Top Shelf Games: Talent-rich, highly competitive and aged in oak barrels... spiritually speaking
Dallas Cowboys at Philadelphia Eagles (-3.5) - Weren’t we just here a couple of weeks ago? Yes indeed (with another repeat on the docket between the 49ers and Seahawks), but the Cowboys and Eagles are still deadlocked in a division title race and a possible elimination game for whoever’s left fighting for a wild card spot. Philly's recipe for success is clear: start scoring lightning-fast and take Dallas out of its dominant rushing attack early. It worked to perfection last time. They have the chops to do it again and at home no less. But on a hunch that the Cowboys have learned some lessons from last time and will get to play things out with a much more well-rested Murray, I'm going with Dallas tipping the scales.
Green Bay Packers (-5) at Buffalo Bills - Hopefully Green Bay isn't expecting a cakewalk in Buffalo given how the Bills handcuffed Peyton Manning at Mile High last week. This won't be an easy game against one of the very best defensive fronts in the league, but with the Packers vying for key homefield advantage to try to stave off the soaring Seahawks, I think they'll get it done. Unfortunately for the 7 - 6 Bills, unless they can pull off a miracle against Green Bay or the Patriots in two weeks, they'll be destined to extend their streak of non-winning seasons another miserable year. Imagine what these guys could do with a decent quarterback though - they've been fun to watch regardless.
San Francisco 49ers at Seattle Seahawks (-10) - Yeesh. This may not be much of a contest after the Niners totally rolled over in Oakland last week. It's a foregone conclusion that Jim Harbaugh is out after this season, so it makes you wonder what kind of motivation San Francisco's locker room will bring out of the gates in a hostile environment they've struggled with many times before. My guess is super chill gum-chewing truther Pete Carroll will go about business as usual in dismantling the Niners whether or not they play like they have nothing to lose. But maybe we'll get some good brawls out of the deal as Harbaugh's parting shot.
Well Drink Games: They may surprise you from time to time without all the high expectations
Arizona Cardinals at St. Louis Rams (-4.5) - This is the kind of game that you'd hate to see either team lose. The Rams perked up a little too late to have a shot at the postseason, but they're been the most entertaining team to watch week-in and week-out, and they're also riding a rare two-week shutout streak. On the other side, the top-seeded Cardinals could very easily lose too much ground in their surprising run if they can't pull off a win this week. Up to four other NFC teams could end up with 10 wins or better after this weekend, and the Packers and winner of Philly/Dallas certainly will. I'd love Arizona to shock the world with another must-win, but who wants to play St. Louis these days?
Pittsburgh Steelers (-2.5) at Atlanta Falcons - What a difficult [and suddenly interesting] game to pick. The Steelers and Falcons are tearing it up on offense lately, but we all know they are far from flawless. Pittsburgh should have more firepower to win this one, especially if Julio Jones’ hip injury is bad, but these are also the kinds of games the Steelers tend to lose for no good reason. My best guess--and it's no more than a guess--is that Pittsburgh steps up with the playoffs on the line while Atlanta's passing game takes a step back with Jones out or merely playing decoy.
Houston Texans at Indianapolis Colts (-6.5) - Had the Colts not escaped Cleveland with a win last week, this would be a much bigger game in deciding the AFC South. If Ryan Fitzpatrick happens to have another miracle 6-TD game, the Texans can still win, but he and his mathematically sound son would agree that's statistically improbable. Still, J.J. Watt vs. Andrew Luck - sign me up for years to come!
Miami Dolphins at New England Patriots (-7.5) - Is it just me or are the Dolphins always doomed to go to Foxboro in December? They always seem thisclose to locking up a wild card spot before it all goes to hell, and that's where Joe Philbin finds himself again this season. The Pats, on the other hand, have a stranglehold on the top seed in the AFC, and they aren't letting go any time soon.
Minnesota Vikings at Detroit Lions (-4) - With the Bears fizzling out and the Lions on an improbably good run with their defense this year, I could definitely see the 6 - 7 Vikings making a play for the postseason next season, especially if Teddy Bridgewater finds his mojo in the pocket. For this year though, the Lions have the #1 running defense in the NFL, Minnesota has lost its second viable starter in the backfield and Detroit is on a warpath to January.
Pittsburgh Steelers (-2.5) at Atlanta Falcons - What a difficult [and suddenly interesting] game to pick. The Steelers and Falcons are tearing it up on offense lately, but we all know they are far from flawless. Pittsburgh should have more firepower to win this one, especially if Julio Jones’ hip injury is bad, but these are also the kinds of games the Steelers tend to lose for no good reason. My best guess--and it's no more than a guess--is that Pittsburgh steps up with the playoffs on the line while Atlanta's passing game takes a step back with Jones out or merely playing decoy.
Miami Dolphins at New England Patriots (-7.5) - Is it just me or are the Dolphins always doomed to go to Foxboro in December? They always seem thisclose to locking up a wild card spot before it all goes to hell, and that's where Joe Philbin finds himself again this season. The Pats, on the other hand, have a stranglehold on the top seed in the AFC, and they aren't letting go any time soon.
Minnesota Vikings at Detroit Lions (-4) - With the Bears fizzling out and the Lions on an improbably good run with their defense this year, I could definitely see the 6 - 7 Vikings making a play for the postseason next season, especially if Teddy Bridgewater finds his mojo in the pocket. For this year though, the Lions have the #1 running defense in the NFL, Minnesota has lost its second viable starter in the backfield and Detroit is on a warpath to January.
House Punch Games: Most likely to be lop-sided, sloppy and/or otherwise painful to digest
Oakland Raiders at Kansas City Chiefs (-10) - I won't go out of my way to call the Oakland Raiders awful. That has resulted in their only two wins so far this season. So I'll just say the Chiefs should be too smart and talented to let it happen again.
Jacksonville Jaguars at Baltimore Ravens (-13.5) - People say the Ravens' biggest issue is their anonymous secondary that can give up territory over the middle. The Jaguars shouldn't be much cause for concern there.
New York Jets (-1.5) at Tennessee Titans - Oof. Here’s a matchup so awful and uninspiring it could be considered for a new category below House Punch (Strychnine, maybe?), especially since these teams should have no motivation at this point other than to tank their way to draft day gold. But I have one obligation in this weekly post, and that's to speculate on who will win based on strengths and weaknesses. So the Titans are pretty much screwed with their abysmal run defense since running the ball is all the Jets will ever want to do.
New Orleans Saints (-3) at Chicago Bears - How in the world are the Saints favored to win this game?!?!?! On paper, this may not be the worst matchup anyone has to endure this week, but there may not be two more lackadaisical, depressive teams morale-wise in the NFL right now. I’ll probably watch anyway, but I won’t enjoy it one bit. Matt Forte should have a career day when Drew Brees isn’t throwing the deep ball into triple coverage.
So How's My Pickin'?
Last Week's Record: 13 - 3
Season Record: 138 - 71 - 1
No comments:
Post a Comment