This game really interests me because of each team’s improbable success. The Bengals somehow scratched and clawed their way to a playoff berth despite the fact that they play in the AFC North, which is arguably the best division in football. Andy Dalton has surprised everyone with his performance this year, and is one of the few major reasons the team is still in it. It should be noted that Cincinnati has beaten only one team with a winning record this entire season (Tennessee Titans, 9-7). This could be a problem for the Bengals, because the teams that usually make the playoffs tend to win more games than they lose. If Matt Schaub was still playing, I think this game could get ugly fast. The fact that T.J. Yates is taking the snaps makes this game a whole lot more difficult for the Texans. If Yates can keep playing well enough that he doesnt lose the game, then Foster and the Houston defense should be able to carry the team one more week. I just have a gut feeling that Yates falls back down to earth this week and the Texans come up short.
Prediction – CIN:24 HOU:20
Detroit Lions @ New Orleans Saints Saturday 8:00 PM:
This rematch of a week 13 game where New Orleans handled Detroit 31-17 is sure to be a barnburner. Drew Brees just put together one of the best seasons a quarterback has ever had, while Matthew Stafford went somewhat under the radar while throwing for over 5,000 yards and 41 TDs. The defensive units for both teams are less than dazzling, which only furthers the case that this game will probably break some scoreboards. The Saints have the best passing offense in the NFL, while also leading the league's 6th best rushing attack, and I believe the key for the Lions is slowing down this ground game. Detroit is among the worst in the NFL in both running the ball and stopping the run, and this matchup certainly doesn’t favor them. However, if the Lions can stop the Saints on the ground, they might be able to get more of a pass rush on Brees, change the outcome of this game, and maybe keep this dream season alive for another week. I don’t see this New Orleans offense being stopped this week, with or without Mark Ingram.
Prediction – NO: 38 DET: 27
Atlanta Falcons @ New York Giants Sunday 1:00 PM:
“Matty Ice” faces “Elite” Eli as the Falcons travel up to Metlife Stadium to face the Giants. The Giants have found their groove, sacking the Jets and Cowboys a combined 11 times in the last 2 weeks, leaving both Ryan brothers battered and beaten in their tracks. The Falcons are on a hot streak as well, winning 3 out of their last 4 games. The only loss during that span coming from the juggernaut Saints. That loss is not a bad one, but what really stands out about this Atlanta team is how they haven’t shown up for big games this whole year. They seem to roll over in front of good teams, letting capable quarterbacks ravage their defense. Almost every high-powered offense they have faced have put up big numbers, and Victor Cruz’s Giants are another one of those great offenses. I think the key to this game lies in New York’s defense, and its ability to contain Matt Ryan’s aerial assault while keeping Michael Turner grounded. Keeping a tab on Julio Jones and Roddy White is no easy task, but the way Fewell’s squad has been playing recently, anything is possible. If this recent defensive success is just a fluke, then this game will be a classic playoff shootout. I honestly believe that this is the real Giants defense; it just took some time for the pass rush to get healthy and Fewell’s system to work out the kinks. Giants win big.
Prediction – NYG:31 ATL:17
Pittsburgh Steelers @ Denver Broncos Sunday 4:30 PM:
The Steelers have the best pass defense in the league, the 6th best against the run, and they’re playing against Tim Tebow. Game, set, match, right? It would be if there weren’t so many other factors going into it. First off, Pittsburgh is going all the way to Mile High Stadium to play in what is sure to be a crazy atmosphere (Just imagine a Tebow playoff game). Speaking of atmosphere, Safety Ryan Clark is inactive due to a blood illness which doesn’t mix well with high altitude and might put another chink in the mighty Steelers armor to go with the hole at running back. The thing that concerns me most about the Steelers is the health of Big Ben’s ankle. He wasn’t healthy going into last week’s game against the Browns, and it showed. Even though his team came away with the victory, Roethlisberger didn’t look very sharp or comfortable throwing the ball. After the game, news broke that Ben suffered a “setback”, but is expected to play. Roethlisberger is probably the toughest QB in the league, but toughness only goes so far when it comes to serious injury. There’s no doubt in my mind that Ben is not going to be playing at one-hundred percent, and that could prove to be the game changer, especially with Denver’s ferocious pass-rushing combo of Dumerville and Miller. I don’t see either team putting up many points, with Tebow facing the best defense he has seen, and an injured Steelers offense going up against a very worthy opponent. It should be fun to see what happens with Tebow after Elway urged him to “pull the trigger” this week. Either it backfires and Tim loses another game for his squad, or Tebow Time finds a place in the post-season. Don’t shoot your eye out, kid.
Prediction – DEN:14 PIT:10
