Here we are 15 weeks in and two teams just refuse to lose a game. The Colts and Saints continue their pursuit at perfection in front of national crowds this weekend, both Thursday and Saturday nights. Once again the Pittsburgh Steelers played miserable and fell for the fifth consecutive week and it won’t get any easier this week against the Green Bay Packers. Playoff races heat up this week and a few of the games are must see TV.
Indianapolis Colts at Jacksonville Jaguars
The Jaguars were in control of their own destiny and then struggled enormously in a loss to the Dolphins. Their road to the post-season will take another big hit this week as they meet the undefeated Colts. The Colts might not play all of their guys but shouldn’t need to be full strength to take care of the roller coaster that is the Jaguar offense. Peyton Manning will have a huge night on Thursday.
Prediction: 35 – 21 Colts.
Fantasy Player to Watch: Pierre Garcon – 100+ yards, TD
Dallas Cowboys at New Orleans Saints
The Cowboys have played well although losing two more games in December. It’s going to take more than playing well to beat the unblemished Saints Saturday night. The Saints have had their share of luck this year and continue to pull out wins. The Cowboys will be fired up and ready to play, but another missed field goal and a late interception will do them in this week.
Prediction: 28 – 24 Saints.
FPTW: Marques Colston – 100+ yards, TD
New England Patriots at Buffalo Bills
The Patriots have had a lot of drama around the locker room recently but overcame that to put away the Panthers last week. Randy Moss showed flashes of the Moss who played in Oakland but maybe he was just proving a point. Tom Brady should get Moss back together with a huge day this week against the Bills. Fellow headache wideout Terrell Owens will also have a big day to give Buffalo a shot to win.
Prediction: 30 – 21 Patriots.
FPTW: Randy Moss / Terrell Owens – 100+ yards, TD
Arizona Cardinals at Detroit Lions
The Cardinals have looked like two different teams recently, while the Lions always look the same. The Lions were torched on the ground by Ray Rice and the Ravens last week, and the Cards backs couldn’t keep the ball in their grasp. Tim Hightower and Beanie Wells are going to have big games in the Dome in Detroit. Either back could take it to the house on any given carry, thus opening some passing lanes for Kurt Warner.
Prediction: 41 – 10 Cardinals.
FPTW: Tim Hightower / Beanie Wells – 100+ yards, TD
Miami Dolphins at Tennessee Titans
The Titans and Chris Johnson have been playing well at home and the Dolphins come visiting this Sunday. Vince Young was forced to exit early against the Rams with an apparent hamstring injury. Kerry Collins doesn’t seem like the player of old and I don’t think the Titans can win with him at the helm. Chad Henne appears to be thriving leading the Fins as they make another move towards the AFC playoffs.
Prediction: 27 – 17 Dolphins.
FPTW: Ricky Williams – 100+ yards, TD
Cleveland Browns at Kansas City Chiefs
Jamaal Charles is turning into a superstar for the Chiefs. Charles had another breakout game last week and looks to run wild this week against the Browns. The Browns are coming off a huge emotional win in their own Super Bowl against Pittsburgh. I think the Browns will fall apart this week and the Chiefs will be there to capitalize.
Prediction: 31 – 14 Chiefs.
FPTW: Jamaal Charles – 120+ yards, TD
Houston Texans at St. Louis Rams
Matt Schaub found Andre Johnson in a big way to continue the great season he and the Texans are having. The lack of a running game will be more apparent in the last two weeks as the Rams have been brutal on defense this year. Keith Null was the best the Rams could put out there on Sunday and they clearly are the front runners to draft a franchise quarterback, but then again Michael Vick has looked good in a limited role for Philly.
Prediction: 37 – 13 Texans.
FPTW: Matt Schaub – 300+ yards, 3 TD
Atlanta Falcons at New York Jets
Chris Redman looked very good as he passed for over 300 yards against the tough Saints defense. Whether Matt Ryan returns or not, the Falcons have found all the right pieces for succeeding in the next several years. Kellen Clemens stepped in for Mark Sanchez and managed a nice game with help from Thomas Jones. The Jets running game will have a harder time finding holes to run against the Falcon defense.
Prediction: 28 – 21 Falcons.
FPTW: Tony Gonzalez – 60+ yards, 2 TD
San Francisco 49ers at Philadelphia Eagles
The 49ers finally got back to the power running game and solid defense as they dominated the Cardinals on MNF. Frank Gore pounded out tough yards and showed he is still a prominent back. The Eagles showed just how explosive their offense is but also had their defense exposed a bit. Alex Smith has the weapons at his disposal to take down Philly but I believe Donovan McNabb will have the last laugh.
Prediction: 31 – 27 Eagles.
FPTW: DeSean Jackson – 100+ yards, TD
Chicago Bears at Baltimore Ravens
The Ravens absolutely destroyed the Lions last week. Ray Rice has been on fire all year and is that spark the Ravens have needed for years. Jay Cutler continues to make bad decisions with the ball and will be pressured into making more this week. Matt Forte is the key to the Bears offense in this game. If Forte can hit some gaps and get out of the backfield on passes, the Bears may be able to get the win.
Prediction: 27 – 20 Ravens.
FPTW: Ray Rice – 160+ combined yards, 2 TD
Cincinnati Bengals at San Diego Chargers
The Chargers are emerging as one of the best teams in the league. Phillip Rivers has been dynamic all year and LaDainian Tomlinson is getting his stride back. The Bolts defense has been getting after the quarterback but still can’t figure out how to stop the run. Carson Palmer has struggled recently and the Bengals seem to have lost some of their luster. This could be the best game of the week.
Prediction: 31 – 24 Chargers.
FPTW: Vincent Jackson – 100+ yards, TD
Oakland Raiders at Denver Broncos
The Raiders have lost Bruce Gradkowski for the time being and JaMarcus Russell still looked awful. Russell will have major fits trying to figure out the Broncos defense. Champ Bailey should have an interception or two this week if Russell even dares to throw to that side of the field. Brandon Marshall will have another explosive game but not quite 21 catches again. Broncos get that elusive ninth win.
Prediction: 24 – 0 Broncos.
FPTW: Brandon Marshall – 100+ yards, TD
Green Bay Packers at Pittsburgh Steelers
The Steelers have completely fallen off the map with five consecutive losses but still have an outside shot at the playoffs. The Packers have looked like a contender with a great defense and explosive offense. The Steelers couldn’t get the ground game going against the weak Browns rush defense and shouldn’t get it going against the very tough 3-4 scheme of Green Bay. Can the Steelers lose six straight?
Prediction: 24 – 14 Packers.
FPTW: Aaron Rodgers – 260+ yards, 2 TD
Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Seattle Seahawks
The Seahawks have been inconsistent at best on offense. Julius Jones continues to get the bulk of the carries while doing nothing with them, as Justin Forsett has shown to be explosive. The Bucs have been improving in every facet except for quarterback play, where Josh Freeman is taking his lumps. The Bucs will not give up but it won’t have enough in the end.
Prediction: 31 – 17 Seahawks.
FPTW: Justin Forsett – 100+ total yards, TD
Minnesota Vikings at Carolina Panthers
Adrian Peterson and the Vikings bounced back in a big way by putting down the Bengals with ease. Brett Favre continues to spread the ball around and energize the Purple and Gold. The Panthers struggled with an average Patriots squad on a bad day. Matt Moore doesn’t seem to be the answer at quarterback. Vikings will handle the Panthers Sunday night.
Prediction: 34 – 14 Vikings.
FPTW: Adrian Peterson – 100+ yards, TD
New York Giants at Washington Redskins
The Redskins have vastly improved on the offensive side of the ball since Sherman Lewis returned to take over the play calling. Jason Campbell seems to have taken control of the new offense with the help of Quinton Ganther and Rock Cartwright. The Giants fell just short against the Eagles but were exposed for the weak defense they have. The Redskins will halt the Giants playoff plans.
Prediction: 24 – 20 Redskins.
FPTW: Fred Davis – 70+ yards, TD
Last Week: 10 – 6
Overall: 41 – 23
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