Week 12-Four games with playoff implications

NFL: Four Games with Playoff Implications in Week 12

Atlanta Falcons (9-1) vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (6-4)

The Falcons barely escaped with a win last week against the Cardinals; in that game, the Falcons turned the ball over six times. Matt Ryan threw five interceptions to one of the league’s best pass defenses but this week the Bucs are still last in pass defense. Ryan should have an easier time against the Bucs but only if the Falcons can establish a strong running game against the Bucs stout run defense. The Falcons did struggle last week but some of those turnovers were fluke plays that just happened to go the Cardinals’ way. The Bucs are still fighting for one of the wildcard playoff spots. The Bucs will need another strong performance by Freeman and Jackson again this week. If Doug Martin can give the Bucs a 100 yard game, I expect this game to go down to the 4^th quarter. The key to this game will be turnovers. If the Bucs can create some turnovers on their home field, they can pull off a win. But Ryan will be focused on curbing those mistakes going into this game.

Prediction: Falcons 24-20

Minnesota Vikings (6-4) vs. Chicago Bears (7-3)

The Bears have fallen as the NFC North division leader by losing two straight games. The Bears have struggled with the loss of their starting Quarterback, Jay Cutler. If Cutler does not play on Sunday, the Bears could miss the playoffs. The Vikings are one of four teams fighting for a wildcard playoff spot. The Vikings will have an opportunity to move into second place in the NFC North with a win on Sunday. The Vikings will need a big performance by their Quarterback, Christian Ponder to have a chance to win. Adrian Peterson leads the league in rushing and will be challenged by the Bears’ defense. If Peterson can break the 100 yard mark against this defense and Ponder can manage the game, the Vikings can win a big road game this Sunday. But if Cutler can play on Sunday, it changes the whole dynamic of this game. The Bears know how important this game is to their season and that will carry them against this emerging Vikings team.

Prediction: Bears 16-13

San Francisco 46ers (7-2-1) vs. New Orleans Saints (5-5)

The Saints are on a three game winning streak, thanks largely to their passing game. Drew Brees has led the Saints back to .500 and the Saints have a chance to fight for one of the wildcard playoff spots. But the 49ers are standing in their way achieving  that goal. The 49ers will start Kaepernick at Quarterback again this week and this road game will be a true test of his development. The Saints will try to upstage the young Quarterback in their push for a playoff spot but the 49ers defense will be ready for their best attempt. The 49ers dominated the whole game against the Bears last week and they will try to do much of the same against the Saints. The Saints need this victory to stay alive in the playoff hunt but the 49ers have plenty to play for too. The 49ers are trying to lock up home field advantage in the second round of the playoffs. The 49ers defense will be too strong against this incredible arsenal of talent.

Prediction: 49ers 28-24

Green Bay Packers (7-3) vs. New York Giants (6-4)

This matchup has become one of the best in the NFC. The Giants have gotten the best of the Packers twice in the playoffs. The Packers have lost twice at home to the Giants, during the playoffs, in the last five years. The Packers know how important this game is to their season and to the rivalry. The Giants have lost two straight games and the Packers have won five straight games. The Packers are playing to put more distance between themselves and the Bears in the NFC North standings. But the Giants need this win so they can stay on top of the NFC East division. Both teams know the importance of this game and they will be prepared for a battle. The difference of this game will be the Giants’ defense slowing down this incredible passing offense. Rodgers is clicking with his talented wide receiver corps and Greg Jennings might rejoin the team this week. The Giants’ best chance of winning this game will be putting pressure on Rodgers. But if Rodgers has time to find the open receiver, it will be a long game for the Giants.

Prediction: Packers: 35-28

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Week 11: 4 games with Playoff Implications

NFL: Four Games with Playoff Implications in Week 11

Green Bay Packers (6-3) vs. Detroit Lions (4-5)

The Packers head to Ford Field after their bye week in hopes of regaining their momentum. The Packers, winners of four straight, are looking to overtake the Chicago Bears on top of the NFC North. The Packers will face an improving Detroit defensive backfield. The Lions are currently 7^th in pass defense but Aaron Rodgers historically plays well against the Lions. So, this should be a great test for both teams. Detroit needs this win to stay alive in the playoff chase in the NFC and if the Packers win it will get them one game closer for a divisional showdown with the Bears. This game will be decided by the pressure the Lions can put on Rodgers, but if that does not happen it will be a long day for the Lions’ defense.

Prediction: Packers 38-20

Tampa Bay Buccaneers (5-4) vs. Carolina Panthers

The Buccaneers won a crucial game last week against the Chargers and now face that same urgency against the Panthers today. The Panthers have no chance of making the playoffs but they can hinder the playoff hopes of the Bucs. Last week, the Bucs’ defense was able to create turnovers and they will need to do much of the same against the Panthers. The Bucs’ can win this game if they can keep Cam Newton scrambling instead of throwing down field. The Bucs’ still lead the league in defending against the run and this will create more pressure on Cam Newton to make plays with his arm and not his feet.

Prediction: Bucs 28-20

Baltimore Ravens (7-2) vs. Pittsburgh Steelers (6-3)

This divisional matchup has been one of the most highly contested rivalries in the NFL. This game will be missing some of the key players like Ben Roethlisberger, Troy Polamalu & Ray Lewis but the game still has major implications on the division and the playoffs. The Ravens currently are leading the division but this game will give the Steelers an opportunity to tie up the division. The Ravens came out strong against the Raiders last week and Joe Flacco had one of his best games this season while the Steelers struggled on Monday night against the Chiefs. The Steelers have backup Quarterback Byron Leftwich starting in place of injured Roethlisberger and this will play to the advantage of the Ravens. The Steelers are playing at home and for them to have a chance their linebacking core will need to play a major role in stopping Ray Rice and Joe Flacco. The Steelers are not only playing for the division but possibly one of the two wildcard playoff spots. The Ravens can win this game if they can put pressure on Leftwich and stall the Steelers running game. This game will still be a battle and will be decided late in the 4^th quarter.

Prediction: Ravens 24-17

Chicago Bears (7-2) vs. San Francisco 49ers (6-2-1)

This game features two of the best defenses in the NFL and two injured Quarterbacks. The Bears are regrouping from a tough loss last week that saw them lose Jay Cutler in the first half to a concussion. Cutler was not cleared to play this week and this greatly affects their chances of winning on the road. The 49ers played to a tie last week against the Rams and in that game their starting Quarterback Alex Smith left the game with a concussion too. The 49ers have still not announced whether Smith will play or not, but considering how important this game is to playoff seeding, I bet Smith will find a way to get onto the field. The winner of this game will have the tie breaker over the other in what should be a tight race for the playoffs. The defensive matchups favor the 49ers since Jason Campbell struggled mightily against the Texans last week. But the Bears might play against a backup Quarterback too, so the 49ers being the home team gives them the advantage in this toss-up game.

Prediction: 49ers 21-17

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Week 10: 4 Games with Playoff Implications

NFL: Four Games with Playoff Implications in Week 10

Atlanta Falcons (8-0) vs. New Orleans Saints (3-5)

The Falcons head to the Superdome possessing the only undefeated record in the NFL. The Saints head into today’s matchup in a must win situation to keep their playoff hopes alive. The Falcons are playing at a high level with Matt Ryan having a career year passing to Julio Jones, Roddy White and Tony Gonzalez, each player having over 40 receptions. Drew Brees must have an MVP type performance for the Saints to have any chance to win this game. The Saints will have to limit mistakes and create turnovers on defense. If the Saints lose this game today it will hamper their chances of making the playoffs and the Falcons are playing to be the top seed in the NFC. The Falcons are currently leading the NFC but the Bears are just one game away from taking that spot and the 49ers are just two games out.

Prediction: 24-21 Falcons

Seattle Seahawks (5-4) vs. New York Jets (3-5)

This game is crucial for both team’s playoff chances and would eliminate the Jets from the playoffs if they lose. The Jets enter this game with a sense of urgency and hope to salvage their season. The Seahawks are still finding their offensive identity with rookie Quarterback Russell Wilson and they have a chance to put some distance between themselves and the rest of the playoff hopefuls in the NFC with a win today. The Jets are a team in disarray and can stop the bleeding with a big win today. Mark Sanchez has struggled this season and the Seahawks have one of the best defenses in the league and should create havoc all day in Met Life Stadium. The Seahawks will win this game because of

Marshawn Lynch and the fact that the Jets are ranked 29^th in stopping the rush, which gives the Seahawks the upper hand.

Prediction: 23-10 Seahawks

Detroit Lions (4-4) vs. Minnesota Vikings (5-4)

This divisional game is crucial for the Lions, since they already lost to the Vikings earlier in the year. The Vikings will have the tie-breaker over the Lions in a highly contested wildcard playoff race if they win. The Vikings will be without their leading receiver Percy Harvin and that will hurt their balanced act against the Lions. Harvin created matchup problems for the Lions, so his absence will require a big game out of Adrian Peterson. The Lions are the winners of two straight games and will need to continue their momentum on offense to counteract the rushing attack of Adrian Peterson. This game will truly come down to which Quarterback performs the best and leads their team. Ponder and Stafford have struggled at different times throughout the season and if one plays better it will probably be the reason their team wins.

Prediction: 21-17 Lions

San Diego Chargers (4-4) vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-4)

The Buccaneers are an interesting team on defense; they are one of the best teams against the rush but are the worst team in the league in defending the pass. Phillip Rivers will definitely try to take advantage of this fact and since his team does not have a solid rushing attack, they will depend on Rivers to make all the big plays. The Buccaneers have Doug Martin quickly emerging as lethal threat coming out of their backfield. The Chargers are one of the best at defending the run, so it will be interesting to see the battle in the trenches. The team that has the most rushing yards will probably win this game. The Buccaneers and Chargers are both fighting for a wildcard playoff spot and I assume today will feel more like a playoff game.

Prediction: 17-10 Chargers

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