Hello again, readers of my blog. Last week was my first week showcasing my NFL picks, and it went a little worse than hoped. I went 7-6 (I didn't pick Thanksgiving games), which left a little to be desired. I remember saying that the Browns couldn't win against the Steelers. They forced 8 turnovers. Moving on. I'm currently on the 81st percentile of Yahoo Pick 'em's, so a rebound is ideal. And yes, I did forget to write this in time for Thursday night. Let's assume I got that one right, (because I did).
Jaguars vs. Bills
What a pointless game to pick. The Jaguars are coming off a decent win last week against the Titans, so a little more should be expected out of them. Neither team has playoff hope, so at this point we're going for pride! Chad Henne has quietly put up two amazing games in a row for the Jaguars, and this would be the team for him to keep up the streak against, huh? The Bills are 26th in yards allowed this season, and Henne has 6 TDs and 650+ yards in two games. Never thought I'd say that. Never thought I'd say this either.
Prediction: Jaguars 34-28
Bears vs. Seahawks
This game is actually pretty intriguing. The Seahawks are that team no one knows about in the NFC wild card race. You look at the race and say these names: the 7-4 Packers, the 6-5 Vikings, the 6-5 Buccaneers, even the 5-7 Saints. The Seahawks are there at 6-5 as well, though. The Bears are never an easy team to play, and now with Cutler back they are ready to destroy. Seattle is looking for revenge after a heartbreaking loss to Miami last week, but I think they'll be just a bit short.
Prediction: Bears 27-21
Colts vs. Lions
Two monster years for both of these quarterbacks. Stafford and Luck are both doing great, and while they've had a few bad games, you can't deny their worth to their respective teams. The Lions are pretty much dead at this point, where the Colts have a wild card spot to lose in the AFC. Chuck Pagano's battle with cancer has inspired the Colts, and I think that they should take this game, although Stafford and Megatron could show up.
Prediction: Colts 31-20
Vikings vs. Packers
This is a great, quality, playoff wild card race deciding, football party hosting, eat some pizza and chips and watch kind of game. I don't want anyone to correct grammar on the previous sentence for I have no idea what I just typed. Simply put, the Packers need a rebound, and a Viking win is HUGE for Minnesota at this point. Tiebreak and same record as Green Bay? There couldn't be anything huger at this point in time. I'll call this one a toss-up.
Prediction: Packers 30-26
Panthers vs. Chiefs
How bad are the Chiefs? Almost unspeakably terrible. However, they beat the Saints two months ago. The Panthers are also terrible, and at 3-8 could finish last place in the entire NFC. Cam Newton has more rushing yards and touchdowns than the 3 main running backs for the Panthers. This game is terrible. However, there has been a Chiefs tragedy including the suicide of a player after him murdering his wife. That is another article. The Chiefs emotionally can't play.
Prediction: Panthers 31-10
Patriots vs. Dolphins
The Patriots have won 19 in a row in the second half of NFL seasons. That's impressive. The Dolphins are not out of the playoffs yet, but it's futile. And there's no better team to kill your playoff hopes than your friendly neighborhood rival Patriots. That's all I have to say.
Prediction: Patriots 38-20
Cardinals vs. Jets
Hurray! The two most lifeless teams in the whole league! I consider throwing these guys under the Browns, Raiders, Jags, and Panthers in terms of worth. But they still beat the Eagles and the Chiefs. The Cards have lost 7 in a row since the devastation of Kolb's injury, and you know there's a problem when you are starting Ryan Lindley. What can I say? He's bad. And the Jets. The laughing stock of the NFL. When's Tebow Time? This game is terrible, and could realistically end 0-0. But as much as it pains me to say it, the Jets have a good matchup.
Prediction: Jets 20-12
49ers vs. Rams
Wouldn't it be funny if they tied again? The Niners have essentially locked a playoff spot, and the Rams have been a disappointment. But this time they have a new quarterback, Colin Kaepernick, in one of the weirdest quarterback switches in a while, the whole abandoning a QB that's gone 19-5-1 in the last two seasons thing. But Kaepernick is good, and can scramble really well. The Rams will be Rams. That isn't a good thing.
Prediction: 49ers 30-16
Texans vs. Titans
Do I need to say anything about this game? What is there to say? The Texans are probably the NFL's best team at this point, and the Titans aren't. And Matt Schaub, Andre Johnson, Arian Foster, J.J. Watt, and Connor Barth are all really good too.
Prediction: Texans 34- 17
Broncos vs. Buccaneers
The Broncos are essentially in the playoffs as a 2-4 seed depending on how the season ends. But boy is it a huge game for the Bucs! It's a good chance to steal one and give an effort to make the playoffs as that wild card 6 seed. This game could very well be a shootout. Both teams will score a lot, but who would you take: Josh Freeman or Peyton Manning? My thoughts exactly.
Prediction: Broncos 38-34
Ravens vs. Steelers
The Ravens are incredibly lucky to get the Steelers twice without Big Ben Roethlisberger, who is out for the third straight game. The Steelers are coming off a pathetic eight turnover loss to Cleveland of all teams, and now face a tough Lewis-less Ravens squad. Did you see Ray Rice's 30 yard 4th and 29 reception? How can I guy that does that lose to a team starting Charlie Batch? Both defenses are very good, but let's be honest. Ravens got this one.
Prediction: Ravens 21-10
Browns vs. Raiders
The Raiders have allowed an average of 39 points there last three games, and have lost each one at least three touchdowns. I don't know how to characterize just how bad the Raiders have been recently, but I do have something interesting about the Browns. Despite being 3-8, they have only lost games by an average of 3.5 points, and that margin has only been 2 points in their last five games. Surprisingly, in terms of points allowed, the Browns stand in 16th place at 22.5 a game. That's actually top half. Meanwhile, the Raiders are dead last at 32.4 a game.
Prediction: Browns 24-20 P.S. This would be 2-in-a-row for the Browns! After this they have the Chiefs and Redskins. They could realistically win 4 straight and be 6-8!?!?!
Bengals vs. Chargers
The Chargers need some kind of something good eventually. But not now. Just not now. I don't know what needs to happen with the Chargers, but something does. This has been the worst game preview ever, presented by Connor's Sports Blog.
Prediction: Bengals 30-17. Note: The preview a just wrote is a direct result of having done 12 game previews before it over a 30-40 minute span. You just get sick of it. 8)
Eagles vs. Cowboys
The NFC managed to lock up both the Sunday night and Monday night game. This division was supposed to have 4 contenders this year. Instead we got the ever good but not great Giants, on and off Cowboys and Redskins teams, with a pathetic Eagle squad to boot. Philly was so desperate they got rid of their best pass rusher, Jason Babin. Babin is probably experiencing temporary insanity after being cut by the 3-8 Eagles, and then picked up by the worse 2-9 Jaguars. Moving on, the only good thing about the Eagles last week was Bryce Brown, the rookie running back who went for 178 yards and two scores. Brown won't be enough this week, however, as the Cowboys need to keep their playoff hopes alive by getting to 6-6.
Prediction: Cowboys 26-20
Giants vs. Redskins
The Redskins are desperate and the Giants want to lock up this division. However, the Giants have a brutal finish, playing the Saints, Falcons, Ravens, and Eagles after this week. The Redskins will come out firing this week and Pierre Garcon should get a lot of targets. I figure this game won't be a blowout, but come on- the Giants destroyed Green Bay last week. That was a statement.
Prediction: Giants 30-20
Your turn! What do you think will happen? Are my picks reasonable? Why or why not? Feel free to tell me on this blog in the comments section and I'll do my best to get back to you. Happy December!
Connor
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