Here are previews and predictions for another riveting season in the league. Some excellent matchups this weekend as the teams start making their push for the postseason.
Last week: 5-3; Overall: 38-21 (64%)
Baltimore Ravens (4-5) @ Chicago Bears (5-4)
Soldier Field, Chicago (61,500)
1 PM ET/noon CT
CBS
Jim Nantz and Phil Simms
Weather: Strong storms possible, 63 @ kickoff, 80% rain chance, Wind SSW @ 26
Line: Bears by 3
Jay Cutler is on the shelf again, so the Bears will rely again on highly capable Josh McCown. He led the Bears to victory over the Packers on Monday Night football a couple of weeks ago. But this weather does not look like it’s going to help the quality of play by the offenses. Joe Flacco signed an offseason deal that pays him $20 million this year and signed a six year, $120 million dollar contract after the Super Bowl victory last season, which included a $29 million signing bonus. Wow. He struggled in week 10 in a key Ravens win over the Bengals, 20-17, throwing two touchdowns, but also had two interceptions and a lost fumble. It could be ugly in Chicago Sunday offensively. The Bears are without corner Charles Tillman and linebacker Lance Briggs, who are both out with injury. If you know who’s going to win this game, let me know. I’ll go with the Bears.
Bears 14, Ravens 10
Washington Redskins (3-6) @ Philadelphia Eagles (5-5)
Lincoln Financial Field, Philly (68,532)
1 PM ET/Noon CT
FOX
Kevin Burkhardt, John Lynch, EA
Weather: Few showers (30%), 64 @ kickoff, Wind SSE @ 10 MPH
Line: Eagles by 3 1/2
Chip Kelly’s done a good job in Philly. Classic rivalry. Eagles looking to get a leg up in the NFC East as everybody else is faltering, though the Giants are showing some life. Eagles’ qb Nick Foles, who has taken Michael Vick’s spot, has thrown for 10 TDs in the last two games and hasn’t thrown an interception all season. Foles threw seven TDs against duh Raiduhs two weeks ago. That’s impressive. Can RGIII and the Redskins get it back together? The Redskins have to have this game. I don’t think they’ll get it.
Eagles 35, Skins 28
Detroit Lions (6-3) @ Pittsburgh Steelers (3-6)
Heinz, Field, Pittsburgh, Pa. (65,050)
Time: 1 PM ET/ Noon CT
FOX
Thom Brennaman, Brian Billick and Laura Okmin
Weather: T-showers (60%), 60 degrees @ kickoff, wind S @ 15 MPH
Line: Lions by 2
Matthew Stafford is playing tremendous football right now and he’s got a stud in Calvin “Megatron” Johnson to throw to, and a line that has given up the fewest sacks in the league (10 times). I don’t see the somewhat dysfunctional Steelers knocking a hot Lions team off, even though it’s in the Steel City. Could be a lower scoring affair though with the weather.
Lions 24, Steelers 21
San Francisco 49ers (6-3) @ New Orleans Saints (7-2)
Mercedes-Benz Superdome, N’awlins (69,719)
Time: 4:25 PM ET/3:25 CT
FOX
Joe, Troy, Pam
Weather: Perfect, indoors, perfect for Breesy
Line: Saints by 3
Drew Brees completed 34-of-41 passes last week for 392 yards and four touchdowns against no interceptions in a 49-17 Saints victory over the Cowboys. Breesy had a passer rating of 139. Heady stuff there from Drew. Meanwhile Colin Kaepernick was 11-of-22 for 91 yards no touchdowns, an interception and a 42 passer rating against the Carolina Panthers, in a 10-9 San Francisco loss. The Saints defense isn’t as good as Carolina’s because Carolina’s is prolific. But the Saints are pretty darn good on defense under first year dc Rob Ryan. The Niners are a lot better on defense than the Cowboys, but I still see Breesy hooking up with Jimmy Graham and some of his talented receivers including stellar rookie Kenny Stills, and making some things happen in the passing game. Maybe Mark Ingram will step up big time and give the Saints what they need most; a potent running game. I see the Saints getting it done here. Sean Payton is back on the sidelines this year and that makes all the difference in the world to his football team. Terrific matchup of coaches in Payton vs Jim Harbaugh. Like Payton and Drew to get over the top in this one. Like Drew over Kaepernick, though Kaepernick does have Mario Manningham back which should help him, but Vernon Davis suffered a concussion last week, so not sure about his availability.
Saints 28, Niners 24
Green Bay Packers (5-4) @ New York Giants (3-6)
MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, Jersey (82,566)
4:25 PM ET/3:25 CT
FOX
Kenny Albert, Daryl “Moose” Johnston and Goose
Weather: 61, Cloudy, wind SSE @ 9 MPH
LIne: Giants by 5
Eli has gotten it together somewhat and so have the Giants as they have moved back into the NFC East hunt. Packers on their third option at quarterback in Scott Tolzien, who threw for 280 yards, a TD and two ints last week against the Eagles, a 27-13 loss. Tolzien is a pretty decent player, but I like the G-Men to get the job done at home and continue to sneak their way back into the race.
Giants 31, Pack 24
Kansas City Chiefs (9-0) @ Denver Broncos (8-1)
Sports Authority Field at Mile High, Denver (76,125)
8:30 PM ET/7:30 CT
NBC Sunday Night Football
Al, the great Cris Collinsworth, Michelle and Carrie
Weather: 39 @ kickoff, Clear, wind, NW 12 MPH
Line: Broncos by 8 1/2
It’s kind of surprising for an undefeated team to be this much of an underdog. But the record is kind of deceiving for the Chiefs because they haven’t beaten a team with a winning record. Still, they’ve got an excellent defense and lead the league in sacks with 36, so Peyton, who is banged up some, and his line better be on high alert. Also, Alex Smith is doing a great job running the offense and Jamaal Charles is an excellent running back. But I see the Broncos, with Jack Del Rio in charge in place of John Fox who is recovering from a heart condition, to be in good shape here. Peyton will step up and the Denver defense will step up. The Broncos don’t lose much really not anything with Del Rio in charge. He’s an established coach and an excellent defensive coordinator and leader. Not a total buyer of the Chiefs yet, but they do some things well like play defense and run it. But I think the Broncos are better.
Broncos 31, Chargers 21
Is it Monday Night yet?
New England Patriots (7-2) @ Carolina Panthers (6-3)
Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, NC (73,778)
8:30 PM ET/7:30 CT
ESPN, Monday Night Football
Mike Tirico, the Great Jon Gruden and Lisa Salters
Weather: 44 degrees @ kickoff, clear, wind, WNW @ 10 MPH
Line: Panthers by 2 1/2
Tom Brady threw for 432 yards, four TDs, no ints, and had a passer rating of 151.8 against the Steelers two weeks ago. That’s superb. Of course, you run out of superlatives when talking about Tom Terrific. His four TD, no interception performance against the Steelers was his 15th time in his career to do that tying him with Breesy for most in NFL history. Wow, is the NFL ever a quarterbacks’ game. This should be an excellent game because the Panthers can play some defense now. Cam didn’t do much great last week against the Niners, but has won five in a row and are very, very hot. Cam just needs to be the best he can be and let the defense try to figure out Brady. That’s a tall order particularly with Rob Gronkowski and Danny Amendola back catching passes for Brady, particularly Gronk. I’m going to go with the slight upset here and pick Brady and company to get it done in Charlotte over a good Carolina team. Not sold that Cam has arrived yet.
Patriots 28, Panthers 24