By: Joe Smeltzer
1:00
The "Who the hell cares" game of the week
Lions (1-6) at Chiefs (2-5)
God give us a good game
These matchups are so lame
These matchups are so lame
Joe: That my friends was a quick parody of the English national anthem, and I think it is extremely necessary given the awful matchups that the NFL schuledes for the United Kingdom. As I wrote last week, if the NFL wants to greatly expand their audience overseas, they need to put their best teams out their at least every once in a while. A 1-6 team going against a 2-5 team doesn't qualify as a marquee matchup. Last week's game between the Bills and the Jags was very good, but the problem is neither of those teams are flagship franchises in this league. As for my game prediction, the Chiefs appear to be getting their act together at least somewhat, as evidenced by their 23-13 win over my Steelers last Sunday. Tamba Hali will sack Matt Stafford twice, and the Chiefs will add to Jim Caldwell's miserable, miserable fall. 24-10 Chiefs. Not that I care.
Brad: Chiefs. The Lions are awful
Jeff: KC is playing with great confidence, and I think that they will win their second straight game
Ryan: Kansas City. Detriot is bad.
Brad: Chiefs. The Lions are awful
Jeff: KC is playing with great confidence, and I think that they will win their second straight game
Ryan: Kansas City. Detriot is bad.
The "This matchup would have been awesome in 2006" game of the week
Chagers(2-5) at Ravens (1-6)
Joe: Another 1-6 vs. another 2-5. Back in 2006, both of these teams were among the best that this league had to offer, but those days are gone. I don't think that either Baltimore or San Diego are as bad as their records indicate, as both teams have been victims of tough schuldes and hard luck. Nonetheless, both teams seasons are virtually in the can, so this matchup does not spark great interest. I think that the Ravens are due for a win (the really should be 0-7) and that is what they will get. Joe Flacco will lead a last minute drive to pull out a 23-20 win for the dirty birds. All 6 of the Ravens losses have been by less than 10 points, so the deserve one. It will be a Greta feeling for the Ravens to win a game that wasn't given to them by Mike Tomlin.
Brad: Chargers. The Ravens stink and won a game they should have lost.
Jeff: Phillip Rivers is on a roll and the Ravens woes will continue
Ryan: The Chargers defense is not good enough to stop Justin Forsett, who is back at full strength.
Brad: Chargers. The Ravens stink and won a game they should have lost.
Jeff: Phillip Rivers is on a roll and the Ravens woes will continue
Ryan: The Chargers defense is not good enough to stop Justin Forsett, who is back at full strength.
The "this might get ugly" game of the week
Cardinals (5-2) at Browns (2-5)
Joe: The Browns have suffered a lot of close losses this year, but primarily as a result of weaker competition. The Cards will be the best team that the Browns have faced this year, so the city of Clevland might want to prepare themselves for a beat down. Carson Palmer and Chirs Johnson will provide plenty of offense, as Clevland can't stop a nosebleed, and Arizona's defense will not give Josh McCown much ground. Cards 38, Browns 17. Also, expect the honey badger to be all over the field.
Brad: I picked the Browns last week and they were terrible. I have no faith in them.
Jeff: Cards. No doubt in my mind. Super Bowl team right here.
Ryan: The Browns offense is good enough to hang with Arizona for 3 quarters, but Chirs Johnson will run for 120+ yards with two scores against the worst run defense in the league.
Brad: I picked the Browns last week and they were terrible. I have no faith in them.
Jeff: Cards. No doubt in my mind. Super Bowl team right here.
Ryan: The Browns offense is good enough to hang with Arizona for 3 quarters, but Chirs Johnson will run for 120+ yards with two scores against the worst run defense in the league.
The "we used to be able to compete with Green Bay" game of the week
Vikings (4-2) at Bears (2-4)
Joe: There was a time when both of these teams were not forced to bow down to the Packers in the NFC North. Unfourtanly, those days are over. However, Minnesota has a good chance theoretically to sneak into the playoffs as a wildcard, so things don't look so bad from their standpoint. Chicago, on the other hand, is a franchise continuing to spiral downhill, and the only thing they have to look forward to this January is watching Derek Rose and Patrick Kane excel at their respective sports. Minnesota's Teddy Bridgewater is showing the potential to be a star in this league, and I expected another quality performance out him on Sunday. Oh, and Adrian Peterson might just have a role in dictating the outcome of this game. Vikings 34, Bears 20.
Brad: I like the Vikings a bit more than I like the Bears.
Jeff: I have a gut feeling that the Bears will pull this one out.
Ryan: Jay Cutler will sling the ball around the field and lead Chicago to victory.
Brad: I like the Vikings a bit more than I like the Bears.
Jeff: I have a gut feeling that the Bears will pull this one out.
Ryan: Jay Cutler will sling the ball around the field and lead Chicago to victory.
The "dad's a little conflicted" game of the week
Giants (4-3) at Saints (3-4)
Joe: Archie Manning was the foundation of the New Orleans for 11 years, while his son, Eli, will be behind center for the New York football Giants on Sunday, going up against his dad's old team. There is a reason for Archie to be a little torn, but I think he will be pulling for Eli. Now to talk about the matchup. The Saints have shown signs of being a good football team this year and have played very well at the Superdome. Since this game will be played in the dome, I am confident in picking New Orleans. The Saints defense has been playing better as of late, and I expect them to make some big plays against a still banged up Giants offense. On the other side of the ball, Drew Brees is, well, Drew Bree's, and he will have over 300 yards passing. Home in the dome will be very kind to the Saints, and I see them pulling this one out. Saints 27, Giants 17.
Brad: I think that the Giants are overrated and will probably never pick them against a solid team.
Jeff: Again, going with my gut.
Ryan: The Saints defense has been playing well and the Giants are overrated.
Brad: I think that the Giants are overrated and will probably never pick them against a solid team.
Jeff: Again, going with my gut.
Ryan: The Saints defense has been playing well and the Giants are overrated.
Buccaneers (2-4) at Falcons (6-1)
Joe: Yeah, that was the best title I could think of. Tampa Bay is an upstart team, but they are not ready to compete just yet. The Falcons, on the other hand, are very much for real, and they have the advantage of playing in the Georiga Dome. Matt Ryan will have 300+ yards passing while Devonte Freeman will have 100+ yards rushing, and the Falcons will make up for their weak offensive performance in Nashville. Falcons 34, Bucs 17.
Brad: Matt Ryan+Freeman+Juilo>Winston+Martin+Evans.
Jeff: Easy blowout dub.
Ryan: Falcons are too strong at home.
The ''Welcome back Ben'' game of the week
Bengals (6-0) at Steelers (4-3)
Joe: The Bengals start to the season has been awesome, but I think that Sunday will mark the first blemish on their record. Ben Roethlisberger is back, baby, and it could not have come at a better time for Pittsburgh. Although I don't think Ben will have quite the explosive passing day that we have become used to seeing, I think that he will provide enough of an upgrade for the Steeler offense to squeak out a W. I can't see the Bengals starting 7-0. Steelers 28, Bengals 20.
Brad: Big Ben is 2-4 in games coming back from injury.
Jeff: Ben will struggle in his return, so I got the Bengals here.
Ryan: The Bengals are a better all around team and they had a full week to rest up.
Brad: Matt Ryan+Freeman+Juilo>Winston+Martin+Evans.
Jeff: Easy blowout dub.
Ryan: Falcons are too strong at home.
The ''Welcome back Ben'' game of the week
Bengals (6-0) at Steelers (4-3)
Joe: The Bengals start to the season has been awesome, but I think that Sunday will mark the first blemish on their record. Ben Roethlisberger is back, baby, and it could not have come at a better time for Pittsburgh. Although I don't think Ben will have quite the explosive passing day that we have become used to seeing, I think that he will provide enough of an upgrade for the Steeler offense to squeak out a W. I can't see the Bengals starting 7-0. Steelers 28, Bengals 20.
Brad: Big Ben is 2-4 in games coming back from injury.
Jeff: Ben will struggle in his return, so I got the Bengals here.
Ryan: The Bengals are a better all around team and they had a full week to rest up.
4:05
The ''Hedi'' game of the week
Jets (4-2) at Raiders (3-3)
Joe: On November 17th, 1968, the Oakland Raiders met the New York Jets in the AFL Game of the Week. The Jets had a 32-29 lead with less than a minute to play, but Oakland scored twice to win 43-32. It was a fantastic finish, but the problem was nobody who was watching on TV got to see it. ABC assumed the game was over, so they switched their broadcast to the Shirley Temple classic film ''Heidi''. I think that things will be a little different in 2015 in that the Jets will come up on top. Both Ryan Fitzpatrick and Derek Carr will have prolific days passing, but I think that Fitzpatrick will come out on top. Oakland is not ready to compete yet while the Jets are pretty damn close, and I see New York escaping the Black Hole with a win (which hasn't been that uncommon in the past ten years). NYJ in a close one. Jets 26, Raiders 20.
Brad: Derek Carr and Amari Cooper will lead Oakland to a big win.
Jeff: The Jets have a good team and they will prove it here.
Ryan: Oakland will win a big game with wildcard implications.
4:25
The ''we really were expecting to be better'' game of the week
Seahawks (3-3) at Cowboys (2-4)
Joe: Both of these teams were NFC powerhouses in 2014, but this year has been a different story. The Seahawks have been inconsistent while the Cowboys have been banged up, and neither team is where they would like to be at this point. Since the Seahawks are healthy, I see them coming out on top here. The Cowboys have lost 4 in a row, and I cannot foresee Matt Cassell getting it done against Richard Sherman and company and breaking a 4-game losing streak. The Seahawks defense will carry over their momentum from last Thursday in San Fran, and they will win this game by double digits. Seahawks 33, Cowboys 14.
Brad: Dallas hasn't won without Romo and Richard Sherman will lock down the returning Dez Bryant.
Jeff: The Cowboys have Dez back but not having a QB will cost them.
Ryan: Dallas fans will spend all year wondering what might have been.
Sunday Night
The ''bring back Faith Hill'' game of the week
Packers (6-0) at Broncos (6-0)
Joe: This is a difficult game to predict, but since Denver is playing at home, I have a gut feeling that the will pull it out. It's a toss up between two good teams, but I think that Peyton Manning will outplay Aaron Rodgers to back up the Denver defense in a close win. Mile High is very tough to play at, especially at night, so the coin I am flipping will land on the Broncos logo. Broncos 24, Packers 17
Jeff: The Broncos defense will not be able to stop Aaron Rodgers.
Brad: The Broncos defense is elite but has not faced an offense as good as Green Bay's yet. GB's full body of work makes them the team to beat.
Monday Night
The ''bring back Hank Williams Jr.'' game of the week
Jets (4-2) at Raiders (3-3)
Joe: On November 17th, 1968, the Oakland Raiders met the New York Jets in the AFL Game of the Week. The Jets had a 32-29 lead with less than a minute to play, but Oakland scored twice to win 43-32. It was a fantastic finish, but the problem was nobody who was watching on TV got to see it. ABC assumed the game was over, so they switched their broadcast to the Shirley Temple classic film ''Heidi''. I think that things will be a little different in 2015 in that the Jets will come up on top. Both Ryan Fitzpatrick and Derek Carr will have prolific days passing, but I think that Fitzpatrick will come out on top. Oakland is not ready to compete yet while the Jets are pretty damn close, and I see New York escaping the Black Hole with a win (which hasn't been that uncommon in the past ten years). NYJ in a close one. Jets 26, Raiders 20.
Brad: Derek Carr and Amari Cooper will lead Oakland to a big win.
Jeff: The Jets have a good team and they will prove it here.
Ryan: Oakland will win a big game with wildcard implications.
4:25
The ''we really were expecting to be better'' game of the week
Seahawks (3-3) at Cowboys (2-4)
Joe: Both of these teams were NFC powerhouses in 2014, but this year has been a different story. The Seahawks have been inconsistent while the Cowboys have been banged up, and neither team is where they would like to be at this point. Since the Seahawks are healthy, I see them coming out on top here. The Cowboys have lost 4 in a row, and I cannot foresee Matt Cassell getting it done against Richard Sherman and company and breaking a 4-game losing streak. The Seahawks defense will carry over their momentum from last Thursday in San Fran, and they will win this game by double digits. Seahawks 33, Cowboys 14.
Brad: Dallas hasn't won without Romo and Richard Sherman will lock down the returning Dez Bryant.
Jeff: The Cowboys have Dez back but not having a QB will cost them.
Ryan: Dallas fans will spend all year wondering what might have been.
Sunday Night
The ''bring back Faith Hill'' game of the week
Packers (6-0) at Broncos (6-0)
Joe: This is a difficult game to predict, but since Denver is playing at home, I have a gut feeling that the will pull it out. It's a toss up between two good teams, but I think that Peyton Manning will outplay Aaron Rodgers to back up the Denver defense in a close win. Mile High is very tough to play at, especially at night, so the coin I am flipping will land on the Broncos logo. Broncos 24, Packers 17
Jeff: The Broncos defense will not be able to stop Aaron Rodgers.
Brad: The Broncos defense is elite but has not faced an offense as good as Green Bay's yet. GB's full body of work makes them the team to beat.
Monday Night
The ''bring back Hank Williams Jr.'' game of the week
Colts (3-4) at Pathers (6-0)
Joe: I didn't imagine I'd be saying this, but the Panthers will be 7-0. The Colts are not the team they were last season, and facing what may be the NFC's hottest team won't help anything at all. Cam Newton will run for a touchdown and pass for two, and the Carolina defense will make Andrew Luck suffer. Carolina 31, Indy 14.
Brad: I believe the Colts will lose this game.
Jeff: Colts are playing poor and I'm starting to buy into the Panthers.
Ryan: Indy still has the weapons on offense, and I think that they will start to get back on track on Monday night.
Joe: I didn't imagine I'd be saying this, but the Panthers will be 7-0. The Colts are not the team they were last season, and facing what may be the NFC's hottest team won't help anything at all. Cam Newton will run for a touchdown and pass for two, and the Carolina defense will make Andrew Luck suffer. Carolina 31, Indy 14.
Brad: I believe the Colts will lose this game.
Jeff: Colts are playing poor and I'm starting to buy into the Panthers.
Ryan: Indy still has the weapons on offense, and I think that they will start to get back on track on Monday night.
No comments:
Post a Comment