Carolina at Atlanta
This game is huge to a lot of teams. If Atlanta wins they secure their #2 seeding in the playoffs. It's the kind of game the Falcons need to win to show they are playoff ready. You know, start building the confidence they will need if they must travel to Philly in January? A lot of NFC teams will be pulling for the Falcons to keep their playoff hopes alive.
The Panthers need this game! A loss puts them in a very bad tiebreaker situation going to Tampa the following week for what could be an elimination game for the loser. Carolina will need to control the ball and not let Vick get rolling. Their history against the Falcons is not good, either.
This will be a fun one to watch! I think the Panthers might just pull this one out.
Buffalo at Cincinnati
Both teams are hanging by a thread in the playoff hunt. The Bengals more than the Bills. A loss will put an end to Cincy's hopes, and even a win might not help much. The Bills have a little more hope, but every game for them is huge.
Buffalo's defense has been the difference in their recent streak, and it should be the difference here. I like the Bills to keep rolling.
Denver at Kansas City
The Chiefs are playing out the string. They are starting Larry Johnson in the hopes of raising his trade value. Gonzalez always seems to play big against Denver, and they may need that.
Denver needs this game to keep pace or surpass the Ravens for the final AFC Playoff spot. The Broncos' receivers must do better catching the ball and Droughns must hold onto it, too. If Denver's defense can hold its own against the Chiefs, the Broncos will win. If they lose, well, I'd rather not think about that. (Yes, I'm a Bronco fan. I bleed predominantly orange.)
Minnesota at Detroit
There is more than a potential playoff spot on the line in this one. The future of an entire coaching staff may be riding on this one, too. And it's the staff of the team with the better record, the Vikings.
Minnesota's late-season meltdown is becoming an annual event. They are currently in the 5th spot in the NFC conference standings, but somehow seem to be in a weaker position than the teams behind them. That could change with a victory over the Lions. It could wake this team up, nearly clinch a playoff spot, and raise their confidence level. The Vikings will need Moss to have a big day and a sustained running game would definitely help.
The Lions are still hoping to sneak into the playoffs, but a loss will put an end to that. Harrington should get well, or at least better, against the Vikings' defense, but they should also have a big day running.
Culpepper and Moss should have a big day and I think the Vikes will pull this out.
Seattle at New York Jets
Seattle had one handed to them at Minneapolis last week. The Jets won't do them that same favor. New York is a good team that hung with the Steelers in Pittsburgh for over 3 quarters. Seattle doesn't have the heart to win this one.
The Jets will solidify their playoff position and send Seattle home at 7-7.
Jacksonville at Green Bay
It's supposed to be COLD this weekend!! That can't be good for the Jags. The Packers have a good running game and proved last week they can throw even when the temperature drops. The Jaguars will be able to run, but their passing game will suffer.
The Pack will clinch a playoff spot and, perhaps, deal a death-blow to Jacksonville's hopes.
Baltimore at Indianapolis
The Colts have clinched their division and might be in cruise control. They know they won't catch the Pats or Steelers, so they are playing for the #3 spot in the AFC. That's not much motivation.
The Ravens need a win to keep their grip on the final AFC playoff spot. Usually you would think Baltimore would have a chance to shut the Colts down, but their defense has surrendered some serious points in the past month. A win should clinch the tiebreaker with Denver, so it would be like picking up a game on them.
This is going to be one of the better games to watch this weekend. I think it comes down to Boller not being able to score the points necessary to win. But if Baltimore gets the running game going and controls the clock, they could pull it out.
No comments:
Post a Comment