AFC and NFC Championship Preview and Predictions

Colin Kaepernick is capable of using both his legs and his arm to pick apart the Falcons defense. (Stephen Dunn)

San Francisco 49ers (11-4-1) @ Atlanta Falcons (13-3) - 3:00 PM EST, FOX

Many questioned why 49ers head coach Jim Harbaugh made a quarterback switch from Alex Smith to Colin Kaepernick in Week 11. After last week's 45-31 win over the Green Bay Packers, every one had their answer. Kaepernick was outstanding in reading the Packers defense and knowing when to pass and run. In the playoff win over the Packers, he threw for 263 yards and two touchdowns and ran for 181 yards and two touchdowns. The latter was a new record for the most rushing yards by a quarterback in a playoff game ever. Kaepernick could be in for another huge game against a Falcons defense that has holes. In fact, they have given up 8.9 yards per play to quarterbacks rushing the football this season. If the Falcons defense does stack the box or blitz, Kaepernick  has shown the ability to be accurate in the passing game, particularly to his favorite wide receiver, Michael Crabtree. The 49ers defense has been one of the top defense in the league all season. They have been tough against the run and the pass, but need to be careful not to give up the big play in the passing game.

Despite being the top seed in the NFC, it seemed like many people felt strongly that the Falcons playoff woes would continue against a red hot Seattle Seahawks team. The Falcons refused to buy into this and give up. Even when the Seahawks scored with 31 seconds left in the game to take a 28-27 lead, the Falcons didn't stop believing. Quarterback Matt Ryan drove his team down the field and got them into field goal range. Matt Bryant kicked a 49-yard field goal to end the Falcons playoff misery and finally got the monkey off their backs. The Falcons though would tell you this was just the first hurdle to what they hope to accomplish this postseason. Despite throwing two interceptions in the win over the Seahawks, Ryan had a solid game throwing for 250 yards and three touchdowns. His top three targets, wide receivers Roddy White and Julio Jones and tight end Tony Gonzalez, all had great games as well. The Falcons offense also got a boost from their rushing game with 162 combined yards from Michael Turner and Jacquizz Rodgers. The Falcons defense is not as statistically strong as most teams in the league, but defensive coordinator Mike Nolan has boys believing in themselves.

Prediction: 49ers 27 Falcons 20

Baltimore Ravens (10-6) @ New England Patriots (12-4) - 6:30 PM EST, CBS

The Ravens have the shot at revenge they had hoped for. The AFC Championship will feature the same teams from last season for the first time in 25 years when the Patriots host the Ravens on Sunday in Foxborough. The Ravens backed into the playoffs losing four of their last five, but have rebounded with two wins in the playoffs to get them this far. In the wild card round, the Ravens defense shut down the Colts and kept them out of the endzone. Last Saturday, quarterback Joe Flacco burned the Denver Broncos defense time and time again, including a 70-yard touchdown pass to Jacoby Jones with 31 seconds left in the game to force overtime. The Ravens eventually prevailed in double overtime on a 47-yard field goal attempt by Justin Tucker. The Ravens defense has been rejuvenated and energized by Ray Lewis' announcement that this is his last season. In the two playoff games so far, they have forced five turnovers. They will need similar success to help beat the Patriots.

The Patriots are happy to play again in Foxborough, where they have never lost with a berth to the Super Bowl on the line. They finished the regular season as one of the hottest teams in the NFL as winners of nine of their last ten. The Patriots continued their success with a divisional round win over the Houston Texans, by the score of 41-28. Tom Brady had an excellent game, throwing for 344 yards and three touchdowns. Wes Welker was Brady's top target with eight catches for 131 yards. Shane Vereen offered a dual threat out of the backfield with 124 total yards and three total touchdowns. The Patriots defense has been solid against the rush this season, but have struggled against the pass. They cannot afford to give up the same big pass plays that cost the Broncos last week. The Patriots also need to be mindful to remain aware of the presence of Ravens running back Ray Rice, who is also a danger to explode for game-changing play.

Prediction: Patriots 31 Ravens 27

NFL Divisional Preview and Predictions

Russell Wilson already has one playoff road win under his belt and will be looking for another in Atlanta. (Al Bello)

Baltimore Ravens (10-6) @ Denver Broncos (13-3) - Saturday, 4:30 PM EST, CBS

The Ravens head to Denver coming off an emotional win at home over the Indianapolis Colts defense. In Ray Lewis' final home game, the Ravens defense dominated Andrew Luck and the Colts offense. They kept the Colts out of the endzone and limited them to three field goals. Meanwhile, the Ravens offense did more than enough to keep up their end of the bargain. Joe Flacco came up with big pass plays when he was needed to. Ray Rice was his usual explosive self in the rushing and passing game. The Broncos already dominated the Ravens 34-17 in Baltimore less than a month ago. They will look to use a similar recipe for success in the rematch. The Broncos defense held the Ravens to three points through the first three quarters. Cornerback Chris Harris made the game-changing 98-yard interception return for a touchdown. Peyton Manning had an efficient game. Additionally, Knowshon Moreno and Jacob Hester both had rushing touchdowns. Rice was limited to 41 total yards in the Week 15 loss. The Broncos defense must shut him down once again.

Prediction: Broncos 31 Ravens 17

Green Bay Packers (11-5) @ San Francisco 49ers (11-4-1) - Saturday, 8:00 PM EST, FOX


The Packers did what they had to beat the Vikings in the wild card round. The defense limited Adrian Peterson's damage and kept Joe Webb under constant pressure. Linebacker Clay Matthews was the leader both on and off the field. He ended the game with four tackles, two sacks, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery. Aaron Rodgers quarterbacked the Packers offense like a machine. Fullback John Kuhn had a great game finding the end zone twice. These two teams met way back in Week 1 with the 49ers prevailing in Green Bay. However, these are very different teams now. One major difference for the 49ers is at quarterback. Colin Kaepernick took over as the team's starter in Week 11. With a 5-2 record down the stretch, he has played well and challenged defenses with a dual-threat attack. Frank Gore is still a strong runner, and the Packers can't afford to overlook him. The 49ers defense is one of the best in the league. They expect Pro Bowl defensive end Justin Smith to play, despite having a partially torn left triceps.

Prediction: 49ers 24 Packers 20

Seattle Seahawks (11-5) @ Atlanta Falcons (13-3) - Sunday, 1:00 PM EST, FOX

The top-seeded Falcons look to avoid a fifth consecutive playoff defeat while the Seahawks try to continue their postseason run with a seventh straight victory. The Seahawks defense looked vulnerable early, but turned up the intensity and took the game over in the second half. They did lose their sack leader Chris Clemons for the remainder of the playoffs due to a torn ACL. Russell Wilson has looked anything but a rookie quarterback. He has shown great smarts knowing when to pass and when to take off and pick up solid yardage on the ground. Pro Bowler Marshawn Lynch continues to be one of the most physical rushers in the league. The Falcons defense will need to be aware of the dynamic playmaking ability of both Wilson and Lynch and do their best to shut them down. Matt Ryan has earned the nickname "Matty Ice." However, that has yet to been the case in the playoffs. Ryan has a pair of very talented receivers to hook up with in Roddy White and Julio Jones. The game's most intriguing matchup is between White and Jones and the Seahawks big, physical cornerbacks, Brandon Browner and Richard Sherman. The victor of that battle may prove to be the winner of the game.

Prediction: Seahawks 31 Falcons 20

Houston Texans (12-4) @ New England Patriots (12-4) - Sunday, 4:30 PM EST, FOX

The Texans appeared to be in line for the conference's top seed before they blew that opportunity by losing three of their final four games that began with a 42-14 loss to the Patriots in Foxborough on December 10. The dismal end of the season forced the Texans to play in the wild card round of the playoffs. Now, they must travel back to Gillette Stadium for the rematch. In the Week 14 game, the Patriots got up 21-0 less than a minute into the second quarter. The Texans were never able to recover. One of the major reasons why is because they fell so far behind so early in the game. The Texans offense is at its best when they are able to establish the ground game with Arian Foster and Ben Tate first. That helps to open up the passing game for Matt Schaub to find Andre Johnson and Owen Daniels. Defensive Player of the Year candidate J.J. Watt led the NFL with 20 1/2 sacks, but he had no sacks and only two tackles in the first matchup against the Patriots. The Patriots offensive line protected Tom Brady well, giving him plenty of time to throw four touchdown passes. That was even without his favorite target, Rob Gronkowski. Gronkowski is now healthy and could be in for a big game against the Texans. The Patriots are winners of nine of their last ten and had an extra week to draw up a plan to try and beat the Texans once again.

Prediction: Patriots 38 Texans 20

NFL Week 15 Preview and Predictions

Tom Brady will look to lead the New England Patriots to another win over at home on Sunday Night Football. (AP Photo)

5. Washington Redskins (7-6) @ Cleveland Browns (5-8) - 1:00 PM EST, FOX


The Washington Redskins are making a push for the playoffs. They will look to win five straight games for the first time in seven seasons, but will have to do it without their inspirational leader at quarterback, Robert Griffin III. Griffin suffered a sprained knee and the Redskins have announced that fellow rookie Kirk Cousins will start in his place on Sunday against the Cleveland Browns. Cousins played very well in relief of Griffin last week. He will look to improve on that performance in this game. The Browns won't make the playoffs, but they are playing great football and are on a three-game winning streak of their own. Trent Richardson should continue to be the focal point of the offense. As the Browns' leading rusher and receiver, a big game out of the running back will help rookie quarterback Brandon Weeden to succeed as well.

Prediction: Redskins 24 Browns 20

4. Pittsburgh Steelers (7-6) @ Dallas Cowboys (7-6) - 4:25 PM EST, CBS

These two historic rivals have struggled with consistency this season. The Steelers have a number of great big game victories, but have also suffered some surprising losses to middling teams. They got Ben Roethlisberger back from injury last week, but he had a considerable amount of rust in that game due to the long layoff without playing. The Steelers defense will have to play much better as well, especially after allowing the San Diego Chargers to score 34 points last week. As I already mentioned, the Cowboys have been a very inconsistent football team as well this season. Their longest winning or losing streak is only two games. They will look to put that behind them as they look for their third straight victory Sunday. Both teams need a win badly with a spot in the playoffs on the line. The Steelers need a win to stay ahead of the Cincinnati Bengals for the sixth and final spot in the AFC playoffs. Meanwhile, the Cowboys need a win and some help to sneak into the postseason.

Prediction: Steelers 23 Cowboys 20

3. Green Bay Packers (9-4) @ Chicago Bears (8-5) - 1:00 PM EST, FOX

The Packers beat the Bears 23-10 at home way back in Week 2. Now, the Bears look to get revenge on their rivals with the division lead on the line. The Packers have won seven out of their last eight games. The Packers are looking for a sixth consecutive victory over the archrival Bears. The win would secure them the NFC North title. Meanwhile, the Bears have lost four out of their last five. Suffering from injuries on both sides of the ball, they will look to piece together a complete effort in this one. The Bears offense will likely need to improve for them to have a chance to win. They have scored only 72 points in their past five games. Starting quarterback Jay Cutler is expected to play, but will be without one of his favorite targets, Earl Bennett due to injury.

Prediction: Packers 27 Bears 17

2. New York Giants (8-5) @ Atlanta Falcons (11-2) - 1:00 PM EST, FOX

Last week, the Giants trounced the New Orleans Saints to pick up a much needed win to stay in sole possession of first place in the NFC East. They will need another win Sunday if they want to be assured of that again. Running back David Wilson was the star of the win over the Saints. After taking a kickoff return 97 yards for a touchdown, he rushed for 100 yards and two more scores. Quarterback Eli Manning added four touchdown passes, but also threw two interceptions. The Falcons are trying to secure home-field advantage throughout the playoffs. Those ambitions took a step backwards when Cam Newton and the Carolina Panthers ran all over Atlanta. Newton burned the Falcons defense for 403 total yards and three total (two passing and one rushing) touchdowns. The Falcons offense also needs to make sure they are getting the ball into the endzone. Quarterback Matt Ryan threw for 342 passing yards, but had only two passing touchdowns and an interception. They also only got an unacceptable 35 rushing yards in the loss.

Prediction: Falcons 24 Giants 23

1. San Francisco 49ers (9-3-1) @ New England Patriots (10-3) - 8:20 PM EST (Sunday), NBC

Both these teams are looking for first-round byes in the playoffs. A win Sunday would be huge for both teams' chances. The 49ers have five straight wins over teams not named the St. Louis Rams, who they are 0-1-1 against. Quarterback Colin Kaepernick has played well, but needs to work on finding the end zone. He has no passing touchdowns in each of the past two games. Running back Frank Gore also hasn't had a 100-yard rushing game in the past six weeks either. Both players need to step up and play well because they have got their work cut out for them against New England. Not only are the Patriots winners of seven straight, they are going for their 14th straight win in December and 21st straight at home during the month. Quarterback Tom Brady thrives in the spotlight. In last week's rout of the Houston Texans, he threw four touchdown passes in just over a half of work. The Patriots defense has improved as well, holding teams to 19 points or less in their last three games.

Prediction: Patriots 24 49ers 20

NFL Week 12 Preview and Predictions

Saints quarterback Drew Brees has led his team back to .500, but will face a tough test Sunday against the 49ers. (Ezra Shaw)

5. Baltimore Ravens (8-2) @ San Diego Chargers (4-6) - 4:05 PM EST, CBS

The Ravens are coming off a hard fought 13-10 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers, who they will play again next week at home. This week though they have to travel across the country to take on the Chargers. Since their bye in Week 8, the Ravens have won three in a row. Running back Ray Rice continues to be one of the main reasons why. He leads the team in rushing with 697 yards and is also the team's second-leading receiver with 40 catches. Rice rarely takes a down off and is always a danger to break the big play. The defense is strong as always and got healthier with linebacker Terrell Suggs back from injury. Losers of five of their last six, the Chargers come into this game scuffling badly. Turnovers on offense continue to be a major problem, especially quarterback Philip Rivers' 14 interceptions as opposed to only 17 touchdowns. The offense also only has four rushing touchdowns through ten games. The Chargers defense has been strong against the run, but is often suspect to giving up big passing plays down the field.

Prediction: Ravens 24 Chargers 13

4. Atlanta Falcons (9-1) @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers (6-4) - 1:00 PM EST, FOX

With a record of 9-1, the Falcons may have the best record in football, but they have not played like it lately. Close wins over the Oakland Raiders, Dallas Cowboys and Arizona Cardinals over the past month are far from impressive. They also did finally suffer their first (and deserved) loss of the season to their division rival New Orleans Saints. Last week, the seemingly always cool and collected Matt Ryan threw five interceptions and no touchdowns. Starting running back Michael Turner rushed 15 times for only 46 yards in the comeback win. The Cardinals offensive ineptness with someone named Ryan Lindley at quarterback is the only reason the Falcons won the game. Meanwhile, the Buccaneers have quietly pieced together a four-game win streak and are back in the playoff picture. Running back Doug Martin has rushed for 592 yards (148 yards a game) during the win streak. In his last six games, quarterback Josh Freeman also has 16 touchdown passes to only three interceptions (two of them last week). On the other side of the ball, the Buccaneers defense has been a tale of two cities. They lead the league in rush defense, but they are dead last in pass defense.

Prediction: Buccaneers 27 Falcons 24

3. Green Bay Packers (7-3) @ New York Giants (6-4) - 8:20 PM EST (Sunday), NBC

The Packers and Giants have been two of the NFC's best teams over the past several years, but they come into Sunday night's games in opposing directions. The Packers have won five straight to pull into a tie for first place in the NFC North with the Chicago Bears. During the win streak, quarterback Aaron Rodgers has thrown 17 touchdown passes to only two interceptions. With the offense putting up such huge numbers, the defense merely has to hold on for the ride. They aren't going to shut any team down, but they benefit greatly from forcing turnovers. Over the past two weeks, they have had forced six turnovers. The Giants are in a bit a slump having dropped their last two games. One of the main reason is the struggles of their quarterback Eli Manning. He hasn't thrown a touchdown pass in the last three games and has a combined six interceptions in his previous four games. The Giants defense has also struggled, giving up 23 or more points in their last four games.

Prediction: Packers 24 Giants 20

2. Minnesota Vikings (6-4) @ Chicago Bears (7-3) - 1:00 PM EST, FOX

The Bears entered Week 10 with a 7-1 record, but now they have dropped their last two games and quarterback Jay Cutler is still recovering from a concussion from two weeks ago. His playing status for Sunday is still unknown. If backup Jason Campbell is called into duty, he will have to play much better this weak. Too many mistakes and mental lapses led to a lopsided blowout at the hands of the San Francisco 49ers. The Vikings come into this divisional game fresh off their bye week. The Vikings offense has seen improved play out of quarterback Christian Ponder in his second season in the league. They have also benefited from star running back Adrian Peterson's return from injury to top form. He has 629 rushing yards (157.25 yards per game) in his last four games. You can expect both teams to run the football first and foremost in what should be a low-scoring affair.

Prediction: Bears 23 Vikings 20

1. San Francisco 49ers (7-2-1) @ New Orleans Saints (5-5) - 4:25 PM EST, FOX

In last week's showdown with the Chicago Bears, the 49ers didn't need their starting quarterback to win in a blowout. Now, they have a quarterback controversy on their hands. Starter Alex Smith missed the game against the Bears with a concussion. Colin Kaepernick started in his placed and shined. He was 16-for-23 for 243 passing yards and two touchdowns. With Smith's status unsure for Sunday, who will start against the Saints is uncertain as well. There is no doubt who will be starting at quarterback for the Saints. Star Drew Brees has led his team back to .500 with five wins in their last six games. During that span, he has thrown 18 touchdown passes and only four interceptions. With the rushing game and defense continuing to struggle mightily, this is all about how far Brees can carry his team. This week will be his toughest task against a talented 49ers defense.

Prediction: 49ers 27 Saints 24

NFL Week 10 Preview and Predictions

The next chapter in the Drew Brees and Matt Ryan rivalry will take place Sunday afternoon in the Superdome. (US Presswire)

5. New York Jets (3-5) @ Seattle Seahawks (5-4) - 4:05 PM EST, CBS

An embarrassing 30-9 loss at home to the Miami Dolphins concluded the Jets disappointing first half at 3-5. They had an entire bye week to think about it and will now try and bounce back with a strong second half to make a push for the playoffs. Their first game though is a tough road test across the country. The Seahawks have a 5-4 record, but are 4-0 at home. Rookie quarterback Russell Wilson continues to improve while running back Marshawn Lynch grinds out the bulk of the work. The Seahawks defense is physical and aggressive in how they play. The Jets will need consistency out of quarterback Mark Sanchez and a solid game on the ground by Shonn Greene in order to have a chance at the upset.

Prediction: Seahawks 27 Jets 17

4. Dallas Cowboys (3-5) @ Philadelphia Eagles (3-5) - 4:25 PM EST, FOX

These two NFC East rivals do not like each other at all, but they can relate to each other in at least one way this week. They both have a 3-5 record and have been playing some of their worst football this season as of late. Dallas has lost four out of their last five, while Philadelphia has lost four straight. The Cowboys offense has been a major area of struggle. In eight games, quarterback Tony Romo only has only 10 touchdown passes compared to 13 interceptions. The rushing attack of DeMarco Murray and Felix Jones has been almost nonexistent, due largely to injuries. Eagles quarterback Michael Vick has ten touchdown passes as well, but nine interceptions and six fumbles (three lost) are too many. Running back LeSean McCoy has been the definition of inconsistent with many very good games and equally many poor games.

Prediction: Eagles 24 Cowboys 20

3. New York Giants (6-3) @ Cincinnati Bengals (3-5) - 1:00 PM EST, FOX

The Giants saw their four game win streak come to an end in a hard fought loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers. Their offense is full of playmakers in quarterback Eli Manning, running backs Ahmad Bradshaw and Andre Brown and wide receivers Victor Cruz and Hakeem Nicks. The Giants defense has been what has struggled primarily this season. They have given up at least 23 points in each of their last three games. The Bengals have played poorly during their losing skid. Quarterback Andy Dalton has thrown at least one interception in every game so far this season. In their last three games, the Bengals defense has given up an average of 29.7 points per game. It is hard to win when those two things are the case.

Prediction: Giants 27 Bengals 20

2. Detroit Lions (4-4) @ Minnesota Vikings (5-4) - 1:00 PM EST, FOX

The Lions have used back-to-back wins to return to .500. Now, they look to get over that mark with a win over a divisional rival. Both teams are in the thick of the playoff hunt, but trail the division-leading Chicago Bears. The Lions offense got a boost last week from running back Mikel Leshoure's three touchdowns. If he and Joique Bell can help balance the Lions offense that would help take some of the pressure off quarterback Matthew Stafford. The Vikings come into this game as losers of three out of their last four. In those losses, their defense has given up an average of 34.7 points per game. Running back Adrian Peterson is doing everything he can to help his team win, but he needs everyone else to step up and do the same as well.

Prediction: Lions 27 Vikings 20

1. Atlanta Falcons (8-0) @ New Orleans Saints (3-5) - 1:00 PM EST, FOX

The Falcons have been consistent more than anything else. It isn't that all of their wins are blowouts or an unstoppable defense. They just play consistently good football. The main reason this starts with their quarterback Matt Ryan. He is nicknamed Matty Ice for a reason. His demeanor and play are steadily solid no matter the circumstance. It has rubbed off on his teammates as well. The Saints take on the character of their quarterback as well. Drew Brees is a fighter and can never be counted out in any situation. Despite an 0-4 start, Brees has rallied the troops to win three out of their last four. The Saints defense has struggled badly all season, but cornerback Patrick Robinson had a huge 99-yard pick-6  to help seal their win over the Philadelphia Eagles last week.

Prediction: Falcons 30 Saints 27

NFL Week 9 Preview and Predictions

Quarterbacks Eli Manning and Ben Roethlisberger must lead their teams over the aftereffects of Hurricane Sandy. (AP Photo)

5. Dallas Cowboys (3-4) @ Atlanta Falcons (7-0) - 8:20 PM EST (Sunday), NBC

With a loss to the New York Giants last week, the Cowboys know how important each game is to their playoff chances. They must do a much better job of focusing on limiting their mistakes if they hope to hand the Falcons their fist loss of the season. The Cowboys have been turnover prone throughout the season, while the Falcons have one of the best net differences in turnovers. Furthermore, Dallas has had twice the amount of penalties that Atlanta have had. With Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo continuing to struggle, he will continue to rely on tight end Jason Witten. Last week, Witten had 18 catches for 167 receiving yards. The Falcons continue to roll behind the confident and calm play over quarterback Matt Ryan.

Prediction: Cowboys 30 Falcons 24

4. Denver Broncos (4-3) @ Cincinnati Bengals (3-4) - 1:00 PM EST, CBS

The Broncos and Bengals come into this matchup going in opposite directions. The Broncos have won three out of four games to take the lead in the AFC West. Meanwhile, the Bengals have lost three straight to fall below .500 and into third place in the AFC North. In his last two games, Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning has thrown for over 300 yards and three touchdowns. The Broncos defense has played much better lately as well. In their last six quarters, they have allowed only 14 points. Much of the Bengals struggles can be linked to the play of quarterback Andy Dalton. He was able to throw for only 105 yards against the Pittsburgh Steelers last week. He has also struggled badly with turnovers, throwing at least one interception in every game so far this season.

Prediction: Broncos 34 Bengals 13

3. Arizona Cardinals (4-4) @ Green Bay Packers (5-3) - 1:00 PM EST, FOX

The Cardinals were one of the big stories after starting the season 4-0, but have fallen back to reality after losing four in a row. One of the many problems has been keeping their top two quarterbacks, Kevin Kolb and John Skelton, healthy. The struggles of offensive line have left little running room for the backs and even less time for their quarterbacks to pass to their receivers. The Cardinals defense has actually played pretty well, but gets worn down as games continue. Meanwhile, the Packers are playing their best football of the season. Coming off of three straight wins, they have all of the momentum going their way. In those three games, quarterback Aaron Rodgers has thrown for a combined 11 touchdowns.

Prediction: Packers 30 Cardinals 10

2. Minnesota Vikings (5-3) @ Seattle Seahawks (4-4) - 4:05 PM EST, FOX

The Vikings have had a long week to think about their surprising loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Thursday night. The defense unit struggled badly in the loss, but has been pretty good this season on the whole. The Vikings offense has been balanced behind the solid play of young quarterback Christian Ponder, resurgent running back Adrian Peterson and explosive wide receiver Percy Harvin. They will look to be the latest NFC North team to beat the Seahawks, after the Lions beat them in the final minute last week. The Seahawks are in need of a win after two straight defeats have dropped them back to .500. They will continue to rely upon veteran running back Marshawn Lynch to take the pressure off of rookie quarterback Russell Wilson. The Seahawks defense has played well this season as well. They need their big secondary to step up in this matchup.

Prediction: Seahawks 24 Vikings 20

1. Pittsburgh Steelers (4-3) @ New York Giants (6-2)

Mother Nature might have one of the biggest affects on this game. As a result of Hurricane Sandy, the Steelers hotel in New Jersey still has no power. This means that the Steelers will have to fly to New York early Sunday morning, eat brunch at a hotel and then go straight to MetLife Stadium for the game. The Steelers come into the matchup off their most complete effort of the season. In their 27-12 win over the Washington Redskins, their quarterback Ben Roethlisberger threw three touchdown passes and their defense kept Robert Griffin III and the Redskins offense from scoring a touchdown. The Giants are playing their best football of the season as well. Four straight wins have put them in control of the NFC East. With starting running back Ahmad Bradshaw questionable for the game, they will need quarterback Eli Manning to continue to play well in this tough matchup.

Prediction: Steelers 27 Giants 24

NFL Week 8 Preview and Predictions

Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan will look to help his team improve to 7-0 on Sunday against the Eagles. (Kevin C. Cox)

5. Seattle Seahawks (4-3) @ Detroit Lions (2-4) - 1:00 PM EST, FOX

This is a crucial game for both teams in terms of the playoff hunt. The Seahawks will need to play better on the road. They have just a 1-3 road record and have turned the ball over at a higher rate. They will look to bounce back from a tough divisional loss to the San Francisco 49ers 13-6 last week. With the 49ers and Arizona Cardinals both in the NFC West playoff hunt, every win becomes important, especially conference ones. The Seahawks need to find an effective balance between rookie quarterback Russell Wilson and lead running back Marshawn Lynch.

The Lions really need to start winning football games if they hope to return to the playoffs. Of the 208 teams that have started 2-4, only 18 of them have made the playoffs. It begins with their offense. Quarterback Matthew Stafford has to be smart with the football. He will have to do without one of his top weapons. Wide receiver Nate Burleson is out for the year after suffering a leg fracture. This puts more of the pressure on top receiver Calvin Johnson. The Lions will also need wide receivers Titus Young and Ryan Broyles and tight end Tony Scheffler to step up their games to help fill the void.

Prediction: Seahawks 17 Lions 13

4. Miami Dolphins (3-3) @ New York Jets (3-4) - 1:00 PM EST, CBS

There is still some bad blood in this matchup stemming from their first meeting five weeks ago, which the Jets won on a field goal in overtime. That game was marred by injuries and brash words exchanged through the media. With the season reaching the midway point, both teams are in need of a win to remain in the playoff picture.

The Dolphins offense is centered upon the explosive capabilities of running back Reggie Bush. He is a game-changer, who makes defenses adjust to try and contain him. Rookie quarterback Ryan Tannehill is coming off one of the best games of his young career (21-of-29, 2 touchdowns) last week against the St. Louis Rams. He will  need to keep that success going the Jets.

The Jets will look to rebound from a tough loss to the New England Patriots last week in overtime. The loss put them below .500, a place they can't remain long if they hope to make the playoffs. Quarterback Matt Sanchez needs to continue to work on his accuracy and consistency. With Santonio Holmes out for the season with a Lisfranc foot injury, Jeremy Kerley has emerged as Sanchez's top target. The Jets will look to utilize his speed in both the passing and return game.

Prediction: Jets 20 Dolphins 17

3. Washington Redskins (3-4) @ Pittsburgh Steelers (3-3) - 1:00 PM EST, FOX

Rookie quarterback Robert Griffin III played very well last week and had his team in a position to upset Eli Manning and the New York Giants. Griffin's targets vary week-to-week, but he has been adjusting well to meet the needs accordingly. Rookie running back Alfred Morris is coming off a strong game as well. He rush for 120 yards on just 22 carries. The team as a whole will have to play well to knock off the Steelers.

Speaking of the Steelers, they are coming off a much needed win over the Bengals on Sunday night in Cincinnati. Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger will need to continue to play well and to make wise decisions. The Steelers benefited last week from a young running backs. Jonathan Dwyer rushed for 122 yards on just 17 carries. Rookie Chris Rainey had a late touchdown run to help the Steelers gain the victory last week. The defense will need to continue to step up its play with important players missing due to injuries.

Prediction: Steelers 24 Redskins 23

2. New York Giants (5-2) @ Dallas Cowboys (3-3) - 4:25 PM EST, FOX

Anytime the Giants and Cowboys square off it seems like there is a lot on the line. While the Cowboys beat the Giants 24-17 in the season opener, the Giants have been the superior team ever since. The Giants will look to win their fourth game in a row behind the strong play of quarterback Eli Manning. The health of running back Ahmad Bradshaw could play a significant role on the outcome. He is currently listed as questionable for Sunday's game. On defense, the Giants have found that they will need other players to fill in for safety Kenny Phillips and defensive tackle Rocky Bernard, who have both been ruled out due to injury.

The Cowboys will look to find consistency. Quarterback Tony Romo has had ups-and-downs and will need to limit the turnovers against the Giants. Top wide receiver Dez Bryant was pretty much a non-factor in their win last week over the Carolina Panthers. The Cowboys will need him to step up and play a much stronger, especially since starting running back DeMarco Murray is out with a foot injury.

Prediction: Giants 27 Cowboys 24

1. Atlanta Falcons (6-0) @ Philadelphia Eagles (3-3) - 1:00 PM EST, FOX

Both the Falcons and Eagles come into this Sunday's matchup off a bye week. The Falcons worked on tweaking their problems, but those seem to be pretty minor when one considers that they are the last undefeated team in the NFL. Quarterback Matt Ryan has played very well, but needs to continue to work on limiting his turnovers. Wide receivers Julio Jones and Roddy White and tight end Tony Gonzalez will likely be some of Ryan's top targets.

The Eagles usually come out very strong following a bye week. Under Andy Reid, they are 13-0 in games immediately following a bye week, the longest such streak since the bye week was established in 1990. Coming in off of back-to-back losses, the Eagles will look to make that a reality once again. Quarterback Michael Vick's turnovers have been hurting this team, but this team must do all that it can to protect him from endangering situations. The Eagles defense will also try to find its feet following the firing of defensive coordinator Juan Castillo on October 16.

Prediction: Falcons 27 Eagles 17

NFL Week 5 Preview and Predictions

Steelers running back Rashard Mendenhall is set to make his season debut after recovering from an ACL injury. (Justin K. Aller)

I literally got knocked out by a band riser tonight, so these previews are going to be brief. I don't think that my reasoning will be affected any.

5. Atlanta Falcons (4-0) @ Washington Redskins (2-2) - 1:00 PM EST, FOX

Everything for these teams start with their respective quarterback. Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan is maturing into an elite quarterback. His cool demeanor and presence gives him the authority to lead his team to victory in games they would not have otherwise won. The Redskins counter with their rookie quarterback Robert Griffin III. RG3 is an electrifying, duel-threat quarterback. He has game-changer potential and room to grow and mature.

Predictions: Falcons 31 Redskins 20

4. Buffalo Bills (2-2) @ San Francisco 49ers (3-1) - 4:25 PM EST, CBS

Bills running backs C.J. Spiller and Fred Jackson have battled injuries all season. Their team needs now more than ever against the 49ers talented defense. Last week, the Niners came into New York and destroyed the Jets 34-0. They limited the Jets to 145 total yards. Offensively, they rushed for a combined 245 yards and three touchdowns.

Prediction: 49ers 30 Bills 13

3. Denver Broncos (2-2) @ New England Patriots (2-2) - 4:25 PM EST, CBS

It is another installment in the Peyton Manning vs. Tom Brady annals. The Broncos have had their share of ups and downs so far this season. Last week, the team played very well in a blowout of the Oakland Raiders. Manning threw for 338 yards and three touchdowns. Meanwhile, it was the Patriots who got off to  a slow start against the Bills. That didn't last long as they scored 45 points in the second half to win by 24.

Prediction: Patriots 28 Broncos 24

2. Houston Texans (4-0) @ New York Jets (2-2) - 8:30 PM EST, ESPN/WatchESPN

The Texans have been one of the best teams in all of football so far this season. This is their opportunity to prove it on national television. Quarterback Matt Schaub leads a steadily consistent offense that rarely makes mistakes. The Texans defense has been dominate and appears to be built to be so. The Jets have struggled mightily with inconsistency and not knowing what to expect. They need to come together as a team under one set of common goals.

Prediction: Texans 38 Jets 6

1. Philadelphia Eagles (3-1) @ Pittsburgh Steelers (1-2) - 1:00 PM, FOX

The Eagles' three wins have come by a combined four points. This could mean they are very good or very lucky. Which one it is remains to be seen. What is for sure is that the Eagles odds of winning significantly increase when quarterback Michael Vick doesn't turnover the football and instead, distributes it well. The Steelers are coming off a bitter loss to the Raiders and a bye week. The good news for the Steelers is that they will reportedly have James Harrison, Troy Polamalu and Rashard Mendenhall back from their respective injuries. They are more than capable of taking over the game.

Prediction: Steelers 24 Eagles 20

NFL Week 3 Preview and Predictions

Texans quarterback Matt Schaub has been superb this season, but faces his toughest task so far with the Broncos on Sunday. (Brett Davis)

5. Philadelphia Eagles (2-0) @ Arizona Cardinals (2-0) - 4:05 PM EST, FOX

When Cardinals quarterback Kevin Kolb was benched before the season began in favor of John Skelton, it seemed unlikely that Kolb would get the opportunity to play his for team, the Eagles, when they came to town in Week 3. However, injuries to Skelton have made Kolb the starter once again. What seemed even less likely is that the Cardinals would be undefeated coming into Sunday's game. But after wins over the Seahawks and Patriots, that is exactly how the Cardinals come into the third week of the NFL season.

The Eagles are 2-0 as well, even if it is by the narrowest of margins. Their two wins so far this season have been by one point each. The Eagles must be more careful with the football. In the past fifty years, only four teams have turned the ball over at least four times in their first two games and won both games. The Eagles must do much better in that regard if they hope to keep winning football games. The Cardinals need big games out of their running backs Beanie Well and Ryan Williams to have a shot at pulling another upset. A balanced attack will help keep the Eagles defense on their heels.

Prediction: Cardinals 24 Eagles 20

4. Green Bay Packers (1-1) @ Seattle Seahawks (1-1) - 8:30 PM EST (Monday), ESPN/WatchESPN

The Packers rebounded from a Week 1 defeat at the San Francisco 49ers with a solid win over their divisional rival Chicago Bears. They used some trickery and improved play from their defense to help earn their first victory of the season. The Packers offense still isn't putting up big winners, but no one doubts they are one of the best in the league regardless. The Seahawks had one of the best preseasons of any team in the NFL. While their Week 1 letdown against the Cardinals was a bit surprising, they rebounded solidly with a 27-7 thumping of the Dallas Cowboys.

The Seahawks offense is centered upon running back Marshawn Lynch. He sets up ball control and keys their possession-based offense. Lynch takes the pressure off rookie quarterback Russell Wilson by helping set up his play-action pass. The Seahawks defense is talented, but will have their handful the Packers offense. The key matchup will be the Packers receivers against the Seahawks secondary. The Seahawks big cornerbacks will look to disrupt the Packers timing from the very snap of the football.

Prediction: Packers 24 Seahawks 17

3. Atlanta Falcons (2-0) @ San Diego Chargers (2-0) - 4:05 PM EST, FOX

The Falcons already have two wins against AFC West opponents this season. They will look to get their third Sunday as they travel to San Diego to take on the Chargers. The Falcons survived a trip to Arrowhead Stadium in Week 1 and defeated Peyton Manning and the Broncos in the national spotlight in Week 2. The Chargers are undefeated through the first two weeks of the season as well, after beating their divisional rival Oakland Raiders in Week 1 and throttling the Tennessee Titans in Week 2.

The big matchup in this game is the battle of the quarterbacks. Matt Ryan has been superb so far this season for the Falcons. His composure and calm demeanor under pressure has earned him the nickname of "Matty Ice." The aspect of the Falcons offense that has struggled has been their rushing attack. Tailback Michael Turner appears to have lost a step, but will look to rebound against the Chargers. Quarterback Philip Rivers' strong play has led the Chargers offense to success. Their quick, short yardage passing game has been the prominent feature that has brought about success.

Prediction: Falcons 27 Chargers 21

2. New England Patriots (1-1) @ Baltimore Ravens (1-1) - 8:20 PM EST (Sunday), NBC

The importance of having a great kicker might be overlooked around the league, but these two teams can speak to its significance. In last year's AFC championship game, the Ravens' Billy Cundiff had a 32-yard chip shot to send the game to overtime. He choked and the Ravens season was consequentially over. Last week, the Patriots had a chance to avoid an embarrassing upset to the Cardinals. Kicker Stephen Gostkowski had a 42-yard attempt to win the game for the Patriots. However, he shanked the kick badly, giving the Cardinals the upset victory.

Both teams are very good and rarely lose two in a row, so we should expect a battle in this one. The Patriots will need quarterback Tom Brady to lead the way. One of the strongest parts of his game is his ability to read defenses and pick them apart at any level. Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco has been good, but his inconsistent play makes him difficult to rely on. That is why the Ravens offense centers upon running back Ray Rice. He is one of the most versatile playmakers in the league and capable of breaking one at any given time. One last thing to note is that the Ravens are tough to beat at home with a record of 15-1 over the past two seasons.

Prediction: Ravens 28 Patriots 27

1. Houston Texans (2-0) @ Denver Broncos (1-1) - 4:25 PM EST, CBS

The Texans have dismantled their first two opponents of the season by a margin of 57-17. Quarterback Matt Schaub has played well and their running game has been able to help eat up the clock in the second half. The Texans defense has been suffocating in both games. They lead the league in total defense (196.0 yards per game) and scoring defense (8.5 points per game). After a big win over the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 1, the Broncos suffered a bit of a letdown in their Week 2 loss to the Falcons. Quarterback Peyton Manning played nearly perfect in his first game with the Broncos, but was unable to overcome a couple of early mistakes in the second one.

Both teams will need a balanced attack to find success against a pair of talented defenses. Schaub will need continued solid play out of running back Arian Foster and the Texans rushing attack. The Broncos will need running back Willis McGahee to play well to help take pressure off Manning. Turnovers could be crucial in separating these sides. The Texans have forced five and have yet to give one up one themselves so far this season.

Prediction: Texans 27 Broncos 20

NFL Week 2 Preview and Predictions

Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan has to be better than Peyton Manning to beat the Broncos on MNF. (Ed Zerga)

5. Dallas Cowboys (1-0) @ Seattle Seahawks (0-1) - 4:05 PM EST, FOX

These two teams have very different state of minds coming off Week 1. Not many gave the Cowboys a chance in the NFL season kickoff against the New York Giants. However, the Cowboys were definitely the better team in that matchup. They would like to build off that success at CenturyLink Field in Seattle. Expectations were growing for the Seahawks as a result of a strong preseason. Unfortunately, they struggled with consistency in a loss to the Arizona Cardinals. The Seahawks would like to put Week 1 behind them.

The Cowboys aired out quite a bit last week. Quarterback Tony Romo has a big play receiving corps that was surprisingly led by Kevin Ogletree, who caught eight passes for 114 yards and two touchdowns. Dez Bryant is another Cowboys wideout who is dangerous. The Seahawks will try and counteract the Cowboys passing game with their large secondary. They will try to use physical play at the line to disrupt the timing of the offense. The Seahawks need to establish the running game with Marshawn Lynch. This will help take the pressure off rookie quarterback Russell Wilson.

Prediction: Seahawks 23 Cowboys 20

4. Baltimore Ravens (1-0) @ Philadelphia Eagles (1-0) - 1:00 PM EST, CBS

While both these teams are 1-0, their wins over AFC North opponents came in very different ways. The Ravens obliterated the Cincinnati Bengals on Monday Night Football. Conversely, the Eagles struggled and had to come from behind to defeat the Cleveland Browns. What these two teams have in common is an offense centered on a dynamic, versatile running back.

The Eagles need LeSean McCoy to use his power and speed to help take pressure off quarterback Michael Vick. Vick had one of his worst games of his career throwing four interceptions. The Ravens offense is best when running back Ray Rice shines brightest. Last season, he led the team in rushing and receptions. Rice's value simply cannot be overlooked. As opposed to Vick, Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco is coming off one of the best games of his career.

Prediction: Ravens 31 Eagles 20

3. New York Jets (1-0) @ Pittsburgh Steelers (0-1) - 4:25 PM EST, CBS

In their Week 1 win, the Jets finally gave quarterback Mark Sanchez time to operate. His execution was excellent partially as a result. This all was rather surprising because the Jets offensive line struggled so badly during the regular season. The Steelers will undoubtedly look to test them again with their mixed blitzing packages. They played fairly well in Week 1, but simply couldn't overcome the superb play of Payton Manning.

The Steelers should benefit defensively from the debut of safety Ryan Clark. He will help stabilize pass protection and free up Troy Polamalu to play his style of football. Offensively, the Steelers might look to utilize quarterback Ben Roethlisberger more on first and second down. The Jets have a talented secondary to match up, but they should have their hands full in this one.

Prediction: Steelers 24 Jets 20

2. Detroit Lions (1-0) @ San Francisco 49ers (1-0) - 8:20 PM EST (Sunday), NBC

The Lions are just happy that they got the win in Week 1 after an unimpressive showing against the St. Louis Rams. Meanwhile, the 49ers came into Lambeau Field and dominated the Packers. The 49ers defense shut down Aaron Rodgers and the Packers offense. They will need to be just as good with Matthew Stafford and the Lions explosive offense coming to town.

The Lions offensive line is going to need to protect Stafford from the intimidating 49ers defense. When faced with pressure, Stafford becomes more likely to make mistakes and turn the ball over. While it hasn't been widely discussed, the 49ers offense got much better this offseason. The focal point is still Frank Gore, one of the best running backs in the league. They added wide receivers Mario Manningham and Randy Moss to give quarterback Alex Smith reliable targets.

Prediction: 49ers 31 Lions 20

1. Denver Broncos (1-0) @ Atlanta Falcons (1-0) - 8:30 PM EST (Monday), ESPN/WatchESPN

Last week, veteran quarterback Peyton Manning made his much anticipated return to football in his debut with the Broncos. He looked like he never left as he picked apart the Pittsburgh Steelers defense. The Falcons had an excellent first game as well as they came into Arrowhead Stadium and stomped the Kansas City Chiefs. They put up an impressive 40 points in one of the most hostile environments in the league.

It was a familiar sight to see Manning running his no-huddle, call his own play offense last week. What many people don't realize is that Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan likes to do the same thing. A crucial aspect of the Falcons chance of winning is the play of their offensive line. They must protect Ryan from the Broncos' Von Miller and Elvis Dumervil and open up running lanes for backs Michael Turner and Jacquizz Rodgers.

Prediction: Broncos 31 Falcons 27

NFL Wild Card Preview & Predictions

Cincinnati Bengals (9-7) @ Houston Texans (10-6) - Saturday, 4:30 PM EST, NBC

Both of these teams got to this game in unexpected ways. The Houston Texans have been plagued by injuries all season, but managed to overcome it and earned their first playoff berth in franchise history. At quarterback, the Texans have been relying on third-string rookie T.J. Yates. Yates was injured last week, but the team says he will be ready to play. The Cincinnati Bengals went through an offensive makeover when they let wide receivers Chad Ochocinco and Terrell Owens leave and traded away quarterback Carson Palmer. This meant that the Bengals too turned to a rookie quarterback, theirs being Andy Dalton. Dalton has done a good job and especially likes to get the ball to fellow rookie A.J. Green. Both teams' defenses are much improved and have helped to carry their teams at times this season. The trendy pick here is the Bengals, but I like the Texans to win. This is primarily because they have the two best players on the field in wide receiver Andre Johnson and running back Arian Foster. While Foster didn't quite live up to the monster year he put up last year, I think he'll be the difference in this one. Prediction: Texans 20 Bengals 16

Detroit Lions (10-6) @ New Orleans Saints (13-3) - Saturday, 8:00 PM EST, NBC

Just like the previous game, this is a rematch from the regular season, a game the Saints won by two touchdowns. The New Orleans Saints had another season of offensive dominance with Drew Brees wreaking havoc and setting records all over the field. Brees and company put together yet another excellent regular season. However, the Saints don't want a playoff repeat of last year, when they were upset by the Seattle Seahawks. On the other side of the ball, head coach Jim Schwartz has done a marvelous job transforming the Detroit Lions from a 0-16 team in 2008 to a ten-win playoff team in 2011. The main reasons include an improved defense and impressive offensive displays by quarterback Matthew Stafford and wide receiver Calvin Johnson. Just like Brees, Stafford threw for over 5,000 passing yards. Johnson is a nightmare matchup for any secondary. The Lions are whining (something they excel at) that they are not getting the respect they deserve. They are probably right, but I think the Saints will dominate the Superdome once again. Prediction: Saints 41 Lions 27

Atlanta Falcons (10-6) @ New York Giants (9-7) - Sunday, 1:00 PM EST, FOX

These teams are both thinking about history, but in opposite ways. The Atlanta Falcons have seen the last two seasons end in opening losses in the playoffs. On the other hand, the New York Giants are trying to draw comparisons to their Super Bowl winning run of 2007. Here's my problem with this: none of it matters. However, if the players let it matter and it gets in their heads, then it certainly could. There is no denying the mental edge in sports. The Atlanta Falcons put together a solid season, but were never capable of coming up with a big win over a top team. Quarterback Matt Ryan, running back Michael Turner, and wide receiver Roddy White still lead the way on offense, but the new threat is rookie wideout Julio Jones. Everyone, myself included, thought the Giants were going to have another meltdown and miss the playoffs, but in two must-win games the last two weeks, the Giants got it done. Quarterback Eli Manning and many of the mainstays are the same, but the Giants saw some of their youth step up big this season. On offense, Victor Cruz has become Manning's new favorite target. On defense, Jason Pierre-Paul had a breakout season that earned him a spot on the All-Pro team. Prediction: Giants 31 Falcons 17

Pittsburgh Steelers (12-4) @ Denver Broncos (8-8) - Sunday, 4:30 PM EST, CBS

Everyone is considered about the Pittsburgh Steelers offensive injury woes, with losing running back Rashard Mendenhall for the entire playoffs and quarterback Ben Roethisberger nursing a severe ankle sprain. However, being a Steelers fan myself, I would say that the team isn't giving it much thought. Head coach Mike Tomlin and his players are focused on how they are going to win this football game. The Denver Broncos and quarterback Tim Tebow are the favorite topic of discussion for the media. Everyone has an opinion, and they are convinced they're right. While I do have an opinion, I will avail you of listening to that. What I will tell you is the facts. The Broncos have backed into the playoffs on a three game losing streak. In those games, Tebow has played poorly. For them to have any chance, he is going to have to play well against what is a tough Steelers defense. While it probably won't be a pretty game, I think the Steelers will do enough to win and live to play another day. Prediction: Steelers 20 Broncos 3

NFL Week 13 Preview & Predictions (Abbreviated Form)

5. Kansas City Chiefs (4-7) @ Chicago Bears (7-4) - 1:00 PM EST, CBS

Chiefs X-Factor: Quarterback Kyle Orton - The Chiefs may turn to the veteran Orton after Tyler Palko struggled last week throwing three interceptions. Orton, the longtime Bears play-caller, might face his old team on Sunday. He will look to keep his team's slim playoff hopes alive in the AFC West.

Bears X- Factor: Quarterback Caleb Hanie - Last week, the Bears were forced to turn to a backup quarterback of their own. Following the injury to Jay Cutler, the Bears called on Caleb Hanie. Hanie threw two touchdown passes, but ultimately threw three interceptions, which cost the Bears the game. If the Bears want to stay in the NFC Wild Card race, they need Hanie to limit his mistakes.

Prediction: Bears 23 Chiefs 16

4. Green Bay Packers (11-0) @ New York Giants (6-5) - 4:15 PM EST, FOX

Packers X-Factor: Running backs Ryan Grant and James Starks - The Packers obviously haven't had to run the ball much with quarterback Aaron Rodgers picking apart opposing defenses for a total of 33 touchdowns this season. However, great defenses are eventually going to figure out how to slow him down. The question becomes will they have any running game to turn to if this happens.

Giants X-Factor: Head coach Tom Coughlin - Coughlin needs to get his team's attention, and he needs to do it now. The media is blowing the Giants three-game losing streak into another giant meltdown to miss the playoffs. If something doesn't change with this football team soon, the media is going to be right.

Prediction: Packers 38 Giants 17

3. Atlanta Falcons (7-4) @ Houston Texans (8-3) - 1:00 PM EST, FOX

Falcons X-Factor: Wide receiver Roddy White - Quarterback Matt Ryan has been looking to his favorite target, White, a lot over the past two weeks. White has 17 receptions, 267 yards, and one touchdown in those games. White will need to have another big game as the Falcons' offense faces off against a tough Texans' defense.

Texans X-Factor: Running back Arian Foster - The Texans need Foster to step up big, following yet another injury at quarterback. Both Matt Schaub and Matt Leinart are out for at least the regular season, so the Texans had to turn to rookie T.J. Yates. Yates has shown signs of being a good game manager, but doesn't seem ready to lead his team to victory in flashy fashion. It is up to Foster to help alleviate some of that pressure. A big running game will help Yates out a lot.

Prediction: Texans 24 Falcons 23

2. Cincinnati Bengals (7-4) @ Pittsburgh Steelers (8-3) - 1:00 PM EST, CBS

Bengals X-Factor: Quarterback Andy Dalton - Rookie Andy Dalton has quickly learned how dominant the Steelers and Ravens defenses are. He threw a combined five interceptions in his first matchup against both teams. This week, he gets a rematch against the Steelers, and this time it is at Hines Field. Dalton has to be aware because the Steelers defense that will be coming after him.

Steelers X-Factor: Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger - The Steelers defense dominated the Kansas City Chiefs last week, but Big Ben did little with it. You can blame the wind all you want, but I watched the game. Ben played poorly. He seems to struggle against bad teams. The Bengals will be pumped and seeking revenge. Big Ben better respond better in this one.

Prediction: Steelers 20 Bengals 17

1. Detroit Lions (7-4) @ New Orleans Saints (7-3) - 8:20 PM EST, NBC

Lions X-Factor: Quarterback Matthew Stafford - With his team's running backs and defense ailing, Stafford is going to have to play very well for his team to stand a chance. In order to do this, he needs to limit his mistakes. Over the past three weeks, he has thrown nine interceptions. That is simply too many.

Saints X-Factor: Quarterback Drew Brees - You might ask how Brees can be the X-Factor. He is a given to succeed. You would probably be right. But the Saints offense is so diversified, it is seemingly impossible to pick any one other player. Additionally, Brees has torched the Lions in the past. The Lions' secondary might be in trouble. They had so many injuries last week that wide receiver Rashied Davis had to come in and play safety. Look for Brees to have another monstrous game.

Prediction: Saints 42 Lions 21

NFL Week 10 Preview & Predictions

This week features four great divisional battles and one surprising Game of the week in my Top 5 for the NFL's Week 10.

5. New Orleans Saints (6-3) @ Atlanta Falcons (5-3) - 1:00 PM EST, FOX

The New Orleans Saints travel to the Georgia Dome on Sunday for yet another big game against the Falcons. The NFC South rivals have had some pivotal matchups over the past few years. This one is no exception as the winner is in first place in the division. New Orleans has had a rocky past few weeks (2W over IND & TB, 1L to STL). The Saints will most likely lean heavily on quarterback Drew Brees' arm in this one. Starting runningback Mark Ingram has missed the past two games with a heel injury and is questionable for this one. Backups Darren Sproles and Pierre Thomas have only combined for a total of 658 rushing yards on the season. Atlanta ranks fourth in the NFL in rush defense giving up only 87.2 ypg. The Falcons have won three in a row and four of their last five overall, with the only loss being to still undefeated Green Bay. After missing the previous two games with a strained left hamstring, rookie wide receiver Julio Jones broke out for a big game with three catches for 131 yards and two touchdowns last week. He became the first rookie since the 1970 merger to catch touchdown passes of 80+ and 50+ yards in the same game. Prediction: Atlanta 27 New Orleans 24

4. Detroit Lions (6-2) vs. Chicago Bears (5-3) - 4:15 PM EST, FOX

On October 10, the Detroit Lions went to 5-0 on the season following an impressive MNF win over the Chicago Bears 24-13. The Bears have gone 3-0 since, including big wins over Tampa Bay and Philadelphia. Conversely, after the win, the Lions dropped two in a row to San Francisco and Atlanta before blowing out Denver last week. You can almost certainly bank on some big performances from of the teams' offensive stars. Bears runningback Matt Forte ran for 116 yards in the last matchup. The Lions have the 29th ranked rush defense in the league (137.6 ypg). Lions wide receiver Clavin Johnson caught 5 catches for 130 yards and a touchdown. The Bears have the 26th ranked pass defense in the league (264.3 ypg). My x-factor of the game is Lions runningback Jahvid Best. Best has missed the past two games with a concussion, but coming off the bye, he appears to be healthy. He ran all over the Bears in the last matchup. He had 12 carries for 163 yards and a touchdown. Prediction: Lions 24 Bears 16

3. Pittsburgh Steelers (6-3) @ Cincinnati Bengals (6-2) - 1:00 PM EST, CBS

Carson Palmer refused to play and Chad Ochocinco was traded. The Cincinnati Bengals were forced to start a rookie quarterback and were picked to finish last in the AFC North. Halfway through the season, they are 6-2 and tied for the division lead. Their record might be embellished by a cupcake schedule so far, but rookie quarterback Andy Dalton has the Bengals riding their longest winning streak in more than 23 years. This Sunday they face the Pittsburgh Steelers in the first of four straight divisional games. The Steelers are coming off a tough loss to the Baltimore Ravens last Sunday night. They played well in the game, but quarterback Ben Roethlisberger threw a costly interception when the team was driving and the defense couldn't stop Joe Flacco and the Ravens on their final drive of the game. The Bengals always give the Steelers a tough game, especially at Paul Brown Stadium. Prediction: Steelers 20 Bengals 6

2. New England Patriots (5-3) @ New York Jets (5-3) - 8:20 PM EST, NBC

Just one month ago, the New England Patriots handed their archrival New York Jets their third straight loss. Now, the Jets have a chance to do the same to the Patriots with a win at home on Sunday night. Patriots runningback BenJarvus Green-Ellis was the star of the last matchup. He ran 27 times for 136 yards and 2 touchdowns. However, Green-Ellis has stuggled since, rushing for only a combined 119 yards over the Patriots' last 3 games. Quarterback Tom Brady has been held in check the past two weeks as well. Jets cornerback Darrelle Revis will be matchuped against Patriots wide receiver Wes Welker. This leaves Brady's other favorite target, tight end Ron Gronkowski, as my x-factor for the game. Gronkowski struggled in the previous Jets game, but is coming off three straight games of at least 7 catches and 74 receiving yards. Prediction: Jets 20 Patriots 17

1. New York Giants (6-2) @ San Francisco 49ers (7-1) - 4:15 PM EST, FOX

With all these great divisional games this week, who would have believed this would be the best game of the week at the beginning of the season? The two teams have a combined 13-3 record. First-year coach Jim Harbaugh has the 49ers at 7-1 halfway through the season. The same 49ers team that has finished at or under .500 the past eight seasons. The 49ers haven't looked dominate in most of their wins, but they are one overtime instant replay overturning against Dallas from possibly be undefeated. The Giants are coming off a big come-from-behind win over the Patriots last week. They will be without starting runningback Ahmad Bradshaw (broken bone in his right foot) again this week. The 49ers offense will most likely revolve around one of the best runningbacks in the game right now in Frank Gore. Gore has rushed for over 100 yards in five straight games and has scored four rushing touchdowns over that stretch. Prediction: 49ers 20 Giants 16