NFL: Week 16
With it being Christmas and all, I bet that if Santa was watching any of the games last weekend he probably was going, "Ho, Ho, Ho, Hoooooly Crap." Last weekend was that wild, with everything from the Colts getting their first win, to the undefeated Packers losing to the Chiefs??? I don't know how anybody could have predicted what transpired last weekend, but in the NFL, anything can happen.
It might take a Christmas Mircale, but the Cincinnati Bengals can still make the playoffs, and no one thought we would be talking about that in December. One thing that must happen Christmas Eve though, is the Bengals must win their game against the Arizona Cardinals and I think they will. An explanation follows in my picks for Week 16 in the NFL.
Week 16 (Home team in CAPS)
Houston over INDIANAPOLIS: You just never know what might happen in the NFL. The Colts upset the Houston Texans on Thursday night on a Reggie Wayne touchdown catch with 19 seconds left giving them their second straight win. The team might be happy about the win, but the fans may not be. Can you imagine how fans are going to feel if after suffering through the Colts terrible season, they miss out on Andrew Luck?
Denver over BUFFALO: The Bills haven't won since Halloween and I don't see them winning Christmas Even either against Tim Tebow and the visiting Broncos. Denver got knocked down last week by the Patriots, but I look for them to play well and regain control of the AFC West.
BALTIMORE over Cleveland: Baltimore keeps the AFC North crown and a first round bye in reaching distance with a win over the disappointing Browns.
TENNESSEE over Jacksonville: Tennessee got a huge shock last week in Indianapolis and with the season basically over, I'd put in rookie QB Jake Locker and see what he can do. Tennessee lost 16-14 in Week 1 to Jacksonville, but I doubt history will repeat itself.
KANSAS CITY over Oakland: If Romeo Crennel and the Chiefs can beat the undefeated Green Bay Packers, then I think they can beat Carson Palmer and the 7-7 Oakland Raiders.
PITTSBURGH over St. Louis: Big Ben won't start Staurday for the Steelers, but I still think Pittsburgh bounces back from their loss in San Francisco against a very bad St. Louis Rams team, who will lock up a top five draft pick come April.
NEW ENGLAND over Miami: The last time Tom Brady faced the Dolphins he threw for 517-yds and 4 TD. I don't expect the same kind of success, but Brady and the Patriots offense could still have a big day, as they get one game closer to clinching home-field advantage.
WASHINGTON over Minnesota: The Redskins are coming off a solid win against the Giants and they should win against the 2-12 Vikings, who are going to be lucky to win another game this season.
NY Giants over NY JETS: The Jets might be considered the home team in the Battle in the Big Apple, but I like the Giants to come out on top. Both teams need to win out to secure a playoff spot, but the Jets can loss this week and still make the playoffs if they get some help. The Giants, on the other hand, are playing an elimination game, and I like Eli to outduel Mark Sanchez.
CAROLINA over Tampa Bay: Cam Newton has the Panthers playing much better on offense this season and Carolina could be a playoff contender next season with a solid offseason. Tampa Bay on the other hand, has lots of room for improvement, and the only question is, will they go into the offseason on a 10 game losing streak?
San Diego over DETROIT: Expect a lot of points and a lot of passing yards to be put up in this one. The Lions are coming off a come from behind win in Oakland and the Chargers have won three in a row by a combined 71 points. San Diego is really hot right now and I think they win in a shootout.
DALLAS over Philadelphia: With a win on Saturday and a Giants loss, the Cowboys can clinch a playoff spot, but a loss puts the Giants and Eagles back into the thick of things in the NFC East. Vick and the Eagles handed Romo and the Cowboys their worst loss of the season earlier this year and I look for Dallas to get some revenge. Tony Romo out duels Michael Vick, as the Cowboys get the win at home.
San Francisco over SEATTLE: After what I saw from the 49ers defense last Monday night, it's going to be hard to pick against them the rest of the season.
GREEN BAY over Chicago: The Packers suffered their first loss of the season last week, but the losing streak won't last very long in my opinion. The Caleb Haine experiment in Chicago has been a tremendous failure, so the Bears will be going with Josh McCown at quarterback on Christmas night. The Bears are going to need a Christmas miracle in order to win and I see Green Bay clinching home-field advantage in the win, which means the NFC playoffs will be going through Lambeau Field.
NEW ORLEANS over Atlanta: Drew Brees not only breaks Dan Marino's single season passing record, but the Saints clinch the NFC South with a win on Monday night.
BENGALS over Arizona: "Just win, baby." That's all Bengals fans are asking for from their team this Christmas Eve, just win and keep the season alive. There are reports that as little as 31,000 people might show up for Saturday's game, but the Bengals have been playing in front of a half empty season all season.
The fans that do show up will get to see QB John Skelton at quarterback for the Cardinals, as Kevin Kolb is still out with a concussion. Skelton and the Cardinals are really hot right now sitting at 7-7, winning six of their last seven contests, and are still in the NFC playoff hunt.
Besides WR Larry Fitzgerald giving the Cincinnati secondary all they can handle, the most exciting matchup to watch is between two rookies, the Bengals A.J. Green and the Cardinals CB Patrick Peterson. Both guys are having great seasons and they each have a history with each other playing in the SEC. I don't think there is a corner in the league that can cover A.J. Green for a full 60 minutes, so it will be very interesting to see how Peterson does. Speaking of Peterson, who has four punt returns for touchdowns on the season, the Bengals better not punt the ball anywhere near him, if they want to win this game.
The Bengals must also limit the penalties, especially the pre-snap ones, get the running game going, and limit the big plays on defense. Giving up big plays to Fitzgerald, RB Beanie Wells, or Patrick Peterson in the return game, will certainly end in a Bengals loss. I think if will be a low scoring game and I see the Bengals coming out on top and going into Week 17 with a chance to clinch a playoff spot. Bengals 17, Cardinals 13.
I don't know if Santa will be bringing me the Ferrari I asked him for, or the ownership rights to the Cincinnati Bengals, but he can still grant my wish of seeing the Bengals make the playoffs. I'm even willing to wait another week to see if it comes true. Whether Santa bring's me everything I asked for or not, I hope you and your family have a very, Merry Christmas.
This Week: 0-1
Last Week: 7-9 (.438, ouch)
Overall: 143-82 (.635)
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| Who do you think would have higher jersey's sales, Santa Claus or Tim Tebow? |
Week 16 (Home team in CAPS)
Houston over INDIANAPOLIS: You just never know what might happen in the NFL. The Colts upset the Houston Texans on Thursday night on a Reggie Wayne touchdown catch with 19 seconds left giving them their second straight win. The team might be happy about the win, but the fans may not be. Can you imagine how fans are going to feel if after suffering through the Colts terrible season, they miss out on Andrew Luck?
Denver over BUFFALO: The Bills haven't won since Halloween and I don't see them winning Christmas Even either against Tim Tebow and the visiting Broncos. Denver got knocked down last week by the Patriots, but I look for them to play well and regain control of the AFC West.
BALTIMORE over Cleveland: Baltimore keeps the AFC North crown and a first round bye in reaching distance with a win over the disappointing Browns.
TENNESSEE over Jacksonville: Tennessee got a huge shock last week in Indianapolis and with the season basically over, I'd put in rookie QB Jake Locker and see what he can do. Tennessee lost 16-14 in Week 1 to Jacksonville, but I doubt history will repeat itself.
KANSAS CITY over Oakland: If Romeo Crennel and the Chiefs can beat the undefeated Green Bay Packers, then I think they can beat Carson Palmer and the 7-7 Oakland Raiders.
PITTSBURGH over St. Louis: Big Ben won't start Staurday for the Steelers, but I still think Pittsburgh bounces back from their loss in San Francisco against a very bad St. Louis Rams team, who will lock up a top five draft pick come April.
NEW ENGLAND over Miami: The last time Tom Brady faced the Dolphins he threw for 517-yds and 4 TD. I don't expect the same kind of success, but Brady and the Patriots offense could still have a big day, as they get one game closer to clinching home-field advantage.
WASHINGTON over Minnesota: The Redskins are coming off a solid win against the Giants and they should win against the 2-12 Vikings, who are going to be lucky to win another game this season.
NY Giants over NY JETS: The Jets might be considered the home team in the Battle in the Big Apple, but I like the Giants to come out on top. Both teams need to win out to secure a playoff spot, but the Jets can loss this week and still make the playoffs if they get some help. The Giants, on the other hand, are playing an elimination game, and I like Eli to outduel Mark Sanchez.
CAROLINA over Tampa Bay: Cam Newton has the Panthers playing much better on offense this season and Carolina could be a playoff contender next season with a solid offseason. Tampa Bay on the other hand, has lots of room for improvement, and the only question is, will they go into the offseason on a 10 game losing streak?
San Diego over DETROIT: Expect a lot of points and a lot of passing yards to be put up in this one. The Lions are coming off a come from behind win in Oakland and the Chargers have won three in a row by a combined 71 points. San Diego is really hot right now and I think they win in a shootout.
DALLAS over Philadelphia: With a win on Saturday and a Giants loss, the Cowboys can clinch a playoff spot, but a loss puts the Giants and Eagles back into the thick of things in the NFC East. Vick and the Eagles handed Romo and the Cowboys their worst loss of the season earlier this year and I look for Dallas to get some revenge. Tony Romo out duels Michael Vick, as the Cowboys get the win at home.
San Francisco over SEATTLE: After what I saw from the 49ers defense last Monday night, it's going to be hard to pick against them the rest of the season.
GREEN BAY over Chicago: The Packers suffered their first loss of the season last week, but the losing streak won't last very long in my opinion. The Caleb Haine experiment in Chicago has been a tremendous failure, so the Bears will be going with Josh McCown at quarterback on Christmas night. The Bears are going to need a Christmas miracle in order to win and I see Green Bay clinching home-field advantage in the win, which means the NFC playoffs will be going through Lambeau Field.
NEW ORLEANS over Atlanta: Drew Brees not only breaks Dan Marino's single season passing record, but the Saints clinch the NFC South with a win on Monday night.
BENGALS over Arizona: "Just win, baby." That's all Bengals fans are asking for from their team this Christmas Eve, just win and keep the season alive. There are reports that as little as 31,000 people might show up for Saturday's game, but the Bengals have been playing in front of a half empty season all season.
The fans that do show up will get to see QB John Skelton at quarterback for the Cardinals, as Kevin Kolb is still out with a concussion. Skelton and the Cardinals are really hot right now sitting at 7-7, winning six of their last seven contests, and are still in the NFC playoff hunt.
Besides WR Larry Fitzgerald giving the Cincinnati secondary all they can handle, the most exciting matchup to watch is between two rookies, the Bengals A.J. Green and the Cardinals CB Patrick Peterson. Both guys are having great seasons and they each have a history with each other playing in the SEC. I don't think there is a corner in the league that can cover A.J. Green for a full 60 minutes, so it will be very interesting to see how Peterson does. Speaking of Peterson, who has four punt returns for touchdowns on the season, the Bengals better not punt the ball anywhere near him, if they want to win this game.
The Bengals must also limit the penalties, especially the pre-snap ones, get the running game going, and limit the big plays on defense. Giving up big plays to Fitzgerald, RB Beanie Wells, or Patrick Peterson in the return game, will certainly end in a Bengals loss. I think if will be a low scoring game and I see the Bengals coming out on top and going into Week 17 with a chance to clinch a playoff spot. Bengals 17, Cardinals 13.
I don't know if Santa will be bringing me the Ferrari I asked him for, or the ownership rights to the Cincinnati Bengals, but he can still grant my wish of seeing the Bengals make the playoffs. I'm even willing to wait another week to see if it comes true. Whether Santa bring's me everything I asked for or not, I hope you and your family have a very, Merry Christmas.
This Week: 0-1
Last Week: 7-9 (.438, ouch)
Overall: 143-82 (.635)
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