Carolina Panthers (1-5) @ Chicago Bears (5-1)
Two teams with very different records so far and it looks like being a very tough game for the Carolina Panthers. Unfortunately for the Panthers, Cam Newton is currently playing the way he did in the second half of last season, rather than showing the explosive form he began last year with. Newton has passed for just 5 touchdowns in his 6 games and the Panthers need more from him. The Bears are playing very well at the minute, particularly on defense. They lead the league in run defense but could improve on their pass defense, ranking 16th. The pass defense is making up for giving up yards though by picking up 14 interceptions, returning 5 for touchdowns. Jay Cutler is currently listed as probable for the Bears and if he plays, then the Bears will be hard to beat.
Prediction - The Bears win this easily and reach 6-1.
San Diego Chargers (3-3) @ Cleveland Browns (1-6)
The Chargers really need to win this game. They are in a tight race in the AFC West and need to win games like this. The numbers would suggest that the Browns aren't going to be able to run the ball. They are 30th in rushing and the Chargers are 2nd in run defense. If the game comes down to Philip Rivers versus Brandon Weeden, then there can only be one winner. The Browns are 1-6 and are there for a reason. They have put in a few decent performances but ultimately they've fell short and lost. The only way I can see the Browns win this game is if we are spending Monday morning talking about Philip Rivers not taking care of the football.
Prediction - The Chargers win this one.
Seattle Seahawks (4-3) @ Detroit Lions (2-4)
This looks like being a tight game between two tough defenses and should be decided by one score. The Seahawks are particularly strong in defense and rank 8th in pass defense and 5th in run defense. The Lions are also doing well in defense and rank 6th in pass defense and 16th in run defense. The Lions strength in offense is their passing game but that has taken a hit this week with news of a season ending injury to Nate Burleson. Calvin Johnson and Brandon Pettigrew are both listed as probable for this game and if they don't make it, the Lions will be in trouble. Marshawn Lynch is also listed as probable and as he is the main rusher for a Seahawks team who rank 8th in rushing, his availability will be every bit as important as the Lions duo.
Prediction - The Stafford to Johnson combination will lead the Lions to the win.
Jacksonville Jaguars (1-5) @ Green Bay Packers (4-3)
The Jaguars hopes for the coming weeks died in my opinion with the injury to Maurice Jones-Drew. Jones-Drew is the danger man for a bad Jags team and it is scary to think how bad a team that are 1-5 will be without their best player. The Jags are averaging just 236 yards of total offense per game which is very poor. Especially as 17 teams are averaging more passing yards than that. The Packers are looking much better in the last two weeks and Aaron Rodgers has been particularly impressive. If the Packers can keep up the form they have shown in the last two weeks, then this game should be a very simple win for them. The Jags don't look much better on defense and are giving up over 400 yards per game.
Prediction - The Packers could win this by 40.
Indianapolis Colts (3-3) @ Tennessee Titans (3-4)
This is a big divisional game in the AFC South. The winner will be in a good position in the race for an AFC wildcard spot. Both sides have been inconsistent but on their day can beat anyone. The Titans have exploded in recent weeks and Chris Johnson in particular has been very good after a slow start. The Colts have been poor against the run and rank 26th in run defense. The Colts best chance of winning the game is passing the ball and they rank 11th in passing and the Titans are 27th in pass defense. Both sides will feel that they can win this game and although Andrew Luck and Chris Johnson are on their respective injury reports, I expect both to play and this to be a great game between two big rivals.
Prediction - I have to side with the home team and go for a Titans win.
New England Patriots (4-3) @ St Louis Rams (3-4)
The Patriots have a huge injury list this week and much of their chances in this game will rely on how many of those listed, they get on the field. The Pats won't find it easy against a tough Rams side. The Patriots one weakness is their pass defense and they currently rank 29th in the league. The Patriots are 5th in passing, 5th in rushing and 8th in run defense. If they could get their pass defense to step up, they would have a team as good as any in the league. The Rams aren't great in passing and rank 24th in the league but Sam Bradford isn't a bad quarterback and he might be able to hurt a banged up Pats secondary. This game will be particularly unusual as the road team will have the majority of the fans on their side. The game is the latest in the NFL's International Series games at Wembley Stadium in London. The Pats have a huge following in the UK and their fans will massively out number the Rams fans. This game will bring back good memories for me personally as the only NFL game I have been to was the first Wembley game between the Giants and the Dolphins. It's fantastic for the European fans to get to see the games and I am delighted that next year, Wembley will host two games.
Prediction - Being a better side and having "home" advantage will be enough for the Patriots to win their second regular season game in Wembley Stadium.
Miami Dolphins (3-3) @ New York Jets (3-4)
All four teams in the AFC East are within one win of the divisional lead and the winners of this game will find themselves right in the playoff mix. Both of these sides have good points and bad points, on both sides of the ball. The Jets are better running the ball than throwing, as are the Dolphins. On defense the Jets are particularly strong defending the pass but rank 30th against the run. The Dolphins are 3rd against the run but 28th against the pass. The Jets best chance of winning is to put the ball in the hands of Mark Sanchez and although he had a good game last week, that's never a good idea. The Dolphins best chance is to let Reggie Bush run the ball. After a slow start, Bush has slowed up considerably and he will have to up his game if the Dolphins want to win this game.
Prediction - This game is tough to call, but I'm going to side with the Jets.
Atlanta Falcons (6-0) @ Philadelphia Eagles (3-3)
I am surprisingly feeling good about this game against a strong Atlanta Falcons team. We are 13-0 under Andy Reid after the bye week. It's one of the things he consistently gets right and in recent experience the Eagles raise their game when their backs are to the wall. The Falcons are a decent side and currently have the NFL's best record but I just can't see them in the Superbowl. They have an explosive passing attack and Matt Ryan has three excellent receivers to target. The trouble they have is, they are a little bit one dimensional. Their rush is ranked 29th in the league so it's pretty much a case of covering the big three and make them go to Plan B. The Eagles have some of the best coverage in football and with two weeks to prepare I have enough confidence in our defense to get the main threats covered. The one thing that worries me about our defense is we often get caught covering the big targets down the field and forget about the running back. If Ryan can find his running-back, that will be the key to picking up a win. The Eagles have enough on offense to hurt the Falcons but we have been misfiring so far this year. Vick will raise his game for Atlanta and if he can find Maclin and Jackson and we match his throws, with the same amount of LeSean McCoy carries, then I think the Eagles win.
Prediction - LeSean McCoy to run all over the Falcons on the way to an Eagles win.
Washington Redskins (3-4) @ Pittsburgh Steelers (3-3)
Another Redskins game and I expect another shootout. I am actually looking forward to seeing RG3 going up against the Steelers defense. He needs to play smart and take that step out of bounds or slide when he's about to get hit. The Steelers defense don't mess about and if a quarterback comes out of the pocket they will be more than happy to take him out. I don't think this Redskins team can survive without RG3 so they need him to avoid the hits. The Steelers rushing attack has been very poor, although Jonathan Dwyer done well last week but the Redskins run defense is ranked 7th in the league, so I don't expect a big week this week. The key for the Steelers will be their passing game. They rank 6th in passing and the Redskins are the worst team in pass defense, so expect Ben Roethlisberger to have a big day.
Prediction - I think this will be 30 something to 30 something but I'll go with the Steelers to edge the win.
Oakland Raiders (2-4) @ Kansas City Chiefs (1-5)
The Raiders are 0-3 on the road and Kansas City are 0-3 at home so somebody will be going 1-3. The teams are quite well balanced and it should be a tight game between two sides who I'd expect to finish 3rd and 4th in the AFC West. The Chiefs are 3rd in rushing, averaging 164 yards on the ground per game. The Raiders are better passing the ball and rank 9th in the NFL. Neither defense are particularly impressive and in my opinion the game will come down to the Chiefs ability to take care of the ball. If they give the ball away, the Raiders will punish them but if they can take care of it, their rushers should dictate the game and the Chiefs will win.
Prediction - It's hard to put faith in either side but I'll go with the Chiefs this week.
New York Giants (5-2) @ Dallas Cowboys (3-3)
Any chance both teams can lose? As an Eagles fan, these are my two most hated NFL teams. I've followed American Football for about 10 years or so and during that period the Eagles main rivals have always been these two. I know the Redskins are there too but they've never really been a threat in my time, so there's not the same level of rivalry. In this game, I absolutely love the match ups. The Giants are 3rd in passing and 12th in rushing. The Cowboys defense are 3rd in pass defense and 14th in run defense. The Cowboys offense are 7th in passing and 20th in rushing. The Giants defense are 21st against the pass and 23rd against the run. Both sides could be without their leading rushers, with DeMarco Murray already ruled out for Dallas and Ahmed Bradshaw listed as questionable for the Giants. First time round the Cowboys won this one but Victor Cruz dropped a few that most likely cost the Giants the game. I can't see him dropping as many today and it looks like being all about Romo v Manning.
Prediction - I'm siding with the Cowboys in this one. Manning is the better quarterback but Dallas have the better secondary and recent history would suggest, go with the dog in this game.
New Orleans Saints (2-4) @ Denver Broncos (3-3)
This is a battle between the two quarterbacks from Superbowl XLIV and it is one that for Drew Brees, must have the same outcome. The Saints have won 2 in a row since an 0-4 start and the team have improved dramatically and a win here would put them right back in contention. The Broncos have been inconsistent with Peyton Manning under center and they too need a win to boost their playoff hopes. The Broncos have fell behind too often and although they came back to beat the Chargers, a successful team can't keep going behind by 20 points. The Saints lead the league in passing but are 32nd in rushing and their defense is 30th in pass defense and 31st in run defense. The Broncos are a much more balanced team, ranking 4th in passing, 23rd in rushing, 10th in pass defense and 18th in run defense.
Prediction - Peyton Manning to avenge his Superbowl XLIV defeat and lead the Broncos to 4-3.
No comments:
Post a Comment