Week 15 Pigskin Predictions

Thursday Night Game
CHARGERS 31, niners 10 (written Thursday prior to game)
Last week San Francisco (5-8) picked apart Seattle Seahawks quarterback Matt Hasselbeck (intercepting him four times) en route to a 40-21 thrashing of its top division foe. This week the 49ers will not be as fortunate. On-again, off-again quarterback Alex Smith will contend with San Diego (7-6) and its No. 1-rated defense; and the results will not be pretty. Phillip Rivers (the AFC’s top-rated QB, 101.3) will light up the Niners secondary tonight, connecting with 2009 Pro Bowl WR Vincent Jackson and six-time Pro Bowl TE Antonio Gates for scores, in leading the Chargers to a 21-point victory. The win will be San Diego’s fifth in its past six games, lifting them within ½-game of 8-5 Kansas City for the AFC West division lead. The loss will drop San Francisco to 5-9 but not eliminate them from playoff contention in the lousy NFC West – where it appears very likely that a 7-9 team will win the division and become the first sub-.500 team to make the playoffs.

RESULT: CHARGERS 34, niners 7
I was fairly on target with my prediction for this game. Chargers won big, defeating the 49ers by 27 points. I had the Chargers winning big with my score only six points off. Gates didn’t play, which, combined with WR Macolm Floyd not playing -- both due to injuries -- opened the door for Jackson to look like the primary weapon he was last season. Jackson, who sat out several weeks this season due to contract disputes, caught 5 passes for 116 yards and a career-best 3 TDs. Rivers connected with his brawny, 6-foot-5-inch target (Jackson) for a 58-yard touchdown just over two minutes into the game, igniting the Chargers early on. From there, the San Diego defense took over with a big defensive stand on its goal line (denying a 4th-down rushing effort from Niners RB Anthony Dixon) and it was easy sailing from then on. The Bolts mounted a 34-0 lead before a late TD from San Francisco RB Brian Westbrook prevented his team from being shut out ... Given the game’s outcome, both teams will have their eyes on Sunday’s Chiefs/Rams game. Kansas City (8-5) has a half-game lead on San Diego (8-6) in the AFC West, while St. Louis (6-7) holds a 1.5 game lead on San Francisco (5-9) in the historically awful NFC West. Despite the loss, the 49ers still own a 3-1 division record, that combined with two very winnable divisional games on its remaining schedule (at St. Louis and home against 4-9 Arizona) make it very possible for crummy Niners to become team with a losing record to make the playoffs.

browns 20, BENGALS 17
The bottom two AFC North teams square off in Cincinnati today as the Bengals play host to the Browns at Paul Brown Stadium. Kind of strange, huh, the visiting team having a name virtually resembling the home team’s stadium name. Anyway, moving on, in a week with so many tantalizing match-ups, this game will hardly be an appetizer. Following up its 10-win playoff season last year, the 2010 Bengals are 2-11 and currently have a 10-game losing streak. Maybe there’s something to the unflattering “Team Obliterator” nickname WR Terrell Owens has been dubbed with at times. Sure, Owens does have team highs in catches (72) and receiving yards (983) and TDs (9) for the Bengals, but he’s previously been known to cause dissension in the NFL locker rooms and he is also the one noteworthy roster change on the team’s roster since last season. Perhaps Cincy’s dumbfounded downfall this season has nothing to do with Owens, but this year’s Bengals just reek of defeatism. Cleveland is not a team of much excitement either, but the Browns do have an emerging running back (Peyton Hillis) and have posted a couple huge wins this season (at New Orleans, vs. New England). Cleveland (5-8) wins this lackluster game at Paul Brown by three.

BOYS 38, redskins 10
It’s hard to predict a game between two NFC East divisional rivals to be such a blowout, but this is just how I feel. While both teams have matching 5-8 records, Dallas has elevated its game markedly over its past five games while Washington has severely spiraled downward. Dallas hit the lowest of lows when the team was blown out 45-7 on a nationally televised Monday night game in Green Bay. However, the following week the same Cowboys team turned things around in shocking the Giants (who, at the time, had won five straight games and were considered the hottest team in the league) 33-20 in New York. Counting that win and moving forward, Dallas has won three of its past five games, averaging 32 points per game with its only losses being 3-point defeats to Michael Vick’s 9-4 Eagles and Drew Brees’ 10-3 Saints. Today, facing Washington -- a team that’s lost five of six and has benched its $78 million quarterback (Donovan McNabb) in favor of Rex Grossman -- at home, expect Dallas to mop its Jerry World floor with the Redskins. The Cowboys offense will roll up 450-500 yards and 38 points in crushing the Grossman-led Skins by 28.

texans 34, TITANS 17
Another game featuring a pair of 5-8 teams takes place today in Tennessee. The visiting Houston Texans and host Titans both began their respective seasons with promise, however, both teams have sputtered miserably since then. Houston has lost six of its past seven games, while Tennessee has dropped six straight. Despite the similarity in recent drudgery, the Texans have been the more competitive team of the two. This past Monday, Houston impressively rallied a 28-7 deficit to push 9-4 Baltimore into overtime. The week before that the Texans had a had a fourth quarter lead against 9-4 Eagles at Philadelphia. The Texans lost both these games, but the feeling their quick-strike offense provides gives this team hope. Tennessee, meanwhile, has been mired on both sides of the ball for the majority of its past six games. Houston’s Achilles’ Heel is easily its defense (with NFL ranks of 28th overall and dead last against the pass), however, that said, the Texans still managed to blank Tennessee 20-zip three weeks ago in Houston. At home this time, I’m expecting Tennessee to show a little more fight today, but ultimately the Texans’ offensive weapons (QB Matt Shaub, RB Arian Foster and WR Andre Johnson, in particular) will be too much to handle as Houston wins by 14.

jags 31, COLTS 27
This game is one to salivate over. The Indianapolis Colts, one of the NFL’s most winningest teams throughout QB Peyton Manning’s 13-year tenure there, face the preseason playoff afterthought Jacksonville Jaguars. The year began with the defending AFC champion Colts as the prohibitive favorites to win its South division, while Jacksonville was thought to be a sub-.500 team near the bottom of the same division. Instead, the Colts (7-6) have struggled this season, while the Jaguars have an 8-5 record, pulled an upset win over the Colts at home earlier this season and enter today’s game at Indianapolis having won four of its last five games. On top of that the Jags also possess perhaps thee hottest weapon in football right now: RB Maurice Jones Drew. The fifth-year back out of UCLA has rushed for 100-plus yards in six straight games. Jones-Drew’s wrecking ball resembling body (5 feet, 7 inches, 208 pounds) has been plowing through NFL defenses in amassing 768 yards over the six-game span including a career-high 186 yards Dec. 5 at Tennessee and a game-winning 30-yard scamper last week against Oakland. That said, Indy has some favorable components heading into tomorrow as well. The Colts ended a three-game slide last week with at 30-28 win at Tennessee, Manning ended a dreadful run of interception-laden games with a pick-free, 319-yard, 2-TD effort in that win and Manning will get back one of his top receiving weapons today as WR Austin Collie (concussion) is expected to play for the first time since Nov. 21. It’ll be a fun match-up with to watch, as the game has enormous playoff implications and Indy’s Lucas Oil Stadium will be filled with tons of screaming Colts’ fans. While Indy is a five-point favorite for this game, I’m going with the visiting Jags in this game, pulling off a shocking, respect-building win. The Colts (and their 29th-ranked rush defense) won’t be able to hold down Jones-Drew as Jacksonville clinches its first division crown in 11 years.

RAMS 23, chiefs 20
Today at St. Louis’ Edward Jones Dome a pair of teams with a combined 5-27 records last season will meet with each team in playoff contention. The 1-15 2009 St. Louis Rams have become a 6-7 team thus far this season, while the 4-12 2009 Kansas City Chiefs transformed into an 8-5 division-leading team in 2010. With KC having a record that’s two wins better than the Rams, as well as a more challenging schedule, one might think the Chiefs would be marginal favorites in this game. However, with KC missing the quarterback who’s engineered the team’s turnaround this season, Matt Cassel, the host Rams are favored by a field goal. After needing an emergency appendectomy 10 days ago, Cassel missed last week’s game (a 31-0 loss at San Diego) and it appears very iffy if he’ll play tomorrow. That’s unfortunate for the Chiefs as Cassel has been a key part of the team’s success this year (throwing for 2,503 yards and 23 TDs with a career-best 98.4 QB rating). Also, KC’s back-up QB -- Brodie Croyle -- has yet to win an NFL game as a starter (0-10). If Cassel proves to be healthy and plays tomorrow the match-up may be favorable for the Chiefs, however I’m going with St. Louis regardless of whether Cassel plays or not. Rookie QB Sam Bradford delights his team’s home crowd as he and All-Pro RB Steven Jackson lead the Rams to victory.

bills 20, FINS 17
Upset Special: An AFC East contest of mild interest takes place this afternoon as the Bills visit the Dolphins in south Florida. Miami (who’s favored by 5.5 points in this game) is technically alive in the AFC playoff chase. Buffalo has competed admirably at times this season, but is saddled with a 3-10 record. Both teams won last week -- Buffalo defeated Cleveland 13-6 at home and Miami won 10-6 against the Jets in New York -- but neither has looked all that impressive in recent weeks. The only interesting factor is that the Dolphins will be playing in front of its home fans with a chance to improve its playoff probability. I’m just not seeing it happen. Despite a winning record (7-6), this team just seems to lack charisma or charm. Miami probably should have lost last week (the result was largely due to the Jets playing miserably) and will lose this week. Buffalo WR Stevie Jackson has had a strong year (66 receptions, 874 yards and 9 TDs) but struggled in his team’s last two games (7 recs, 78 yds combined). I’m looking for Johnson to re-ignite tomorrow and help lead his Bills past the mediocre Fins by three.

eagles 27, GIANTS 24 in OT
Game of the Week: Despite his team’s 27-17 home win against the Giants four weeks back, Eagles QB Michael Vick wasn’t very happy with his performance. Today he’ll face the Giants in New York in a mammoth battle of two 9-4 NFC East division-leading rivals. Philadelphia, under Vick’s resurgent mastery, has become the NFC’s top offense (402.8 yards per game), while New York is the conference’s stingiest defense (309.3 yards allowed per game). Moreover, the Giants have been producing the proverbial Championship-winning blend of a great defense and running games over the last two weeks. Over its week 13 and 14 wins over Washington and Minnesota, New York has allowed only 10 points while its rushing duo of Brandon Jacobs and Ahmad Bradshaw have combined for a whopping 419 yards rushing with 6 TDs. Perhaps even more impressive is the dangerous duo’s combined 7.2 yards-per-carry average. The only dimmer of the Giants’ offensive glow has been QB Eli Manning and his league-leading 19 interceptions. Manning’s errors haven’t hurt him much yet -- with his team winning eight of its past ten games -- but the Giants will fall this afternoon at home. It will be a vicious, tightly fought battle with Jacobs and Bradshaw having their share of success, but Vick’s high-flying Eagles offense will trump New York’s defense in overtime as Philadelphia completes its season sweep of the Giants with a three-point win.

bucs 23, LIONS 13
If Drew Stanton looks as bad as he did last week the Lions will have no hope in defeating the Buccaneers today in Tampa Bay. The Bucs (8-5) are fortunate to get the 3-10 Lions at home and at the right time. Were it Matthew Stafford or Shaun Hill at the helm for Detroit, I’d be very tempted to pick the Lions. But it will most likely be Stanton at QB, thus I’m choosing Tampa to win by 10. After struggling to a 3-13 record last season, a victory this afternoon would elevate Tampa’s 2010 record to 9-5 and keep the team’s surprising playoff hopes alive. Think about this: Tampa’s final two games are a home game next week against Seattle and the season finale at New Orleans. The Seahawks (6-7) have been one of the league’s most miserable teams over the past four weeks, and the Saints -- while a far superior team to Tampa -- may have clinched a playoff seed that could not be improved with a win in week 17. So, it’s actually not too far fetched for the Bucs to finish with an 11-5 record -- a miraculous 8-game improvement from last season -- and in strong position for an NFC wildcard bid.

cards 16, PANTHERS 13
Wow, this is a bad game. There’s no two ways about it. 1-12 Carolina hosts the 4-9 Cardinals who are worse than their record indicates. Last week Arizona defeated Denver by a deceivingly lopsided 43-13 score. Some credit is certainly deserved when you win by that many points, but many of the points were late in the game after a miserable Broncos effort became even worse. As for the Panthers, they were blown out at home by Atlanta for its seventh straight loss. The Cards won’t be as fortunate today as they were last week when kicker Jay Feely scored the team’s first 22 points. However, with Arizona’s touchdown-challenged offense, Feely could very likely kick 3 FGs and account for the majority of his team’s points as the Cards defeat a Carolina team destined to finish its season with 15 losses.

saints 27, RAVENS 21
Drew Brees and the red-hot Saints (10-3) march into Baltimore today on a six-game winning streak. The Ravens, meanwhile, are 9-4 but looked very vulnerable this past Monday when they allowed 15 points in the game’s final six minutes to allow 5-8 Houston to tie the score and force overtime. Baltimore did win that game -- as Ravens cornerback Josh Wilson came up with a clutch interception return touchdown for the game-winner -- but faces a stiffer challenge this week. New Orleans appears to be the hottest team in the league outside of New England. Since suffering a shocking 30-17 loss to Cleveland on its home turf, the Saints have won six straight games by an average 11 points per contest. After struggling through his team’s 4-3 start, Saints QB Brees appears to have regained his 2009 league MVP form. Aside from Brees, the defending Super Bowl champions have a healthy Pierre Thomas ready to join emerging RB Chris Ivory to further strengthen the team’s already strong offense. While the Ravens have been getting strong play from QB Joe Flacco and still have a solid defense, I’m expecting the Saints to defeat Baltimore by six and extend its win streak to seven. The victory sets up the Saints for an epic NFC South divisional battle in the Georgia Dome next Monday night against the 11-2 Falcons.

Sunday Late Games
falcons 30, HAWKS 17
Seattle, especially Seahawks QB Matt Hasselbeck, desperately awaits the return of its top wideout, Mike Williams. Reunited with his former collegiate coach, Pete Carroll -- Williams’ coach at USC -- the former 1st round, 10th overall draft pick was having a career-reviving season. Through 10 games Williams had already hauled in a career-high 52 catches (nearly double his previous season-high, 29, accomplished in 2005 with Detroit) before an ankle injury has held him inactive in Seattle’s last three games. Not surprisingly, the Seahawks are 1-2 in those three contests with the only win against 1-12 Carolina. Well, Hasselbeck should have a healthy Williams available for tomorrow’s home game against Atlanta. The problem is that Atlanta (11-2) is a far superior to Seattle whether the Seahawks are at full strength or not. Hasselbeck and Williams may keep things interesting for awhile, but the Falcons will fly away with the win by game’s end. Atlanta wins this one by 13.

RAIDERS 23, broncos 10
Last season, Denver was beginning a fresh start with a youthful coach they felt very promising about. Josh McDaniels managed the Broncos to a 6-0 start last season, but scandals, questionable transactions and several losses led to McDaniels being dismissed a couple weeks ago. The team was already 3-9 entering its road game against then 3-9 Arizona last week when Denver may have hit its lowest of lows -- a 43-13 loss to a team ranking 31st in overall offense, 30th in overall defense and down to its third-string quarterback. At 6-7, Oakland has faint playoff hopes and the Raiders will manage to keep those hopes alive by defeating the bumbling Broncos by 13.

STEEL 24, jets 9
Remember the Jets who went to the AFC Championship last January and began this season 9-2? Well, these past couple weeks the team has produced two absolutely pitiful performances that may have put its previously airtight playoff hopes in jeopardy. At 9-4, New York heads to Pittsburgh today to play the 10-3 Steelers. Luckily for New York, Pittsburgh will be without its stellar All-Pro safety -- Troy Polamalu -- as well as the team’s top tight end (Heath Miller). However, the Steelers still have a strong defense, as well a a tougher-than-nails quarterback, Ben Roethlisberger, leading the team’s offense. I just don’t see the Jets turning their troubles around tomorrow as Pittsburgh pounds them by 15.

SNF
PATS 31, pack 13
No Aaron Rodgers. No contest. Green Bay’s star QB will sit out tonight’s game in New England after suffering a concussion last Sunday. Hence, this game will be near impossible for the Packers to win. The Pack defense might keep them close for a little while, but Patriots QB Tom Brady will continue his hot streak and lead New England’s to a 21-point win. The victory will clinch the AFC East for the Patriots, as well as extend its winning streak to six. The Green Bay loss will drop the team to 8-6 and in serious jeopardy of making the playoffs. If Rodgers played, the Pack might have a glimpse of a chance, but back-up QB Matt Flynn will not be able to succeed against a mighty New England club that has been steamrolling its opponents as of late.

MNF
bears 20, VIKES 17 in OT
TCF Bank Stadium will be the host site for tomorrow’s Bears versus Vikings game as Minnesota plays its first outdoor home game since Dec. 20, 1981 -- exactly 29 years ago. The Vikings will be using the Minnesota Gophers’ stadium due a snowstorm that caved in its Metrodome home. As for tomorrow’s match-up, each team will enter the contest following miserable losses. Chicago (9-4) lost at home 35-7 to New England, while Minnesota (5-8) lost 21-3 to the New York Giants. The Bears’ poor performance came on a snowy field, which may benefit the Vikings as there’s a good chance for snow tomorrow night as well. However, Chicago needs this game badly to secure its playoff hopes and Minnesota will be starting Joe Webb, the team’s third-string quarterback. Webb’s speed and versatility could be exciting to watch, and I’m predicting for Minnesota to fight hard and push this game into overtime. However, Webb’s underdog Vikings will not be able to prevail in the end. Bears QB Jay Cutler will lead his team down the frigid TCF Bank turf and Chicago survives this game on a Robbie Gould field goal.

Week 14 Pigskin Predictions

Thursday Night Game
colts 27, TITANS 14 (written Thursday, prior to the game)
The once-dominant Indianapolis Colts march into Tennessee tonight to face the dissipating Titans. Indy, who comes in losers three straight, enters play tonight with a 6-6 record. This following a 26-6 combined record from the team’s last two seasons. Tennessee, meanwhile, enters tonight’s contest with arguably a more disappointing string of games, having lost five straight games after posting a 5-2 record to begin the season. The good thing for these two teams is that someone has to win. Tennessee has a star running back, Chris Johnson, while the Colts have a star quarterback, Peyton Manning. While the Colts QB has been performing poorly without the benefit of a couple prime targets (TE Dallas Clark and WR Austin Collie out due to injury), Manning still has good ol’ No. 87 -- 10-year veteran WR Reggie Wayne (90 receptions, 1,170 receiving yards this season).Tennessee’s Johnson may get his share of yards tonight, and probably a score as well, but look for Indy’s Manning-to-Wayne connection to be tonight’s main attraction. The Colts win this game by 13.

RESULT: colts 30, TEXANS 28
Well, my predicted score wasn’t terribly close, but some main feature of it played true. Manning was the primary reason for the Colts win, bouncing back from throwing 11 picks over his past three games (all loses) to throw for 319 yards and 2 TDs without an INT. Wayne had a solid game (4 recs, 106 rec yds), but it was Indy’s No. 2 WR last night, Pierre Garcon, who came up big with 6 catches, 93 yards and 2 TDs. As I expected, Tennessee’s Johnson certainly racked up his share of yards, 179 combined rushing/receiving, as well as a TD. However, Indianapolis had control of the game for most of the night and virtually iced it when a clutch 47-yard FG by Adam put the Colts up by nine (30-21) with 2:55 left in the game. The Titans answered with a virtually meaningless TD as the clock expired to make the score look a little better as Tennessee swallowed a two-point setback for its sixth straight loss.

Sunday Noon Games
BILLS 24, browns 20
For six straight weeks, the Buffalo Bills looked like the most respectable 2-9 NFL team in several years. After a 0-5 start, the Bills went 2-4 over its next six games with all four losses coming against division leaders by three points. However, last week, the 0-5 Bills returned in suffering their worst lost since Week 4. On Oct. 3, the Bills were steamrolled 38-14 at home by the New York Jets. Last Sunday, another team handed Buffalo an equally embarrassing drubbing, as the Bills incurred a 38-14 loss at Minnesota. The Bills return home today as they welcome in the Cleveland Browns to Ralph Wilson Stadium. The Browns (5-7) enter the game hoping to top their win total from last season (when they finished 5-11). Leading the way for Cleveland has been 24-year-old RB Peyton Hills, who the Browns received via trade this past off-season. After being limited to 57 rushing yards last week in Miami, Hillis (962 rush yds, 11 rush TDs) is salivating to face Buffalo’s league-worse rush defense. Expect for Hillis to top the 1,000-yard mark rushing to give Cleveland a fighting chance, but for Buffalo to emerge victorious. The Bills’ three-headed offensive attack of QB Ryan Fitzpatrick (2,384 pass yds with 20 TDs), RB Fred Jackson (663 rush yards, 27 recs, 7 total TDs) and WR Stevie Johnson (61 recs, 832 rec yards with 9 TDs) get back on track in leading their team to a four-point W.

pack 34, LIONS 24
Losers of five straight games, Detroit is due for a win. But facing QB Aaron Rodgers and the Packers is not the team to get it against. Lions QB Drew Stanton had a respectable game last week for his first NFL start (16-for-24 passing for 178 yards, 1 TD and no picks), but his team lost 24-20 to Chicago at home. Stanton gets to play at home once again but the QB opposite of him this week is of even higher caliber than Chicago’s. It’s very possible Stanton passes for 250 yards and a couple TDs today, but Rodgers will out-duel him. The Pack QB throws for 300-plus yards and 3 scores as Green Bay achieves its ninth win of the season by topping Detroit by ten.

STEEL 23, bengals 10
Division rivals clash in Steel City as 9-3 Pittsburgh hosts 2-10 Cincinnati this afternoon. The Steelers enter this contest winner’s of three straight games. The Bengals, thanks to a botched play in the final minute of last week’s 34-30 home loss to New Orleans, have lost nine straight. The bad thing for the Bengals is this week is they have to face Pittsburgh. The good thing this week is they won’t have to worry about a mishap during the game’s waning moments costing them the game. Pittsburgh’s stingy defense (ranking 5th in the NFL in total yards allowed, 1st in defending the rush) doesn’t allow Cincinnati to sniff even a faint scent of victory. The Steelers grab an early 10-point lead a cruise on for a 13-point W that will not be as close as the score suggests. Pittsburgh improves to 10-3 while the Bungals wallow their way home with their tenth straight loss.

bucs 24, SKINS 21
Tampa Bay QB Josh Freeman has quietly taken a huge step forward as a rising NFL talent. Last year, as a rookie, Freeman took the reins of a reeling 0-7 football team to defeat a tough Green Bay Packers team Nov. 8, 2009 in Tampa. From there, Freeman took his share of learning bumps as the Buccaneers lost its final eight games (finishing with a 1-15 record last season); but, the young QB has emerged rapidly in his sophomore season. Tampa was 1-11 through its first 12 games last season, this year the team is 7-5. Freeman finished last year passing for a 54.5% success rate (158-for-290) for 1,855 yards, 10 TDs and 18 INTs – good for a 59.8 QB rating. Thus far this season, the Bucs already have six more wins than last year and Freeman is 213-for-365 (58.4%) passing for 2,422 yards with 16 TDs and only 6 INTS, amounting in a quarterback rating of 86.4 (26.6 points higher than last season). This week the Bucs travel to Washington to face the woeful Redskins. Loser of four of its last five games, Washington owns a 5-7 record and the league’s worst defense (allowing 397.3 yards per game). Look for Freeman to take another step forward in his progression as he hooks up with his impressive rookie wide-out, Mike Williams (51 recs, 769 yds, 7 TDs), in leading Tampa to another win. Although Freeman may not lead the Bucs to a playoffs this season, he and Williams (Tampa’s 4th round, 101st pick this year) will finish this year’s season with gusto and have great hope heading into 2011.

falcons 27, PANTHERS 17
Teams at opposite ends of the NFL’s totem pole square off in Charlotte, North Carolina today as the 10-2 Falcons face the 1-11 Panthers. This game sets up to be the safest win for any NFL team this week, but will it be? Atlanta controls home-field advantage for the playoffs (as of now) after escaping Tampa Bay last week with a 28-24 win over the Bucs, while Carolina lost its sixth straight game by blowing an early two-touchdown lead to lose 31-14 in Seattle. This is what many analysts would call a “trap game” for the Falcons. A game they should win, and win rather easily, as long as they aren’t complacent. Carolina, who’s only win this season came against the 4-8 49ers at home, will fight hard for its home crowd. RB James Stewart will have a nice game in keeping Carolina close, but Atlanta’s offensive trio of QB Matt Ryan, WR Roddy White and RB Michael Turner are too hard to handle in the end. The Falcons win this one by 10.

JAGS 28, oak 17
Playoffs?! Don’t talk about playoffs?! Are you kidding me?! Playoffs?! Well, at 7-5, Jacksonville is hardly a shoo-in for the playoffs yet, but a win this week takes them another step closer to reaching that goal. The Jaguars host a 6-6 Oakland team that needs a win badly to keep its playoff hopes alive. Well, it’s not going to happen. RB Maurice Jones-Drew continues to carry his team toward the playoffs with sixth consecutive 100-yard rushing performance in leading Jacksonville over the Raiders this afternoon. The victory is much-needed after the Jags primary AFC South division contender, Indianapolis (7-6), snapped a three-game skid with a win at Tennessee last night. Speaking of the Colts, Jacksonville travels to Indianapolis next Sunday for what is sure to be a thriller. MJD’s Jags vs. Peyton Manning’s Colts – get your popcorn ready!

Sunday Late Games
SAINTS 34, rams 28
Rookie QB Sam Bradford leads 6-6 St. Louis into New Orleans today to face the 9-3 Saints. This game could be a blowout or could be really exciting? Whatever the case may be - the Saints will win. Bradford has been impressive, but New Orleans QB Drew Brees has more experience, more weapons and more confidence. Bradford, RB Steven Jackson and the Rams will hang tough with New Orleans, but it will be too much Brees in the end. The Saints beat St. Louis by six in keeping pace with 10-2 Atlanta in the NFC South.

hawks 23, NINERS 20
Upset of the Week: I’m not sensing too many underdogs to win this week, thus choosing the Seattle Seahawks to defeat the 4.5-point favorite 49ers in San Francisco late tomorrow afternoon for my upset special. However, with Seattle at 6-6 and the Niners 4-8, I’m not seeing this being much of an upset. San Francisco has been underachieving mightily this season. Perhaps the preseason projection of San Francisco’s talent – compared with Seattle’s – is why the odds-makers’ favor the Niners. However, with San Fran’s biggest star (RB Frank Gore) out due to injury, I’m really not buying the 49ers this week. Sure, Seattle’s no powerhouse, but it does appear they’ll get top wide-out Mike Williams back this week. Williams or no Williams, QB Matt Hasselbeck has enough to get the job done against a Frisco team with a mediocre defense and few offensive weapons. The Seahawks win by three.

pats 17, BEARS 14 in OT
A intriguing battle takes place at Soldier Field in Chicago today as the 9-3 Bears face the 10-2 Patriots. Tom Brady bears (no pun intended) the NFL’s best quarterback rating, 109.5, and his Patriots have the highest scoring offense (31.6 point per game). On the other end of the spectrum, Chicago owns the league’s 3rd-best defense (allowing 300.3 yards per game). New England comes in to Chi-town on the heels of a 45-point performance on Monday, but don’t expect anywhere near that point total today. The Bears contain the Patriots offense, holding them to 17 points. However, they will not produce enough offense of their own. New England passes its Windy City test with a three-point overtime defeat.

JETS 17, fins 13
Who was the team New England played when they scored 45 points on Monday? That would be the New York Jets, who countered with only 3 points. Things go a bit better for the Jets today. New York hosts mediocre Miami today and defeat the Dolphins by four.

broncos 31, CARDS 17
Denver responds to head coach Josh McDaniel’s firing, albeit against the pathetic Cardinals and their 3rd-string QB, Jon Skelton. The Broncos jump all over Arizona early and go on to win this lackluster battle of 3-9 teams by two touchdowns.

CHARGERS 27, chiefs 10
San Diego (6-6) is chomping at the bit to show its home fans that last week’s 28-13 home loss to Oakland was an aberration. Kansas City (8-4) would like to deliver a death blow to its AFC West counterpart in sweeping its season series against the Chargers and increasing its division lead to three games with three weeks to go. However, with Chiefs starting QB Matt Cassel out today, this challenge will be far tougher than Kansas City’s 21-14 season-opening victory over the Chargers. This afternoon, San Diego avenges that week one loss gets back to playing the type of impressive football that had them on a four-game winning streak before last week’s loss. The Chargers win today, keeping their playoff hopes alive by pummeling the Chiefs by 17.

SNF
eagles 34, COWBOYS 30
Game of the Week: With respect to the Patriots vs. Bears, I’m selecting tonight’s tilt between Philadelphia and Dallas to be Week 14’s game of the week. While the game this afternoon in Chicago should be a closely fought defensive battle, the game in Dallas tonight should be a closely fought shootout. Eagles QB Michael Vick brings with him a highly talented offensive arsenal (the NFL’s 2nd-ranked offensive in yards gained). The revived Cowboys, meanwhile, have shown some offensive ability of their own -- after winning just one its first 8 games, Dallas is 3-1 over its last four and averaging 33.25 points over that stretch. Tonight, look for the Eagles and Cowboys to exchange punches several times with Philadelphia landing the final blow in defeating Dallas by four.

MNF
ravens 24, TEXANS 17
The 8-4 Ravens fly into Houston tomorrow night hoping to keep pace with AFC North leading Pittsburgh. The Texans (5-7)appear to be in free-fall (losing five of their last six games) and, after a promising start, bound to miss the playoffs yet again. Houston’s offense is very potent, but its defense is awful. Baltimore’s stingy defense holds Houston to 17 points as Ravens QB Joe Flacco passes for 250 yards and a pair of touchdowns to lead his team past the Texans by seven.

giants 27, VIKES 23 (Date/Time TBD due to stadium problems)
All the Brett Favre “will he or won’t he” talk leads to what most expected – Favre makes his 298th consecutive start. However, whether it’s the 40-year-old vet or understudy QB Tavaris Jackson chucking the pigskin for the Purple, the Vikings (5-7) will fall short against the 8-4 Giants tomorrow night in Minnesota. New York QB Eli Manning will have his top two WRs (Hakeem Nicks and Steve Smith) back from injury and those extra weapon will help the Giants eke out a tough win and improve to 9-4. Despite the loss, Minnesota WR Sidney rice takes another positive step since returning from his hip injury, hauling in 7 passes for 90 yards and a touchdown. Also, Vikings RB Adrian Peterson records his fifth 100-yard rushing game of the season to maintain his status as the NFC’s leading rusher.

Week 13 Pigskin Predictions

Thursday Night Game
EAGLES 38, texans 24
Michael Vick faces the NFL’s worst pass defense when the Eagles and Texans do battle Thursday night in Philadelphia. Houston (5-6) needs a victory to hold on to its playoff hopes while Philly looks to take sole possession of first place in the NFC East. I’m seeing Vick having his way with Houston as the Eagles jump out to an early two touchdown lead and cruise on to their eighth victory of the season. Vick piles up 350-400 combined passing and rushing yards and accounts for 4 TDs, while Eagles RB LeSean McCoy crosses the goal line twice and registers 150 total yards from scrimmage. Houston’s dangerous combo of QB Matt Shaub and WR Andre Johnson have huge nights as well, albeit in garbage time after Philly racks up a big lead.

RESULT: EAGLES 34, texans 24
My final score was nearly spot on but the game did not flow quite as I expected. Philadelphia was able to acquire a 14-3 lead less than a minute into the second quarter but Houston fought back admirably. Trailing 20-10 at halftime, Schaub led the Texans on a 12-play, 6-minute-11-second drive finished by a 13-yard TD pass to RB Arian Foster. Then, after a Vick interception, Schaub led his Texans on another long drive (6:23) completed with another Foster TD. After Houston had dominated the third quarter (2 TDs over 12 1/2 minutes of game clock) to take a 24-20 lead, Vick’s Eagles fought back with vengeance. Philadelphia scored on each of its next two drives to reclaim the lead and eventually earned a 10-point win by game’s end. Vick finished 22-of-33 passing for 302 yards, 2 TDs and 1 INT with 48 rush yards and another TD. McCoy was Vick’s top receiving target, catching 8 balls for 86 yards and a TD. He also rushed for 44 yards and a score. For Houston, Schaub passed for 337 yards with 2 TDs and one pick, with Johnson accounting for nearly half of those yards (149 on 6 catches) while Foster finished with 109 total yards and 2 TDs as the Texans fell to 5-7.

Sunday Noon Games
bills 24, VIKINGS 20
Upset Special: Minnesota’s “Good Brett (Favre), Bad Brett” saga continues as Favre follows his first turnover-free game of the season with 2 INTs and the Bills upset the Vikings at the Metrodome tomorrow. Buffalo’s league-worst rush defense is able to contain Minnesota’s injury-hampered Adrian Peterson as the Peterson’s sprained ankle renders the NFC’s leading rusher ineffective. The Bills get quality production from QB Ryan Fitzpatrick, RB Fred Jackson and WR Stevie Johnson as snake-bitten Buffalo gets victory No. 3. After a 36-26 home loss to Jacksonville Oct. 10, the Bills were 0-5 and regarded as arguably the worst team in football. However, Fitzpatrick began to heat up in passing for 382 yards and 4 TDs in a 37-34 week six loss at Baltimore and the Bills have been very competitive from then on. While Buffalo has only won two of its past six games, the four losses have all been by 3 points with three of them ending in overtime. The Bills preservation pays off in victory tomorrow as the team’s three-pronged offensive attack (Fitzpatrick, Jackson and Johnson) lead Buffalo past the Purple.

saints 31, BENGALS 17
What is it with NFL cats this year? The Bengals, Lions and Panthers are a combined 5-28 ... Wait, I guess the Jaguars (6-5) fairly decent this year. But still, of 32 NFL teams, four of these teams have cat-related names, and of these four, three are among the league’s worst? (2-9 Buffalo being the only other NFL team with two or fewer victories) That is quite an eerie coincidence ... Okay, moving on, after a 2-1 start the Cincinnati Bengals have lost eight straight games. This week Cincy plays host to Drew Brees and the red-hot Saints. If Bengals fans weren’t wearing bags over their heads in previous home games, they will by the end of Sunday’s game. New Orleans beats the Bungals easily in earning its fifth straight victory.

bears 24, LIONS 17
This year’s Detroit team has looked better than last year’s Lions (2-14) most of the time, however, this 2010 club is still racking up the losses (2-9) and will be without both its starting QB (Matthew Stafford) and 2nd-stringer (Shaun Hill). Fourth-year QB Drew Stanton makes his first NFL start against one of the league’s top defenses when the Lions meet the Bears in Motown tomorrow. On the good side, Stanton’s gets to make his starting debut at home. On the bad side, he has to face six-time Pro Bowler Brian Urlacher and the league’s 2nd-best scoring defense. One other positive for Stanton is he has one of the NFL’s most dangerous wideouts in Detroit’s 6-foot-5-inch, 236-pound Calvin Johnson. Stanton and Johnson’s efforts won’t be enough for the win, however, as Chicago (8-3) earns its fifth straight win and maintains its narrow NFC North lead over the 7-4 Green Bay Packers.

PACK 31, niners 10
The good thing about your team facing Arizona: It’s likely to result in a W. The bad thing about your team facing Arizona: The Cardinals are so bad that your team is unconsciously ill-prepared for its next opponent (see Minnesota Vikings, weeks nine and 10). San Francisco sans star RB Frank Gore (who suffered a season-ending hip injury last week) loses to Aaron Rodgers and the Pack by a landslide tomorrow. Lambeau Leaps abound for Green Bay as WR Greg Jennings, WR James Jones and even Rodgers himself (on a rush TD) reach the Pack’s first-row faithful as the Cheeseheads improve to 8-4.

jags 27, TITANS 17
Jacksonville was not thought of as a playoff team before the 2010 season began. Three weeks in, after consecutive blowout losses to San Diego and Philadelphia (by a combined score of 66-16), the Jaguars were bordering the NFL’s garbage bin. However, after winning five of its next seven games, the Jags have picked up the scent of playoff entry. Despite a close loss in New York last week, the Jaguars (6-5) travel to Tennessee with plenty of confidence. The Titans (5-6), on the other hand, have looked downtrodden in recent weeks. Injuries and inconsistency at the quarterback position and the ineffectiveness of “play when I want to play” Randy Moss have been key components in Tennessee losing its past four games. Jacksonville QB David Garrard has a productive day tomorrow and MJD (Jaguars RB Maurice Jones-Drew) rolls up his fifth straight rushing game as the Jags leave LP Field with a 10-point victory.

CHIEFS 30, broncos 17
How hot is Dwayne Bowe these days? The Kansas City wide receiver has caught at least one touchdown in each of the Chiefs’ past seven games. As if that’s not enough, perhaps an even more impressive feat involving Bowe occurred in KC’s 42-24 win at Seattle last week. Bowe and Chiefs RB Jamaal Charles became the first WR/RB teammate tandem to each record 170 yards in receiving and rushing, respectively -- Bowe had 13 receptions for 173 yards while Charles rushed for 170 yards on 22 carries. For the season, Bowe has caught 58 passes for 885 yards and 14 TDs. While his scoring pace could challenge Randy Moss’ 2007 single-season TD record (23), what’s possibly more impressive about Bowe is that he is having this remarkable season without the Chiefs having any other bona fide threat at the wide receiver position (WR Dexter McCluster -- who also lines up as RB sometimes -- has 15 catches, while wideouts Terrance Copper and Chris Chambers each have 13). Tomorrow, AFC West-leading Kansas City welcomes divisional rival Denver to Arrowhead Stadium with revenge on their minds. The 7-4 Chiefs have proven to be a far better team than Denver this season but the Broncos handed the Chiefs an embarrassing 49-29 loss in week 10. Chiefs coach Todd Haley will make sure his team is ready tomorrow as Bowe, Charles and QB Matt Cassel propel Kansas City past the Broncos to maintain its one-game division lead over the surging San Diego Chargers.

FINS 17, browns 13
Despite the Dolphins lack of flair, Miami’s win at Oakland last week kept its dim playoff hopes alive. Cleveland, meanwhile, has shown signs of improvement but is still a team in development. The one main bright spot for the Browns (4-7) has been RB Peyton Hills, who is one of the league’s biggest surprises of the season. The 3rd-year player out of Arkansas has posted 905 rushing yards, 46 receptions, 414 receiving yards and 13 total TDs. Hillis’ 1,319 yards from scrimmage have accounted nearly 40 percent of his team’s total offensive output (3,413 yards) whiles his touchdown tally is more than half of Cleveland’s offensive TD total (21). Besides the emergence of Hills, this game promises to be one the least intriguing of the NFL’s week 13 slate. The Dolphins (6-5) will not make the playoffs but will defeat Cleveland tomorrow for its seventh win of the season.

GIANTS 20, skins 16
New York’s injury problem at the wide receiver position is so bad that the team has acquired three WRs (Michael Clayton, Derek Hagan and Devin Thomas) who’ve recently been cut from their respective NFL rosters. Despite the lack of receiving threats, Giants QB Eli Manning will make use of his receivers as best as possible and depend on solid efforts from running backs Ahmad Bradshaw and Brandon Jacobs in leading his team to victory. The loss will drop Washington to 5-7 and severely dash any playoff hopes the team may have had heading into the game. New York improves to 8-4, in a virtual deadlock with Philadelphia in the battle for NFC East supremacy.

Sunday Late Games
CHARGERS 34, raiders 10
In week one, three Chargers turnovers, two blocked punts, a fumble return TD and a safety plagued San Diego a 35-27 loss to Oakland. Since then, San Diego has cleaned up things in winning four straight games (including a 36-14 lambasting of the Colts in Indianapolis this past Sunday night and a 35-14 blowout of Denver the previous Monday). Tomorrow, the Chargers get Oakland (5-6) at home for the rematch. Expect San Diego (6-5) to gain revenge by rummaging through the Raiders for its third straight 20-plus-point win and fifth consecutive win overall. The victory sets up the Chargers for an epic AFC West battle against the division-leading Chiefs next week in San Diego.

COLTS 31, boys 27
Indianapolis has lost three of its last four games, including an embarrassing 22-point loss at home on Monday Night Football last week. While Colts QB Peyton Manning would like to have his top RB (Joseph Addai) and No. 2 wideout (Austin Collie) back from injuries, Manning will not let his team lose two straight home games. Dallas, on the other hand, despite a dismal 1-7 start has been very dangerous in recent weeks. The Cowboys have won two out of its past three games averaging over 30 points per game during that span. Following a close loss to defending Super Bowl champion New Orleans on Thanksgiving, these Cowboys are confident, well-rested and ready to go. However, undeterred by Indianapolis’ depleted offense, Manning rallies around the players he does have and puts forward a fierce fight. Tomorrow’s tilt should be a closely fought battle featuring lots of offense from both teams, but it will be Manning’s Colts scoring the final points for a four-point win.

rams 31, CARDS 16
Arizona’s record may be 3-8, but the Cardinals (who rank 31st in offense and 28th in defense) could arguably be considered the league’s worst team. This past Monday night, the Cardinals allowed 31-year-old Bryan Westbrook to come off San Francisco’s bench and rush for 136 yards on 23 carries in a 27-6 blowout loss at home. Tomorrow, Arizona will host the upstart 5-6 Rams who, after a 1-15 season in 2009, are looking to make an improbable playoff appearance. Rookie Chad Bradford has been brilliant for St. Louis this season and will undoubtedly turn in a fine performance against Arizona. But it will be Rams RB Steven Jackson who welcomes this match-up most. After struggling last week against Denver (29 carries for 72 yards, 1 reception for -6 yards), expect Jackson to blow by the Cards defense for 150 total yards and a pair of TDs as the Rams even their record at 6-6.

HAWKS 23, panthers 20
The Pathetic Panthers (1-10) roll into Seattle tomorrow on its second five-game losing streak of the season. The 5-6 Seahawks have lost two in a row but remain a playoff contender by virtue of competing in the NFL’s worst division. While Carolina has been awful offensively this season, its defense has remained competitive. The Panthers have posted league lows in both yards per game (259.2) and points per game (12.7), however its defense has admirably kept them competitive (at times), ranking near the middle of the league in yards and points allowed. Also, in recent weeks, newcomer RB Mike Goodson has injected some energy and hope for Carolina’s inept offense. Since being granted his first opportunity as starter in the NFL, the second-year Texans A&M alum has produced solid numbers. Over Carolina’s past three games Goodson has toted the rock for 275 yards on 59 carries (a 4.7 per-carry average) with 11 catches for 124 receiving yards. He also scored his first TD as a pro on a 26-yard scamper in the Panthers’ one-point loss at Cleveland last week. So, facing the Seattle’s 22nd-ranked rush defense this week, can Goodson and the Panthers notch win No. 2? Not quite. Seahawks veteran QB Matthew Hasselbeck will throw for 250-plus yards and a pair of touchdowns as Seattle prevails by a field goal.

falcons 24, BUCS 17
I have picked against Tampa Bay virtually every single week and they continue to prove me wrong. These past two weeks they’ve been particularly impressive. On Nov. 21 the Buccaneers posted a 21-0 shutout of the 49ers at San Francisco and last week they nearly pulled out a win over the Ravens in Baltimore. That said, being that Tampa has yet to beat a team with a winning record, the 7-4 Bucs still have more than its share of detractors. Facing their division’s top team (the 9-2 Atlanta Falcons) at home, the Bucs have a golden opportunity to register a huge statement win. Conversely, the Falcons, despite being tied for the league’s best record at 9-2, would like to quiet critics as well. While Atlanta has done enough to prove playoff-worthy most pundits have yet to consider the Falcons to be a serious Super Bowl contender, citing the team’s lack of quality road wins. So, which team wins this key NFC South match-up tomorrow? I’m picking against the Bucs yet again in forecasting the Falcons to win by seven (which is is probably good news for Tampa).

SNF
RAVENS 16, steel 13 (in OT)
Two of the league’s hardest-hitting defenses square off in Baltimore tomorrow night as the Ravens host the Steelers. This intense division rivalry renews itself with plenty of intrigue. Baltimore and Pittsburgh are tied for the AFC North lead with identical 8-3 records. Only, as of now, Baltimore owns the tiebreaker due to its week four win at Pittsburgh. However, the Steelers lost that Oct. 3 battle without its starting quarterback, Ben Roethlisberger. So, while the Ravens would like to beat Pittsburgh with its ace quarterback, Big Ben hopes to prove his Steelers are the better team this time around. This game will be a typical Steelers/Ravens defensive clash ending with Baltimore kicker Billy Cundiff’s game-winning field goal in overtime.

MNF
PATS 20, jets 17
Game of the Week: This game is very similar to tomorrow night’s match-up, only these division rivals have matching records that are one win higher than Baltimore’s and Pittsburgh’s. The 9-2 Jets play the 9-2 Patriots in New England in a Monday Night Football game that promises to be highly entertaining. I’m giving this game the “Game of the Week” edge over the Ravens/Steelers’ game because of the star power and big city hype that is involved. New York’s Rex Ryan has enjoyed making playful, yet serious, statements of his team’s superiority. Ryan’s Jets also boast the latest win in this rivalry, doubling up the Patriots 28-14 in week two. A lot has changed since then, however, as the Pats have won eight of its nine contests since that game. Since New England head coach Bill Belichek decided to part ways with star receiver Randy Moss, the Pats have played with renewed chemistry and confidence. QB Tom Brady has reconnected with one of his former favorite receivers (WR Deion Branch, who played for New England from 2002-2006 and was reacquired by the team in week six) and quickly built good chemistry with some new targets (TEs Aaron Hernandez and Rob Gronkowski, WR/RB Danny Woodhead and WR Brandon Tate). Brady’s new bunch, which also includes emerging RB BenJarvus Green-Ellis (who’s rushed for 627 yards on 211 carries with 9 TDs), gives New England the edge tomorrow night as the Pats avenge their early season loss to New York and edge the Jets by three.

Week 12 Pigskin Predictions

Due to some time and travel constraints, my Week 12 Pigskin Predictions will be an abbreviated version ...

Week 12 Pigskin Predictions

Thanksgiving Day Games
pats 27, LIONS 24
Detroit fights hard for its home fans, but Tom Brady and his troops are too good to top. Brady passes the Patriots by the traditional Turkey Day Lions by a field goal.

RESULT: pats 45, LIONS 24
This game was shaping up to be closely lined up with my prediction as the third quarter ended in a 24-24 tie. However, Brady and his receiving corps took control in the fourth as New England cruised on to a three-touchdown defeat.

saints 31, BOYS 27
Dallas tries to win its third straight game and fourth consecutive on Thanksgiving. However, the Saints roll in as a hot team too, and they're primed to show the national stage that they're contenders to repeat as Super Bowls this winter. I'm seeing Brees easily eclipsing the 300-yard mark and the Saints eking out a four-point win.

RESULT: saints 30, BOYS 27
A game that had a blowout feeling early on (when the Saints jumped out to an early 17-0 lead) became very interesting toward the end of the third quarter. After a fumbled punt return by the Saints’ Reggie Bush, Dallas RB Marion Barber plowed through traffic for a 1-yard TD to get Dallas within three (23-20). The Cowboys then took their first lead when Tashard Choice burst over the pie-line 10 minutes into the fourth. But Brees fought back and hit Lance Moore more a 12-yard scoring strike to regain New Orleans’ lead. Dallas QB Jon Kitna gave the home crowd some late-game hope when he found Roy Williams for a 47-yard completion, however the Saints CB Malcom Jenkins ripped the ball away at the Dallas 11-yard mark to seal his team’s fourth straight win. The 30-27 New Orleans win was only one point off my prediction.

Thursday Night Game
JETS 24, bengals 10
Shonn Greene has the breakout game he's been searching for as the Jets trounce the Bengals by 14.

RESULT: JETS 26, bengals 10
My prediction was very close for this one too. Well, score-wise anyhow. New York cruised by Cincy 26-20 but it was Brad Smith -- not Greene -- who led his team to victory. The Jets’ multi-positioned specialist made, perhaps, the game’s two biggest plays -- a 53-yard TD run and an 89-yard kickoff return TD.

Sunday Noon Games
vikes 21, SKINS 13
Brett Favre shakes off the cobwebs of a dismal performance against his former team last week to rebound with a pleasant performance today. Favre connects with WR Sidney Rice for 5-6 receptions and Rice’s first TD of 2010 as the Purple defeat the Redskins in D.C.

pack 31, FALCONS 27
Green Bay repeats its passing success from last week to post 31 points against Atlanta. Although, unlike last week, the Packers’ opponents fire back with a fair share of points as well. The Falcons are always fierce at home, but Pack QB Aaron Rodgers finds his top target (WR Greg Jennings) several times as Green Bay wins by four.

steel 23, BILLS 13
After an 36-26 home loss to Jacksonville dropped Buffalo to 0-5, the Bills were looked upon as the NFL’s laughingstock. Then, suddenly, a three-pronged Bills attack (QB Ryan Fitzgerald, WR Steven Jackson and RB Fred Jackson) emerged as Buffalo fought hard for three straight 3-point losses. From there, the Bills fought through the heartbreaking frustration and won two straight. That said, Pittsburgh’s steely D halts the Bills resurgence with a 10-point road win.

BROWNS 24, panthers 10
QB Brian St. Pierre leads the 1-9 Panthers into ... ‘Nuff said. Cleveland clobbers Carolina.

GIANTS 20, jags 17
The loss of two key receivers (Hakeem Nicks and Steve Smith) hurt Eli Manning and the Giants’ passing attack. However, New York’s RB tandem of Ahmad Bradshaw and Brandon Jacobs successfully rush the G-Men to a narrow win over the Jaguars.

TEXANS 27, titans 20
Matt Shaub and Andre Johnson revive the Texans’ aerial attack as Houston tips the Titans and put an end to its four-game losing streak.

Sunday Late Games
RAIDERS 16, fins 13
Sebastian Janikowski kicks a key 54-yard field goal to give Oakland its sixth win of the season.

chiefs 24, HAWKS 19
Seattle misses its top wideout (Mike Williams) this week as the Seahawks’ lose by five. Conversely, Kansas City improves to 7-4 and maintains its AFC West lead.

eagles 24, BEARS 17
Ooh ... The Michael Vick show hits the Windy City. Chicago have won three straight as the its defense has been very staunch of late. However, the Bears can’t quite stymie Vick enough to earn a W this week.

rams 23, BRONCOS 17
Upset Special: Rookie QB Chad Bradford leads the Rams to an impressive road win to push St. Louis’ record to 5-6 and keep its playoff hopes alive. Yes, it is possible that a losing team wins the NFL’s most decrepit division -- otherwise known as the NFC West.

RAVENS 34, bucs 13
Tampa Bay (7-3) takes to the road today for a big opportunity to show they are a real playoff contender. The outcome? The Buccaneers fail miserably as Baltimore bludgeons them early and cruise on to a 21-point win.

SNF
chargers 27, COLTS 24
Game of the Week: San Diego continues its mid-season run to upend the host Colts for an exciting 3-point W.

MNF
niners 21, CARDS 17
In one of the worst Monday Night match-ups of recent memory, the 3-7 San 49ers eke by the 3-7 Cardinals in Arizona.

Slick Vick's Impeccable Performance

When watching a football game that quickly becomes a blowout, unless it’s my team (the Minnesota Vikings) and I’m still blindly hopeful for a come back, my interest fades immensely and I turn the station. That was not the case during the Philadelphia Eagles 31-point romp over the Washington Redskins on Monday, Nov.15.

The Monday Night Football match-up that night -- which featured the 5-3 Eagles visiting the 4-4 Redskins -- provided one of the most masterful individual performances ever.

Philly’s quarterback was a man who had been imprisoned for two years before being acquired for a bench role in the 2009 season. Washington’s pigskin passer was an accomplished veteran who, earlier that day, signed a 5-year, $78 million contract.

On that night in the Nation’s capital, it was Eagles QB Michael Vick, not former-Eagle-turned-Redskin Donovan McNabb, who turned in the performance of a lifetime. Vick’s impeccable dominance was so breathtaking that -- despite Philly’s 28-0 lead 13 minutes into the game -- it commanded my jaw-dropping attention all the way to the final tick.

The Eagles went on to win that game 59-28, but the score serves no justice in describing the amazement of Vick’s pinpoint passing and superb slashing ability that night in D.C.

Vick’s record-setting night ended with a stat-line of 20-for-28 with 333 yards, 4 passing touchdowns, along with 8 carries for 80 rush yards and another 2 TDs on the ground. With those numbers, Vick not only brought joy to millions of fantasy football owners across the country, they added up to a remarkable 150.7 (near-perfect) quarterback rating.

But even the incomprehensible numbers cannot serve Vick’s night justice. This game was one of those instant classics with a see-it-to-believe-it feel.

Slick Vick, who’s jersey was immediately shipped off to Canton (for the Pro Football Hall of Fame), shattered several records that night -- both for Monday Night Football games and NFL games all together.

Some statistical anomalies to mention from that night include Vick’s phenomenal beginning of the game (completing all eight of his first-quarter passes for 181 yards and two TDs, and going 10-for-10 before throwing his first incomplete pass), Philadelphia’s yardage advantage in the first half (Eagles, 280, Redskins, 23) and the game’s final score,59-28, the first such score in NFL history.

Here are 10 other records or noteworthy items from last Monday’s game that Vick either made or contributed to:

* Vick became the first quarterback ever to pass for 300 yards, 4 pass TDs, 50 rushing yards and 2 rush TDs in a game.

* Vick’s 88-yard touchdown pass to DeSean Jackson was the longest first play of a game in franchise history. (The play was also the longest TD from scrimmage in both Vick and Jackson’s careers)

* The aforementioned play was also the longest TD pass in a game’s opening minute in 41 years -- when Los Angeles Rams QB Roman Gabriel threw a 93-yard touchdown pass to Wendell Tuck in the Rams 41-30 win over the San Francisco 49ers on Nov. 9, 1969.

* Vick’s quarterback rating for that game, 150.7, was a personal-best and 7.6 points from a perfect rating (158.3).

* Vick’s 80 rushing yards vaulted him past Hall of Fame QB Steve Young for No. 2 on the list of career rushing yards for an NFL quarterback -- his 4,295 rush yards trail only Randall Cunningham (4,928).

* Vick’s 413 yards from scrimmage immensely contributed to the Eagles’ 592 net total of offensive yards -- a record-high for Philadelphia’s 77-year-old franchise.

* Philadelphia’s 45 points in the first half were the most ever for a half in team history.

* The Eagles’ 59 points were the most the team scored since the 64 points Philadelphia amassed in a 1934 game against the Cincinnati Reds (and, yes, this was a football team not Cincinnati’s renown professional baseball team).

* Philadelphia’s point total (59) was also the most scored in a game in Monday Night Football’s 40-year existence.

* The Eagles’ 28-0 lead after the first quarter marked the biggest first-quarter lead for a road team in the NFL since 1950.

On top of those statistical gems, how about this oddly coincidental tidbit of trivia:

The 332 passing yards and 260 rushing yards Philadelphia tallied that night marked only the second time in the last 30 seasons that an NFL team recorded at least 300 pass yards and 250 rush yards in a single game. The other? Coincidentally, it was a game on Oct. 30, 2005 between the Eagles and Denver Broncos featuring (guess who?) the same head coaches involved in Monday’s game -- Philadelphia’s Andy Reid and Denver’s Mike Shanahan (who now coaches the Redskins).

Another interesting note regarding the game is that Vick’s dominance outshined McNabb, who coincidentally was the primary reason Philadelphia acquired Vick last season.

After spending his first six seasons in Atlanta, Vick was sentenced to 23 months in prison for operating an illegal dogfighting ring. Upon his release, the ex-Falcons QB hoped to attain another opportunity with an NFL team. However, at this point Atlanta had turned over a new leaf with its 2008 1st round pick (3rd overall), Matt Ryan. Outside of Atlanta, several other teams had their reservations about Vick as well. However, McNabb, Philadelphia’s quarterback at the time, was a friend of Vick’s and suggested that the Eagles acquire him. Sure enough, they signed Vick before the 2009 season as Philly’s 3rd-string quarterback (behind McNabb and Kevin Kolb).

A year later, after an injury to Kolb in the Eagles week one game versus Green Bay, Vick was inserted into the game and showed signs of the brilliance that made him a star in Atlanta. Three weeks later -- after Vick led the Eagles to wins over Detroit and Jacksonville -- in his team’s Oct. 3 home game versus Washington, Vick suffered a hip injury and had to leave the game early.

The 30-year-old would miss four weeks, then successfully return from his injury on Nov. 7. On that day, Vick led his Eagles past Peyton Manning and the reigning AFC champion Colts (completing 17-of-29 passes for 218 yards and 1 TD, while rushing for 74 yards and another touchdown). Then he followed up that performance with his near-flawless gem Monday night.

So, what will Vick and the Eagles do for an encore? Football fans will soon find out as the Philadelphia (6-3) hosts NFC East rival New York (also 6-3) in a battle for division supremacy. As with last week’s game, this game will also be under the national spotlight as the Eagles and Giants are the featured Sunday night game of the week. Kickoff is set for 7:20pm (CT) on NBC.

Week 11 Pigskin Predictions

**I enjoy writing and also enjoy football (especially the NFL) -- I'm in an NFL Weekly Picks league and do fantasy football as well. I've been writing my own weekly "Pigskin Predictions" segment and have been posting it on my fantasy league's message board since Week 8. So, I figure why not post it here as well. While I do plan to continue doing this every week, this Week 11 post is by far the longest. So, don't expect one quite this long for Weeks 12-17. Hope you enjoy the read!

Week 11 Pigskin Predictions

Thursday game
FINS 20, bears 17
Miami’s little-known QB rises from obscurity to earn his team a key win to extend the Dolphins playoff hopes. Tyler Thigpen (a 7th-round draft pick by Minnesota in 2007) threads his throws through Chicago’s mediocre pass D – finding prime target Brandon Marshall several times – in leading the Fins (5-4) past the Bears (6-3) in a closely fought Thursday night match-up.

RESULT: bears 16, FINS 0
So much for the ol’ Vikes draftee, Thigpen was pretty ineffective last night as Miami was squelched by a stifling Bears defense last night. Thigpen definitely should not take all the blame, however, as his O-Line was horrific (protection-wise) and the Fins coaching was awful as well (not establishing a running game at all and hardly trying to -- Miami called only our running plays in the first half despite trailing by 6 or fewer points). I’ve got to say, though, the Bears are much better than I’ve thought they are and that doesn’t bode well for Minnesota’s long-shot playoff hopes.

Sunday Noon Games
VIKES 27, pack 24
To say this game is a must-win for the Vikings would be an extreme understatement. Minnesota needs this game for two reasons: (1) Narrowly keeping its playoff hopes alive and (2) Pride (the thought of being swept by the Pack is sickening). Brett Favre has had a mostly miserable season, despite displaying his greatness in a couple of contests. The good Gun Slinger shows up for this one as Favre’s ol’ buddy Mr. (Sidney) Rice returns to action and those two -- along with Adrian Peterson -- lead the Purple past the Pack ... Hey, the Vikes might not make the playoffs, but at least this win would give them something to hang their hat on.

Bills 24, BENGALS 20
Upset Special: Want a surprise pick? Her’s my Upset Special for Week 11: Buffalo defeats the Bengals in Cincinnati. Overall, Cincy easily has more talent, but their chemistry appears to be awful this season. The Bills come in to this game with a dreadful rush defense but Cincy’s RB Cedric Benson has been fairly disappointing himself. Also, while the Bengals passing attack has been the team’s strength, the Bills pass D is better than most people would think -- Buffalo ranks 3rd in the AFC in passing yards allowed.

BOYS 30, lions 24
Two teams with combined records of 4-14 meet in Big D this Sunday afternoon. I firmly believe both are better than what their records present (especially Dallas) and that this will be an entertaining game. The change at head coach -- Jason Garret in, Wade Phillips out -- fared well for the Cowboys last week in New York, but after starting the season 1-7 can they make it two in a row? Yes. They can and they will. The Lions are tougher than they’ve been in recent years past and if they had a healthy Matthew Stafford for this game I’d say it’s a toss-up. However, without their young stud QB (Stafford -- out to due shoulder injury), Detroit’s respectable back-up (Shaun Hill) and star wideout (Calvin Johnson) come up on the losing end this week.

TITANS 23, skins 20
The Redskins? How about the Dreadskins? Yuck. The Burgundy and Gold were a bloody mess on Monday. However, with its 4-5 record Washington is not done yet and has the talent to fight back. This week the Redskins hit the road for a midday clash with the Titans tomorrow. Tennessee, who is 5-4 after losing at Miami last week, is in dire need of a win as well. Expect Washington to play well, but for Titans All-Pro RB Chris Johnson to collect his 6th 100-plus rushing yard game of the season en route to his team’s Titanic 3-point win over the Skins.

CHIEFS 34, cards 17
Remember Kansas City’s incredible Cassel-to-Bowe combo last week? (if not, I’ll remind you -- QB Matt Cassel: 33-for-53 for 469 passing yards and 4 TDs, WR Dwayne Bowe:13 receptions for 186 yards and 2 TDs) That was in a losing cause at Denver, this week the Chiefs will welcome the woeful Arizona Cardinals to KC’s Arrowhead Stadium. With AZ’s weak pass D it’s very possible for those two to put up big numbers again, only this time their performances will pay off victoriously as the playoff-hopeful Chiefs pound the clueless Cards by 17.

JETS 23, Texans 17
Houston’s pass defense is so pathetic that they’ll manage to make Mark Sanchez look Pro Bowl-worthy. While Sanchez lead the Jets offense tomorrow, prized cornerback Darrelle Revis puts the clamps on Texans WR Andre Johnson as Gang Green comes away with the home W.

STEEL 23, raiders 10
Following Pittsburgh’s ugly home loss to the Patriots on Sunday night last week, coach Mike Tomlin had his teams in full pads for practice this week. Meanwhile, Oakland comes of its bye with serious thoughts of -- wait for it -- the playoffs!?!? The Raiders, in the playoffs? Well, I must say it seems like a valid possibility as Oakland has a 5-4 record and competes in arguably the AFC’s worst division (the AFC West). An interesting match-up will be Oakland’s 2nd-ranked running offense versus Pittsburgh’s top-ranked run defense. The Raiders run hard but Darren McFadden and company fall short tomorrow. Tomlin’s tough tactics pay off fas Pittsburgh wins comfortably.

Ravens 27, PANTHERS 13
By tomorrow’s game in Charlotte (NC), Baltimore will have had 10 days to think about its primetime loss to Atlanta last Thursday. This is not good news for the Panthers, a team that’s struggled enough already this season and (due to injuries) will feature the NFL starting debut of 30-year-old QB Brian St. Pierre tomorrow. Eke! Barring a miracle, the Ravens will rip up those hapless Cats of Carolina and win the game handily.

JAGS 27, browns 14
Was last week’s Hail Mary miracle grab by Jaguars WR Mike Thomas an omen? Is Jacksonville, perhaps, a team of destiny? Not too many pundits picked Jack Del Rio’s Jags as a playoff team this year, but a home win against the Browns would push their record a respectable 6-4 mark. However, Cleveland’s rookie QB (Colt McCoy) and stunning young RB (Peyton Hillis) hope to earn another win and restore Brownie pride. Well, not tomorrow guys. Maurice Jones-Drew, David Garrard and Jacksonville’s WR tandem of Mikes (Thomas and Mike Sims-Walker) battle through Cleveland’s 24th-ranked defense and lead the Jags to victory.

Sunday Late Games
falcons 20, RAMS 17 (in OT)
Atlanta flies into St. Louis on a high -- having won seven of its past eight games -- but they’ll be taking on an improved 4-5 Rams team that’s collected all four of its wins at home. Rookie QB Sam Bradford and the Rams’ always-dangerous RB, Steven Jackson, will be a tough task for the Falcons. This game promises to be a tight tilt. Both teams have good RBs (St. Louis’ Jackson and Atlanta’s Michael Turner) but the Rams and Falcons’ staunch run defenses (ranking 6th and 7th in the NFL, respectively) will neutralize that factor. I’m seeing this game going to overtime with the League’s most prominent QB-WR connection (Atlanta’s Matt Ryan to Roddy White) providing the difference as the Falcons triumph by a field goal.

SAINTS 31, hawks 20
Nine games into its 2010 season, Seattle’s victory total (5) ties its total win tally from last season. Can the Seahawks (5-4) ride its momentum into New Orleans and bolster its hopes of a playoff appearance? No. Not this week. The Seahawks have improved, but the team’s record might be a bit deceiving (Seattle’s four losses combine for a 125-27 point differential). The Saints, conversely, have appeared to rebound from their home loss to Cleveland in week 8 (defeating the Steelers by 10 and the Panthers by 31). While these 6-3 Saints don’t quite have the feel of last year’s Championship team, they are good enough for an 11-point home W over the Hawks tomorrow.

NINERS 27, bucs 17
The surprisingly 6-3 Buccaneers travel coast-to-coast to face the 49ers tomorrow. Host San Francisco had been a bit surprising too (in a bad way) as the team began its season 0-5. However, a switch at the QB position -- Troy Smith replacing Alex Smith -- has seemed to make a difference as the Niners haves won three of its last four games, giving them post-season potential in a weak NFC West division. Smith, RB Frank Gore and the Niners continue its playoff surge by beating the Bucs by 10.

PATS 31, colts 24
The annual battle of these two AFC powerhouses takes place at New England’s Gillette Stadium tomorrow afternoon. Since 2003, the Patriots and Colts have clashed 10 times (seven times in the regular season, three in the playoffs). Of those 10 games, this epic series is appropriately even at five wins each. This year’s battle looks as tantalizing as ever with both teams leading their respective divisions (6-3 Indianapolis leading the AFC South and 7-2 New England atop the AFC East) and the team’s QBs -- Peyton Manning and Tom Brady -- both producing MVP-worthy seasons thus far. As always, this game will likely be a shootout, but Brady and New England’s 13-game regular season home winning streak stays intact as the Pats win by a touchdown.

SNF
EAGLES 31, giants 27

Game of the Week: It’s hard to pick a featured “Game of the Week” this week. Normally, any time a Patriots-Colts battle is taking place that would be the most intriguing tilt. However, after Michael Vick’s performance Monday night and with his 6-3 Eagles battling the 6-3 Giants in New York for tomorrow night’s spotlight, I’m giving the nod to this match-up. Vick will square off with opposing QB Eli Manning and a Giants team that ranks 1st in NFC both offensively and defensively. This game’s sure to be a must-see, with Vick and Manning exchanging blows. At game’s end Vick survives New York’s vicious sack attack and Philadelphia fights off the G-Men by four.

MNF
CHARGERS 34, broncos 20
San Diego enters week 11 recharged after its bye while division rival Denver comes off its impressive 49-29 blowout of the Chiefs last week. There has been much talk about Chargers QB Phillip Rivers passing yardage pace giving him a feasible chance to pass up Dolphins legend Dan Marino’s single-season passing record. Rivers current pass yards per game is 327.11 while Marino’s record-setting pace in 1984 was 317.75 (en route to his 5,084-yard passing total that season). Through nine games, Rivers has thrown for 2,994 yards. But what about the Chargers’ opposing QB this week? While Rivers’ passing yardage mark leads the NFL, Denver’s Kyle Orton ranks 2nd in the League with 2,806 yards. Rivers almost assuredly is the better quarterback and this week’s Monday Night game will go to the better team -- San Diego; however, due to the Broncos’ lack of running game and propensity to fall behind quickly, don’t be surprised if toward the end of the season it’s Orton (not Rivers) who will be the QB in better position to challenge Marino’s longstanding record.