NFL: Week 13
We are getting oh so close to the playoffs and with each passing week, the playoff picture becomes clearer and clearer. A lot of key matchups this weekend have major playoff implications starting with the Bengals at Steelers. Before I get to that battle in the AFC North, here are the rest of my picks for Week 13.
Week 13 Picks (Home team in CAPS)
Philadelphia over SEATTLE: I don't know why I keep on picking the Eagles to win football games, but I did this week and they lost again. Vince Young was terrible, going 17/29 for 208-yds, TD, and 4 Int with one being returned 77-yds for a touchdown. Philadelphia's season is officially over and now the question is will Andy Reid be the Eagles head coach in 2012?
Atlanta over HOUSTON: The Houston defense will keep them in the game, but with the Texans going to their third string quarterback in T.J. Yates, it's going to be tough to win, even at home. Matt Ryan and the Falcons are playing their best football right now and I think they win a close one.
BUFFALO over Tennessee: As long as WR Stevie Johnson does not do anything to hurt his team this Sunday, I think the Bills win at home. Which means the end of Tennessee's playoff chances.
CHICAGO over Kansas City: Both teams are stuck with backup quarterbacks and after watching the pathetic performance from Chiefs QB Tyler Palko against Pittsburgh last week, I'll take the Bears. Chicago's defense almost won them the game last week forcing six Oakland field goals and Caleb Hanie has enough talent around him, aka Matt Forte, to succeed.
Denver over MINNESOTA: Tebow and the Denver defense win another game for the Broncos, as the Vikings terrible season continues. Minnesota rookie QB Christian Ponder will be in for long day without RB Adrian Peterson.
NEW ENGLAND over Indianapolis: Seemingly every year, Patriots/Colts is the premium matchup of the season. Tom Brady vs. Peyton Manning is one of the best rivalries in the NFL and with Manning's injury, the hype for this matchup is at an all-time low. The game was flexed out of the Sunday night primetime spot as Brady and the 8-3 Patriots will be going up against Dan Orlovsky and the 0-11 Colts. New England could put up 40+ in a laugher.
Oakland over MIAMI: Oakland won last week on the legs of K Sebastian Janikowski and P Shane Lechler as the Raiders try and fend off Tebow and the Broncos in the AFC West. Denver has a winnable game against Minnesota, so Oakland needs to take care of business Sunday in Miami, and I think they do.
NY Jets over WASHINGTON: Mark Sanchez played well last week for the Jets throwing four touchdown passes, and he will need to have the same success against the Redskins. New York can still make the playoffs, but they need a win to keep their hopes alive. Jets win a close on the road in the nation's capital.
Carolina over TAMPA BAY: Tampa has not been impressive with five straight losses and QB Josh Freeman is out with a shoulder injury. With that being said, I like Cam Newton and the Panthers on the road.
Baltimore over CLEVELAND: The Browns play both Baltimore and Pittsburgh twice in a brutal final five weeks of the season starting this Sunday. Cleveland could be looking towards a 5-11 season and their losing streak continues this week against Baltimore.
Dallas over ARIZONA: The Cowboys control their own destiny in the NFC East and they get one game closer to the playoffs with a win against the Cardinals in "The Big Toaster."
Green Bay over NY GIANTS: Giants have lost three straight and are fading fast in the NFC playoff picture. It doesn't get any easier this week as the undefeated Green Bay Packers come to the Big Apple. I look for Aaron Rodgers to keep the Pack undefeated.
SAN FRANCISCO over St. Louis: 49ers clinch the NFC West with a win against the Rams on Sunday.
NEW ORLEANS over Detroit: Lions DT Ndamukong Suh will be missed up front for the Lions defense against Drew Brees and the high powered Saints offense. New Orleans wins in a shootout.
San Diego over JACKSONVILLE: A lot of hype for this week's Monday night game featuring two teams with a combined 7-15 record. San Diego's head coach, Norv Turner, is on the hot seat and could suffer the same fate as former Jacksonville head coach Jack Del Rio, who was fired this week. The Chargers have lost six straight and I think the losing streak stops in Jacksonville on Monday.
Bengals over STEELERS: The Bengals can still make the playoffs with a loss Sunday in Pittsburgh, but things would sure be a whole lot easier with a win. Andy Dalton and the Bengals hung in tough against the big boys, aka Pittsburgh and Baltimore, the first time around, but they still lost both games. That can change on Sunday.
Two of the Steelers best players on defense, LB LaMarr Woodley, and S Troy Polamalu are probably going to be game-time decisions, which could help the Bengals if they are both out. But even if they both play, the Bengals will have the advantage with their star wide receiver A.J. Green back for a full 60 minutes.
Green only had one catch in the first game, but it was a spectacular catch between two Steelers defenders in the end zone. A.J. also missed the Baltimore game due to a hyper-extended knee that he suffered against Pittsburgh and the Bengals still only lost both games by seven.
I know that Green is still a rookie, but he is a difference maker. One could argue that if he doesn't get hurt, the Bengals beat the Steelers and the Ravens, and are sitting at 9-2 atop the AFC North. Andy Dalton has proved he can play against these tough NFL defenses, so much so that Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger said Dalton should win NFL Rookie of the Year.
With Green back and healthy, Andy Dalton playing like an NFL veteran, and a solid defense, I think the Bengals go into Pittsburgh and pull out a win. It's going to be a tough football game, but the Bengals keep it close, and The Red Rifle, and A.J. Green come up big in the fourth quarter once again. Bengals 21, Steelers 20. Who-Dey!
This Week: 0-1
Last Week: 13-3
Overall: 116-60
Week 13 Picks (Home team in CAPS)
Philadelphia over SEATTLE: I don't know why I keep on picking the Eagles to win football games, but I did this week and they lost again. Vince Young was terrible, going 17/29 for 208-yds, TD, and 4 Int with one being returned 77-yds for a touchdown. Philadelphia's season is officially over and now the question is will Andy Reid be the Eagles head coach in 2012?
Atlanta over HOUSTON: The Houston defense will keep them in the game, but with the Texans going to their third string quarterback in T.J. Yates, it's going to be tough to win, even at home. Matt Ryan and the Falcons are playing their best football right now and I think they win a close one.
BUFFALO over Tennessee: As long as WR Stevie Johnson does not do anything to hurt his team this Sunday, I think the Bills win at home. Which means the end of Tennessee's playoff chances.
CHICAGO over Kansas City: Both teams are stuck with backup quarterbacks and after watching the pathetic performance from Chiefs QB Tyler Palko against Pittsburgh last week, I'll take the Bears. Chicago's defense almost won them the game last week forcing six Oakland field goals and Caleb Hanie has enough talent around him, aka Matt Forte, to succeed.
Denver over MINNESOTA: Tebow and the Denver defense win another game for the Broncos, as the Vikings terrible season continues. Minnesota rookie QB Christian Ponder will be in for long day without RB Adrian Peterson.
NEW ENGLAND over Indianapolis: Seemingly every year, Patriots/Colts is the premium matchup of the season. Tom Brady vs. Peyton Manning is one of the best rivalries in the NFL and with Manning's injury, the hype for this matchup is at an all-time low. The game was flexed out of the Sunday night primetime spot as Brady and the 8-3 Patriots will be going up against Dan Orlovsky and the 0-11 Colts. New England could put up 40+ in a laugher.
Oakland over MIAMI: Oakland won last week on the legs of K Sebastian Janikowski and P Shane Lechler as the Raiders try and fend off Tebow and the Broncos in the AFC West. Denver has a winnable game against Minnesota, so Oakland needs to take care of business Sunday in Miami, and I think they do.
NY Jets over WASHINGTON: Mark Sanchez played well last week for the Jets throwing four touchdown passes, and he will need to have the same success against the Redskins. New York can still make the playoffs, but they need a win to keep their hopes alive. Jets win a close on the road in the nation's capital.
Carolina over TAMPA BAY: Tampa has not been impressive with five straight losses and QB Josh Freeman is out with a shoulder injury. With that being said, I like Cam Newton and the Panthers on the road.
Baltimore over CLEVELAND: The Browns play both Baltimore and Pittsburgh twice in a brutal final five weeks of the season starting this Sunday. Cleveland could be looking towards a 5-11 season and their losing streak continues this week against Baltimore.
Dallas over ARIZONA: The Cowboys control their own destiny in the NFC East and they get one game closer to the playoffs with a win against the Cardinals in "The Big Toaster."
Green Bay over NY GIANTS: Giants have lost three straight and are fading fast in the NFC playoff picture. It doesn't get any easier this week as the undefeated Green Bay Packers come to the Big Apple. I look for Aaron Rodgers to keep the Pack undefeated.
SAN FRANCISCO over St. Louis: 49ers clinch the NFC West with a win against the Rams on Sunday.
NEW ORLEANS over Detroit: Lions DT Ndamukong Suh will be missed up front for the Lions defense against Drew Brees and the high powered Saints offense. New Orleans wins in a shootout.
San Diego over JACKSONVILLE: A lot of hype for this week's Monday night game featuring two teams with a combined 7-15 record. San Diego's head coach, Norv Turner, is on the hot seat and could suffer the same fate as former Jacksonville head coach Jack Del Rio, who was fired this week. The Chargers have lost six straight and I think the losing streak stops in Jacksonville on Monday.
Bengals over STEELERS: The Bengals can still make the playoffs with a loss Sunday in Pittsburgh, but things would sure be a whole lot easier with a win. Andy Dalton and the Bengals hung in tough against the big boys, aka Pittsburgh and Baltimore, the first time around, but they still lost both games. That can change on Sunday.
Two of the Steelers best players on defense, LB LaMarr Woodley, and S Troy Polamalu are probably going to be game-time decisions, which could help the Bengals if they are both out. But even if they both play, the Bengals will have the advantage with their star wide receiver A.J. Green back for a full 60 minutes.
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| The Bengals will certainly need a full game from A.J. Green if they are to beat the Steelers on Sunday. (AP Photo) |
Green only had one catch in the first game, but it was a spectacular catch between two Steelers defenders in the end zone. A.J. also missed the Baltimore game due to a hyper-extended knee that he suffered against Pittsburgh and the Bengals still only lost both games by seven.
I know that Green is still a rookie, but he is a difference maker. One could argue that if he doesn't get hurt, the Bengals beat the Steelers and the Ravens, and are sitting at 9-2 atop the AFC North. Andy Dalton has proved he can play against these tough NFL defenses, so much so that Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger said Dalton should win NFL Rookie of the Year.
With Green back and healthy, Andy Dalton playing like an NFL veteran, and a solid defense, I think the Bengals go into Pittsburgh and pull out a win. It's going to be a tough football game, but the Bengals keep it close, and The Red Rifle, and A.J. Green come up big in the fourth quarter once again. Bengals 21, Steelers 20. Who-Dey!
This Week: 0-1
Last Week: 13-3
Overall: 116-60
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