Season record: 25-16
Saturday
Redskins (7-7) at Eagles (6-8), 8:25 p.m. NFL Network
The Eagles are the slight favorite at home, but I like the Redskins, who are getting on a roll and playing with confidence. Philadelphia's victory over New England is looking like a fluke fueled by non-offensive touchdowns, they barely beat the Bills at home, and then last week were plastered in Philly by the Cardinals. Washington cruised past Buffalo, 35-25, last week. The 'Skins beat the Eagles earlier in the year at home, 23-20. I do think this game will be close, too.
Redskins 24, Eagles 21
Sunday
Patriots (12-2) at Jets (9-5), 1 p.m. CBS
This is obviously a huge game for the Jets, who have the same record as current wild card teams Kansas City and Pittsburgh. New York, though, is on the outside looking into the playoff picture based on tiebreakers. The Jets led the Patriots in Foxborough earlier in the year in the fourth quarter, but lost, 30-23. I think you could argue that they haven't played that well since, losing to the Raiders, Bills, and Texans, and beating the Giants and Cowboys by three each. They are on a four-game winning streak, but the other teams they've beaten during that run in addition to New York and Dallas are the woeful Titans and Dolphins. I am expecting a close game, but just don't think the Jets have shown me enough to pick them.
Patriots 23, Jets 21
Cowboys (4-10) at Bills (6-8), 1 p.m. Fox
This game is officially meaningless, with both teams out of the playoff races. As such, both teams could be playing plenty of backups to see what they are dealing with in the future, making this game difficult to predict. Also, injuries could play a factor. Dez Bryant is doubtful for Dallas, and LeSean McCoy for Buffalo. Kellen Moore will get his first start for the Cowboys at QB, after coming in for the benched Matt Cassel last week. He moved the offense effectively at times last week, but also threw three interceptions. I don't like his chances starting on the road in his first game against a Rex Ryan defense. Expect the wily defensive-minded coach to throw some different looks at the young signal-caller.
Bills 24, Cowboys 20
Panthers (14-0) at Falcons (7-7), 1 p.m. Fox
The Falcons finally snapped their six-game losing streak last week by beating the Jaguars, 23-17. Just two weeks ago, though, Atlanta was shut out by Carolina, 38-0. Even with the Panthers on the road this time, I don't expect it to all of a sudden be a lot closer game.
Panthers 27, Falcons 17
Packers (10-4) at Cardinals (12-2), 4:25 p.m. Fox
Green Bay is playing better than it was during its three-game losing streak, but I still don't think it has what it takes to win at Arizona, which is looking like one of the best teams in the NFL. The Packers have won three straight, but struggled with the Lions, Cowboys, and Raiders for various parts of the games. The Cardinals still have something to play for, too, as they have a chance at the No. 1 seed in the NFC if the Panthers were to stumble.
Cardinals 30, Packers 24
Giants (6-8) at Vikings (9-5), 8:30 p.m. NBC
The Giants need to win out to have a chance at winning the NFC East crown, but this week, they'll be facing a tough Minnesota defense without wideout Odell Beckham Jr., who has been suspended after drawing three personal fouls last week while battling Carolina cornerback Josh Norman. The Vikings still have something to play for as well, as they have an outside chance at the NFC North title if the Packers stumble -- the Vikes travel to face the Packers next week in the regular-season finale -- and are also tied with the Seahawks for the fifth seed. The difference between the fifth and sixth seed is probably playing at the NFC East winner vs. playing at the Packers. Have to imagine Minnesota would choose the Redskins, Eagles, or Giants.
Vikings 27, Giants 17
Monday
Bengals (11-3) at Broncos (10-4), 8:30 p.m. ESPN
A.J. McCarron vs. Brock Osweiler. Not exactly Andy Dalton vs. Peyton Manning, but it'll do. And it is an important game, with both teams battling for the second seed in the AFC. McCarron won his first start last week, but it was just against the lowly 49ers. Osweiler for Denver has more experience, but is on a losing streak with consecutive losses to the Raiders and Steelers. Still, back at home, I like Denver to do enough on offense for a tough victory. McCarron will have a hard time adjusting to one of the best defenses in football.
Broncos 20, Bengals 17
Saturday
Redskins (7-7) at Eagles (6-8), 8:25 p.m. NFL Network
The Eagles are the slight favorite at home, but I like the Redskins, who are getting on a roll and playing with confidence. Philadelphia's victory over New England is looking like a fluke fueled by non-offensive touchdowns, they barely beat the Bills at home, and then last week were plastered in Philly by the Cardinals. Washington cruised past Buffalo, 35-25, last week. The 'Skins beat the Eagles earlier in the year at home, 23-20. I do think this game will be close, too.
Redskins 24, Eagles 21
Sunday
Patriots (12-2) at Jets (9-5), 1 p.m. CBS
This is obviously a huge game for the Jets, who have the same record as current wild card teams Kansas City and Pittsburgh. New York, though, is on the outside looking into the playoff picture based on tiebreakers. The Jets led the Patriots in Foxborough earlier in the year in the fourth quarter, but lost, 30-23. I think you could argue that they haven't played that well since, losing to the Raiders, Bills, and Texans, and beating the Giants and Cowboys by three each. They are on a four-game winning streak, but the other teams they've beaten during that run in addition to New York and Dallas are the woeful Titans and Dolphins. I am expecting a close game, but just don't think the Jets have shown me enough to pick them.
Patriots 23, Jets 21
Cowboys (4-10) at Bills (6-8), 1 p.m. Fox
This game is officially meaningless, with both teams out of the playoff races. As such, both teams could be playing plenty of backups to see what they are dealing with in the future, making this game difficult to predict. Also, injuries could play a factor. Dez Bryant is doubtful for Dallas, and LeSean McCoy for Buffalo. Kellen Moore will get his first start for the Cowboys at QB, after coming in for the benched Matt Cassel last week. He moved the offense effectively at times last week, but also threw three interceptions. I don't like his chances starting on the road in his first game against a Rex Ryan defense. Expect the wily defensive-minded coach to throw some different looks at the young signal-caller.
Bills 24, Cowboys 20
Panthers (14-0) at Falcons (7-7), 1 p.m. Fox
The Falcons finally snapped their six-game losing streak last week by beating the Jaguars, 23-17. Just two weeks ago, though, Atlanta was shut out by Carolina, 38-0. Even with the Panthers on the road this time, I don't expect it to all of a sudden be a lot closer game.
Panthers 27, Falcons 17
Packers (10-4) at Cardinals (12-2), 4:25 p.m. Fox
Green Bay is playing better than it was during its three-game losing streak, but I still don't think it has what it takes to win at Arizona, which is looking like one of the best teams in the NFL. The Packers have won three straight, but struggled with the Lions, Cowboys, and Raiders for various parts of the games. The Cardinals still have something to play for, too, as they have a chance at the No. 1 seed in the NFC if the Panthers were to stumble.
Cardinals 30, Packers 24
Giants (6-8) at Vikings (9-5), 8:30 p.m. NBC
The Giants need to win out to have a chance at winning the NFC East crown, but this week, they'll be facing a tough Minnesota defense without wideout Odell Beckham Jr., who has been suspended after drawing three personal fouls last week while battling Carolina cornerback Josh Norman. The Vikings still have something to play for as well, as they have an outside chance at the NFC North title if the Packers stumble -- the Vikes travel to face the Packers next week in the regular-season finale -- and are also tied with the Seahawks for the fifth seed. The difference between the fifth and sixth seed is probably playing at the NFC East winner vs. playing at the Packers. Have to imagine Minnesota would choose the Redskins, Eagles, or Giants.
Vikings 27, Giants 17
Monday
Bengals (11-3) at Broncos (10-4), 8:30 p.m. ESPN
A.J. McCarron vs. Brock Osweiler. Not exactly Andy Dalton vs. Peyton Manning, but it'll do. And it is an important game, with both teams battling for the second seed in the AFC. McCarron won his first start last week, but it was just against the lowly 49ers. Osweiler for Denver has more experience, but is on a losing streak with consecutive losses to the Raiders and Steelers. Still, back at home, I like Denver to do enough on offense for a tough victory. McCarron will have a hard time adjusting to one of the best defenses in football.
Broncos 20, Bengals 17
Comments
Post a Comment