With about half an hour to go until week 15 gets underway let me get in some quick fire predictions for today's NFL games:
(8-5) Steelers vs Falcons (5-8)
The Falcons almost did the impossible in Lambeau Field when they were very close to pulling off a comeback against Aaron Rodgers and co from a double digit deficit but fell short at the end. With Julio Jones ruled out it will be hard to replicate the offensive clinic they put on in the 2nd half last week but with the NFC South still up for grabs and their opponents Pittsburgh also right in the mix of the fight for the AFC North title it makes today's games one of the most intriguing. Just because of the unpredictability of the NFL I fancy it to be high scoring with Big Ben and Bell leading the way for the Steelers but with the Falcons somehow pulling out a victory and young wideout Harry Douglas having a big game.
(3-10) Redskins vs Giants (4-9)
In one of the most irrelevant games of this NFL 2014 season the two bottom teams in the NFC East go head to head with just pride at stake. As we know Odell Beckham Jr has shown in recent weeks that he has what it takes to become a superstar in this league and I fancy him to tear apart this weak Washington defense which will pile pressure on the Redskins organisation that is facing many big decisions in this upcoming off-season.
(7-6) Dolphins vs Patriots (10-3)
The New England Patriots bounced back from a tough loss to Green Bay a fortnight ago to win a close encounter in San Diego last weekend on Sunday Night Football. Tom Brady and co will be fired up for today's game against Miami as they can win the division as well as clinch a playoff berth with a win today. With the Pats unbeaten at home this season and Tom Brady 11-0 against the Dolphins when he has started and finished a game at home against them all signs point to a New England victory. Personally I feel it could be tougher than many people expect but ultimately it will end in a Pats win.
(2-11) Raiders vs Chiefs (7-6)
The Oakland Raiders pulled off the shock of the season last week when they defeated the 49ers in the battle of the Bay Area last weekend and will look to cause another upset when they walk in to the cauldron that is ArrowHead Stadium. The Chiefs are brilliant at home and have the playoffs in their sights; with San Diego facing Denver this is the perfect weekend for Kansas City to stake their claim for a wildcard spot and given the fact that they were defeated when they faced Oakland last time out they will want to get some revenge when the two teams face off today.
(7-6) Texans vs Colts (9-4)
The Colts can end the race for the AFC South today with a win against divisional rivals Houston. Andrew Luck vs JJ Watt is a rivalry that will continue to dominate this matchup for years to come and last time out Watt almost led his team to a famous win against the Colts with an inspired defensive performance. The Colts won that game 33-28 and despite the Texans offensive woes I expect a similar close and hard fought game today but with Indianapolis at home I fancy the Colts to grab their 10th win of the year.
(8-4-1) Bengals vs Browns (7-6)
With the AFC North about as predictable as the outcome of the Second World War anything could happen in today's game between the Bengals and Browns. With Cincinnati on the road at 4-2 and Cleveland 4-3 at home it makes this game even tougher to determine but with Johnny Manziel making his first NFL start today as QB of the Browns I expect him and Josh Gordon to combine and make the difference to help complement a talented Browns defense giving them a win that will make AFC North even harder to predict for the final two weeks of the regular season.
(2-11) Jaguars vs Ravens (8-5)
98 times out of 100 the Jags are awful where the Ravens are one of the most consistent teams in football which means one outcome... Jacksonville wins! Okay just kidding Baltimore moves to 9-5.
(10-3) Packers vs Bills (7-6)
Green Bay goes up against a talented Buffalo defense but at the moment it seems impossible to stop this green bay wrecking ball that has racked up 5 straight wins and seen Aaron Rodgers cement himself as the best quarterback in football. Green Bay has been scoring points for fun and even if Buffalo make it tough at times the Packers will come out with the win as they look to secure a bye with home field advantage going in to the playoffs.
(2-11) Tampa Bay vs Panthers (4-8-1)
This game has all the makings to be a real car crash... Okay I could have done better there let me try again! This season has been a real car crash for these two teams and with the Panthers missing Cam Newton after his erm car crash it makes this game tough to predict. Thankfully for Carolina their defense has started to show shades of the 2013 class and took Drew Brees and co to town last week when the Panthers were rampant in their win over the Saints; Panthers win.
(2-11) Jets vs Titans (2-11)
Two 2-11 teams with nothing at stake besides maybe having the number one overall pick next year. Considering the Jets need a new QB more than the Titans as their new starter Zach Mettenberger has shown promising signs I'll go with Tennessee winning a close and uneventful meeting.
(10-3) Broncos vs Chargers (8-5)
The Denver Broncos decimated the Chargers last time the two teams met but with San Diego still holding on the prospects of a wild card spot it makes this divisional matchup one of the games of the day. The Broncos aerial attack wasn't at its best last week with Peyton Manning only throwing 20 times but with Manning and Rivers facing off today 9 times out of 10 that means it will be a shootout. Both of these teams have good units on both sides of the ball so time of possession and turnovers will be key to the outcome of the game. It will be one of the closest games of the day but in the regular season teams led by Peyton know how to get it done especially in divisional matchups and that is what makes me think that Denver will win to keep the pressure on New England in the race for the first seed.
(6-7) Vikings vs Lions (9-4)
Minnesota are looking to ruin their divisional rivals hopes of a playoff berth but this Lions team looks different to those in years gone by as they have the know how to win and now that their roster is getting healthy with key players returning to the mix Detroit will find a way to grab their tenth win of the season.
(7-6) 49ers vs Seahawks (9-4) and (9-4) Cowboys vs Eagles (9-4)
These two games are the biggest of the day with all 4 teams in the mix of the NFC playoff battle. The Niners will travel to Seattle as they attempt to do the unthinkable whilst the Cowboys will be looking to make amends for their Thanksgiving Day home defeat to the Eagles. I fancy Seattle to continue their dominant streak setting up a mouthwatering clash for the NFC West Title next week against Arizona and in the other game the Cowboys are 6-0 on the road whereas the Eagles are 6-1 at home so this game will be determined by the flip of a coin... I'm not going to do that but I am going to for a Dallas win. I do think that somehow they will defy the demons of years gone by and win the division to make the postseason.
