NFL Week 15 Preview:
At Minnesota -3 NY Jets 40.5
This almost appears as if it’s handicapper’s mistake. Surely, based on the Vikings impotent offense they would not be considered favorites to defeat a Division I-AA team. So they beat Detroit last week, so what? Granted, their run defense is very good. Bur since they play in the BaggieDome. Meanwhile, the Jets had a chance to make things tight in the AFC East last week and lost a toughie to Buffalo. But they still have a shot, and this time will squeak by.
Projected Final Score: NY Jets 23, Minnesota 21.
At Baltimore -11 Cleveland 33
Cleveland was utterly routed a week ago last Thursday against the Steelers, now they have to hit the road to face the surging Ravens. Good luck. The only question is can the Ravens cover?
Projected Final Score: Ravens 23, Cleveland 10.
At New England -11 Houston 37
In the past few weeks, the Patriots have played anything like championship contenders. Last week they were dreadful down in Miami and have an opportunity to redeem themselves against a team that is looking forward to next year. The Texans, while still a young squad, are nobody’s pushover. It will be a beautiful December day south of Boston, so weather won’t be an issue. Houston wants to continue playing consistent and close on a high note. On the other hand, this is a “statement game” for New England. They’ll most likely be without Maroney, Ben Watson and Vince Wilfork, but this is December everybody’s banged up and there are no excuses. The Patriots simply have to play well.
Projected Final Score: New England 24, Houston 14.
At Buffalo -1 Miami 34
Buffalo in December is usually pretty inhospitable. But the weather forecast is supposed to be downright balmy. The Buffalo went down to the Jersey swamp and took it to the Jets. They’re one tough football team. The Dolphins also played a terrific game last week. But what’s balmy for Buffalo is downright frigid for the Dolphins. J.P. Losman is still erratic and he will get some big time heat from Miami. Despite that pressure, the Bills will pull this one out by their whiskers.
Projected Final Score: Buffalo 19, Miami 17.
Pittsburgh -3 At Carolina 39
Both teams enter with razor-thin hopes of grabbing a wild card slot, slim odds indeed. In order for that to happen both teams have to win out and hope that at least two of their conference rivals collapse. Pittsburgh is going to do what it knows best: pound the football with Willie Parker. The key to this is whether “Rip Van Weinke” can put up the same sort of numbers as he did last week, minus the interceptions. At this stage of the season, anything can happen (and quite often does), yet there’s a certain comfort level in sticking with what works rather than the unknown.
Projected Final Score: Pittsburgh 24, Carolina 20.
At New Orleans -9.5 Washington 45
The Redskins season has long since passed the competitive phase and the clock is winding down until December 31st. The Saints had a tremendous win last week and are looking at grabbing the 1 seed in the NFC, so there are powerful reasons not to letdown. The 9 ½ is a little strong. Looking at the numbers the Saints are head and shoulders over Washington in every phase of the game except the running game. Right now the Saints are on a roll and it’s a wonderful thing for the team, and most especially for the town.
Projected Final Score: New Orleans 31, Washington 21.
Jacksonville -3.5 At Tennessee 41
In the last couple of weeks, the Titans have had two breathtaking wins and Vince Young appears to be the Real Deal. But the Jaguars defense presents a far more difficult challenge than Indy or Houston. After completely dominating Indy last week, look for Garrard & Co. to play a steady ball control game. But with Vince Young, one never can tell…
Projected Final Score: Jacksonville 24, Tennessee 17.
At Chicago -13.5 Tampa Bay 34
Are the Bears really worth a two touchdown gamble? Hey, Rex Grossman’s not the second coming of Sid Luckman. Then again, Lee Roy Selmon’s not going to be out there for the Bucs, either. Chicago will have a big hole in the middle of the D-Line on Sunday, but that shouldn’t stop them from having a big day. Even if the Bears only put five guys out there on defense, it probably would keep the Bucs from scoring two touchdowns.
Projected Final Score: Chicago 27, Tampa Bay 10.
At NY Giants -5.5 Philadelphia 43.5
This one could go either way, as there are playoff implications. The Giants will win, because Philly’s rush defense isn’t that good and the career of the Magnificent Tiki Barber is drawing nigh. The game itself ought to be hard fought, as it always is between these great rivals. In the end, the G-Men come out on top.
Projected Final Score: NY Giants 27, Philadelphia 20.
At Green Bay -5 Detroit 44
The Mighty Pack come to Detroit City on a roll, having upset the ‘Niners last week. It would be great seeing Brady Quinn wingin’ it under the tent next year. It may be that Kitna can throw the ball and hit on a few big plays, but in this Clash of The Also-Rans,
Green Bay is just a little better.
Projected Final Score: Green Bay 27, Detroit 20.
Denver -2.5 At Arizona 41.5
If this were Week 1, there would’ve been no doubt as to the winner and the line would not be this low. Matt Leinart has shown that he’s an NFL quarterback as the Cardinals have won their last three. And it also appears that the Broncos have inexplicably packed it in after the quarterback change. Maybe Arizona finds a way to win four (!) in a row.
Projected Final Score: Arizona 23, Denver 20.
At San Diego -8.5 Kansas City 46.5
After 14 Weeks, the Chargers are the best team in football, period. It’ll be a showdown of two of the best running backs in the game, LT vs. LJ. The Chiefs should’ve stuck with Huard after Green went down, as they haven’t played as well since Green was inserted back in the starting lineup. Even though they’re playing so well and at home, the line is troubling. This is a time when dominant football teams assert themselves.
Projected Final Score: San Diego 31, Kansas City 21.
At Oakland -2.5 St. Louis 38.5
There may be more of an audience tuned into Animal Planet than this week’s Kryptonite Special. This is really a bad game with no redeeming possibilities. What’s to forecast here? The Rams are coming off of a 42-27 pummeling while the Raid-uhs are coming off of a 27-10 thrashing. The Rams had one less day to prepare and they’re on the road. And even a broken clock can give the exact time twice a day…even though there is no statistical model that suggests that Oakland can prevail…
Guesstimated Final Score: Oakland 23, St. Louis 20.
At Minnesota -3 NY Jets 40.5
This almost appears as if it’s handicapper’s mistake. Surely, based on the Vikings impotent offense they would not be considered favorites to defeat a Division I-AA team. So they beat Detroit last week, so what? Granted, their run defense is very good. Bur since they play in the BaggieDome. Meanwhile, the Jets had a chance to make things tight in the AFC East last week and lost a toughie to Buffalo. But they still have a shot, and this time will squeak by.
Projected Final Score: NY Jets 23, Minnesota 21.
At Baltimore -11 Cleveland 33
Cleveland was utterly routed a week ago last Thursday against the Steelers, now they have to hit the road to face the surging Ravens. Good luck. The only question is can the Ravens cover?
Projected Final Score: Ravens 23, Cleveland 10.
At New England -11 Houston 37
In the past few weeks, the Patriots have played anything like championship contenders. Last week they were dreadful down in Miami and have an opportunity to redeem themselves against a team that is looking forward to next year. The Texans, while still a young squad, are nobody’s pushover. It will be a beautiful December day south of Boston, so weather won’t be an issue. Houston wants to continue playing consistent and close on a high note. On the other hand, this is a “statement game” for New England. They’ll most likely be without Maroney, Ben Watson and Vince Wilfork, but this is December everybody’s banged up and there are no excuses. The Patriots simply have to play well.
Projected Final Score: New England 24, Houston 14.
At Buffalo -1 Miami 34
Buffalo in December is usually pretty inhospitable. But the weather forecast is supposed to be downright balmy. The Buffalo went down to the Jersey swamp and took it to the Jets. They’re one tough football team. The Dolphins also played a terrific game last week. But what’s balmy for Buffalo is downright frigid for the Dolphins. J.P. Losman is still erratic and he will get some big time heat from Miami. Despite that pressure, the Bills will pull this one out by their whiskers.
Projected Final Score: Buffalo 19, Miami 17.
Pittsburgh -3 At Carolina 39
Both teams enter with razor-thin hopes of grabbing a wild card slot, slim odds indeed. In order for that to happen both teams have to win out and hope that at least two of their conference rivals collapse. Pittsburgh is going to do what it knows best: pound the football with Willie Parker. The key to this is whether “Rip Van Weinke” can put up the same sort of numbers as he did last week, minus the interceptions. At this stage of the season, anything can happen (and quite often does), yet there’s a certain comfort level in sticking with what works rather than the unknown.
Projected Final Score: Pittsburgh 24, Carolina 20.
At New Orleans -9.5 Washington 45
The Redskins season has long since passed the competitive phase and the clock is winding down until December 31st. The Saints had a tremendous win last week and are looking at grabbing the 1 seed in the NFC, so there are powerful reasons not to letdown. The 9 ½ is a little strong. Looking at the numbers the Saints are head and shoulders over Washington in every phase of the game except the running game. Right now the Saints are on a roll and it’s a wonderful thing for the team, and most especially for the town.
Projected Final Score: New Orleans 31, Washington 21.
Jacksonville -3.5 At Tennessee 41
In the last couple of weeks, the Titans have had two breathtaking wins and Vince Young appears to be the Real Deal. But the Jaguars defense presents a far more difficult challenge than Indy or Houston. After completely dominating Indy last week, look for Garrard & Co. to play a steady ball control game. But with Vince Young, one never can tell…
Projected Final Score: Jacksonville 24, Tennessee 17.
At Chicago -13.5 Tampa Bay 34
Are the Bears really worth a two touchdown gamble? Hey, Rex Grossman’s not the second coming of Sid Luckman. Then again, Lee Roy Selmon’s not going to be out there for the Bucs, either. Chicago will have a big hole in the middle of the D-Line on Sunday, but that shouldn’t stop them from having a big day. Even if the Bears only put five guys out there on defense, it probably would keep the Bucs from scoring two touchdowns.
Projected Final Score: Chicago 27, Tampa Bay 10.
At NY Giants -5.5 Philadelphia 43.5
This one could go either way, as there are playoff implications. The Giants will win, because Philly’s rush defense isn’t that good and the career of the Magnificent Tiki Barber is drawing nigh. The game itself ought to be hard fought, as it always is between these great rivals. In the end, the G-Men come out on top.
Projected Final Score: NY Giants 27, Philadelphia 20.
At Green Bay -5 Detroit 44
The Mighty Pack come to Detroit City on a roll, having upset the ‘Niners last week. It would be great seeing Brady Quinn wingin’ it under the tent next year. It may be that Kitna can throw the ball and hit on a few big plays, but in this Clash of The Also-Rans,
Green Bay is just a little better.
Projected Final Score: Green Bay 27, Detroit 20.
Denver -2.5 At Arizona 41.5
If this were Week 1, there would’ve been no doubt as to the winner and the line would not be this low. Matt Leinart has shown that he’s an NFL quarterback as the Cardinals have won their last three. And it also appears that the Broncos have inexplicably packed it in after the quarterback change. Maybe Arizona finds a way to win four (!) in a row.
Projected Final Score: Arizona 23, Denver 20.
At San Diego -8.5 Kansas City 46.5
After 14 Weeks, the Chargers are the best team in football, period. It’ll be a showdown of two of the best running backs in the game, LT vs. LJ. The Chiefs should’ve stuck with Huard after Green went down, as they haven’t played as well since Green was inserted back in the starting lineup. Even though they’re playing so well and at home, the line is troubling. This is a time when dominant football teams assert themselves.
Projected Final Score: San Diego 31, Kansas City 21.
At Oakland -2.5 St. Louis 38.5
There may be more of an audience tuned into Animal Planet than this week’s Kryptonite Special. This is really a bad game with no redeeming possibilities. What’s to forecast here? The Rams are coming off of a 42-27 pummeling while the Raid-uhs are coming off of a 27-10 thrashing. The Rams had one less day to prepare and they’re on the road. And even a broken clock can give the exact time twice a day…even though there is no statistical model that suggests that Oakland can prevail…
Guesstimated Final Score: Oakland 23, St. Louis 20.
posted by Richard | 10:45 AM
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