Thursday, November 20, 2008

The Hail Mary - Week 12

The Washington Redskins head to Seattle on Sunday in what has to be their biggest game of the season so far. Win, and they still control their playoff destiny, lose and what was once a promising season will officially turn into a nightmare.

The other big story in this game is the return of Redskins coach Jim Zorn to Seattle where he played as a QB and was a QB's coach. Zorn can prove the Seahawks were foolish for not anointing him the heir to Mike Holmgren, instead of Jim Mora Jr.

Games That I Will Be Watching

Cincinnati (1-8-1) at Pittsburgh (7-3)

May not watch all of this one but it's NFL and it's on TV so it will gain some of my attention. I think the Bengals will keep this closer than people think, they have played hard the last few weeks. I expect the Steelers to sack Bengals QB Ryan Fitzpatrick at least 7 times.

Prediction: Pittsburgh 28, Cincinnati 20

New York Jets (7-3) at Tennessee (10-0)

The Jets, a year after finishing 4-12, now sit alone in first place in the AFC East. I am sure that has nothing to do with their new QB Brett Favre, right Favre haters? The Titans came back from a 11 point halftime deficit on the road against Jacksonville and did it behind the arm of QB Kerry Collins. This team is legit and will stay undefeated.

Prediction: Tennessee 23, New York Jets 20

Philadelphia (5-4-1) at Baltimore (6-4)

I will be checking in on this one between commercial breaks in the Jets/Titans game. The Eagles had an embarrassing tie with the Bengals, where QB Donovan McNabb played like crap and then sounded dumb as crap afterwards when he admitted he didn't know an NFL game could end in a tie. The Ravens were absolutely destroyed by the Giants, showing that while they are definitely better than last year, they still have a ways to go. These teams are pretty evenly matched, I give the edge to the Ravens because of the crowd at M & T Bank Stadium.

Prediction: Baltimore 19, Philadelphia 14

Washington (6-4) at Seattle (2-8)

The Seahawks got QB Matt Hasslebeck back but it wasn't enough for them to overcome the Cardinals. The Seahawks are the healthiest they have been all year and Washington can't expect this game to be a cake walk. The Redskins have proven to always play better with their backs against the wall, and they will do that here.

Prediction: Washington 24, Seattle 20

Indianapolis (6-4) at San Diego (4-6)

The Chargers will be playing for their season on Sunday Night Football. A loss and they can pretty much kiss their playoff hopes goodbye. The Colts are on a 3 game winning streak which has coincided with them getting healthy. I think the Chargers come up big when they need to and eke out a victory.

Prediction: San Diego 27, Indianapolis 24

Green Bay (5-5) at New Orleans (5-5)

Good Monday night game with major playoff implications for both teams. The Saints hope to have RB Reggie Bush back for this one. The Saints have proven they can beat the lousy teams but not the average to good teams, Pack take this one.

Prediction: Green Bay 33, New Orleans 26

Rest of Week 12

Houston (3-7) at Cleveland (4-6)

It's my sleeper team versus the media's sleeper team. Guess we were both wrong.

Prediction: Cleveland 22, Houston 14

San Francisco (3-7) at Dallas (6-4)

The best rivalry in the 90's has become meaningless to a new generation. I think the Niners can hang with the Boys, but unfortunately Dallas will prevail.

Prediction: Dallas 28, San Francisco 21

Tampa Bay (7-3) at Detroit (0-10)

Detroit will lose, setting up a 1st in NFL history on Thanksgiving. An 11-0 Titans team against an 0-11 Lions team.

Prediction: Tampa Bay 28, Detroit 13

Buffalo (5-5) at Kansas City (1-9)

The Chiefs have come so close to winning in recent weeks that they have to break through sometime right? The frauds from Buffalo are the perfect team for them to face.

Prediction: Kansas City 21, Buffalo 18

Chicago (5-5) at St. Louis (2-8)

So Marc Bulger, you and your teammates want Jim Haslett to remain the coach? How about you stop losing by 20+ points every week.

Prediction: Chicago 30, St. Louis 12

New England (6-4) at Miami (6-4)

The Dolphins made it way too interesting against the Raiders, which made me lean toward the Patriots initially. Then I remembered how awful the Patriots usually play in Miami. Go Dolphins.

Prediction: Miami 24, New England 23

Minnesota (5-5) at Jacksonville (4-6)

Two underachieving teams meet in this one. Minnesota isn't a good road team but the only thing that the Jaguars can somewhat do well is run the ball, you ain't running against the Vikings.

Prediction: Minnesota 19, Jacksonville 17

Oakland (2-8) at Denver (6-4)

Broncos WR Eddie Royal became an NFL and fantasy football star when these teams met in Week 1. He won't have DeAngelo Hall to embarrass this time, but it won't matter.

Prediction: Denver 28, Oakland 17

Carolina (8-2) at Atlanta (6-4)

If the Falcons want to keep any chance of winning the NFC South they have to win this game. The home team seems to rule in NFC South games.

Prediction: Atlanta 17, Carolina 13

New York Giants (9-1) at Arizona (7-3)

Arizona can potentially clinch the NFC West with a win. Their coronation will have to wait a week, Giants are road warriors.

Prediction: New York Giants 28, Arizona 21

Last Week: 12-3-1 (Yes Donovan, there are ties in picks too!)
Overall: 75-37-1

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