PFF: Giants-Falcons Week 15 Preview

In their past eight meetings, Eli Manning has targeted Asante Samuel 31 times, completing 15 of those passes for 22 yards, one touchdown, three interceptions, and a 43.4 passer rating. That's just one of the matchups to focus on when the Giants meet the Falcons on Sunday. Click here for my full preview: 

https://www.profootballfocus.com/blog/2012/12/14/3tfo-giants-falcons-week-15/

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My Week 15 Thursday Night Football Pick: Bengals at Eagles

There's a chance Geno Atkins takes this game over.

The Bengals could easily make this game a rout. They're the better team, they have more to play for, and they have the most lopsided individual matchup (Defensive Player of the Year candidate Geno Atkins going up against the battered Eagles offensive line). But the Eagles are home on a short week, they've been very competitive lately, and Nick Foles has improved tremendously since I called him the Worst Offensive Sub of Week 11. Cincinnati will win, but they'll have to sweat this one out.

The Pick: Eagles (+5)

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Odds found here.  

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PFF: Next Man Up, Week 14

Injuries are having an impact on the playoff races throughout the NFL. Here is my weekly breakdown of the subs who succeeded and flopped last week:

https://www.profootballfocus.com/blog/2012/12/13/next-man-up-week-14/

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PFF: Lions-Packers Week 14 Preview

The Lions have not won at Lambeau Field since George Bush Sr. was president. Here are three key matchups that could decide whether they end the drought:

https://www.profootballfocus.com/blog/2012/12/07/3tfo-lions-packers-week-14/

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Pete's Picks: NFL Week 14

For the second week straight, the best matchup is on Monday night. It's a Christmas miracle!

Four weeks left in the season, time to see what each team is made of. Probably my least creative intro ever.

Last week: 8-8
Regular season: 99-89-4

St. Louis Rams at Buffalo Bills

Danny Amendola and Stevie Johnson are both nicked up, so this game will be decided by the running backs. At this point of his career, Steven Jackson can't match Fred Jackson and C.J. Spiller.

The Pick: Bills (-3)

Atlanta Falcons at Carolina Panthers

Back in Week 4, the Panthers couldn't get the final two yards they needed to upset the Falcons in the Georgia Dome. Minutes later, Matt Ryan was telling them to get the f**k off his field. When an 11-1 team faces a 3-9 team with a spread this small, I'll take it.

The Pick: Falcons (-3.5)

Kansas City Chiefs at Cleveland Browns

The Browns have been sneaky competitive lately, going 4-3 after an 0-5 start. But only one of those victories has come by more than a six points.

The Pick: Chiefs (+6.5)

My Week 14 Thursday Night Football Pick: Broncos at Raiders

I don't see what Philip Wheeler, or his hair, can do to win tonight.

I'm trying to find reasons why the Raiders can win this game. Darren McFadden is coming back from injury. Philip Wheeler, my Best Budget Signing free agent of this year, is having a Pro Bowl-caliber season at strongside linebacker. Home teams get an advantage on Thursday nights from the quick turnaround. But in the end, this is Peyton Manning against a defense that gives up a league-worst 31.3 points per game. I'd be surprised if this game is still competitive in the fourth quarter.

The Pick: Broncos (-10)

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Odds found here
 
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PFF: Next Man Up, Week 13

How did injuries affect last week's NFL games? This editions of Next Man Up column is headlined by an Eagles offensive backup, but not the one you might expect:

https://www.profootballfocus.com/blog/2012/12/06/next-man-up-week-13/ 

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Pete's Picks: NFL Week 13

Finally, a game worthy of Monday night.

After years of averaging a 50% turnover rate in its playoff field, this may finally be the season that the NFL goes according to plan. In the AFC, the Saints and Lions are the only 2011 postseason teams that are longshots to return. The Falcons, 49ers, Giants, and Packers are all favorites to clinch playoff spots. The AFC is even more settled, with the Texans, Ravens, Broncos, and Patriots comfortably in position to repeat as division champions. If the Steelers fall out of the wild card spot, they'll probably be overtaken by the Bengals, yet another 2011 playoff team. For a change, the NFL may not be able to trumpet the parity horn this January.

Last week: 10-6
Regular season: 91-81-4

Jacksonville Jaguars at Buffalo Bills

I named Chad Henne my Best Offensive Sub in this week's Next Man Up after his second straight impressive game. His solid play could earn him the Jaguars' starting quarterback job in 2013, or at the very least hold off the awful Tim Tebow rumors for another few weeks. 

The Pick: Jaguars (+6)

Seattle Seahawks at Chicago Bears

This may be the last week we get to enjoy the best cornerback tandem in the league, Richard Sherman and Brandon Browner. I don't think they'll disappoint.

The Pick: Seahawks (+3.5)

Pro Football Focus: Next Man Up, Week 12

How did injuries affect last week's NFL games? This week's Next Man Up column highlights how the Jaguars may already have their next franchise quarterback, how the Ravens are surviving with a decimated defense, and how the Steelers and Packers are falling behind in the playoff race without two key playmakers. You can read the full article here:

https://www.profootballfocus.com/blog/2012/11/29/next-man-up-week-12/

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My Week 13 Thursday Night Football Pick: Saints at Falcons

Mike Nolan could be the best coaching hire of the offseason.

The Falcons are 10-1, which makes me happy because they were my Week 1 pick to win the NFC Championship game. I love what defensive coordinator Mike Nolan is doing there. I've broken down film from this year's Falcons team and last year's, and comparing former DC Brian Van Gorder's scheme to the changes that Nolan has installed is like going from checkers to chess.

However, the Falcons have been playing with fire a bit too much, going 7-1 in games decided by one score. The Saints are desperate and have won the last four games in this rivalry. This one again will be close, and I think this will be a rare time where a break doesn't go Atlanta's way.

The Pick: Saints (+3.5)

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Odds found here.