Not Another Predictions Column! Week Sixteen

NAPC! Week Sixteen


Dallas 12-2 @ Carolina 6-8

Two teams that are both coming off of surprise performances – the Dallas Cowboys and the Carolina Panthers. In Dallas, the Cowboys just dropped a surprise game to the Philadelphia Eagles, losing 10-6. Meanwhile, the Panthers pulled off a huge upset over the Seattle Seahawks primarily through the efforts of a stingy defense and rookie quarterback Matt Moore. Moore was efficient and effective as he passed for over 200 yards and completed 19 of 27 passes. Carolina will most likely be playing this game without the services of Julius Peppers at defensive end. However, since Peppers has been non-existent much of this season, that may not be that much of a problem. Third round pick Charles Johnson will likely see increased playing time with Peppers injured. Everyone this week is talking about whether or not Jessica Simpson attending the Dallas Cowboys game last week affected Tony Romo’s level of play. Whether or not it did, there are rumors that she will attend this game, and frankly, Carolina needs all the help they can get, so I hope she attends. As always, Carolina wins, keeping their playoff hopes alive.


Cleveland 9-5 @ Cincinnati 5-9

The lack of a defense definitely caught up with Cincy this year, as consistently they have lost games because their defense could not prevent opposing teams from scoring. The last time these two teams squared off, it resulted in an infamous 51-45 scoring bonanza in which Cleveland had the 51. Among the ridiculous statistics in that game was Jamal Lewis and his 216 rushing yards. Carson Palmer passed for six touchdowns, as well. The Browns’ defense is also suspect, but has been playing better then the Bengals’ unit. Last week the Browns won a snow bowl against Buffalo, defeating the Bills 8-0 in a blizzard. Conversely, the Bengals dropped a game to the Shaun Hill-led 49ers. Rookie corner Leon Hall of the Bengals leads all rookies with four interceptions, however. Cleveland is still fighting for their division title, so they will be fired up to defeat a division rival in the Bengals this week. Cleveland wins.

Kansas City 4-10 @ Detroit 6-8

Well, the Lions have fallen apart, people. They have lost six straight games after starting off the season 6-2. At one point in time ten wins looked like a certainty for the Kitna-led Lions, but it is apparent the Lions were merely pretenders, not contenders, this season. The Lions have been officially eliminated from the playoff race, as have the Chiefs, so both teams are mostly just playing for pride at the moment. Neither team has been able to run the ball effectively, consistently, this season. However, the Lions have been able to pass the ball much more proficiently then the Chiefs. Jared Allen made it to his first Pro Bowl with an 11-sack season for the Chiefs, greatly helping out their pass rush this year. The Chiefs should be able to put up a solid fight in this one, but the Lions will pull off a win.

Houston 7-7 @ Indianapolis 12-2

The Texans are still fighting for a .500 season, but facing the Colts is a daunting task. Indianapolis has not been quite as stunning as usual this year, but they are still winning games and still definitely a threat. Bob Sanders, the safety who is the heart and soul of the Indy D, will be a free agent after the season and Bill Polian will have to decide if Sanders is worth the price tag he will command in the open market. Mario Williams, the star defensive end for the Texans, was snubbed in the Pro Bowl voting this week. Despite leading the AFC in sacks with 13, he is not penciled in for a trip to Hawaii. Houston will fight hard in this game, but it will not be enough, as the Colts improve to 13 wins on the season.

Green Bay 12-2 @ Chicago 5-9

The reigning NFC Champion Chicago Bears will most definitely be finishing this season with a losing record, and a myriad of question marks at the quarterback position. Rex Grossman, Brian Griese, and Kyle Orton have all started at quarterback this season for the Bears. Frankly, Orton should just start the rest of the season for Chicago. By the way, if you have not heard, the Packers clinched a first-round bye with their win last week. Brett Favre is 97 yards away from throwing for 4000 yards this season. Last time these two teams met, the Bears spoiled my prediction that week and pulled off an upset of the Packers with a 34-yard touchdown strike to Desmond Clark – and the world wept. That was Brian Griese’s debut this season, and it filled the Bears with hope that this would not be a wasted season. Sorry, the honeymoon ended. I might give Orton a victory next week, but right now the Bears need to take some revenge from the Packers. Green Bay wins it.

New York Giants 9-5 @ Buffalo Bills 7-7

Despite dropping a game in a blizzard to Cleveland last week, the Bills are still fighting for a winning record. Rookie quarterback from Stanford, Trent Edwards, has been playing well and seems to have put incumbent J.P. Losman out of a job. This disappoints no one but J.P. Losman and Lee Evans, who typically enjoyed Losman’s constant attention. The Giants are starting to come loose around the seams, but should still be in the playoffs again. Whether or not that is enough to save Tom Coughlin’s job is unknown. Eli Manning is still the king of inconsistency and acts like it. These two teams do not play each other much – case in point, the last time these two teams played Drew Bledsoe was the starting quarterback for the Bills. This is a promising upset game selection, but the Giants should still have enough in the tank to defeat Buffalo, so I will roll with them.

Oakland 4-10 @ Jacksonville 10-4

Despite being snubbed for the Pro Bowl, Fred Taylor, part one of the Jaguars’ two-headed rushing attack, will still travel to Hawaii because of Willie Parker’s fractured fibula. Jacksonville is fighting to make the playoffs and needs to win games against teams like Oakland. Oakland, at this point in time, is only worrying about playing spoiler. Maurice Jones-Drew, part two of the Jaguars’ aforementioned rushing attack, may be the best thing to ever happen to Fred Taylor. Fred Taylor has now rushed for 1000+ yards in two consecutive seasons despite splitting time with Jones-Drew, and Taylor has four consecutive 100-yard games. Jacksonville will not have to do much in this game but run the ball – Oakland has trouble stopping the run. Jaguars win it, keeping them in the hunt for the playoffs.

WEEKLY UPSET GAME: Philadelphia 6-8 @ New Orleans 7-7

Carolina needs Philadelphia to continue winning this week and knock off the Saints in order for Carolina to remain in the hunt for the final playoff spot in the NFC. The Eagles pulled off a surprise upset last week of the Dallas Cowboys, and look to play spoiler this week. The Saints’ defense will have difficulty containing Brian Westbrook, who is on fire. By the way, I would like to tip my hat to Westbrook for stopping at the one-yard line against Dallas, thus assuring themselves of the victory. It was a great move by a great player. Donovan McNabb is still capable of managing a game, as he showed, but I am not sure that a game can be put squarely on his shoulders anymore. Reggie Bush is attempting to come back this season, but he is listed as questionable on the injury report. Philadelphia’s defense continues its stifling play and at least limits the Saints’ offense whilst the Philly offense scores just enough to win. Eagles win this week.

Tampa Bay 9-5 @ San Francisco 4-10

San Francsico has had Tampa Bay’s number in recent years, particularly at Monster Park. This would have been a tempting upset game choice, but it does not effect Carolina’s postseason chances, so why take the chance? Shaun Hill won his start against Cincinnati last week on the NFL Network, and now he gets a shot at the division-leading Buccaneers. He will have to dodge rookie defensive end Gaines Adams, who leads all rookies with six sacks. Earnest Graham, running back for the Bucs, is 123 yards away from cracking 1000 on the season. I will go out on a limb and say that he will get all of that this week against San Francisco en route to a Bucs’ win.

Atlanta 3-11 @ Arizona 6-8

What a year it has been for Arthur Blank and the Atlanta Falcons. If it were not Mike Vick killing a dog, DeAngelo Hall fighting with teammates, a coach abruptly leaving, or Bill Parcells turning Atlanta down, it was another. It has been a topsy-turvy three-win season for the Falcons, which should make for an interesting off-season. Marty Schottenheimer’s name has been leaked as someone the Falcons are interested in going after. Meanwhile, Arizona has had their own tumultous season, playing with the quarterback roulette wheel themselves. Kurt Warner has revived his career and has been playing well, for the most part, but is still plagued by the occasional game-losing mistake. Larry Fitzgerald was voted into the Pro Bowl this week – and there is no one more deserving of a Pro Bowl selection. Fitzgerald is one of the classiest players in the NFL and one of the best at what he does. All-Pro running back Edgerrin James got his 1000 yards last week, and now looks to pad his numbers a bit. He will, as Arizona wins at home this week.

Miami 1-13 @ New England 14-0

The Patriots are still in pursuit of that undefeated season, and in their way at the moment are the lowly Dolphins. The Dolphins did manage to avoid the ignominious distinction of a season in which they lost all their games by knocking off the Ravens in OT last week, but that was not for a lack of trying. Greg Camarillo and Cleo Lemon bailed the Dolphins out, though. Lemon hit Camarillo on a 63-yard touchdown strike in which Camarillo burned most of the eleven players on the field for the Ravens’ defense. Tom Brady is still five touchdown passes away from breaking Peyton Manning’s record, and only has two games left to do it in. You can bet he is working on it, and it is possible he breaks it in tomorrow’s action. Last week, however, the Patriots were busy demonstrating that they are capable of running the ball, which made the rest of the NFL shudder even more. The Dolphins will pull out all the stops in this game, but it will not be quite enough, as the Patriots will seek to embarrass them again. New England wins and improves to 15-0.

Baltimore 4-10 @ Seattle 9-5

The Seahawks dropped a shocker in Carolina last week, falling prey to a swarming defense and excellent offensive execution by Carolina’s new quarterback sensation Matt Moore. However, the Ravens did them one better by falling flat on their faces and losing to the Dolphins who had previously not won a game on the season. Seattle looks to regain face over Christmas weekend with their fans, who were shaking their heads at the apathetic performance turned out by Matt “We’re gonna win” Hasselbeck and Co. Rookie quarterback and former Heisman trophy winner Troy Smith will get the start for the Ravens this week, which must scare the Seahawks considering the last rookie quarterback they faced ripped through their secondary and made it look effortless. Look for the Seahawks’ defensive coordinator to remember to blitz this week, and if he does, it will make Troy Smith look like he did in his last college game. Seahawks win it and improve to 10 wins on the season.

New York Jets 3-11 @ Tennessee Titans 8-6

Well, Eric Mangini’s Jets are not making a playoff run this year, for sure. On the contrary, the Titans, led by Vince Young, are still in contention for a wildcard spot in the AFC. Vince Young threw two touchdown passes last week, both to Roydell Williams. Lendale White is 40 yards from 1000 on the season, and considering he is facing the 30th rush defense in the NFL this week AND is playing at home, he ought to be able to hit that milestone this week. Chad Pennington looks to be starting for the Jets this week, as Kellen Clemens hurt his ribs in the loss to the Patriots last week. Pennington has gotten a raw deal in New York in my opinion, and deserves to get a look elsewhere in the League. The Jets were a thought for upset game, but Tennessee is playing for their playoff lives. Titans win.

WEEKLY UPSET PART 2! (Sun. Night)Washington 7-7 @ Minnesota 8-6

Yep, you got it. Two upset game selections this week, because Carolina needs some help to make it to the playoffs, and I am giving it to them. Quarterback Todd Collins has kept the Redskins alive in the playoff hunt, and looks to continue keeping them alive by knocking off the Vikings, who are currently in possession of the final playoff spot in the NFC. The Redskins will have to contain Chester Taylor and Adrian Peterson, but if they can do that, they should not have much of a problem knocking the Vikings off. Travaris Jackson and the Vikings managed to knock off the Bears last week despite turning the ball over four times. Unfortunately, or rather, fortunately for Carolina, the winning streak ends this week. Washington knocks off the Vikings in surprising fashion on Sunday Night Football.

Denver 6-8 @ San Diego 9-5

The Broncos have been maddeningly inconsistent this season, and I have greatly disliked picking their football games. Meanwhile, their division rival, the Chargers, have also been maddeningly inconsistent, but at least it has been easier to deal with. LaDainian Tomlinson has rushed for over 1300 yards this season, though it has not felt like it after last year’s banner season. The Broncos are still holding on to the hope of a .500 season, but it is unlikely to happen. Rookie Selvin Young at the running back position has been awesome to watch, though. Is Michael Turner worth the first round pick teams were thinking of trading for him last year? He has only 53 touches this season for 5.0 yards per carry and only one touchdown. Antonio Gates has nearly double the receptions of the next closest guy on the team, Vincent Jackson. I guess we know whom Philip Rivers likes to throw to. Gates is 102 yards away from 1000 on the season. Look for Gates, Chris Chambers, and LaDainian Tomlinson to lead San Diego to a victory this week.

Last week I went 8-8 and am 143-84 overall. Merry Christmas to all my readers! Have a wonderful holiday, and GO CAROLINA!

By Robert "RingLeader" Gilbert

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