Big games are the order of the day on Sunday /Monday with several teams fighting for their play off lives. A few more teams will all but eliminated by Tuesday morning.
New Orleans at Atlanta
If Atlanta lose this they are practically out and the Saints will just about sew up the No 1 seed with a win. So both have plenty of reason to play hard here. The problem for Atlanta is that Ryan, Turner and White are all questionable and without them they are not the same team. The Saints have showed some good battling qualities of late but have also been lucky as well and will this finally run out? This is hard to call but I will give the Saints the edge given Atlantas injury worries and expect them to win by 3-7 points.
Green Bay at Chicago
The Bears have been a major disapointment this year while The Packers have built on last seasons encouraging performances (they were arguably the best 6-10 team there has been in a long while). The Packers look play off bound and if they can sort out the Offensive line they could be the seasons surprise team. I expect a Packers win by 10 points +
NY Jets at Tampa Bay
The Jets started well but have been inconsistent, losing games they were expected to win. They are still just about in the AFC East title race and a win here would keep them well in the play off picture. Tampa will improve and wont roll over but I take the Jets to win by 7 points +
Miami at Jacksonville
At the start of the season I would never have expected this game to have any meaning – but here we are and its vital for both. The Jags could strengthen their play off position with the win, while Miami could still pip the Patriots in the AFC East. This is a tough one to call but I just think the Dolphins can take this one by a narrow margin. Prediction Miami by 3-7 points.
Detroit at Baltimore
The Ravens will win this one and in doing so keep their slim play off hopes alive. The Ravens have played well this year but keep losing the close games. Fortunately for them I dont expect this one to get close as Detroit are no where near the finished article team wise. Prediction Baltimore by 14 points +
Seattle at Houston
Houston are still suffering from inconsistency and injuries are not helping either. Still I expect them to be too good for the injury ravaged Seahawks who dont travel that well. The Texans to win by 10 points +
Denver at Indianapolis
Denver have proved a bit more resilient than last year and have a good chance of making the play offs now while Indy have practically sewn up the no 1 seed in the AFC. Now they will want to emulate the Patriots and go 16-0 and this is probably their last tough test. I get the feeling that Indy will lose one regular season game and I will make the bold prediction that it will be this one. I give the edge to the Broncos by 3-7 points just because they will want this one more.
Buffalo at Kansas City
Two teams who look destined for the wooden spoon in their respective divisions and now only have pride to play for. These games are notoriously hard to predict but I will give KC the edge as they are at home and have a good QB. The Chiefs to win by 3-7 points.
Cincinnati at Minnesota
Have the Vikings flattered to deceive – a string of wins against lesser teams and losses when they play a strong team. With their Pro Bowl line up they should be Super Bowl contenders and a win here will probably give them a 1st round bye so they will be up for this. The Bengals have now all but won the AFC North having swept the division and are arguably the surprise team of the season. Can they win at the Vikings and verify the AFC’s superiority over the NFC? I dont think so and take the Vikings to win this by 7-10 points.
Carolina at New England
The much heralded return of Tom Brady doesnt seem to have had the expected effect on the Patriots so far this year who at 7-5 are only a game clear in the AFC East and by no means certain of the Division title which they so painfully lost last year so missing out on the post season. They dont look as strong defensively and the offensive line seems weaker than expected, which leaves questions unanswered regarding their chances of regaining the Super Bowl. Carolina have been a big disapointment this year and with Jake Delhomme set to miss the game it is hard to make a case for them. I expect the Patriots to win this one and probably improve as the season progresses and still make a run for the Bowl – never write off the Patriots. New England to win by 7-10 points.
Washington at Oakland
Washington have been playing really well of late despite losing and like the Packers last year are a much better team than their record suggests. Oakland are possibly on the up too although they still have gaps all over the field which will take more than next seasons draft picks to fill. Anyway Washington should win this one easy enough by 7-10 points.
St. Louis at Tennessee
The Titans have staged a bit of a comeback following their disasterous start to the season and will be too strong for the still rebuilding Rams. I dont expect a walk over but the Titans should win by 10 points +
San Diego at Dallas
This is where Dallas’s season could come apart again as the Chargers are on a roll and look like making a run for the AFC championship game this season. I am not impressed by dallas despite their record and this will be a big test for them. I give the Chargers the edge here by 7 points +
Philadelphia at NY Giants
The Eagles are starting their late season run again and despite a good win by the Giants last week I expect the eagles to be too strong and win this one on their way to taking the NFC East title. Its Philly for me by 7-10 points.
Arizona at San Francisco
A great win by the Cardinals last week again showed that they seem to save their best performances for the big occasion. The 49ers have improved massively this year under Singleterry’s guidance but I expect Arizona to gain revenge for their opening day defeat by 7-10 points.