We have ourselves a crucial week this week in the NFL. From the Packers and Bears with a Division title up in the air to the AFC where seeding has now become a four horse race, when just last week it was seemingly the Texans that were going to pull away with the number 1 seed. This season has been an eventful one, and as the playoff race heats up, I am going to break down the implications of every matchup that involves teams with realistic playoff hopes in the NFL this week.
Cincy at Philly: Well, seeing as this game has already been played, their really is not not much of a prediction here. However that does not change the playoff implications of the game for the Bengals. They have two games remaining on their schedule against the Steelers and the Ravens. Winning both of those would not give them the Division crown persay, they would need the Ravens to lose to Denver this week, the Giants next week, and the Bengals would have to beat the Ravens in a week 17 showdown for the crown. But even if the Ravens do not lose their remaining three and the Bengals win out, they are a lock for a wild card.
Denver at Baltimore: Being a lifelong Broncos fanatic, this season has been magical for me. However, I am writing this with no bias at all so I will proceed with my prediction as such. This game has a lot on the line for both teams. Yes, Denver has the AFC West crown, but that does not make this game any less important in their battle for the number 1 seed. As it stands the Texans are the 1 seed followed by the Pats at the 2 seed the Broncos at the 3 spot and Baltimore rounding off the number 4 position. Denver is one game ahead of Baltimore in the standings and to win this game would give them the head to head tie breaker, and a two game lead over the slumping Ravens. Baltimore needs this game seal up their division and for positioning, with a loss they would give the Bengals and Steelers both hope in capturing that title. In this matchup, you can call me a homer, but I like the Broncos. Peyton Manning is playing some very good football and their Defense lead by Von Miller is scary good. The Ravens have been in a kind of funk the past two weeks and they are way to reliant on Flacco. He is a good quarterback, but that's it. If the Ravens want to win this game, Ray Rice needs at least 20 touches, and I do not know if that will be enough against this stingy Denver defense. It will be a fiercely competitive game, but I am taking Denver over the Ravens, 24- 17.
NYG at ATL: This is a game with big written all over it. Eli- Matty, Cruz- Julio, Hakeem- Roddy, and so many other big names. There is a lot on the line for the Defending Champs and they know that, positioning, division title, and their "flip the switch" personality. With the Cowboys and the RGIII lead Skins hot on their tail, this is a must win game for them. The Falcons already have their Division locked up, but they not only want that number 1 seed, but they desperately need it. They are trying to make a statement that they can win a playoff game, and play for a championship. And what better way to start than by not having to play the first round? This game will determine a lot of things, but I am taking the Giants in the Georgia Dome where Matty Ice is normally untouchable. The Giants D has been better as of late and I feel like JPP, is going to have a great day. Eli will lead the offense in one of his playoff type performances. Matty will be filling the pressure all day and be sacked a total of six times, and throw a pick as well as a fumble. I am taking the Giants, 35- 24.
Green Bay at Chicago: This game will be the deciding factor in who wins the NFC North. I realize that the Vikings have a shot with Adrian Peterson having an MVP caliber year, but I do not think he can do it on his own, and with no Percy, I don't see them getting the title. That being said The Green Bay Rodgers will win this game and essentially lock up the Division. With Cutler struggling and their only offensive threat outside of Marshall not producing in Forte, I do not believe that will be enough to keep up with the best all around QB in the league in Aaron Rodgers. The Bears D is really good but, even at soldier field, the Packers have had a so so season by their standards and would are looking to make a playoff statement. I have the Pack with the W, 31-14.
RGIII at Cleveland: What a nightmare this Griffin kid has been to opposing Defenses, and for a Browns D that has been better than most, RGIII will dominate. Even at his age he wants to win Championships and to do that, he has to get to the playoffs, and to do that, he has to keep winning in the regular season. Last week against the Ravens, he may not have won the game, but he made sure they were in it until he went down. Although he is questionable for the week, he has said a couple of times he is going to play. I feel that he feels they can make the playoffs and to do that he is going to have to play, and play lights out. It may be his best performance of the year and will seal the debate over rookie of the year. The Browns Offense just is not capable of producing big yet. But I feel that next year they will be better off to make some noise in a tough division. Taking the Skins, 28-7, and RGIII will have a hand in all four of the Redskins scores.
Indy at Houston: This is my personal favorite of the division matchups this week, and its not because I have friends who pull for both teams. The Texans hold the best record in the AFC and clinched a playoff birth, but they do not have their division locked up, and it is a wonder why. Well it is because of Andrew Luck and that resilient young Colts squad. The Colts lost Peyton Manning to a neck injury last year and in doing so they wound up with a tough decision, the future or compete for a championship immediately. They took Luck number 1 overall, and let Manning go to the Broncos (much to my pleasure). I, along with every NFL fan, had low expectations for the Colts coming into the year, but they have well exceeded everyones expectations and have a shot at a playoff spot and a Division crown. The Texans are looking to repeat as the Division champs, and to do so they have to knock off those pesky Colts, who they have to play again in week 17. The Colts are playing emotional football for their coach and I don't see it stopping, I see Andrew Luck leading his team past the Texans in a very close matchup leading to a week 17 showdown between the two. The Texans D has struggled as of late and the Colts have found ways to win. If Matt Schaub shows up to play, it will be tough, but their is no lead safe from Andrew Luck, I am taking the Colts 38-35.
Pittsburgh at Dallas: With both of these teams fighting for a playoff spot and the Division title, its hard to say who needs it more. Dallas has GM, HC, and QB issues that need to be addressed but the GM and Owner don't see eye to eye... Literally. But Jerrys "slim shady" issue aside, they are constantly bashed by their "leader" in Tony Romo, who can not for the life of him take the blame for anything and insists it is the receivers fault he threw into triple coverage and got picked off. Their Head Coach is so clueless you could probably tell him its smart to go for it on 4th and 20 in your own endzone. But this is not a roasting of Jerry and his beloved Cowboys, this is merely a prediction of what will happen. I believe the Steelers will win, and the Cowboys playoff push will come to a screeching halt as yet another year with high expectations, goes crashing down. Big Ben seemed to find his touch at the end of last weeks game, even if it was a little to late, and he is a baller. He knows what to do to win and when to do it. Steelers 35-21.
49ers at Pats: Tom Brady, everyones favorite bad guy. We love to hate him, why is that exactly? Is it because he has an amazing track record, or that he looks like an underwear model for Tommy Hilfiger? Or is it his ego, that is second to only Donald Trumps. The answer is all of the above and the fact we are tired of the Patriots being good. That being said, there is a new kid on the block who is seemingly here to stay. That kid is Collin Kapernick. He and his 49er squad look to march into Foxboro and make some noise. I am taking the noise in this matchup with high stakes, and siding with the 49ers. The D is sensational and Kaep gives the Offense another element. An element the Pats O doesn't have and that a QB that can create plays with his legs. That alone is what makes this matchup enticing, how will the Pats D respond to this, who have made improvements on the Defensive side. The 49ers will win a close one and essentially seal up their division, and cool off the red hot patriots. 49ers 24-21.
I would like to thank you for reading and hope you enjoyed it, feel free to leave your comments and opinions below, and subscribe to the blog if you liked it and stay tuned for other posts on a variety of subjects. Thank You.
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