Week 12 in the NFL (Part 2)

1 PM Games

Buffalo Bills (5-5, 2-2 on the road) at Jacksonville Jaguars (7-3, 3-2 at home)
Last Week: Buffalo lost to New England, 56-10; Jacksonville beat San Diego, 24-17.

Buffalo just didn't get taken to the woodshed last Sunday night. They got taken there, beaten with a 2 x 4, kicked, defecated on, and left for dead. Other than that, they held their own. The Jaguars aren't in the Patriots class, but they are still a playoff-caliber team. The Bills will again be without rookie running back Marshawn Lynch. Do you trust Buffalo quarterback JP Losman on the road? Me either.

Who will win: Jacksonville (12)

Houston Texans (5-5, 2-3 on the road) at Cleveland Browns (6-4, 4-1 at home)
Last Week: Houston beat New Orleans, 23-10; Cleveland beat Baltimore, 33-30.

Houston is still at least a year away from competing for a playoff spot, especially in the very competitive AFC South. They have a young and improving defense. The 2007 Texans are definitely not the laughingstock of the league, especially with star receiver Andre Johnson healthy again. The Browns have quite a collection of talent themselves, and are coming off a huge win in Baltimore. Without Houston running back Ahmad Green playing, Cleveland will be able to focus on stopping QB Matt Schaub and the passing game.

Who will win: Cleveland (7)

Oakland Raiders (2-8, 1-4 on the road) at Kansas City Chiefs (4-6, 2-3 at home)
Last Week: Oakland lost to Minnesota, 29-22; Kansas City lost to Indianapolis, 13-10.

The Patriots fan in me wants Oakland to win a few more games, which will help get the San Francisco 49ers a higher draft pick. Instead of the 49ers getting that pick, it will go to the Patriots to complete a trade made in last April's NFL Draft. Anyway, this won't be a week where Oakland takes on another win. Mainly because they suck, and KC is also due for a home win.

Who will win: Kansas City (10)

Seattle Seahawks (6-4, 1-3 on the road) at St Louis Rams (2-8, 0-4 at home)
Last Week: Seattle beat Chicago, 30-23; St Louis beat San Francisco, 13-9.

After the last two weeks, Seattle looks like they have re-established themselves as the clear cut favorite in the NFC West. The Seahawks are not an elite team by any measure, but the rest of the division is weak. The Rams have saved face with back-to-back wins. At least they won't go winless. I just can't see St Louis winning 3 games in a row, and Seattle is clicking right now.

Who will win: Seattle (11)

Minnesota Vikings (4-6, 1-4 on the road) at New York Giants (7-3, 3-2 at home)
Last Week: Minnesota beat Oakland, 29-22; New York beat Detroit, 16-10.

Minnesota's rookie sensation - running back Adrian Peterson - may return to action this week. He's by far the Vikings' best offensive player. Even if he does play, his team will have their hands full. The Giants have one of the better run defenses in football, and they also know how to get after the opposing quarterback: they lead the NFL with 34 sacks. If the Giants can stop the run early and often, that will mean Tavaris Jackson - the proud owner of a dreadful 55.5 Quarterback rating - will have to carry Minnesota. New York also has the home field advantage.

Who will win: New York (9)

Washington Redskins (5-5, 2-3 on the road) at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (6-4, 4-1 at home)
Last Week: Washington lost to Dallas, 28-23; Tampa Bay beat Atlanta, 31-7.

The 'Skins have lost in consecutive weeks, both to division opponents. On the plus side, QB Jason Campbell has looked very good. Unfortunately, their defense has looked very vulnerable, especially against the pass. Those three sentences comprise the "reverse compliment sandwich". Anyway, I think Washington should be able to squeak this game out. If they can stop Tampa wide receiver Joey Galloway from making big plays, they should be just fine.

Who will win: Washington (1)

New Orleans Saints (4-6, 2-3 on the road) at Carolina Panthers (4-6, 0-4 at home)
Last Week: New Orleans lost to Houston, 23-10; Carolina lost to Green Bay, 31-17.

This a match up of two teams that have had roller coaster seasons. New Orleans lost their first 4 games, won their next 4, and now have lost the last two weeks. Carolina has yet to win a home game. I just think the Panthers have the better defense, and they're playing in Carolina, where they are way over-due for a win.

Who will win: Carolina (2)

Tennessee Titans (6-4, 3-2 on the road) at Cincinnati Bengals (3-7, 2-3 at home)
Last week: Tennessee lost to Denver, 34-20; Cincinnati lost to Arizona, 35-27.

Tennessee got shredded last week by the Broncos, both by Denver's passing and rushing attack. They face a more talented offense this week with the Bengals. Unfortunately for Cincinnati, they have not been able to protect QB Carson Palmer long enough for him to hit his play-making-wide receivers Chad Johnson and T.J. Houshmandzadeh. With the potential return of Titans monster defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth, plus the stellar play of Kyle Vanden Bosch, this may not be the week Cincinnati has an explosion.

Who will win: Tennessee (5)

4 PM Games

San Francisco 49ers (2-8, 1-4 on the road) at Arizona Cardinals (5-5, 3-1 at home)
Last Week: San Francisco lost to St Louis, 13-9; Arizona beat Cincinnati, 35-27.

San Francisco has lost 8 straight games. What could possibly make someone think this is the week they snap that streak? I don't know either. The Cardinals are playing pretty well, and the division title is still within their grasp. If they want to capture the NFC West, they need to keep pace with Seattle by trouncing an awful opponent.

Who will win: Arizona (8)

Baltimore Ravens (4-6, 1-4 on the road) at San Diego Chargers (5-5, 4-1 at home)
Last Week: Baltimore lost to Cleveland, 33-30; San Diego lost to Jacksonville, 24-17.

Baltimore just seems to be a ticking time bomb right now. Coach Brian Billick doesn't have the answers; the defense is a shell of its former self; and the team is one loss away from assuring themselves they won't make the playoffs. Plus, Baltimore has been putrid on the road. San Diego is at a crossroads. The Chiefs and Raiders have fallen off the map, so it's between San Diego and Denver for the AFC West title. This is a game the Chargers need to win more than the Ravens.

Who will win: San Diego (3)

Denver Broncos (5-5, 2-2 on the road) at Chicago Bears (4-6, 1-3 at home)
Last Week: Denver beat Tennessee, 34-20; Chicago lost to Seattle, 30-23.

Broncos coach Mike Shanahan put together a great game plan last Monday night vs the Titans. It reiterated the fact that Denver is unbeatable if they build a double digit lead. A good running game will help take the load off of QB Jay Cutler, who looked masterful last week. The Bears have struggled stopping the run, as evidenced by them giving up 125 rushing yards per contest. Denver is in a battle for the division title, while the Bears are definitely the latest victim of a Super Bowl hangover.

Who will win: Denver (4)

Sunday Night Game

Philadelphia Eagles (5-5, 3-2 on the road) at New England Patriots (10-0, 4-0 at home)
Last Week: Philadelphia beat Miami, 17-7; New England beat Buffalo, 56-10.

Philadelphia is playing their best football of the season, and they still aren't all that impressive. To make matters worse, QB Donovan McNabb will sit this one out, meaning A.J. Feeley will start in his place. I don't think running back Brian Westbrook will be able to carry his team to a miraculous victory. The Patriots have outscored opponents by a total of 254 points through their first 10 games, meaning the average margin of victory is 25.4. Maybe that 22-point spread isn't so ridiculous after all.

Who will win: New England (16)

Monday Night Game

Miami Dolphins (0-10, 0-5 on the road) at Pittsburgh Steelers (7-3, 5-0 at home)
Last Week: Miami lost to Philadelphia, 17-7; Pittsburgh lost to New York Jets, 19-16.

The tragic number is 6 for Miami. They have 6 more games until they become the 2nd team ever to go winless, joining the 1976 Tampa Bay Buccaneers. At least the Bucs were only 0-14 that season, and they were an expansion team, so they had that excuse going for them. What's Miami's going to be if they can't get a win? Time will tell if they can avoid that embarrassment. For the time being, 0-11 is a near certainty, as Pittsburgh is one of the top 5 teams in football. Plus, they lost to a woeful Jets team last week, and they won't make it consecutive losses to two lousy teams. The Steelers have home field advantage for a prime time game. That factor can't be overlooked either.

Who will win: Pittsburgh (15)