 |
| It's always nice to add a new face to an old rivalry. |
Last week: 8-6
Regular season: 74-69-3
Arizona Cardinals at Atlanta Falcons
Breaking down the tape of this game for Pro Football Focus will be my first in-depth look at either of these teams. Matt Ryan's case for being MVP goes beyond the Falcons' 8-1 record; he's our highest graded passer.
The Pick: Falcons (-8.5)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Carolina Panthers
In a division with Drew Brees, Cam Newton, and Ryan, the best offense in the NFC South belongs to...the Bucs? Since its bye week, Tampa Bay has gone 4-1 while outscoring its opponents 178 to 118.
The Pick: Buccaneers (-1.5)
Cleveland Browns at Dallas Cowboys
No team elicits as much overreaction as the Cowboys. Last week, Jason Garrett's job was in jeopardy. But after a hapless win over the Eagles' B-squad, now the path to the NFC East title is clear. How about we get to .500 first?
The Pick: Browns (+7)
Green Bay Packers at Detroit Lions
Right now, the Packers are the second-best team in the NFC behind the Falcons. This is the first meeting between these teams since Ndamukong Suh's Thanksgiving Day stomp, after which I chronicled the history of violence of one of the dirtiest players in the league.
The Pick: Packers (-3)
Jacksonville Jaguars at Houston Texans
Even after they come out of this game 8-1, I don't see the Texans getting the No. 1 seed in the AFC. The Denver has a cakewalk of a schedule, while Houston still has to play the Lions, the Patriots, the Vikings, and the Colts twice.
The Pick: Texans (-14.5)
Cincinnati Bengals at Kansas City Chiefs
Their upset of the undefeated Packers was the highlight of the Chiefs' 2011 season, but it may have actually been a bad thing for the franchise overall. That spurred ownership to hire Romeo Crennel to a three-year contract. He may not last for one.
The Pick: Bengals (-3.5)
New York Jets at St. Louis Rams
Before this season, many Jet fans pointed out that Mark Sanchez's stats were similar to Eli Manning's in his first three years. However, amidst many struggles, the young Manning showed flashes of brilliance back then. Even when he was winning playoff games, I never saw the same from Sanchez.
The Pick: Rams (-3.5)
Philadelphia Eagles at Washington Redskins
I found it fitting to see Steve Mariucci stick up for Andy Reid on NFL Network last night. A spoiled 49ers franchise fired Mooch in 2002 for not being able to "win the big one." They didn't return to the playoffs until 2012. Be careful what you wish for, Philadelphia.
The Pick: Eagles (+3.5)
New Orleans Saints at Oakland Raiders
Even in victory, the Saints defense gives no hope for turning things around. They have yet to hold an opponent to under 400 yards of offense this season.
The Pick: Raiders (+5)
San Diego Chargers at Denver Broncos
The AFC West was decided in Week 6 on Monday Night Football, when Peyton Manning came back from a 24-0 deficit at halftime to shock the San Diego crowd. Consider this the 2012 Chargers' last stand.
The Pick: Chargers (+7)
Indianapolis Colts at New England Patriots
Reggie Wayne, Chandler Jones, and the Patriots running game were some of the matchups I focused on in my Pro Football Focus preview for this game. Andrew Luck will keep it close, but the Colts defense has too many holes to contain New England's attack.
The Pick: Colts (+8)
Baltimore Ravens at Pittsburgh Steelers
I highlighted the uninspiring play of Byron Leftwich in my weekly Next Man Up column. Baltimore's defense isn't strong this season, but they won't need to be to contain this backup.
The Pick: Ravens (-3.5)
Chicago Bears at San Francisco 49ers
Even with Alex Smith and Jay Cutler, I'm not sure either offense will have much success against these two defensive titans. If Jim Harbaugh's crew protects the football, as they so often do, then Jason Campbell won't muster enough of an attack to win this game.
The Pick: 49ers (N/A)
Follow me at @PFF_Pete.
Odds found here.
Image found here.
Colts defense can't stop new England's attack but you still pick the colts to win? Pats by 10.
ReplyDeleteDid you ignore the "Andrew Luck will keep it close," part of my sentence?
DeleteI did... Still think this game is no where near as close you think it is. The Patriots are playing better each week. Although last week was rough. I think this will be more akin to the St. Louis game than the Buffalo game.
DeletePatriots in a landslide
Pete,
ReplyDeleteI'm going to have to say that I agree with the homer... somewhat. Patriots win this one by a touchdown, but it should be an interesting and high scoring first half.
-McCarthy
And I'm going to have to to talk to my wife and figure out why my email account says Julie...
ReplyDeleteOther than the Patriots/Colts game... great picks!
Ha, thanks for reading Julie!
ReplyDeleteCan't blame anyone for picking the Pats, but this game has a weird feel to it. NE has kept some inferior teams(Jets, Bills, Cards, Seahawks) close this year
59 points...
Delete59
And... I hate it when the homers are right. I love the result, just hate it when someone with a 25 letter alphabet know's "it's gonna be a landslid of epic pra-pawtions"
ReplyDeleteHey, gotta give credit where it's due. Great job by the Patriots, I thought Luck could keep it close but he played a bad game. Now everyone can hand the ROY award back to RG3, until he has a bad game. Such is the overreaction of today's NFL.
ReplyDelete