In under 12 hours the remaining week 15 games will kickoff as the NFL regular season approaches its climax. There are some big matchups and I am going to go out on a limb by predicted the results.
New York Giants vs Atlanta Falcons
The Giants at 8-5 have two divisional rivals only a game back on them whereas the Falcons are in the playoffs and look like they'll hold on to the first seed in the NFC ahead of the playoffs. Whatever happens it's safe to say this game will be close and it is hard to predict but it is this time of year when the Giants play their best football. With the protection the offensive line has given Eli Manning this season I fancy the Giants to get the win 27-24.
Denver Broncos vs Baltimore Ravens
Peyton Manning, like his younger brother, has a big game this Sunday as the Denver Broncos take on the Baltimore Ravens with both needing a win as they look to get a bye in to the divisional round of the playoffs. The Patriots and the Texans are the current favourites to get the top two seeds in the AFC though and I think a Baltimore win all but confirms that. A lot of people are starting to write them off but not all streaks can last forever so I think with head coach John Harbaugh demanding improvement the Ravens get the win in front of their fans to snap a two game losing streak and halt the Broncos express with a 28-27 win.
Green Bay Packers vs Chicago Bears
Game by game somehow this week the matchups get bigger and better... somehow! This game has big playoff ramifications though especially for the Bears as with a loss they could easily be missing out on the post-season which would be painful for a team which was being hyped up as Super Bowl contenders midway through the season. Jay Cutler's pass protection has gone and Brandon Marshall's Christmas tree analogy of Bear's season summed up things perfectly. Urlacher is still missing on defense but in a game between two intense rivals with the trash talking and a hostile Chicago crowd I think they win this one and go on to win the NFC North. Aaron Rodgers and co will put up a fight, they can put up high scoring numbers but the Packers lose this one 20-23.
Washington Redskins vs Cleveland Browns
A few weeks ago the Redskins were not in the playoff talk but RGIII and Washington have rallied back to get to 7-6. If they sweep their remaining three games they should almost certainly make the post-season and with the team already on a four game winning streak who's to say their hot run of form won't continue well maybe destiny does as Robert Griffin misses the game through injury. Kirk Cousins takes over at QB this week against the resurgent Browns who have won 3 in a row themselves, yes I said 3 in the row for the Browns. With this being one of the harder games to predict this week it's going to be close but I think Mike Shannahan knows how to inspire a team and I think that the Redskins win and use the ground a bit more in this one not that it's a bad thing when you have Alfred Morris carrying the ball. Washington 24-14 Cleveland.
Indianapolis Colts vs Houston Texans
This is easy to say but it is true and that is the fact that the Houston Texans either blow away the Colts by letting out their frustrations from an embarrassing Monday night loss to the Patriots or they crumble in what is a massive game.These teams meet again in a couple of weeks and if the Colts win their remaining three they would win the AFC South, meaning for me Andrew Luck wins league MVP but that's a whole different story. Whether the Colts fairytale can continue in this game is a tough call I mean they'll make the playoffs even I predicted them to get 9 wins at the start of the season which people laughed at but Andrew Luck is one exceptional talent. I think the rookie gets it done, Indie walk in to Reliant Stadium and get the win thanks to a Luck game winning drive with the score ending 31-28 to the Colts.
Jacksonville Jaguars vs Miami Dolphins
There's not much to say about this game apart from it doesn't mean much. The Jaguars are awful whereas the Dolphins may not see it now but it has been a relatively productive season for them. They are at home and will get the win to add to Jacksonville's mystery who won't care too much as it just furthers their case for a higher draft pick. Dolphins win 23-14.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs New Orleans Saints
I'm a Josh Freeman fan, I've said it on a few occasions but everyone knows regardless of the Saints record how hard it is to walk in to the Superdome and get a win. Drew Brees and New Orleans are hanging on to extremely thin playoff hopes plus it is a rivalry game so they'll be fired up anyway. The Saints get the win and end Tampa Bay's hopes of reaching the post-season meaning that neither of them reach it, this playoff picture is complicated and needs some clearing up which week 15 will bring us. Tampa Bay 30-34 New Orleans
Minnesota Vikings vs St. Louis Rams
The Vikings have been the surprise story of the NFC especially as it was suppose to division rivals the Detroit Lions as the young upcoming team. Minnesota posted a huge win over Chicago last week and Adrian Peterson continues to beast his way through teams as the MVP candidate and potential comeback player of the year hopes to make something special happen for the Vikings this season. Whether they can actually reach the playoffs is one hard question to answer but in the NFL anything is possible I mean ask the Rams because they tied with the 49ers! At 6-6-1 St. Louis shouldn't be underestimated but I think the Vikings take this one and get the road win by a score of 21-17.
Detroit Lions vs Arizona Cardinals
I like many had high hopes for the Detroit Lions. Matthew Stafford has all the qualities to be a very good NFL quarterback and Calvin Johnson is one of if not the best wide receiver in the league. Both teams are at 4-9 but Arizona have lost nine straight which makes Detroit's five defeats in a row look pretty. The Lions want Johnson to break Jerry Rice's record for most receiving yards in a season so expect Stafford to throw the ball and throw it to his main target but the obvious gameplan won't halt the Lions as they walk out with the 31-14 victory.
Seattle Seahawks vs Buffalo Bills
The Seahawks are on a roll and embarrassed Arizona last week in a 58-0 blowout. With them getting defensive players back one by one they are slowly putting the pieces back together on this team. Russell Wilson is also doing very well at quarterback and I think Seattle gets its third win in a row by beating the hapless Bills in a 30-17 victory in Toronto.
Carolina Panthers vs San Diego Chargers
One of the only games this week that doesn't serve any real purpose regarding this season sees the 4-9 Panthers take on the 5-8 Chargers. Both have a streak of one win, that technically isn't a streak right and both will just want to win but San Diego has a habit of beating themselves but not in the good way so I reckon Cam Newton and co get the win for Carolina 27-21.
Pittsburgh Steelers vs Dallas Cowboys
Two of the biggest and most historic NFL franchises go head to head this weekend when the Steelers take on the Cowboys. Both at 7-6 have their backs against the wall and need a win in order to have a shot at making the playoffs. The Bengals Thursday night win increased the pressure on Pittsburgh whilst the Cowboys need to keep the pressure on NFC East division leaders the Giants. The battle comes down to the two quarterbacks and who can get it done under pressure; Big Ben returns from injury for the Steelers to give them a major boost whilst Tony Romo looks to do what he always hopes to which is silence the critics. This win won't do that completely but yes I think Dallas get the win, am I buying in to them making the playoffs well no and even if they do they won't pull of an upset. Thankfully the home crowd will get the team going and they'll get the win in a very close one by a score of 28-27.
Kansas City Chiefs vs Oakland Raiders
The 2-11 Chiefs take on the 3-10 Raiders in an exciting game... Sarcasm yes Sheldon if you're reading this is but on a serious note I think both teams awfulness will set up a high scoring game which the Raiders win 40-24 providing Darren McFadden plays.
San Francisco 49ers vs New England Patriots
Sunday night football with cap off the perfect day of NFL action when the Niners travel to Gillette Stadium to take on the Patriots. It is the unstoppable force of Tom Brady and the Patriots offense vs the immovable object in the shape of this nasty San Francisco defense. New England tore apart the Texans on Monday night and have the capability to beat anyone with the momentum they have gathered which comes down to the huge improvement they had on defense with the team forcing a number of turnovers and leading that stat in the AFC. Colin Kaepernick starts at QB again for the 49ers but I think Jim Harbaugh has been over thinking this situation too much by trying to be too clever as he tries outsmart opponents. It will come back to bite the 49ers as they will eventually go back to Alex Smith but with his confidence being hit I think the Niners will miss out on the Super Bowl and start to point fingers at each other. Don't get me wrong this is a potential Super Bowl preview but if you had to choose one of these two teams to make it to New Orleans and represent their conference at this moment in time it would be the Patriots. Bill Belichick's team are the talk and envy of the NFL so I expect New England to put in another big performance and move to 22-0 on their second half of the season record which dates back to 2010. Final score 49ers 24-31 Patriots.
Thanks for taking the time out to read my article. It's 7.15am here so I have a valid excuse if this predicting goes wrong. Catch you all soon! P.S. Check the polls out.
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