NFL Week 17 Predictions

NFL Week 17 Predictions

As week 17 approaches and the regular season ending, there isn't as much drama as one would hope for going into the last week of the season. The NFC is set in terms of teams and the AFC seems pretty steady on who's in and who's out, besides the last wild card spot, but other than that, there isn't that much drama for week 17. Yes, the seeding isn't set in stone, but that won't change too much or really matter because the better team is going to move on regardless of the outcome of week 17. Now for the key match-ups of the week.

1. Minnesota Vikings at Green Bay Packers

This a no-brainer as the top game of the week, hence why the NFL flexed this game to Sunday Night Football to conclude the regular season. This game is for all marbles, the NFC North division championship. After Green Bay's thrashing of the Vikings earlier this season, the Vikings will look to get revenge. Once again this game comes at the perfect time for the Vikings. The Vikings are coming off one the team's most dominant victories in franchise history, putting up 49 points (should have been 50, thanks Blair Walsh) against the Giants on Sunday Night Football, where usually the Vikings play horrible during prime-time games. On the other hand, Green Bay got absolutely rocked by the Arizona Cardinals in Arizona. Rodgers was sacked 8 times and the Cardinals dominated on both sides of the ball. That's a good sign for the Vikings, who were one play away from going to OT or winning against the Cardinals with a banged-up defense.

Like last time, this game came at a great opportunity for the Vikings and they blew it. I don't think Sunday's showdown will be quite as bad as their earlier meeting, but I think Green Bay will take this one and probably not have to face each other again next week in Green Bay for the Wild Card playoff pending a Seattle loss. I'm going go with the Packers by 6, 26-20.

The Seattle-Arizona game is a big game as well. The Cardinals already locked up the division, but this game is to stay in contention for a the #1 seed pending a Panther's loss, the Seahawks obtaining the #5 or #6 seed depending on the outcome, and straight up pride. Regardless if Carolina wins their game, I still think the Cardinals will go all out to beat the Seahawks to show who owns the NFC West division. The Seahawks will also want to win this game due to playoff position and momentum heading into the playoffs. Going in on a 2 game losing streak is not idea, even if they draw the Redskins as their wild card match-up. I think the Cards will take it and wrap up the #2 seed going into the playoffs red hot. 33-27 Cardinals.

The game that interests me 3rd most has to be the Jets at the Bills. The Jets are coming off a huge win over New England to keep their playoff dreams alive, thanks to the Steelers losing to the Ryan Mallet lead Ravens. The Bills are coming off a win as well, beating the Cowboys in a defensive stronghold 16-6. The Jets should win this game, but knowing it's against the Bills has to be a little frightening. Even if the Bills are beat up and don't have LeSean McCoy, Rex Ryan would love nothing more than to spoil his former team's playoff hopes. I'm calling the spoiler alert, Bills win by a FG, 20-17.

Here are the rest of my predictions:

WEEK	AWAY TEAM	HOME TEAM	MY PICK
17	Jets	@Bills	Bills
	Patriots	@Dolphins	Patriots
	Buccaneers	@Panthers	Panthers
	Saints	@Falcons	Falcons
	Ravens	@Bengals	Bengals
	Steelers	@Browns	Steelers
	Jaguars	@Texans	Texans
	Titans	@Colts	Colts
	Raiders	@Chiefs	Chiefs
	Redskins	@Cowboys	Redskins
	Eagles	@Giants	Giants
	Lions	@Bears	Bears
	Vikings	@Packers	Packers
	Chargers	@Broncos	Broncos
	Seahawks	@Cardinals	Cardinals
	Rams	@49ers	Rams

Follow me during the playoffs on Twitter @jpsweets and @basketballguy61. Also check out my Facebook page, so you never miss a post. Basketball Guy JP

NFL Week 16 Predictions

NFL Week 16 Predictions

The Vikings are still in contention to win the NFC North division. They need to beat the Giants and have the Packers lose to AZ this week, which is very possible. With a win, they clinch a playoff spot. For the fans sake, I hope Minnesota wins and Green Bay gets beat so we get a week 17 match-up for all the marbles.

Here is a link regarding the only way the Vikings don't make the playoffs (Vikings miss the playoffs?)

The Saints are so bad at defense, it's hard to watch. Their MNF blunder was a metaphor of their season. Time to restart and get a new coaching staff and maybe some defensive players that can play.

I can't believe the Redskins are going to make the playoffs. What a joke. RG3 must be embarrassed about his situation. I bet he lands either on the Eagles, Browns, 49ers, or Texans next season. Even a bigger joke is the whole NFC East and especially the Eagles. Fivethirtyeight (2015 NFL Predictions) still has the Eagles making the playoffs at 41%, but knowing how the Eagles' season has gone, they will lose to either the Redskins or Giants when they control their own playoff hopes if they win out.

For the rest of the week, there are some notable match-ups to keep an eye on.

My Top Games

1. Green Bay Packers at Arizona Cardinals

This game is huge for both teams. If AZ wins, they secure a bye in the first round of the playoffs. If GB wins this game and their next game against the Vikings, they would steal a first round bye pending another loss by the Cardinals in week 17 against the Seahawks. If AZ wins, I don't know how they would approach their week 17 match-up because it would mean nothing to them in playoff seeding, but for Seattle it would mean securing the #5 seed, pending a Green Bay win over the Vikings. With all those implications, I believe both teams will be playing at their highest level. Both teams could very well win this game, but I'm going to stick to Arizona  to continue their winning streak because of their stellar defense and high powered offense, which will be too much for the Packers defense. I'll take the Cardinals over the Packers, 33-27.

2. Cincinnati Bengals at Denver Broncos

Like the Green Bay vs Arizona game, this game has huge implications for home field advantage and a first round bye. This game has lost a lot of climatic perspective due to both starting QBs being injured, but the value of the game hasn't changed. After 2 losses in a row, I think this is the game Denver gets back on track and takes a lead in the race for the #2 seed. Denver's offense has still been pretty good without Manning, but their ability to finish games have haunted them. Broncos over the Bengals 27-23.

3. New England Patriots at New York Jets

This is a must win game for the Jets, unfortunately they play their archival and the best team in the AFC. This game is very important for the Patriots as well because I believe with a win they lock up the #1 seed, which would mean home field advantage throughout the playoffs. Vegas has the Patriots favored by a FG, but I say they win by a little more. 27-23, Pats seal home-field advantage and end the Jets' playoff hopes.

WEEK	AWAY TEAM	HOME TEAM	MY PICK
16	Chargers	@Raiders	Raiders
	Redskins	@Eagles	Redskins
	Patriots	@Jets	Patriots
	Texans	@Titans	Texans
	Browns	@Chiefs	Chiefs
	Colts	@Dolphins	Colts
	Jaguars	@Saints	Saints
	49ers	@Lions	Lions
	Cowboys	@Bills	Bills
	Bears	@Buccaneers	Bucs
	Panthers	@Falcons	Panthers
	Giants	@Vikings	Vikings
	Rams	@Seahawks	Seahawks
	Packers	@Cardinals	Cardinals
	Steelers	@Ravens	Steelers
	Bengals	@Broncos	Broncos

Follow me on twitter @basketballguy61 and @jpsweets

NFL Week 15 Predictions

NFL Week 15 Predictions

This week is full of terrible games. In my opinion, more than half of the games are meaningless, other than draft position. There are about 4 games worth tuning in to, in this order:

1. Broncos at Steelers: This is the only game this week where both teams' records are above .500. That is so sad. This should be a very entertaining game with some good story lines. Broncos are coming off a bad home loss against the Raiders. The Steelers are coming in hot and are at home. I think the Broncos are going to drop another game and lose to the red hot Steelers, who thrashed the Bengals in Cincinnati last week and have scored over 33 points in their last 2 games. Even with a good defense, the Broncos are going to have a problem with the Steelers' offense. Pittsburgh wins 30-24.

2. Cardinals at Eagles: The Cardinals just barely edged out the Minnesota Vikings last Thursday on sack-fumble. That puts the Cardinals in 2nd place in the NFC behind the still, undefeated Panther, who I will talk about next. This a huge game for both teams, implications different for both. The Eagles need to win if they want to stay alive in the NFC East and the Cardinals are looking to lock in the #2 seed and a first round playoff bye. The Eagles are on a 2 game win streak, beating the Patriots and Bills, but the Cardinals will end that streak with their potent offense and killer defense. I'll take the Cardinals over the Eagles 34-26.

3. Panthers at Giants: I like this game because I want Carolina's streak to continue, but the Giants shouldn't be taken lightly. The Giants are coming off a big win on Monday Night Football and need to win to keep their playoff hopes alive. Even though Carolina is essentially a lock at the #1 seed, I could see New York spoiling another perfect season. I'll still take the Panthers over the Giants in New York, 33-24.

4. Texans at Colts: This game lacks both 1st string starting QB's and both teams are competing for the division championship while under .500. Sad. I thought Houston was going to get on a roll and be the 6th seed. I was wrong. This is a pick em' game to me and just because the Colts seem like a slightly better team, I am going to go with Indy: 23-20.

Here are the rest of my picks:

WEEK	AWAY TEAM	HOME TEAM	MY PICK
15	Buccaneers	@Rams	Rams
	Jets	@Cowboys	Jets
	Bears	@Vikings	Vikings
	Falcons	@Jaguars	Jags
	Texans	@Colts	Colts
	Cardinals	@Eagles	Cardinals
	Panthers	@Giants	Panthers
	Titans	@Patriots	Patriots
	Bills	@Redskins	Bills
	Chiefs	@Ravens	Chiefs
	Browns	@Seahawks	Seahawks
	Packers	@Raiders	Packers
	Broncos	@Steelers	Steelers
	Dolphins	@Chargers	Dolphins
	Bengals	@49ers	Bengals
	Lions	@Saints	Saints

Make sure to follow me on twitter @jpsweets and @basketballguy61!

NFL Week 14 Predictions

NFL Week 14 Predictions

3 really good games this week:

Minnesota Vikings at Arizona Cardinals: Cardinals win

Pittsburgh Steelers at Cincinnati Bengals: Bengals win

Buffalo Bills at Philadelphia Eagles: Eagles win

WEEK	AWAY TEAM	HOME TEAM	MY PICK
14	Vikings	@Cardinals	Cardinals
	Bills	@Eagles	Eagles
	49ers	@Browns	49ers
	Lions	@Rams	Lions
	Saints	@Buccaneers	Buccaneers
	Titans	@Jets	Jets
	Steelers	@Bengals	Bengals
	Patriots	@Texans	Patriots
	Colts	@Jaguars	Colts
	Chargers	@Chiefs	Chiefs
	Redskins	@Bears	Bears
	Falcons	@Panthers	Panthers
	Raiders	@Broncos	Broncos
	Cowboys	@Packers	Packers
	Seahawks	@Ravens	Seahawks
	Giants	@Dolphins	Giants

Follow me on twitter @Jpsweets and @basketballguy61

NFL Week 13 Predictions

NFL Week 13 Predictions

A plethora of good and meaningful games this week.

Seattle Seahawks at Minnesota Vikings

This is by far the best game of the week. Both teams are coming off big wins and both are set on making the playoffs. Seattle has won their last 4/5, but all 4 wins were against far inferior opponents and their 1 loss was against their NFC West rival the AZ Cardinals. In hindsight, the games Seattle won, they should have won, and the one game against a legitimate team, they lost. That has been the trend for their whole season. Their only win against an opponent with a winning record at the time they played has been the Pittsburgh Steelers. With that stated, I don't believe the Seahawks are that good and hence they will lose on Sunday in Minnesota to the Vikings.

On the other side of the field, the Vikings have rolled everyone besides the Packers 2 weeks ago. They beat a struggling, but above .500 Atlanta team in Atlanta without their best safety, Harrison Smith. Adrian Peterson also had himself a day against the #1 rush defense. He had 158 yards and a dagger run to seal the deal that was awesome. This game will be no easy feat for the Vikings, but they are the better team and if they can play similar to how they played against Atlanta and basically every game since their loss to Denver, they will beat Seattle. I got the Vikings by a Blair Walsh field goal, 20-17. The Vikings will get their revenge from their 2013 meeting in Seattle, when Seattle demolished them 41-20, only allowing 65 yards to AP. That Seahawks team won the Super Bowl, this one will not. That Vikings team was led by Christian Ponder...Now the Vikings have Teddy. You do the math.

Here's a link to some experts' picks: Vikings vs Seahawks Expert Picks

Green Bay Packers at Detroit Lions

The Packers are looking to get back on the winning track after losing to Chicago on Thanksgiving and avenge their loss to Detroit earlier this year at Lambeau Field. I got the Packers by 10, 30-20.

New York Jets at New York Giants

The battle for New York. Both teams are so inconsistent it's hard to tell who will win. A lot of analysts have the Jets taking this one, but I have Eli and the Giants by a TD, 24-17.

Atlanta Falcons at Tampa Bay Buccaneers

After a string of wins, the Bucs lost their momentum by losing to the "Luck-less Colts." That's a tough pill to swallow after being on a good run. Luckily they can get back to .500 if they beat the free falling Falcons to stay in the playoff hunt. I say this is the game Matty Ice and the Falcons end their losing streak. Falcons by 4, 24-20.

Carolina Panthers at New Orleans Saints

After being held touchdown-less for the first time in a long, long time for the Saints, they get to face a division rival at home. Now, I am not saying the Saints will win, but this game will most definitely be on my upset alert. Still, the Panthers are too good to lose to a defenseless Saints team. Carolina by 13, 30-17.

Houston Texans at Buffalo Bills

This game is like the Vikings and Seahawks, meaning there is playoff implications on the line, but between inferior teams that are both going for the #6 seed. Houston has been smoking hot, while the Bills have been struggling, losing 2 straight. I think Rex Ryan's defensive plan against a QB-less Houston team will get them the win. Buffalo by 6, 26-20.

Indianapolis Colts at Pittsburgh Steelers

This game is hard to figure out because once again, Matt Hasselbeck has led the Colts to another victory, resulting in them being 4-0 when he is the starter. The Steelers lost a close one to Seattle in Seattle, due to some terrible defense in the 4th quarter and Big Ben getting knocked out with a concussion. Experts are picking the Steelers and so am I, but I would not be one bit surprised if the Colts won this one. Due to Pittsburgh going for 2 unexpectedly, this score is going to be weird. Steelers win 29-23.

WEEK	AWAY TEAM	HOME TEAM	MY PICK
13	Packers	@Lions	Packers
	Jets	@Giants	Giants
	Cardinals	@Rams	Cardinals
	Falcons	@Buccaneers	Falcons
	Panthers	@Saints	Panthers
	Seahawks	@Vikings	Vikings
	Texans	@Bills	Bills
	Ravens	@Dolphins	Dolphins
	Bengals	@Browns	Bengals
	Jaguars	@Titans	Jags
	49ers	@Bears	Bears
	Broncos	@Chargers	Broncos
	Chiefs	@Raiders	Chiefs
	Eagles	@Patriots	Patriots
	Colts	@Steelers	Steelers
	Cowboys	@Redskins	Redskins

Follow me on Twitter @jpsweets and @basketballguy61. I also have a Facebook page now. Like it and get all my post on your Facebook timeline as well. Thanks!