Week 13: 4 Games with Playoff Implications

Minnesota Vikings (6-5) vs. Green Bay Packers (7-4)

The Packers return home after a demoralizing defeat at the hands of the Giants. The Packers will try to get back on track against the Vikings, who are fighting to stay in the playoff race. The Vikings need this win today because their remaining schedule only gets tougher. The Packers are now a game behind the Bears and will be missing some key players this week. Clay Mathews and Charles Woodson will not play today. The Vikings will need a strong performance from league leading rusher, Adrian Peterson, and from their defensive backfield. The Packers had difficulty protecting Rodgers last week and will meet another stout front four on the Vikings’ defensive line. The Packers lack of a consistent running game will catch up with them at some point this season, but I do not think this will be that week. The Vikings will put up a valiant effort but the Packers returning back to Lambeau Field gives them the edge this week. 

Prediction: Packers 35-21

Seattle Seahawks (6-5) vs. Chicago Bears (8-3)

The Seahawks were told earlier in the week that Richard Sherman and Brandon Browner, both starting cornerbacks, will be suspended for four games by failing a performance enhancing drug test. The players will suit up against the Bears today but might miss the last four games of the season. The Seahawks are fighting for the last playoff spot, along with the Vikings and Buccaneers, and this game might be a must win for them. If Sherman and Browner miss the last four games of the regular season, it will hamper their chances of earning that last playoff spot. The Bears are coming off a huge win against the Vikings. Also, last week was the return of Jay Cutler from injury and the rushing prowess of Michael Bush, who scored twice. The Bears will test rookie Russell Wilson and try to throw the Quarterback off his game. The Bears will need a strong running game due to the Seahawks great passing defense and I believe that will determine this game’s winner.

Prediction: Bears 21-17

Tampa Bay Buccaneers (6-5) vs. Denver Broncos (8-3)

The Bucs hit the road this week to meet the red hot Denver Broncos. Denver has been impressive this season on both sides of the ball and Tampa Bay will have their hands full in trying to stop them. Peyton Manning is working on a MVP campaign and will be facing the league’s worst pass defense. The Broncos will have a tough time establishing a running game against the Bucs for two reasons: no Willis McGahee and the Bucs having the league’s best rush defense. Manning will need to have a strong passing game against this defensive backfield that gives up tons of yards but do create turnovers. The Broncos improved defense will challenge the Bucs stars, Vincent Jackson and Doug Martin. The Buccaneers will need to create turnovers on defense for a chance to pull off a win on the road. The Broncos are now playing for the right to host a playoff game in the second round and with those stakes being so high, I expect Manning to shine today and lead them to victory.

Prediction: Broncos 35-17

Pittsburgh Steelers (6-5) vs. Baltimore Ravens (9-2)

The Steelers’ playoff chances are on life support this week and their future looks bleak. The Steelers have played the last two weeks without Ben Roethlisberger and their offense has struggled. The Steelers’ loss to the Browns last week is the reason this team is in a do or die situation today. The Ravens are licking their chops with this wounded rival coming to their home field and having an opportunity to finish off their playoff hopes. The Steelers will need Charlie Batch to lead the team and keep them out of 3^rd and long situations. Both teams will be ready for a battle and will fight until the final seconds tick off the game clock. The Steelers will need another strong game by their defense and big plays by their offense, but the Ravens will make that hard to come by during today’s game.

Prediction: Ravens 17-10

This week has huge playoff implications from top to bottom. The wild-card spots in both conferences will be in play today. The Colts and Steelers are currently the two wildcard playoff teams in the AFC and the Packers and Seahawks hold those spots in the NFC. The Colts will have a two game lead for the 5^th seed in the AFC if they win against the Lions and if both the Steelers and Bengals lose. If the Steelers lose, and the Bengals win, the Bengals will move into the 6^th seed. The Vikings and Buccaneers have the same record with the NFC’s 6^th seed Seahawks but the Seahawks hold the tiebreaker. All three of those teams have difficult matchups today on the road and could be in the same situations this time next week. The Redskins and Cowboys have a chance to join this race if they win this week. However, for that to happen, the Vikings, Buccaneers and Seahawks will have to lose today. The Redskins will host the Giants and the Cowboys host the battered Eagles. The playoff picture in the NFC will be chaotic if the Redskins and Cowboys both win. The slate of games today and Monday Night’s game will be watched closely by the fans of those teams fighting for the playoff race. The scenarios are now out there, now it’s time to sit back and enjoy this wild ride. 

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