NFL Week 13 2009 Game Previews

NY Jets @ Buffalo

If the Jets have any chance of going to the playoffs they have to win this game. The rest of their schedule is rough with games at Indy and against Atlanta and Cincinnati at home, neither of which will be a cake walk. Buffalo, on the other hand, is effectively out of playoff contention AND has a much tougher schedule going forward. The Bills changed their coach, so there will be some desire to put on a show for the remainder of the season, but that won't be enough on Thursday.

Jets win this one.

New York - 17

Buffalo - 10

Philadelphia @ Atlanta

Atlanta played admirably without Matt Ryan, but with Turner likely out, I don't see them beating a Philly team that is within reach of the NFC east title or at least a wild card spot. Atlanta's defense gave up 245 passing yards against the Bucs, and is ranked 27 against the pass. That spells doom against an often super charged Eagles air attack. If it were in Philly, I would project a blow out win by the Eagles. In Atlanta, I think this is a more modest 7-14 point victory for Philly.

Philadelphia - 35

Atlanta - 28

St Louis @ Chicago

After the beat down Chicago got in Minnesota, look for the Bears to come out hungry and eat the struggling lambs, errr, Rams, alive. If there was any team against which the Bears should be able to develop a running game it's the Rams with the 28th ranked run defense in the league. Maybe Cutler can take a break from throwing crippling red zone interceptions if the Bears have legs this weekend.

St Louis - 13

Chicago - 41 

Detroit @ Cincinnati

An injured Stafford vs a Cincinnati at home with AFC North supremacy in its grasp... Hmmmm... Close game? No way. No liger love children this time around; Bengals maul Lions.

Detroit - 10

Cincinnati - 35

Oakland @ Pittsburgh

With or without Big Ben, the Raiders will get handed their 9th loss for the season. Without JaMarcus Russell, the Raiders have improved dramatically, but are a year away from having any chance of hanging with the league's elite, and Pittsburgh, despite a disappointing 6-5 record, can still play super bowl caliber ball.  

Oakland - 6

Pittsburgh - 28

Tennessee @ Indianapolis

Five weeks ago this would have looked like a cake walk. Not this time. Colts will have their hands full with the super human Chris Johnson and the option plays opened by a rejuvenated and mature Vince Young. Manning, though, is a freak player, and he gets it done at the buzzer AGAIN. Colts win in a tight one. This could be the game of the week.

Tennessee - 24

Indianapolis - 28

Denver @ Kansas City

Denver is coming off a season saving annihilation of the NY Giants, and has finally figured out how to properly take advantage of the front line personnel with its old-school zone blocking running scheme. Knowshon scorched the Giants defense, with 26% of his runs going for more than 10 yards. This week we should expect the Broncos to attack the underbelly of the Chiefs who have the 27th ranked run defense. However, the Broncos are seemingly cursed when it comes to playing at Arrowhead stadium, with a horrendous 3-11 record at KC since 1995. Still, the Broncos have the weapons to win and -- barring some crazy, superstition driven meltdown -- will do so.

Denver - 28

Kansas City - 14

New England @ Miami

After an embarrassing loss at New Orleans the Patriots will be out for blood. Unfortunately they are facing a tough Miami team with a killer running game and unpredictable offense. Patriots still win, but it won't be the satisfying whomping they dished out to the Titans after their loss to the  Broncos.

New England - 35

Miami - 28

New Orleans @ Washington

On paper this might be a good match up. Leagues best pass defense against the leagues top rated QB. Sorry Redskins fans, this game won't live up to that plausible premise. The Saints crush the Redskins.

New Orleans - 38

Washington - 9

Tampa Bay @ Carolina

The Bucs are still in an impossibly bad place in the standings, but the team is performing better, and Freeman is proving to be a solid performer and a great foundation for the club's future. Carolina is just a little bit better, and they get the win at home.

Tampa Bay - 14

Carolina - 17

Houston @ Jacksonville

Both team suffered season debilitating losses in week 12. Houston is the more explosive on offense, but Drew-Jones will be punishing the Texans at home, and the Jaguars will come away from a close one with the 'W'.

Houston - 21

Jacksonville - 28

San Diego @ Cleveland

San Diego gets to beat up on the weak kid in class two weeks in a row. San Diego runs wild over the Browns in Cleveland in another Rivers lead blow out.

San Diego - 45

Cleveland - 21

Dallas @ NY

NFC East leader Dallas needs this win to seal up the division, but NY needs this more. Dallas is too inconsistent on offense to adequately punish the struggling Giants D, so look for NY to come away with a win in a close contest.

Dallas - 28

NY - 31

San Fransisco @ Seattle 

San Fransisco and Seattle are both coming off wins, San Fransisco having the more impressive outing against a decent Jaguars club. Alex Smith and Crabtree will prove to be too much for Seattle.

San Fransisco - 21

Seattle - 17

Minnesota @  Arizona

Arizona lost for the first time on the road last week against Tennessee, which is nothing to be ashamed of. I am sure they would love to take out the purple people eaters at home, but without Warner and against the unfair, and probably should be illegal, combination of Favre and Peterson, I think the Vikes put up some big numbers and come away with a victory in a high-scoring shootout.

Minnesota - 35

Arizona - 28

Baltimore @ Green Bay

The Ravens are in the mix for the playoffs, but will need to win almost all the rest of their games to have a realistic shot. That makes this game vital for the Ravens. Green bay is in a similar situation, also fighting for a wild card spot. Ravens need the game slightly more, but I don't see them shutting down Rodgers, Driver & Co in Green Bay. Green Bay wins by 7-14 points.

Baltimore - 10

Green Bay - 21