Why do the Browns and Titans have byes this week? During that three-year stretch between the Browns coming back and the Texans starting, there was either one or three byes every week because there had to be with an uneven number of teams. But there's absolutely no reason to have post-Thanksgiving byes in today's NFL. Especially since they were able to figure out eight divisions of four so easily, but refuse to apply that same math to the bye weeks. Dumb. But on a positive note, at least the Browns won't lose this week.
Chiefs (8-3) at Falcons (7-4): Kansas City-That was a big field goal at the end of overtime last Sunday night. It gave the Chiefs a very realistic shot at winning the AFC West heading into that huge Thursday night matchup with the Raiders. But they can't get caught looking ahead. Not against a good Atlanta team that also needs a win with the Bucs only one game behind them in the NFC South. Big game for both teams, but I think Kansas City's defense shuts down the Atlanta offense enough to come away with a victory.
49ers (1-10) at Bears (2-9): Chicago-Much like Cleveland, one of these teams isn't going to lose this week! Both the 49ers and Bears are bad football teams, and this is probably going to be a terrible game to watch. It's really a toss up here, but Chicago's the home team, so I'll give them the slight nod.
Eagles (5-6) at Bengals (3-7-1): Philadelphia-Remember when these two finished in a tie because Donovan McNabb didn't know the rules? That was actually the last time the Eagles and Bengals met in Cincinnati. This time they square off with Philadelphia desperately clinging to its fading playoff hopes. The Bengals' season is already lost. They can play spoiler if they get a win here, but I think the Eagles rebound from that Monday night loss.
Texans (6-5) at Packers (5-6): Green Bay-It's snowing in Green Bay. The Packers are used to that. The Texans aren't. How much of a bearing will that actually have? Now that they've finally snapped their losing streak, I liked the Packers in this game already. With the weather conditions being what they are, that furthers my belief Green Bay will win this one.
Rams (4-7) at Patriots (9-2): New England-Jeff Fisher just got a two-year extension, so there's no question about his job status in LA, which is a good thing. Now the Rams can focus on football. Not that any of that means they're going to beat the Patriots at Foxboro. Gronkowski or no Gronkowski. (And while I'm at it, the whole talk about whether or not he can come back for the Super Bowl was typical Patriots fan cockiness at its very best. At least they put that to rest by officially declaring him out for the season.)
Lions (7-4) at Saints (5-6): Detroit-No matter what, Detroit will be in first place at the end of the day (they have the tiebreaker on the Vikings anyway, so they're really sitting pretty). I give them a lot of credit. They've trailed in the fourth quarter of every game this season, yet they've won seven of them. I'd expect them to play another close one at the Superdome. And if it's close at the end, they've proven they have what it takes to pull it out.
Broncos (7-4) at Jaguars (2-9): Denver-I had this discussion with somebody on Monday after the Broncos missed that 62-yard field goal to give the Chiefs the short field, but I fully supported Gary Kubiak's decision then, and I still do now. Denver wasn't winning the game if they didn't attempt the kick, and nobody would be second-guessing the call if he'd made the kick. Anyway, that loss knocked the defending champs out of a playoff position (at least temporarily). Which means they can't take their trip to Jacksonville lightly. Especially with Tennessee, New England, Kansas City and Oakland left on the schedule.
Dolphins (7-4) at Ravens (6-5): Baltimore-If the playoffs were to start today, Miami at Baltimore would be an AFC Wild Card Game. Don't consider this a little preview (because the matchups are almost certainly going to change). More like a happy little coincidence that this contest could repeat itself a month from now. I really don't know how the Dolphins have won six in a row, but it all clicked when they beat the Steelers. Winning in Baltimore, though? That's a whole different proposition.
Bills (6-5) at Raiders (9-2): Oakland-For some reason, traveling cross country to play the Raiders when you don't regularly do it, especially for other AFC teams, usually ends up in an Oakland win. And that was before the Raiders were any good. With the Raiders playing the way they have so far this season, it would be a surprise if they do lose this one. Especially since three of their final four games are their division road games. It sounds silly to call this a must-win, but if Oakland wants the 1-seed, that's exactly what this is.
Redskins (6-4-1) at Cardinals (4-6-1): Washington-Dallas can clinch a playoff spot if the Cardinals win (they also get in if San Diego beats Tampa Bay), so you know Washington would love to put the Cowboys' celebration on hold for at least another week. Thanks to their tie, the Redskins are sitting in playoff position right now, so a win would do more than delay the inevitable with the Cowboys. This is a real test for them, but I do see them managing a win.
Giants (8-3) at Steelers (6-5): Giants-Oh man, we've got a good one for the FOX national game! It's always fun when Big Ben and Eli get together. The Giants are sitting pretty for a playoff spot. They lead Washington by a game and a half for the first NFC wild card. Pittsburgh, on the other hand, is in a dogfight (mainly of its own making). The AFC North is going to go down to the wire between the Steelers and Ravens. Which Pittsburgh team will show up, though? The one that crushed Kansas City, or the one that got killed by Miami? Meanwhile, the Giants have a tendency to play to the level of their opponent, so expect their best shot.
Buccaneers (6-5) at Chargers (5-6): Tampa Bay-Is this the beginning of the Chargers' final month in San Diego? If some reports are to be believed, they're going to exercise their option to join the Rams in LA next season, but the NFL wants them in San Diego, so I really have no idea what's going on there. Anyway, San Diego is that team nobody wants to play. The same thing can be said for Tampa Bay, which has beaten Kansas City and Seattle (by a 14-5 score) in the last two weeks. Can the Bucs make it three straight after traveling cross country?
Panthers (4-7) at Seahawks (7-3-1): Seattle-Don't ask me why, but NBC decided to keep this one on Sunday night even though the Panthers are out of it. Maybe it's because Seattle's first two Sunday night games were both really good (even if one of them was a tie). Regardless, the Seahawks should have no problems here, and, depending on how things go in the earlier games, move closer to clinching the NFC West.
Colts (5-6) at Jets (3-8): Indianapolis-There's an entirely realistic scenario where the Colts will be playing for a share of first place on Monday night. All it would take, really, is a Packers win to set that up. And if they have that opportunity, expect them to take advantage of it. After all, they're playing the Jets.
This Week: 1-0
Last Week: 12-4
Season: 113-63-2
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