– NFL Preview –

Chargers-Raiders

• Can you believe Raiders players are of the opinion the Bolts are on a ‘skid’ and this is there chance for Oakland to snap this (0-9) start to the season and end a losing streak that covers 51-weeks dating back to last season?  San Diego gets pass rusher Melvin Ingram back, which helps Dwight Freeney; inside linebacker Manti Te’o will see some snaps, and maybe that triggers Donald Butler to play better; rookie Jerry Attaochu will be a down and distance rush guy, again, more speed on the edge to blitz….RB-Ryan Mathews holds the key to the Chargers ability to bounce back, if he can get them heavy duty carries and yards, of course, he is playing behind an offensive line that opened no holes the last three weeks.  The Raiders have the gifted rookie QB-Derek Carr, and a very good LB-Khalil Mack, but the rest of the team has played poorly.  The Raiders stats are hideous, ranked 32nd in offense, just (281Y) per game, 35% conversion rates on 3rd down.  The defense is 24th in the NFL, allowing 372-yards a game, and has injury problems in the secondary.  Philip Rivers bombs them, but it’s just another win against another bad team, which is about all San Diego has accomplished this season.  The real season starts in two weeks.

Eagles-Packers

• This will be a doozy.  Mark Sanchez has strung together two really good outings, though the Philly run game has been missing.  Aaron Rodgers is healthy, has a wide variety of receivers to throw to, and now has Eddie Lacy back pounding the ball.  Packers to win in close one that Chip Kelly will make interesting.

Seahawks-Chiefs

• If Seattle has been a stunning disappointment this season, the Chiefs have been a very strong surprise team.  This will be at Arrowhead and cold weather may slow both teams down.  So it comes down to Marshawn Lynch-Roy Turbin-vs-Jamal Charles-Knile Davis in a battle of cold weather running backs.  At home, I think the Chiefs do it in a very low scoring game.

Bengals-Saints

• Where is the big play ability of Drew Brees and his receivers?  What has happened to the Andy Dalton and the dangerous Bengals attack?  Indoors, it could be high scoring.  Pick the Saints, which means the Bengals playoff hopes are in trouble.

Lions-Arizona

• QB-Drew Stanton will have to guide the Cardinals the rest of the way if they are to secure home field advantage in the postseason.  The Lions defense can change games, and they will impose their will on the Big Red.  Matthew Stafford still does not have all his weapons on the field.  Arizona to win.

Patriots-Colts

• Andrew Luck is putting up great numbers.  So has Tom Brady, but this game is in Indy not in New England.  Bill Belicheck’s defense will really be tested by the package of pass catchers Luck will throw to.  Colts win it, might be a shootout indoors..

Vikings-Bears

• QB-Teddy Bridgewater has never worn gloves in a game, and this is in the Winter Vortex capital of the US this weekend, Soldier Field.  Who knows what the Bears emotional state will be considering the wreckage of a season we have seen so far.  Cold and Chicago gets the heat off Jay Cutler and Marc Trestman.  Bears win.

Falcons-Panthers

• Both teams are in trouble, both coaches could be in trouble.  Cam Newton does not look right at quarterback as injuries mount.  QB-Matt Ryan does not have much around him because of injuries.  In meaningless game, unless victories count to save coaches jobs, pick the Panthers.

Texans-Cleveland

• Some coaching job by Mike Pettine, who has his guys buying the system, playing hard, and making plays both sides of the ball.  The Texans have big names, but not great success yet under Bill O’Brien.  Hard to believe getting to Thanksgiving with the Browns in first place in the AFC-North.  They win.

49ers-Giants

• Who do you believe is in more hot water, Jim Harbaugh’s up and down team, or Tom Coughlin’s crew headed to a third straight non playoff season.  This should have been about Colin Kaeperneck-vs-Eli Manning, but both teams have been chewed up by injuries, coupled with distractions.  The Niners need to make a push to be a wildcard team, and they take a step by pushing the Giants further down the standings.

Broncos-Rams

• Teams are blitzing and banging around Peyton Manning early in games.  No problem, league rules say you have to play 4-quarters and he figures it out by the third possession or so.  Shaun Hill replaces turnover prone Austin Davis at Rams quarterback.  Doesn’t really matter.  St. Louis has a better team on their injury list than on the field.

Bucs-Redskins

• RGIII fighting to regain his leadership credibility vs a Bucs team that doesn’t seem to fight hard.  Lovie Smith’s blueprint is in the garbage can.  Nothing seems right with the Tampa franchise.  Of course we know nothing has been right for awhile with the Redskins, from owner to coach to players.  Somebody has to win, pick Washington.

Steelers-Titans

• No one knows what to expect from the Steelers, after a letdown loss to a lousy Jets team.  No one has any expectations now in Tennessee, until they fix the QB mess.  Pittsburgh pounds out a win.

– Thursday Night Football –

Miami-W-Buffalo (22-9)

• Dolphins defense puts a lid on Bills QB-Kyle Orton-holding Buffalo to just field goals…Miami gave up just 88-yards in 2nd half…QB-Ryan Tannehill (240P-2TD)…Bills self destructed with critical grounding call from end zone-led to safety…Bad pass inteference penalty on Miami scoring drive…Personal foul penalty touching official negated a big QB sack.

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