San Diego Chargers @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The Chargers snapped a month-long winless streak last weak against the hapless Chiefs, while the Bucs only loss in that time frame was due to a big comeback by the New Orleans Saints. Tampa Bay's defense is #1 in rush yards per game, but dead last against the pass, which is an area that Philip Rivers will need to capitalize on. Tampa's Doug Martin has propelled himself into the Rookie of the Year race, as he's rushed for a combined 386 yards and five touchdowns in the past two games, yet could find the sledding tough against a strong Chargers run defense.
Prediction: Buccaneers 27, Chargers 20.
Detroit Lions @ Minnesota Vikings
The Lions have won three of their past four games, while the Vikings have dropped three in that same time frame. With Percy Harvin doubtful, the offensive workload will fall almost squarely on Adrian Peterson against a Detroit defense that has allowed just two rushing touchdowns all season. For the Lions, they'll need to make sure that they keep Matthew Stafford upright against a pass rush that has racked up 24 sacks this season.
Prediction: Lions 24, Vikings 17.
Denver Broncos @ Carolina Panthers
Denver is on a roll, only dropping a game to the Patriots in their past five contests, while the Panthers snapped a five game losing streak with a road win over the Redskins. Peyton Manning is having one of the best seasons of his career, but could struggle some against a Carolina defense that has allowed just 9 passing touchdowns this season. Perhaps even more than last year, the offense will rely heavily on Cam Newton, but will need Jonathan Stewart to make some plays on the ground against a Broncos defense that allows just 3.7 yards per game.
Prediction: Broncos 28, Panthers 23.
Atlanta Falcons @ New Orleans Saints
The league's lone unbeaten team, Atlanta has only recorded one double-digit win in their past five games, and the team will need more from their running game. The good news for Atlanta is they are playing the Saints' league-worst run defense. New Orleans relies heavily on the passing game, but Drew Brees and company could find it difficult against an Atlanta defense that has recorded more interceptions (8) than touchdowns allowed (10). Every game will be a playoff game from here on out for the Saints, and a win could provide the momentum necessary for a late-season playoff charge. It just won't happen here.
Prediction: Falcons 30, Saints 23.
New York Giants @ Cincinnati Bengals
Eli Manning hasn't thrown a touchdown pass the last two weeks, and will be under pressure against a Bengals pass rush that has totaled 23 sacks. For Cincinnati, the team relies heavily on Andy Dalton and the passing game, but will need to be careful against a Giants team that has a league-high 17 interceptions.
Prediction: Giants 24, Bengals 21.
Oakland Raiders @ Baltimore Ravens
Doug Martin absolutely gashed the Raiders defense last week, which was surprising because the perceived weakness on this team has been their pass defense (14 pass touchdowns, 5 interceptions). The Ravens don't appear to be the same team that they've been in recent seasons, but the offense should be able to find success in either phase of the game. If the Raiders anemic pass rush (11 sacks) can pressure Joe Flacco, the game will stay close.
Prediction: Ravens 27, Raiders 17.
Buffalo Bills @ New England Patriots
The Bills hung tough for much of their game against the Texans, and the run defense held Arian Foster to under four yards per carry in the contest. The Patriots are coming off their bye, and will look to duplicate their earlier win against the Bills. While Buffalo's run defense looked better against the Texans, they don't match up well against tight end Rob Gronkowski.
Prediction: Patriots 31, Bills 21.
Tennessee Titans @ Miami Dolphins
Chris Johnson has been the lone bright spot last week as the Titans were trounced by the Bears. Johnson will be tested against the #3 Miami run defense, which will put pressure on the returning Jake Locker, though he may find sledding easier against a Miami secondary that was shredded by Andrew Luck last week. The Dolphins will likely go with a heavy dose of the run against the 30th-ranked Titans run defense. Ryan Tannehill could also have a huge game against a Titans defense that has allowed a league-high 20 pass touchdowns this season.
Prediction: Dolphins 29, Titans 17.
New York Jets @ Seattle Seahawks
Once possessing a ferocious defense that was strong against the run and great at rushing the passer, the Jets aren't doing either well, as they rank 29th in both categories. While the return of Dustin Keller has helped Mark Sanchez, the offense is still stagnant. Seattle has knocked off both New England and Green Bay at home this season (4-0), and have yet to lose a game by more than seven points. The offense has been much better since the playbook was opened up more for Russell Wilson, and Marshawn Lynch is #2 in the league in rushing yards.
Prediction: Seahawks 24, Jets 14.
St. Louis Rams @ San Francisco 49ers
The good news for St. Louis? Jeff Fisher and the Rams have had their bye week to lick their wounds from a trouncing in Olde England against New England. The bad news? They'll be playing a 49ers squad coming off a bye that has allowed just 38 points the past five games. St. Louis is a scrappy team, but has a ways to go in order to beat a team like San Francisco on the road.
Prediction: 49ers 24, Rams 13.
Dallas Cowboys @ Philadelphia Eagles
In what is a playoff eliminator between teams that have been severely disappointing, the Cowboys have been strong on defense this season, but their running backs are banged up, and Tony Romo's penchant for bad turnovers has hurt the team. The Eagles can't seem to protect Michael Vick, and LeSean McCoy hasn't seen the workload he should considering Vick's inability to stay upright. The Cowboys defense is better, and the Eagles offensive line won't be able to protect Vick from DeMarcus Ware and the Dallas pass rush.
Prediction: Cowboys 20, Eagles 17.
Houston Texans @ Chicago Bears
In what could be a potential Super Bowl preview, both teams possess top-notch defenses that have strong pass rushes (25 sacks each) and make plays (10 defensive touchdowns between them). The offensive lines may well decide this game, as Houston has done a much better job protecting Matt Schaub (10 sacks) than Chicago has done for Jay Cutler (28 sacks). Also, Schaub (4 interceptions) has done a much better job of making good decisions with the football than Cutler (8).
UPSET OF THE WEEK!!!!! Prediction: Texans 17, Bears 13.
Kansas City Chiefs @ Pittsburgh Steelers
The Chiefs offense has been turnover-prone with both Matt Cassel and Brady Quinn at quarterback, while the Steelers are coming off a big road win over the Giants. This could be a little bit of a trap game, and Pittsburgh will be without Antonio Brown, but the Steelers' new-found balance on offense and a stout defense should carry them.
Prediction: Steelers 27, Chiefs 14.
Last Week: 10-3 (.769)
Season: 77-45 (.631)
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