekend, are talked about as one of the hottest teams in football, and a scary team come playoff time. How much would former Jets head coach Rex Ryan like to spoil his old team's playoff fortunes with an upset win at home? I look for the Bills to come out with an extra fire in this game and for the Jets to come back down to earth in a low-scoring Buffalo victory. Bills by 4.
Result: Buffalo 22 NY Jets 17
Record: 1-0
Game: New England at Miami
Prediction: New England - The way Miami's playing right now, I couldn't see them defeating a middle school team from Waterloo, Nebraska, let alone the New England Patriots. I'll take the Pats by at least 10.
Result: Miami 20 New England 10
Record: 1-1
Game: New Orleans at Atlanta
Prediction: Atlanta - Even following Atlanta's upset win over then unbeaten Carolina this past weekend, I still don't have much faith in either team. Having said that, with the Falcons at home and the Saints defense being one of, if not the worst in the league, I have less faith in New Orleans. I'll take Atlanta by 6.
Result: New Orleans 20 Atlanta 17
Record: 1-2
Game: Baltimore at Cincinnati
Prediction: Cincinnati - Baltimore may be coming off a big upset win over Pittsburgh and Cincinnati's quarterback situation may still be up in the air, the fact of the matter is the Bengals are still playing for something, are playing at home, and I believe they'll use that to their advantage. Bengals by a touchdown.
Result: Cincinnati 24 Baltimore 16
Record: 2-2
Game: Pittsburgh at Cleveland
Prediction: Pittsburgh - After Ben Roethlisberger's ugly performance in his team's loss to Baltimore on Sunday, I have to feel sorry for the Browns in this one. Big Ben and the Steelers will be taking all their frustrations out on Cleveland and should make things pretty ugly by game's end. I'll go with Pittsburgh by at least 17.
Result: Pittsburgh 28 Cleveland 12
Record: 3-2
Game: Jacksonville at Houston
Prediction: Houston - Jacksonville is healthier on offense, but with a win at home, Houston will be guaranteed a playoff spot. Given that, it's hard for me to see the Texans lose this one. I'll take Houston at home by a touchdown.
Result: Houston 30 Jacksonville 6
Record: 4-2
Game: Tennessee at Indianapolis
Prediction: Indianapolis - Given the health situation for both teams, they could very well go down as one of, if not the ugliest football game this season. Like I've said for previous games, however, of the two teams playing, Indianapolis is the one with something for which to play. I'll take the Colts at home by a touchdown.
Result: Indianapolis 30 Tennessee 24
Record: 5-2
Game: Washington at Dallas
Prediction: Washington - Washington is set at the #4 spot in the NFC playoffs, so it's possible Dallas could squeak this one out if Washington decides to rest some key starters. For as well as Washington is playing right now, though, and for this being a game against the hated rival Cowboys, I'm still going with the 'Skins. I'll go with Washington by 4.
Result: Washington 34 Dallas 23
Record: 6-2
Game: Philadelphia at NY Giants
Prediction: NY Giants - I only have four things to say about this game: 1) Odell Beckham Jr. will be back, 2) the Philadelphia Eagles defense will be back as well, 3) the NY Giants want Tom Coughlin to come back, 4) the Philadelphia Eagles don't care if Chip Kelly comes back. Giants by 10.
Result: Philadelphia 35 NY Giants 30
Record: 6-3
Game: Detroit at Chicago
Prediction: Detroit - Detroit's defense has really stepped it up in the second half of the NFL season and should make things difficult for the inconsistent Bears offense. Also, while Chicago's John Fox is likely safe after the season's over, it being his first year in the windy city and all, many Detroit Lions players and coaches are playing for their jobs. Given that, I'll give the edge to the Lions. Detroit by a touchdown.
Result: Detroit 24 Chicago 20
Record: 7-3
Game: Tampa Bay at Carolina
Prediction: Carolina - Carolina played a sloppy football game last week in their loss to Atlanta and didn't play particularly great against the New York Giants the week prior. They may be 14-1 and the #1 seed in the NFC come the postseason, but while Arizona and Seattle (except this past week against St. Louis) are playing their best football of the season (Minnesota might be as well), the Panthers are not and need to start correcting their mistakes if they want to make a deep run into the playoffs. I'm not sure they'll get all their kinks worked out against Tampa, but should work out enough to come out on the winning end. I'll go with Carolina at home by 10.
Result: Carolina 38 Tampa Bay 10
Record: 8-3
Game: Oakland at Kansas City
Prediction: Kansas City - This is a difficult game to pick, but with Kansas City right in the thick of the playoff race, hypothetically in the running for an AFC West title, and playing at Arrowhead, I'll go with the Chiefs by a touchdown.
Result: Kansas City 23 Oakland 17
Record: 9-3
Game: San Diego at Denver
Prediction: Denver - This is not a guaranteed victory for the Broncos. It should be low-scoring, close, and Philip Rivers will give it everything he has to end the season on a winning note. As has typically been the case this year for he and the Chargers, though, I see them coming up just a bit short. I'll take the Broncos at home by 4.
Result: Denver 27 San Diego 20
Record: 10-3
Game: Seattle at Arizona
Prediction: Seattle - Arizona is my current favorite to represent the NFC in the Super Bowl. However, Seattle has to be embarrassed by their lackluster performance against St. Louis over the weekend and will do everything in their power to get back on the right track. I'll take the Seahawks by a field goal.
Result: Seattle 36 Arizona 6
Record: 11-3
Game: St. Louis at San Francisco
Prediction: St. Louis - St. Louis has been an incredibly streaky team this year. Lucky for them, they're currently hot and I look for them to continue that against the short-handed 49ers. The Rams finish 8-8 with a 6 point win on the road.
Result: San Francisco 19 St. Louis 16 OT
Record: 11-4
Game: Minnesota at Green Bay
Prediction: Minnesota - To put it simply, I just don't like how Green Bay is playing right now. The offensive line has been ineffective, and with that, the running game and even Aaron Rodgers to a certain extent. They're reminiscent of Denver in that regard. The big difference? The Broncos' defense is a hell of a lot better than the Packers'. Minnesota, meanwhile, is getting healthy at the right time and is coming off their most impressive victory of the season - a 49-17 thrashing of the New York Giants. I'll take the Vikings in this one by 4.
Result: Minnesota 20 Green Bay 13
Record: 12-4
Week 17 Record: 12-4 (.750)
Overall Record: 151-105 (.590)
Comments
Post a Comment