NFL Predictions Week 7: Jets, Lions and Teams That Won't Protect Their Houses

In order to be a great team in the NFL, you have to protect your home-field advantage

It's a trait of all the best teams throughout the course of NFL history. Winning on the road is tough. Even the best teams in the league will drop the occasional road game, but rarely—if ever—will you see them lose when the other team has to come into their house.

Home-field advantage is everything. Why do you think that teams play so hard to earn it ahead of the postseason?

I've never had to do it before, but I can imagine that having to go into Lambeau Field in the dead of January and play a football game is one of the hardest things imaginable. That is, especially since the Packers have reestablished their dominance.

That right there is a perfect example of home-field advantage.

Lose it, and your team is most likely in trouble.

Here are a few teams that won't be able to protect home field this weekend:

New York Jets

Even though coach Rex Ryan still believes the Jets are a Super Bowl contender, I have to disagree.

Mark Sanchez has seemingly regressed in the Jets offense, and even though the defense is still formidable, they are showing some flaws in their armor.

I'm not a huge fan of the Jets right now, especially with the Chargers coming into town.

Detroit Lions

I'm not jumping off the Lions bandwagon, even though I was never really on it. However, I am going to be honest about the status of their team.

The Lions are a good team, but they aren't a great team. The loss last week at home to the 49ers brought that back into focus.

Atlanta needs a big-time win. With Michael Turner running the ball, and with the Lions' biggest weakness being stopping the run, the Falcons could get it. 

Dallas Cowboys

Even at home, it's just way too hard to trust Tony Romo and the Dallas Cowboys.

The Rams got a much needed boost of offensive brilliance when they traded for Brandon Lloyd. I think it's going to rejuvenate a sleeping offense that was expected to be much better this season.