Week 14 Preview
So much happened in the world since I made my last preview, but I have to apologize for not being able to go into much detail in this piece about them--it’s finals week for me, but by next week I’ll be home and have much more time to discuss the events of the last few days. But just some initial thoughts: first of all, the ending to the Auburn-Alabama game is the best ending to a football game I’ve ever seen in my life. I was rooting for Auburn, and I was stunned watching that field goal get returned the length of the field. Since then, Auburn beat Missouri to win the SEC, and it looks like they will take on Florida State in the BCS National Championship Game. Next, a respectful RIP has to go out to Paul Walker and, of course, Nelson Mandela. Finally, I’m going to be talking about this more in the next couple of weeks, but I LOVE the moves made by the Yankees so far this offseason. They have brought in Brian McCann to give themselves their first good offensive catcher since Jorge left; they signed Jacoby Ellsbury away from the Red Sox, who, if healthy, could absolutely hit 20-25 home runs and steal 50 bases; they snatched up veteran Carlos Beltran, who can still play well, and more importantly, is GREAT in the postseason. Even bigger is what they lost: Curtis Granderson signed with the Mets, meaning that the Yanks will now have a .230 batting average and 200 strikeouts out of their lineup. But of course, the biggest news: Robinson Cano signing a 10-year, $240 million contract with the Seattle Mariners. Will Cano be difficult to replace? Obviously. But I’m glad he’s gone. This is another example of a poison contract that will not be worth the value. Cano is not a Yankee; he isn’t a leader, even though he has all the talent in the world. He doesn’t hustle, doesn’t live up to expectations, and can’t be the best player on a team. We saw this year with all the Yankees injured, Cano only had 27 homers and 107 RBIs. He only cares about money and being famous. He got his money, but now he is going to spend the next decade as an irrelevant underachiever in Seattle. The Mariners paid $240 million for a player who has never hit 35 home runs, never had 125 RBIs, and has won one batting title back in 2006. I’d absolutely rather have those other pieces collectively than Cano. The Yanks still need pitching, but as far as the offensive changes, I fully approve. Now, let’s finally get to the football games!
HOU vs JAC (+2.5) - Once again, the lines have gotten so ridiculous that instead of never picking the Jags again, it would be stupid not to take them! Once 0-8, Jacksonville is now 4-9 after winning on Thursday. But seriously Vegas...how were the Jaguars NOT favored in this game? I know they started the season historically bad, but the Texans had lost 10 games in a row. The Jags had won three games since the Texans won last, and that includes a road win IN HOUSTON! This was such an obvious result, and now the Texans have lost 11 in a row and have fired Gary Kubiak.
KC (-3.5) vs WAS - I mean I know the Chiefs have struggled, but that was against Philip Rivers and Peyton Manning twice. If they can’t beat Washington, then that 9-0 start will be meaningless. They will get back on track. Everything that could go wrong, has been going wrong for Washington. Kansas City 27, Washington 17
MIN (+6.5) vs BAL - This is a classic case of the Ravens winning a tight game in December to stay atop the race for the 6 seed, but they aren’t explosive enough to blow people out. Minnesota 20, Baltimore 23
CLE vs NE (-10.5) - I mean, come on. The Patriots, at home, in December? I loved rooting for the Browns this season, but it’s over. Just try to get the best draft picks possible. Cleveland 16, New England 34
OAK vs NYJ (-3) - The Jets are atrocious on offense, but they usually play better at home, and I think that against the Raiders, a bounce-back game might be in order. Remember, the J-E-T-S have beaten the Saints and Patriots at home this season. Oakland 17, New York 21
IND (+7) vs CIN - I’m taking the Colts to win outright, but I’m not making it a full upset alert because I do not trust them one bit. I just hate Cincinnati. However, this is an important game for both teams; the winner of this one is most likely going to win the AFC’s 3 seed, avoiding a first round matchup against the Chiefs. Indianapolis 23, Cincinnati 20
DET (+2.5) vs PHI - Just like the previous game, this contest has major implications for the 3 seed in the NFC. The Lions absolutely annihilated the Packers on Thanksgiving, and I think that they might have found something. This is a complete toss-up game, but I think the Lions will be able to move the ball better on the Eagles’ D than the other way around. Detroit 31, Philadelphia 24
MIA (+3.5) vs PIT - A big game in the AFC playoff picture for the final spot. Both teams have pretty good defenses and putrid offensive lines. I don’t really have any extra analysis for this one. Steelers win by three. Miami 17, Pittsburgh 20
BUF vs TB (-3) - I thought that the Bills might be able to make a late push for the playoffs if they won out, but they literally coughed up a shot at that by losing fumbles in the fourth quarter and overtime. Their season is over. Buffalo 17, Tampa Bay 24
ATL vs GB (-4) - I know that Thanksgiving was a complete embarrassment for the Pack, but they have extra rest, they are back at home, and Matt Flynn can play well against terrible defenses. A gut feeling for me, but I think that Green Bay stays in the race by winning by a touchdown. Atlanta 20, Green Bay 27
TEN vs DEN (-13.5) - Ryan Fitzpatrick vs Peyton Manning. Tennessee 17, Denver 41
STL (+5) vs ARI - The Rams can score 10 points one week and 42 the next, and give up those same numbers on defense. The Arizona Cardinals play extreme defense at home, but I don’t think the offense will be able to pull away. St. Louis 17, Arizona 20
NYG (+4) vs SD - I want the Giants to win. The Chargers are too inconsistent; how do you come up with a huge win against the Chiefs and then blow a winnable game at home against the Bengals??? Sickening. By the way, this is a really interesting scenario where these teams aren’t rivals, but the Charger fans hate Eli because he didn’t want to play in San Diego after they drafted him in 2004. New York 24, San Diego 21
SEA (+2.5) vs SF - The performance by the Seahawks last Monday Night against the Saints was absolutely terrifying. They are going to have home-field advantage throughout the playoffs, and no one can beat them up in the Pacific Northwest. They do everything the 49ers do better than them, and they might not lose again until the 2014 season. Seattle 27, San Francisco 19
CAR (+3.5) vs NO - What a Sunday Night matchup. Both teams are 9-3, and they play twice in the next three games. One of the unwritten rules of picking games is to never go against the Saints at home in a night game. But I love the Panthers and they are on an amazing ride. I think they win outright here, but they will peak in this game. No matter what, these two teams will split their two meetings, but I’m taking Carolina to continue their magical ride. Carolina 31, New Orleans 28
DAL vs CHI (+1.5) - Both of these teams are right in the thick of the playoff chase, and it’s amazing to me that the Cowboys are favored. This is the easiest pick of the entire week. It is a Monday Night game on the road in December for the Cowboys, against the very proud Chicago Bears, who can torch them threw the air. The Cowboys find a way to go 8-8 every year, and I’m shocked so many experts are picking them. They are 7-5 right now, and if there is one thing that is certain on this Earth, is that there is NO WAY that the Dallas Cowboys will be 8-5. They always regress back to .500 in the end. Dallas 20, Chicago 24
Lock of the Week: JAC (+2.5), CHI (+1.5)
Performance of the Week: Cam Newton (CAR)
Surprise of the Week: Panthers beat the Saints to take control of the NFC South!
No comments:
Post a Comment