Game(s) I Love:
Denver Broncos. The biggest matchup is the Broncos passing vs the Bucs banged up secondary; I expect the Broncos to be in three wide receiver sets and they pass all over the field; Doug Martin should have a solid day as the best chance for the Bucs to win the game is to run the ball a lot and keep Peyton Manning off the field; the Bucs keep the game close for the first three quarters but the Broncos pull away and win by 10 in the end.
Upset Special(s):
Jacksonville Jaguars. I actually think the Jaguars win the game outright; this is predicated on Cecil Shorts and Justin Blackmon playing; Chad Henne is playing at a high level; contrary to popular belief the Bills defense line has been playing really well lately, which could create havoc; the biggest concern is the Bills offense; other than CJ Spiller there isn’t first division talent at the skill positions
Quick Hits:
Seattle Seahawks. This is more of a gut call; Russell Wilson has played better of late; Marshawn Lynch should break the 1,200 yards barrier; the biggest matchup is the Seahawks defensive line vs the Bears offensive line; I can see a scenario where Jay Cutler is under duress the whole game, which will leads to turnovers; Brandon Marshall is 90% of the Bears passing game and the Seahwaks corner backs, the best in the NFL, should be able to limit Marshall’s production; I would have the Seahwaks as a Game I Love, but their road woes worry me.
Green Bay Packers. Greg Jennings is very likely to be active for the game; I expect the following stat line: 5 receptions for 100 yards and one touchdown; if I was going to bet on anyone getting a touchdown it’s Jennings; the Packers are a very flawed team; poor offensive line; defense is littered with injuries and cannot generate pressure; zero running game….putting a lot of pressure on Rodgers; it looks like Percy Harvin will not play and I don’t believe in Christian Ponder at all, especially in Lambeau
San Francisco 49ers. Since the last time they played the Rams, the 49ers have looked like the best team in football; I am noticing a trend where the 49ers play up/play down to their opponent, which is why I wouldn’t touch this game; it appears Danny Amendola will not play; Sam Bradford doesn’t have the offensive fire power to beat the vaunted 49er defense
New York Jets. I believe in Mark Sanchez more than Ryan Lindley; other than Charlie Batch, Lindley has looked the worse of any quarterback I’ve seen all year; I trust Rex Ryan creates a scheme that confuses Lindley; lastly, I feel bad for the Cardinals Defense who, if they had an mediocre offense would be in the hunt for a playoff spot
Carolina Panthers. The Panthers defense has played well lately; I don’t feel too good about the Panthers on the road, but the Chiefs stink and I believe they will find a way to lose yet again.
Detroit Lions. This game will be a shootout; I expect big days for both quarterbacks, Reggie Wayne, Calvin Johnson and Ryan Broyles; TJ Hilton is a darkhorse for a big game too; both offenses are equal, but the Lions defense, specifically the defensive line is better than the Colts.
New England Patriots. Miami was lucky to come away with a win against the Seahawks last week, but a win is a win; Ryan Tannehill didn’t look very good; he threw a bad INT at the end of the fourth quarter in the end zone that was nullified by a penalty; the biggest factor for me is I don’t think the Dolphins have the fire power to keep up with the Patriots.
Houston Texans. This isn’t the slam dunk (for the Texans) as a lot of people think; the Titans have enough offensive weapons to create enough big plays to win this game; couple that with the Texans defense looking average, specifically the secondary, the past few weeks will give the Titans a punchers chance.
Pittsburgh Steelers. Ben Roethlisberger has been ruled out for the game; the Steelers defense is playing at a high level; if the Steelers had any type offense last week they beat the Browns; the Ravens win the game, but not by 8 points; I don’t believe the Ravens have the fire power to score a lot on the Steelers Defense; even with Charlie Batch playing, this will be a close game
Cleveland Browns. It’s hard to believe I feel pretty good about the Browns on the road, but I am; the Raiders defense has looked historically bad the past 4 games and I don’t see any improvement coming; if Carson Palmer was a regular quarterback and did not come at the cost of a 1st and 2nd round pick, he would be benched
Cincinnati Bengals. the Chargers have phoned it in; I can’t believe the 4th and 30 the Ravens converted on a dump off last week; I’m not a fan of Andy Dalton, but I trust him a lot more than I do Phillip Rivers; the Bengals have quietly won three games in a row and the running game is showing signs of life.
New York Giants. Bet on the Giants now before you’re on tilt from Sunday’s game and the spread increases to 3-4 points; the Redskins secondary stinks; couple that with the resurgence of Hakeem Nicks and Eli Manning over his tired arm (has that been confirmed?) the Giants win fairly convincingly.
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