Week 16 Preview

 

Atlanta	-4	At Detroit	50.5

Was that a dominant win by the Falcons, or what? The 34-0 win over the Giants was one of Week 15’s statement games. They turned it on big-time and now sit in the driver’s seat in the NFC with two games remaining until the playoffs. This week, the Falcons travel to Detroit for a game that means absolutely nothing in the standings or the playoff race. The Lions lost to the dreadful Cardinals on the road last week. That has to be the nadir of their season, losing to a team that was beaten 58-0 the week before. The Falcons obviously want to maintain their edge heading into the playoffs and don’t want to have a letdown against a team that was humiliated last week.

Projected Final Score: Atlanta 27, Detroit 20

At Green Bay

-11.5

Tennessee

47

The Packers are in a similar boat as Atlanta, as they have punched their ticket to January football and want to stay sharp over the final two games. They dusted off the Bears last week and now want to get some of their regulars healthy for the playoffs. The Titans come calling after Monday night’s victory over the Jets. Neither team covered themselves in glory on Monday night, though the Titans were especially opportunistic with the turnovers the Jets handed them. This week really makes no difference in the NFC North race as the Packers are on a roll.

Projected Final Score: Green Bay 28, Tennessee 13

At Carolina

-8.5

Oakland

46

The good news for the Raiders is that they won at home last Sunday against Kansas City. The bad news is they have to make the long trek east to face a Panthers’ team that played very well in San Diego and is looking to finish strong after such an abysmal start. For the Raiders, there’s nothing left to play for as their awful year is now down to its final two games. Whether or not Coach Allen remains on the job remains to be seen. In Carolina, Coach Rivera and a lot of players/staff remain in the fight of their lives to remain gainfully employed. That’s simply a powerful motivator that the Raiders lack.

Projected Final Score: Carolina 24, Oakland 13

At Miami

-4.5

Buffalo

42

The Dolphins and Bills duke it out to determine who will finish last in the AFC East. The Bills started out ok, but the wheels fell off midseason and they’ve been in free fall ever since. Last week, they made their annual Toronto junket and were humiliated by Seattle 50-17. Now, they have to travel to South Florida where the weather may be inviting but not the hosts. This trip does not bode well for Buffalo. The Dolphins rolled over Jacksonville with ease and would like to finish off the year on a high note.

Projected Final Score: Miami 24, Buffalo 17

At Pittsburgh

-4

Cincinnati

43

This promises to be a very tough game. The Steelers lost to Dallas last week and are in desperate straits to find a way into the playoffs. Right now, their only way in appears to be by going through the Bengals. Cincinnati routed the Eagles last Thursday night and is, providing they win this week, in pretty good shape for punching their ticket to the playoffs. But these are the Bengals of whom we speak and know full well that they can morph into Bungles at the drop of a hat. Pittsburgh is going to pound the rock and hit very hard. They question is how well will the Bengals respond?

 Projected Final Score: Pittsburgh 27, Cincinnati 20

New England

-14.5

At Jacksonville

49

Trailing the 49’ers 31-3 late in the third quarter, Tom Brady and the Patriots mounted a furious comeback to tie the game only to fall short by a touchdown at the end. Up to that point, the Patriots had a miserable night, repeatedly turning over the ball and allowing Kaepernick to run them ragged. We picked the ‘Niners to win last week and took no solace but, going into the game, we saw the ‘Niners as the better team and our respect for them as a team only deepened by game’s end. This week, New England travels to North Florida and a date with the Jaguars. The only good thing going for the Jags is that their season will be over after next week. The came out flat in Miami last week and were flattened by the Dolphins. The Patriots must now get over this recent loss and move forward with an eye toward playing well in January.

Projected Final Score: New England 31, Jacksonville 13

Indianapolis

-6

At Kansas City

42

Last week’s defeat in Houston was another learning experience for Andrew Luck and they young and up in coming Indy squad. Not many people predicted that Indy would do as well as they’ve done this year. They rallied around Coach Pagano’s recovery and he has been the emotional focal point for the team. This week, they travel to KC to face the 2-12 Chiefs. This has been a lost year for the Chiefs, from injuries at the quarterback position to the Belcher incident. The season can’t end soon enough in Kansas City as this once-great franchise needs to rebuild from the ground up. Whether Coach Crennel and GM Pioli will be sticking around is probably unlikely. But there is a game to be played and Indy is fighting hard for a playoff shot, so that’ll be the story line heading into this otherwise meaningless game.

Projected Final Score: Indianapolis 24, Kansas City 10

At Dallas

-3

New Orleans

51.5

The Cowboys have worked their way into a three-way tie with the Giants and Washington atop the NFC East, which is quite a remarkable accomplishment considering that they’ve been decimated by injuries on the defensive side of the ball. Last week, they overtook the Steelers late in a thrilling game. This week’s challenge is no less as Drew Brees and the Saints’ explosive offense come to Big D. Last week, the Saints steamrolled Tampa Bay 41-0 and, despite all the chaos and dysfunction associated with Bountygate, would like to finish the year on a high note. If the Saints’ defense decides to show up and play as well as they did last week, this has the makings of a pretty good matchup.

Projected Final Score: Dallas 28, New Orleans 24

Washington

-4

At Philadelphia

44.5

RGIII sat out last week’s game at Cleveland and yet the ‘Skins had a very good win over the Browns. Kirk Cousins stepped into the breach and performed mightily. This week, they travel to Philly and Griffin is likely to play. The Redskins moved into a tie atop the NFC East and it’s “balls to the wall” from here on out. The Eagles are cooked. They put forth a representative effort for about a half last Thursday against Cincinnati before fading. While Coach Reid and Mike Vick may be history after next week, there’s no doubt that they’re looking to build around rookie Nick Foles. He’s shown enough spark that he should be given the reins moving forward. However, this is a game that the Redskins absolutely positively must have if they hope to make it to the tournament. A flat performance here may have them outside looking in come January.

Projected Final Score: Washington 23, Philadelphia 17

At Tampa Bay

-3

St. Louis

43.5

Speaking of coming out flat, the Rams laid an egg at home against Minnesota last week, allowing AP to run wild and deflating what could’ve been a nice end-of-season run. After that loss, it’s time to pack it in for yet another season of lackluster football in old Saint Lou. The Bucs have utterly collapsed in the closing weeks of the season, losing 41-0 to New Orleans in Week 15. The Rams have a chance to redeem themselves over the final two weeks and a win here would go a long way in setting up things for next year. The question here is whether there is any pride left with the Bucs or have they already called it a year?

Projected Final Score: St. Louis 23, Tampa Bay 21

NY Giants

-1.5

At Ravens

47.5

Last week’s 34-0 loss in Atlanta may have been the worst suffered by the Giants in Coach Coughlin’s tenure. What happened? This is the time of year when the G-Men establish their dominance heading into the tournament. It’s a question as to whether this loss damaged the team’s collective psyche as they have to face one of the hardest hitting defenses in football. The Ravens were skunked 34-17 by Peyton Manning and the Broncos last week and have been fading in recent weeks. So, this is a pivotal game for both teams. If the Ravens win, their faint playoff hopes remain alive and the Giants will be behind the eight-ball. If the Giants win, they’ll remain atop the NFC East and the Ravens can kiss their playoff chances goodbye. The Ravens, despite their injuries on defense, are a proud team and will certainly not roll over for Eli and the Giants.

Projected Final Score: Ravens 23, NY Giants 20

At Houston

-7.5

Minnesota

44

The only story line heading into this game is AP’s pursuit of Eric Dickerson’s single season rushing record. He’s about 200 yards shy with two games left and beating the record is eminently doable. The Texans maintained their #1 seed in the AFC and are basically using these final two games as tune-ups heading into the tournament. It’s not the case that they’ll come out with a half-hearted effort as they need to maintain consistency but they should have little or no difficulty knocking off what has become a one-dimensional offense. The Vikes are 8-6 (are fighting for their playoff lives) and are certainly no one’s patsies. But it is difficult to see them getting past the Texans this week.

Projected Final Score: Houston 28, Minnesota 20

At Denver

-13.5

Cleveland

44.5

You have to feel pretty bad for the Browns heading into this one as Peyton Manning has the Broncos’ offense hitting at full tilt and the team is a juggernaut heading into the playoffs. If the Browns couldn’t beat Washington minus their most dynamic player last week, how do you think they’re going to fare this week against a seemingly unstoppable offense? Last week, the Broncos simply overwhelmed the Ravens on the road and are now operating at peak efficiency. They’re now the #2 seed in the AFC and are fighting hard to obtain the first-week bye. There’s simply no way that the Browns can compete with that kind of firepower.

Projected Final Score: Denver 31, Cleveland 13

Chicago

-5.5

At Arizona

36.5

It can’t be that long ago when the Bears were 7-2 and playing like the new and improved Monsters of the Midway. They’ve won once over the last five weeks and have faded into irrelevance. Their only hope of getting into the tournament is to win out and get some help along the way. Fortunately for them, a trip to the desert may be just what the doctor ordered. The Cardinals rebounded from their humiliating 58-0 defeat two weeks ago to defeat the Lions 38-10, so maybe there’s some professional pride remaining with the Cards. But this week won’t be so easy as they’re facing a team staring at elimination. It goes without saying that the Bears have to play well.

Projected Final Score: Chicago 27, Arizona 14

San Francisco

-1

At Seattle

39

Everybody knows how formidable the 49’ers defense is. What was remarkable was the tremendous development of Colin Kaepernick as a starting quarterback. On Sunday night in Foxboro, he put on a show against the Patriots with his arm and legs as the ‘Niners’ offense rung up 41 points in a convincing win. This week, the ‘Niners stay on the road as they travel up the Coast to face a Seahawks team that has scored 108 points in their last two outings. The Seahawks have the top Wild Card slot at 9-5 and, while they can’t catch San Francisco for top spot in the NFC West, would love nothing better than to knock off their closest rival. To do this, the ‘Hawks defense needs to keep Kaepernick in check while Russell Wilson needs to continue his offensive dominance. This may be Week 16’s best game as both teams will show up willing to fight for every yard. The difference will be that Seattle’s twin towers at quarterback are suspended and that will allow Kaepernick to use the run and the pass with more efficiency.

Projected Final Score: San Francisco 23, Seattle 17

At NY Jets

-3

San Diego

40.5

There are only two weeks remaining for Coach Norv and A.J. Smith in the employ of the Chargers. This abomination of a season for San Diego is fast coming to a close and there will be sweeping changes in Paradise. Last week, the Chargers lost 31-7 at home to Cam Newton and the Panthers and that had to be the final straw for ownership. This week, the Chargers travel to the Meadowlands to face a Jets’ team that was absolutely dreadful on Monday night. Sanchez threw four picks and fumbled late in the game as the Jets were only 25 yards away from a potential game-winning touchdown. Coach Rex is playing coy about who will quarterback the team on Sunday. Does it really matter at this point? The Chargers came east a couple of weeks ago and thrashed the Steelers. Can they do it again this time?

Projected Final Score: San Diego 17, NY Jets 13