My record from last week: 11-3
Season record: 82-50
Colts @ Jaguars
After coming off a 31-14 whooping to the Lions, I don't expect things to look much better for the Jaguars this week. The highly motivated Colts are coming into town. Andrew Luck is still getting used to NFL crowds on the road, and as expected, his stats fare worse in other stadiums away from Lucas Oil Stadium. Although the Colts had been written off as a non-contender from the start of the season, they have a respectable 5-3 record as of now. I can see them improving to six wins in this trip to Jacksonville, who is 0-4 at home this year. Colts 27-16
X Factor: Reggie Wayne
Prediction: People thought it was crazy to keep Reggie after dumping half of their team. Andrew Luck could not have been happier to have a top notch proven receiver to throw the ball to in his rookie campaign. I believe Reggie will continue a strong season with double digit receptions.
Chargers @ Buccaneers
Both teams in this game have top notch rush defenses. The Buccaneers however, have the worst pass defense in the league. Doug Martin has been sensational as a rookie, and put on a show last week with 251 yards rushing and 4 touchdowns. This came after the Bucs lost their starting left guard, Carl Nicks to a toe injury that put him on injured reserve. No one expected a game like that from the rookie out of Boise, but he was playing in front of his home city in Oakland, which probably gave a big motivation factor. Even though Philip Rivers has been inconsistent this season, I would expect that he can pick apart the worst pass defense in the league, even with hurting receivers. This is a tough one to pick, especially because Josh Freeman has thrown the ball well this season. Chargers 28-23
X Factor: Philip Rivers
Prediction: I believe this game rides on Rivers' shoulders. If he doesn't produce, then Josh Freeman and Doug Martin will find a way to lead the Bucs to victory. Rivers throws 3 touchdown passes on the day.
Titans @ Dolphins
Coming off a crazy game against the Colts, the Dolphins will be hungry. The Titans defense is just not good at all, and their offense is not much better. The Dolphins have a solid rush defense waiting for Chris Johnson, and an offense that has produced this year with major help from Reggie Bush.
Miami 23-16
X Factor: Reggie Bush
Prediction: I think Reggie will have a field day with this defense. 80 yards rushing and 75 receiving, with 2 touchdowns.
Bills @ Patriots
After Bills fans believed their team actually drastically improved over the offseason, it obviously has not been the case. This game has the same feeling as every other Bills vs. Pats game in the last decade; a great optimistic hope to win against the Patriots with the likelihood of begging for mercy from Belichick in the second half. The defense hasn't stopped any other offenses this season, so I do not expect them to stop Brady this time around. In the last two meetings, New England has put up a combined 101 points. Expect another 45. Patriots 45-20
X Factor: Tom Brady
Prediction: Surprise, surprise. Tom Brady throws for 350 yards and 4 touchdowns.
Raiders @ Ravens
This is really a simple pick for me. The Raiders already have one of the worst rushing attacks in all of football. Darren McFadden has struggled in the zone scheme all year, and now he's out with a sprained ankle, along with his backup Mike Goodson. Facing the injured but still talented Ravens defense, giving them a one sided offensive attack is not a recipe for success. Oh and even the "Polish Cannon" Sebastian Janikowski has been hurting, but is still expected to play. Things are not looking too good for the Raiders, especially when Janikowski is showing up on injury reports. Ravens 31-9
X Factor: Carson Palmer
Prediction: Picking Palmer is not necessarily for a good game. Without McFadden and Goodson, I believe Carson tries to carry the team to victory. Throws 3 interceptions in a loss.
Broncos @ Panthers
With Peyton Manning and the Broncos offense starting to click, it's not looking too good for opposing defenses. The Panthers are hurt on defense in the first place. Looking at the rest of the Broncos schedule, 11-5 is really not out of reach for this team. I believe the Chargers and Ravens will make the most competitive games for Denver the rest of the season. And we all know what happened in the first San Diego/Denver matchup (Chargers blew a 24-0 halftime lead). Unless Cam Newton can help an outburst for the Panthers offense, I don't see a Carolina win. Broncos 31-17
X Factor: Elvis Dumervil & Von Miller
Prediction: These two elite pass rushers will contain Cam Newton most of the day. They combine for 3 sacks.
Giants @ Bengals
After letting the Steelers come into their place and beat them last week, I expect the Giants to come out strong against the Bengals. New York is still one of the elite teams in the league right now. The Bengals offense has not been great this year but they do have good pieces in place. Although I have the Giants winning, I see it being a close game. Giants 27-24
X Factor: AJ Green
Prediction: The incredible second year receiver has over 100 yards and 2 touchdowns receiving on the day.
Lions @ Vikings
This game can prove to be a thriller as well. Both offenses have shown to be capable of break out performances this season. Adrian Peterson has been a stud this year after tearing his ACL last year, which has been huge for the Vikings. Peterson's success this season would be questioned before the start of the year coming off the knee injury, and no one expected the Vikings to have five wins to this point. Both teams need this game bad. Although Percy Harvin may not be available this game, I can still see both teams putting up big points. Lions 35-31
X Factor: Matt Stafford
Prediction: After inconsistencies this season, Matt Stafford has a big game with 300 yards passing and 3 touchdowns.
Falcons @ Saints
With the 8-0 Falcons going into the Superdome in New Orleans, i'm going upset. The Saints are slowly starting to play with even better rhythm on offense. In the game against the Eagles, all three running backs ran the ball effectively which helps out Drew Brees (as if he needs it). The Saints defense is still a joke, and I do believe the Falcons will put up good numbers on offense. However, it is a hostile environment in the Superdome and I have a hunch that the Saints will get a big turnover late in the game. Saints 38-35
X Factor: Jabari Greer
Prediction: There will obviously be huge numbers put up by each offense. Jabari Greer can be a difference maker for a bad Saints defense. 1 interception late in the game.
Jets @ Seahawks
Big time home field advantage for the Seahawks in this matchup. They have not lost any games at home this season (although they should have lost to the Packers). The Jets offense is inconsistent enough without the most hostile crowd in the league screaming in their ears. The Seahawks defense has a big day. Seahawks 21-6
X Factor: Chris Clemons
Prediction: Clemons is one of the better pass rushers in the league and deserves much more respect. He makes Mark Sanchez uncomfortable in this game with 2 sacks.
Cowboys @ Eagles
Ah, a big time NFC East game is always fun to watch. Each team comes into the game with a 3-5 record. Both teams have done much worse than expected and pressure is on personnel of both sides. A loss in this game creates a much steeper slope to climb in hopes of catching the Giants. After watching the Saints/Eagles game, Michael Vick does not have a shot to even process what is in front of him before being annihilated. The Eagles line causes them another game here. Cowboys 27-13
X Factor: DeMarcus Ware
Prediction: With the way the Eagles line has played, DeMarcus Ware comes up with 3 sacks and one forced fumble.
Rams @ 49ers
Honestly, I don't see this game coming close especially with it being in San Francisco. The Rams best receiver, Danny Amendola is still questionable. This offense just does not have the talent against the 49ers defense. 49ers 27-10
X Factor: Aldon Smith
Prediction: Smith makes it harder than it will already be on Bradford. 2 sacks.
Texans @ Bears
I can not wait to watch this game, and it is one of the hardest picks i've made all year. Both teams come into the game 7-1. The Bears have home field advantage and a defense that takes the ball away at will. Charles Tillman who has played out of his mind and had 4 forced fumbles last week, was feared to miss this game do to his daughter's birth. However, it looks like he will be on the field Sunday, so expect to see him on Andre Johnson. The Texans defense is also legit and has the defensive player of the year to this point, JJ Watt. When Jay Cutler has a bad game, it's usually very bad. Interceptions can pile up real fast if JJ Watt is not accounted for. If the Bears do a good job picking up the pass rush, I believe they will pull this game off. The Texans are very good with the play action, but I believe the Bears defense is discipline enough and can rely on their corners to lock down the Texan's receivers.
Bears 26-23
X Factor: JJ Watt
Prediction: Watt will have an impact on this game, especially with the Bears offensive line being inconsistent at times. Containing him to one sack would be a success. This man can single handedly stop this Bears offense if he frustrates Cutler early. I predict 2 sacks.
Chiefs @ Steelers
This is another game that should not be much competition. The Chiefs have talent on both sides of the ball, but they have not produced much at all this season. Matt Cassel will start for the Chiefs as Brady Quinn has a concussion. But if the Chiefs plan on winning, Jamaal Charles needs to have a big time performance. Big Ben and the Steelers should have their way with this team. Steelers 34-13
X Factor: James Harrison
Prediction: Harrison had a slow start this season coming off an injury. He gets back to his old ways in this game with 2 sacks on Matt Cassel.
These are just a quick look at my thoughts this week. Check back next week to see the results!!
No comments:
Post a Comment