Welcome back! No long introduction this week, just a quick recap form last week. In case you're wondering I finished the week 11-5, three games better than my old man, mj50 I call him on this site, who went 8-8. Now, onto this weeks picks! Hopefully, things will continue this week as best as it can.
Let's begin (note: all game times are based on the Central time zone):
Indianapolis Colts (-2.5) vs. Jacksonville Jaguars: Thursday- 7:20 p.m.
mj15's pick: Indianapolis
I'm sticking by what I said a few weeks back and sticking with the Colts. Speaking of the Colts, I cannot believe they might be having a discussion as to whether or not they should sit their starters in the final games of the regular season? Yeah, I understand the whole theory about resting your starters. But, hello! We're talking about a 19-0 record, something that only two teams in NFL history have ever done. We're talking about a chance to add a perfect season to their already incredible decade, to do something their rival, the Patriots, could never achieve, and, most importantly, the opportunity to shut up Mercury Morris and the rest of the champagne-popping and smug '72 Dolphins.
Also, have the Colts ever considered why won their only Super Bowl in 2006. That's because it was the only year this decade they didn't rest their starters in the last two weeks of the season. Shouldn't they have realized that this should stop and that they should change their ways? Besides, they'll have a bye week anyway, so an extra week off doesn't really matter.
mj50's pick: Indianapolis
Dallas Cowboys vs. New Orleans Saints (-7): Saturday- 7:20 p.m.
mj15's pick: New Orleans
Boy, is this a good week to be the NFL Network! Not only are they going to have their best Thursday night game of the season this week featuring the undefeated Colts against a good playoff potential team Jacksonville Jaguars, but they also have a bonus game this week featuring the leagues' other undefeated team, the Saints, against the Cowboys, which always draw big ratings. It's their best week as a network since they covered the Patriots 16-0 game against the Giants in 2007. All I can say is, whoever put these games on their channel should get a raise.
Anyways, I mentioned last week that if the Saints can go to Atlanta to beat the potential playoff- bound Falcons, then they should have a smooth road to a 16-0 regular season schedule (though you can argue that the Carolina game in week 17 will be pretty difficult). Well, they did and now it does in fact appear that this will be the case. Especially against the Cowboys, who haven't won a meaningful game in Decmeber since, I don't know, 2003? To summarize, while I believe that this game will be close, I still see the Saints as the one on top.
mj50's pick: New Orleans
New England Patriots (-7) vs. Buffalo Bills: Sunday- 12:00 p.m.
mj15's pick: New England
Trouble in Beantown! Featuring the debut of Randy Moss. Nah, I don't think what transpired the past few weeks will get settled over time. After all, Bill Belicick can finish controversies pretty well. And if not, then at least New England has Wes Welker, who over the last four games has played really well by averaging about 10 grabs and 130 yards a game. So, I see this being settled, or at least for this week against the Bills.
mj50's pick: New England
Arizona Cardinals (-12) vs. Detroit Lions: Sunday- 12:00 p.m.
mj15's pick: Arizona
Gosh, how I hate NFL "analysts" in December. They just scrutinze every little detail until it' officially playoff time. One big example was how they treated the Cardinals after their loss to the 49ers on Monday Night, with some even suggesting as they have "no chance" in the playoffs. Apparently, these "analysts" seem to have forgotten how terrible the defending NFC champions were last December. Don't worry Cards fans, you'll be fine. Especially this week against the Lions, who are just terrible.
mj50's pick: Arizona
Miami Dolphins vs. Tennessee Titans (-3): Sunday- 12:00 p.m.
mj15's pick: Tennessee
Hey, what do you know, my ultimate "I don't know" pick from last week was correct! Miami did, in fact, beat Jacksonville. Who knew that a flip of the coin would work so well for me? So, in honor of this, and because I still have a problem in games where Miami faces an even opponent (why do they do this to me!), I flipped the coin again. It went to Tennessee's side of the coin. Will it work again? Find out next week!
mj50's pick: Tennessee
Jimmy Claufsen/ Ndamukong Suh Bowl III
[a.k.a. Cleveland Browns vs. Kansas City Chiefs (-2)]: Sunday- 12:00 p.m.
mj15's pick: Kansas City
Well, here we are: the final leg of the JCNSB! First, it was the Rams who defeated the Lions in week 8, then it was the Lions who defeated the Browns. And now, we have the 2-11 Browns against the 3-12 Chiefs. You can't get any mediocre than this! So, while I don't beleive the loser will get the first pick in the draft (the Rams and the Bucs will be hard to beat), I do see the loser lock up the #3 pick. And, in my opinion, it ill be the Browns. The Chiefs just overmatch them in every way.
mj50's pick: Kansas City
Houston Texans (-10.5) vs. St. Louis Rams: Sunday- 12:00 p.m.
mj15's pick: Houston
I have loved Houston since the beginning of the season. Do you actually believe that I will pick against them? Better yet, against the 1-12 Rams? I don't think so.
mj50's pick: St. Louis (Crazy isn't it?)
Atlanta Falcons vs. New York Jets (-5): Sunday- 12:00 p.m.
mj15's pick: Atlanta
Should this even be considered an upset pick? After all, Atlanta is the better team then the Jets in every way except, possibly, the secondary. Plus, there are speculations that Matt Ryan will come back (even though it doens't matter becuase Mike Redmond has been playing like a beast lately), who let's face, is much better than Mark "Learns How to Slide, Then Gets Injured By Sliding After a Play" Sanchez.
mj50's pick: New York
San Fransisco 49ers vs. Philadelphia Eagles (-8.5): Sunday- 12:00 p.m.
mj15's pick: Philadelphia
First of all, how about those 49ers? They just literally destroyed the Cardinals on Monday night in every way possible. Having said that ("Curb Your Enthusiasm" reference!), the Eagles offense was just outstanding against the Giants, from McNabb to Desean Jackson (who I think we can all officially say is for real). You can even start considering them the third best team in the NFCAlso, I believe there has been a little theory being tossed around by me over this past season about West Coast teams in 12:00 games (which has only been unsuccessful four times this season by the way). Eagles will win... BIG.
mj50's pick: Philadelphia
Chicago Bears vs. Baltimore Ravens (-11): Sunday- 12:00 p.m.
mj15's pick: Baltimore
Ugh, I don't want to talk about the Bears anymore. It's just become too painful for me to try to look at the bright side. And defend Jay Cutler to my (mostly Packers fans) friends. What I will do, though, is talk about the Ravens and their playoff chances. While they do have some soft spots, I do see them making the playoffs. Which means that I see them going past the Jaguars, the Jets, the Titans, the Dolphins, and ,yes, even my beloved Texans. Their defense always performs come playoff time and their running game is always a full force.
But what really separates them from years past is the quarterback. Despite a slow couple of weeks, Joe Flacco, to put it simple, can play! And he will be the real reason why the Ravens will have a good December and a good early January (if they do make the playoffs). Including this week, when they defeat the Bears... BIG.
mj50's pick: Chicago
Cincinnati Bengals vs. San Diego Chargers (-6.5): Sunday- 3:05 p.m.
mj15's pick: San Diego
The way I see this game is one between two playoff bound teams going in two different directions. The Chargers are better than ever, with an anti- Cowboys December streak goign and looking like the one team that could beat the Colts in the playoffs. As for the Bengals, boy have they really begun to look like the "Bunguls." They were crushed by Minnesota, can barely beat medicre teams like the Browns, and have a very underperforming offense. If I were them, I would really recommend a big redjustment come playoff time. I see these two trends continuing for botyh these teams after this game, as the Chargers will pull another impressive week.
mj50's pick: San Diego
Oakland Raiders vs. Denver Broncos (-14): Sunday- 3:05 p.m.
mj15's pick: Denver
Boy, the Raiders were actually looking like a watchable team. Then, Bruce Gradkowski got injured, and now Charlie Frye (not Jamarcus Russell, who is now officially the bust of the decade) is starting. Against the fifth seed in the playoffs, no less. Broncos will win... BIG.
mj50's pick: Denver
Green Bay Packers vs. Pittsburgh Steelers (-2): Sunday- 3:15 p.m.
mj15's pick: Pittsburgh
Before I begin, I wouls just like to apologize to Ryan Grant for benching him last week against the Bears in the semifinals of the fantasy playoffs. I see you made a big statement against the Bears. But, things have all worked out. You're starting for me this week, and I'm leading thru one week by two points.
Anyways, while Pittsburgh have been struggling significantly since Roethlesberger's concussion, I still like them against the Packers. They have the defense that is good enough to limit Aaron Rodgers. Also, I expect a big week by Ben Roethlesberger at home, even though the Packers have one of the top ten defenses in the league.
mj50's pick: Pittsburgh
Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. Seattle Seahawks (-6.5): Sunday- 3:15 p.m.
mj15's pick: Seattle
This game is so bad to think about,I ddin't even bother researching for this pick. I just took Seattle because they have the better record, and they're at home.
mj50's pick: Tampa Bay
Minnesota Vikings (-9) vs. Carolina Panthers: Sunday- 7:20 p.m.
mj15's pick: Minnesota
So, it appears that things are back to normal for Minnesota after last week's scare against Arizona. It's amazing how one win can change all that. And it appears that their mini good luck will continue this week. Minnesota. I mean, when you have Adrian Peterson, of all people, against the 26th ranked rush defense, I have a feeling the winner of this matchup will be the running back, don't you think?
mj50's pick: Carolina
New York Giants (-3) vs. Washington Redskins: Monday- 7:30 p.m.
mj15's pick: New York
Okay, so at this point there are really two teams at this point who I still have no idea what they are. One of them is the Dolphins. The other is the Giants. I mean, one week they beat good teams like Dallas, and then they lose to good teams like New Orleans and Phildelphia. However, I still think that they are still a good team. At least good enogh to beat the four win Redskins.
mj50's pick: Washington
RECAP
The Undertaker at "WrestleMania" "Lock of the Week":
Houston over St. Louis
The Y.E. Yang over Tiger Woods "Upset of the Week":
Atlanta over New York Jets
The Diet Pepsi vs. Diet Coke "I'm Not Sure" Pick:
Tennessee over Miami
Week 15 recap and a special, Christmas related week 16 post coming next Wednesday! Until then, enjoy your NFL, and whatever else you're doing, this week.
Sincerely,
Your pal: mj15
If you have any opinions on the week fifteen predictions or anything else on this post, or if you have any suggestions to mj15 on his next blog entry, e-mail him at: mj1599@aol.com. Your e-mail might be addressed on a future post.
No comments:
Post a Comment