Game Previews
Week 13
12/1/05

Final Score: Panthers 28, Falcons 20

Final Score: Dolphins 21, Bills 14

Cincinnati (+3) at Pittsburgh 1:00 p.m.
Big Ben in the gang ran into a buzzsaw in Indy last week. They pretty much got run over by a train called the “Colts Express”. They allowed Peyton an 80 yarder to Marvin right off the bat and were never really in the game after the stupid on-side kick at the start of the half. I think Cowher was an idiot for that one. They really needed to set a running, smash-mouth, tone and Indy proved they could do they same to Pittsburgh. They need to establish the run with Parker and Bettis and do what they do best. Control the game physically. They may pull it out against the Bengals but they have to get in order…quick.

Palmer was on fire last week against the Bengals however the defense was letting the Ravens run the ball too much for my taste. This should have been more of a blow-put but they kept letting the Ravens score and keep it semi-close. However this offense is a fantasy dream. Play on these players, as again this offense is top-notch against any defense. Again, I think they lose but barely.

Final Score: Steelers 27, Bengals 26

Dallas (+3) at N.Y. Giants 1:00 p.m.
The Pokes blew another golden opportunity as they really played a better game than the Broncos on Thanksgiving. But as usual this young team has a problem-putting people away. The interception for a TD was killer and made them travel up-hill all day. They put up good offensive numbers against a great Broncs D. But losing is losing and they got a gift from the Jay Feely and the Giants and need this one to really put them ahead in the division. A win in Gotham would put them essentially two games ahead. Play Bledsoe, Jones, Whitten, Johnson, and Glenn

The Giants gagged one away in the land of microchips last Sunday. Jay Feely looked stunned as he missed three field goals that would have won the game. The Giants have a little bit of the Pokes in them as they find ways to lose not win sometimes. You gotta like this D at home and they will force some mistakes. However I think they will give up some points to even the score. I look at this as I like the Pokes D vs the Giants offense more than the Giants D against the Pokes offense. Matter of taste.

Final Score: Pokes 30, Giants 26

Green Bay at Chicago (-7) 1:00 p.m.
No brainer here as the Bears might not let the Packers score on Sunday. This defense is ridiculous and they keep finding new way to win games and shut opponents down. It was a close shave for them last week and it came down to a field goal but they seem to be a team of dynasty and they are plain devastating at home. Look for them to run the ball like they stole something.

It is sad the see the state of events down in Lombardi land. The Packers were not in the game at all last week and Brett Favre was barely over 100 yards passing. It is just not going to get any better this year as Gado came back to form and ran the ball well. I just think they do not have the firepower to beat the Bears and Favre will need more protection than he will get to wait for has receivers to get open. Hence the fact he will be eating turf for most of the day.

Final Score: Bears 21, Packers 6

Houston (+8) at Baltimore 1:00 p.m.
Even with the Texans at 1-10, Dom Capers’ job is still apparently safe, and Baltimore head coach Brian Billick is ready to pull his hair out with all the problems the Ravens have dealt with this year — crappy coaching not withstanding. The Texans have little to get excited about other than Andre Johnson once again emerging as a serious threat to opposing defenses. But since the Ravens still have the seventh-ranked defense in the league, I can’t recommend starting anyone but Johnson. The Ravens should be able to procure decent performances from Jamal Lewis and Derrick Mason, who is so due he’s being sent on fly patterns by collection agencies. And yes, if there was any week to start Kyle Boller, this would be the week.

Final Score: Ravens 23, Texans 13

Jacksonville (-3) at Cleveland 1:00 p.m.
With the season ending injury to Byron Leftwich, the Jags turn to capable backup David Garrard, who runs like the Dickens but passes like Carl Pickens. The Jaguars, at 8-3, have won four in a row and are in position to snag one of the two AFC wild-card spots. With Garrard at the reins, it’s going to be a challenge, since the 4th year man from East Carolina has just a career 67.9 QB rating. This week, however, he should be able to dispatch the Browns and throw a TD to Jimmy Smith. Keep an eye on the RB situation, as Fred Taylor is probable for Sunday, but Greg Jones has proven capable of assuming the starting role. The Browns kept Trent Dilfer out of practice Wednesday because of tendonitis and an undisclosed problem in his right knee, and although boy wonder Charlie Frye has been practicing with the starters, Romeo Crennel hasn’t yet declared the local favorite (Frye went to Akron) the starter yet. For now, Droughns is the only safe choice for Cleveland.

Final Score: Jaguars 24, Browns 17

Minnesota (-3) at Detroit 1:00 p.m.
The Vikings are back, and judging from the way the Falcons tore up the Lions on Thanksgiving, they should get yet another win this week. Go ahead and start Brad Johnson, Marcus Robinson, Jermaine Wiggins and Mewelde Moore. Travis Taylor is also an option, but the three TDs thrown to Robinson last week have made it clear who Johnson is looking for. The Lions only score last week came from that ridiculous tip drill when WR Roy Williams came down with the ball. Williams is probably the only guy you want starting again this week, although Kevin Jones is still a possibility.

Final Score: Vikings 30, Lions 17

Tampa Bay (-3.5) at New Orleans (Baton Rouge, LA) 1:00 pm
Trap game alert! While everything points to the Buccaneers this week in Baton Rouge, I have a sneaking suspicion the Saints are not just going to roll over and die for Tampa Bay. The Bucs will get good games from Chris Simms, Cadillac and Joey Galloway, whose career has seen a resurgence in Tampa. At 7-4, the Bucs are in second place in the NFC South and are poised for a wild card spot. The remaining schedule is a tough one, with games in Carolina and New England, so this is a must-win. The Saints come off a big win versus the Jets that they needed for posterity, among other invaluable, self-actualizing personal victories. Their best chance against Tampa is to cut down on turnovers and win a low-scoring battle. Aaron Brooks, Antowain Smith and Joe Horn are feasible options with little hope of really blowing up for multiple scores.

Final Score: Bucs 20, Saints 13

Tennessee (+16) at Indianapolis 1:00 p.m.
I know, I know — there’s no such thing as a sure thing. And given the past history of undefeated teams hoping to glide past crappy teams with easy victories, there’s the possibility of an upset. But let’s get real. The Titans have virtually no shot of supplying the offensive firepower to compete with the Indy juggernaut. Steve McNair looked good last week and may compile good numbers in garbage time, but don’t look for these guys to put a one in the Colts loss column. The Colts have the usual suspects as legitimate fantasy options each week, and everybody knows who they are.

Final Score: Colts 37, Titans 17

Denver (-1) at Kansas City 4:15 p.m.
The Broncos were lucky to get a win in Dallas on Thursday, and anyone had told me Ron Dayne was going to bust a huge run in OT to seal the Denver victory, I would have told him he was in a tryptophan-induced haze. But win KC on the docket, they’ll be hard pressed to win the same type of game. Start Plummer, Anderson, Rod Smith and Jeb Putzier. The Chiefs looked solid against the Pats last week, and I really believe they need to play the same type of game against the Broncos — forcing Plummer into mistakes through pocket pressure and capitalizing on turnovers. Go with Green, Johnson, Kennison and Gonzalez.

Final Score: Chiefs 27, Broncos 24

N.Y. Jets (-10) at New England 4:15 p.m.
No way Gang Green comes away win a win in Foxboro, although there’s a chance they’ll cover. The Jets have more personnel problems than the White House right now, and there’s really no respite in sight. I think it’s okay to play Curtis Martin and Lavernues Coles, but I wouldn’t extend that to the team’s other offensive starters. The Pats will be looking to get back into the playoff hunt with a win, and Brady, Heath Evans, Branch and Watson are the best options. I smell a blowout, but that could just be the Jets rotting away in the AFC East basement.

Final Score: Pats 30, Jets 13

Arizona (-3) at San Francisco 4:05 p.m.
Arizona is looking better. Warner again had a good game and Boldin is a must-start every week. Both he and Fitz are getting a lot of looks and will be good plays for the rest of the year. The running game still sucks but it showed signs of life. I think they should just go with the kid Arrington and see what he can do for the rest of the year. They lost their cool a little against the Jags and had a good chance to win if they had not. But that is what Green needs to work on with this team that is still very young. They should beat the 9ers with no problem.

The 9ers are better at home than on the road but they will not be able to stop that offense. If they don’t find a way to pressure Warner he will throw for 400 on them. They need to try and run the ball better and keep that clock rolling but I doubt it will happen. 9er fans need to look to next year and hope coach Nolan can put it all together.

Final Score: Zona 35, 49ers 24

Washington (-3) at St. Louis 4:05 p.m.
Well it looks like we have found another QB in St. Louis. Must be the system right? Ryan Fitzpatrick threw for over 300 yards in the St. Louis win last week. He found Holt and Bruce on numerous occasions and played well. Don’t look for a repeat performance this week. The Skins D will have none of that and will put some mayor pressure on the youngster. Look for another leaky offensive line issue and a lot of ice.

The Skins are not looking good, as they have lost three in a row. They lost a heartbreaker against the LT train Chargers and just couldn’t stop the great one. Giving up 180 yards to him including the winning 40-yard score in overtime. They have to get this game if they want to stay in the race for a playoff spot. This is the perfect time to get the Rams as they as in the midst of a QB change. Looks for some motivation and the offense to run the ball with Portis and set up Brunell with plenty of play action passes.

Final Score: Skins 27, Rams 17

Oakland (+11) at San Diego 8:30 p.m.
Here’s a role that Oakland gets into — spoiler. For the past few years, Oakland has won late-season games against division rivals looking to lock up playoff spots, and this Sunday night will be a great chance to continue that trend. The Raiders, however, don’t have any way of stopping LT, Gates or Brees, who will most definitely put together one of the big-number bonanzas that they’ve become famous for. On offense, however, they might get good performances from Collins, Jordan and Moss, who is probable. The Chargers best options include the obvious triumvirate, along with Keenan McCardell, who has racked up seven TDs this year. Don’t overthink this one, since LT has a history of slamming the Silver and Black.

Final Score: Chargers 38, Raiders 24

Seattle (-4) at Philadelphia 9:00 p.m
I would like to see Philly win, as I like Mike M at QB. But they just don’t have the guns to stay with the charmed Seahawks. The defense will eventually wear down and let Alexander go crazy. The Seahawks have an underrated defense and will be licking it’s chops against McMahon and loading up to stop Westbrook who is really the only weapon the Eagles have right now.

As mentioned above the Seahawks were the beneficiaries of the choke job by the Giants. They are on their way to wrapping up home field and need to keep winning to keep ahead of the Bears. They will look to run Alexander and control the clock and pressure the Eagles offense into making mistakes. Ray Rhodes lives for this kind of stuff and their defense will be a good play this week.

Final Score: Seahawks 30, Eagles 17