NFL Week 17 Preview and Predictions

The Redskins hope rookie quarterback Robert Griffin III can lead them to one more victory and into the playoffs. (Patrick McDermott)

5. Houston Texans (12-3) @ Indianapolis Colts (10-5) - 1:00 PM EST, CBS
The six AFC playoffs teams are set and these are two of them. The seeding is still to be determined, which is why this AFC South battle is significant on Sunday. Last week, the Texans had a chance to clinch home-field throughout the playoffs, but they lost to the Minnesota Vikings. Now, they must win against the Colts to guarantee themselves a first-round bye. The Colts got the win they needed last week over the Kansas City Chiefs to clinch their place in the playoffs. They also got head coach Chuck Pagano back this week from his battle with cancer. There will be a lot of pride on the line and momentum to be gained in this divisional battle.

Prediction: Texans 27 Colts 17

4. Philadelphia Eagles (4-11) @ New York Giants (8-7) - 1:00 PM EST, FOX
The Eagles playoff hopes have been gone so long it could be considered ancient history. Losers of ten of their last eleven, there is little to be excited about with this football team. However, a chance to knock one of their rivals out of the playoffs might be just enough motivation to show up and play hard when they take on the Giants on Sunday. With back-to-back losses, the Giants are a long shot to defend their Super Bowl title. A porous defense and sputtering offense has put forth ugly performance the past two weeks. In order to make the playoffs, the Giants first and foremost have to take care of business here and get a win over the Eagles. Then, they have to hope for losses by the Cowboys, Bears and Vikings. As I said, they are a longshot.

Prediction: Giants 27 Eagles 13

3. Chicago Bears (9-6) @ Detroit Lions (4-11) - 1:00 PM EST, FOX
The Bears finally snapped a three-game losing streak with a 28-13 win over the Arizona Cardinals last week. Unfortunately for them, it may be too little, too late for their hopes of making the playoffs. The need a win over the Lions and a loss by the Vikings in order to secure a postseason berth. The Bears defense will need to play well if they hope to slow down Calvin Johnson and the Lions offense. Bears quarterback Jay Cutler will also need to play well and limit his mistakes. The Lions have lost seven in row and have been out of the playoff picture for awhile. They will still be plenty motivated to have a shot at knocking a rival out of the playoffs.

Prediction: Bears 20 Lions 17

2. Green Bay Packers (11-4) @ Minnesota Vikings (9-6) - 4:25 PM EST, FOX
The Packers have won nine out of their last ten, but they still need one more win to guarantee themselves a first-round bye in the playoffs. Last week, quarterback Aaron Rodgers threw for three touchdowns and ran for another, running back Ryan Grant rushed for two more and the Green Bay defense dominated in a 55-7 rout of the Tennessee Titans. The Packers will look to use a similar formula when they face the Vikings on Sunday. While all of the focus has been on Adrian Peterson's chance to break Eric Dickerson's single-season rushing record of 2,105 yards, the Vikings have quietly positioned themselves for the team's first playoff berth since 2009. The Vikings defense played very well in their surprising upset of the Houston Texans last week. They held the Texans to 187 total yards and only six points. The Vikings defense will need to play just as well if they hope to slow down Rodgers and the Packers' dynamic offense.

Prediction: Packers 24 Vikings 16

1. Dallas Cowboys (8-7) @ Washington Redskins (9-6) - 8:20 PM EST, NBC
The winner of this game is the NFC East champion and earns the automatic berth into the playoffs. Since their Week 12 loss to the Redskins, the Cowboys have played four games decided by five points or less and the last two have gone to overtime. Quarterback Tony Romo played very well last week against the New Orleans Saints. He threw for 416 yards, four touchdowns and most importantly, no interceptions. Romo's top receiver, Dez Bryant, played well in that game as well. He had nine receptions for 224 yards and two scores. The Redskins have won six in a row, but need one more divisional win to become the NFC East champions. Rookie quarterback Robert Griffin III returned from injury to lift his team past the Eagles last week to set up this week's showdown with the Cowboys. Running back Alfred Morris has played well lately as well. He has scored at least one touchdown in four out of his last five games. Morris has rushed for an average of 108.8 yards per game during that stretch. The Redskins will try and use a balanced attack to breakdown the Cowboys defense.

Prediction: Redskins 31 Cowboys 28

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

12 Best Athletes to Ever Wear No. 12

Quarterback Terry Bradshaw was a four-time Super Bowl champion wearing No. 12 for the Pittsburgh Steelers. (Fox Sports)

In honor of the date being 12/12/12, I thought it would be fitting to give tribute to the 12 best athletes to ever wear No. 12.

12. Bob Griese: Griese was a two-time All-American quarterback and kicker at Purdue. He was the No. 1 pick in the 1967 NFL Draft by the Miami Dolphins. Griese is famous for quarterbacking the Dolphins to their perfect 1972 season. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1990.

11. Jarome Inginla: Iginla has spent the entirety of his 15-year career as a member of the Calgary Flames. Despite never bringing home the Stanley Cup, he has made himself a local legend. Inginla has scored 516 goals in his career, including 81 game-winning goals. He will be a lock for the Hall of Fame when ever he does decide to retire.

10. Dickie Moore: Moore was among the NHL's best shooters and puckhandlers of his time. As a member of the Montreal Canadiens, he led the NHL in goals and assists once time each. Moore played an important role on six championship teams, including five consecutive Stanley Cups from 1956-60. He was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1974.

9. Yvan Cournoyer: Cournoyer donned No. 12 for the Canadiens throughout his 17-year career after getting it from Moore. He finished his career with 428 goals and 435 assists. Cournoyer won the Stanley Cups 10 times, which is the second most in NHL history. He was a Hall of Fame inductee in 1982.

8. Thierry Henry: Henry is one of the best footballers of this generation. He was a member of the French national team that won the World Cup in 1998. Henry became an international star in the English Premier League as a top striker for Arsenal. During his career with The Gunners, he earned nearly every award the sport has to offer.

7. John Stockton: At point guard, Stockton led the Utah Jazz to 19 consecutive playoff appearances, but was never able to bring a NBA championship home. He led the league in assists for nine consecutive seasons. Stockton finished with a NBA record 15,806 assists, which is 3,800 more than the next closest player.  He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2009.

6. Jim Kelly: Kelly is the only player in Buffalo Bills history to have his number retired. This honor is likely the result of leading the Bills to four consecutive losses in the Super Bowl. During his 11-year career, Kelly made 160 starts and threw 237 career touchdown passes. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2002.

5. Roger Staubach: As a quarterback for Navy, Staubach won the Heisman Trophy in 1963. He then served his tour of duty in Vietnam. Staubach returned home to lead the Dallas Cowboys to their first two Super Bowl championships. He became a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1985.

4. Joe Namath: Namath is more of a legend because of his swagger, rather than his actual statistics. He guaranteed a win in Super Bowl III and delivered on his promise.  When Namath wasn't acting in movies and television commercials, he threw for 27,663 passing yards in his football career. Just like Staubach, he was a part of the 1985 class for the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

3. Tom Brady: Brady was a sixth-round draft pick by the New England Patriots in 2000. He took over the starting job after Drew Bledsoe was injured in Week 2 of the 2001 season and led the Patriots to their first Super Bowl title. Brady has thrown for 43,812 yards (nearly 25 miles) and 329 touchdowns. He is a two-time MVP and has won three Super Bowls.

2. Roberto Alomar: Regarded by many as the greatest second baseman of all time, Alomar was a 12-time All-Star, 10-time Gold Glove winner, and led the Toronto Blue Jays to back-to-back World Series championships in 1992 and 1993.  Alomar wore No. 12 for each of the eight teams he played for during his career. His 2,724 career hits and 1,1,34 RBIs led to his Hall of Fame induction in 2011.

1. Terry Bradshaw: Bradshaw didn't put up huge statistical numbers, but he knew how to lead his football team to victories. He finished his career with a 107-51 record and four Super Bowl rings. Bradshaw was named MVP of the NFL in 1978 and was also the Super Bowl MVP twice. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1989.

Honorable Mention: Michael Jordan
Jordan made the No. 23 famous, but was forced to wear No. 12 for one game in 1990. On Valentine’s Day in Orlando, he had his jersey stolen from the locker room prior to the game. Jordan scored 49 points in 47 minutes, but the Bulls lost in overtime 135-129.

"That has never happened to me before,'' Jordan told the Orlando Sentinel at the time. ''It's pretty irritating because you're accustomed to certain things and you don't like to have things misplaced.''

Jordan may have been frustrated, but my guess is that the fans in Orlando were more than happy. They got to witness history in the making, Jordan have another outstanding game and their team pull off a surprising victory.

NFL Week 14 Preview and Predictions

Tom Brady and Matt Schaub will play significant roles in a game that may decide home-field for the AFC playoffs. (Getty Images)

5. New Orleans Saints (5-7) @ New York Giants (7-5) - 4:25 PM EST, FOX

The Saints would need a miracle at this point to make the playoffs. At this point, it looks like a slow start and though schedule down the stretch proved to be too much. However, quarterback Drew Brees will certainly have his boys ready to give it their best on Sunday. A loss last week to their divisional rival Washington Redskins, the Giants have seen their NFC East lead get trimmed to just one game. As losers of three of their last four, they can't afford anymore setbacks. The Giants will rely on the leadership of quarterback Eli Manning to carry them through.

Prediction: Saints 24 Giants 20

4. Dallas Cowboys (6-6) @ Cincinnati Bengals (7-5) - 1:00 PM EST, FOX

This is a matchup of two teams in desperate hope of keeping their playoff hopes alive. Thanks to the Redskins win over the Giants last week, the Cowboys now sit just one game back of the Giants for the NFC East lead. They will look to build off a win over the Eagles last week to get another good performance out of quarterback Tony Romo. A win here would put the Cowboys above .500 for the first time this season. The Bengals are already two games above. 500, but currently sit on the outside looking into the playoffs. As a result, they might need to win out in order to have a shot at making the playoffs. After losing four in a row, the Bengals have now won four straight. They look to win again at home behind the strong play over their defense recently.

Prediction: Bengals 27 Cowboys 24

3. Chicago Bears (8-4) @ Minnesota Vikings (6-6) - 1:00 PM EST, FOX

The Bears suffered another setback last week when they lost to the Seattle Seahawks in overtime. The loss was their third in four weeks. Despite losing the game, quarterback Jay Cutler did play well. The Bears will need him to do so again as their defense will be missing their leader in Brian Urlacher to due to a hamstring sprain. After a 4-1 start, the Vikings are struggling to keep their slim playoff hopes alive. They have now lost four out of their last five to fall back to .500. Quarterback Christian Ponder and their defense have struggled recently. The Vikings will need a huge game out of running back Adrian Peterson to have even a chance at an upset.

Prediction: Bears 24 Vikings 13

2. Baltimore Ravens (9-3) @ Washington Redskins (6-6) - 1:00 PM EST, CBS

The Ravens saw their four-game win streak come to an end against their division rival Pittsburgh Steelers. Other than a pair of big touchdown plays by wide receiver Anquan Boldin and running back Ray Rice, their offense was non-existent in the loss. The Ravens defense also isn't nearly as strong as it has been in years past. They will now take a short road trip to our nation's capital where they will take on a suddenly dangerous Redskins team. After losing three in a row, rookie quarterback Robert Griffin III has led the Redskins to three straight NFC East wins. With all the confidence and momentum on their side, they are back at the .500 mark and sit only one game out of first place in their division. Another huge game out of Griffin could be in order to keep their win streak going.

Prediction: Redskins 24 Ravens 20

1. Houston Texans (11-1) @ New England Patriots (9-3) - 8:30 PM EST (Monday), ESPN/WatchESPN

Two of the top teams in the AFC come into a huge Monday Night Football matchup with playoff implications written all over it. Both teams are winners of six straight games. With only one loss so far this season, the Texans control their own fate in determining which team will have the home-field advantage throughout the playoffs. The Patriots are hoping slip-ups by the Texans and Ravens can allow them to earn at least a first round bye. Passing defense is both teams' area of weakness on that side of the ball. As a result, I expect both teams to air it quite a bit in what should be a high scoring affair. Patriots quarterback Tom Brady and Texans quarterback Matt Schaub are two of the leagues best and should be ready to show everyone why in primetime.

Prediction: Patriots 34 Texans 31

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 4 Preview & Predictions

Eagles quarterback Michael Vick will have to overcome struggles this season and a rough history against the Giants. (US Presswire)

5. New England Patriots (1-2) @ Buffalo Bills (2-1) - 1:00 PM EST, CBS

After getting blown out by the New York Jets in Week 1, the Bills have bounced back with two straight wins to be tied with those very same Jets for the AFC East lead. The Patriots are unexpectedly looking up at both those teams after losing two straight games, which is a total rarity in the Bill Belichick era. The latter of which was a hard fought loss to the Baltimore Ravens on a field goal as time expired.

The Patriots must protect quarterback Tom Brady. Brady is one of the best distributors in the league, but he must have adequate time to do so. Offensively, the Patriots must also prove that they can run the football to get some of the pressure and focus off Brady. Another player to keep on eye on for the Patriots is tight end Rob Gronkowski. His numbers have been down some so far this season, but he is capable of breaking out at any given time.

The Bills have a lot of uncertainty at running back right now. Both C.J. Spiller and Fred Jackson are listed as questionable and are likely game-time decisions come Sunday. This means that the Bills offense has to be prepared to air it out a lot with quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick at the helm. The Bills' danger man is wide receiver Steve Johnson, who is capable of the big play at any time. On defense, the Bills young secondary will have their handful with the Patriots. They must be consistent and at their best on Sunday.

Prediction: Patriots 31 Bills 23

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

After going 1-1 in close games against the likes of the Jacksonville Jaguars and Indianapolis Colts, I doubt anyone other than a blinded Vikings fan could pick them to beat the San Francisco 49ers. They did just that, picking up a double-digit win against one of the Super Bowl favorites. The Lions have not looked particularly strong so far this season. Last week, they lost in a shootout to the Tennessee Titans. With their dynamic offense, that rarely happens. Now sitting 1-2, the Lions will look to get back to .500 against their NFC North rivals.

The Vikings have gradually increased running back Adrian Peterson's workload as he returns from a knee injury. While he has yet to have a huge game this season, he is certainly capable of pulling one off at any given time. Second-year quarterback Christian Ponder has improved drastically so far this season. He is able to be accurate and smart with his passing when mobile and extending the pocket. On defense, the Vikings young secondary will have their handful with the Lions passing game. They must be consistent and do their best to contain as much as possible.

The Lions offense is one of the best in the league, particularly when passing the football. Quarterback Matthew Stafford and stud wide receiver Calvin Johnson are one of the best dynamic duos in football. Defensively, the Lions must do a better job of playing tighter defense. They gave up too many big plays last week. They must contain Peterson and Ponder as much as possible.

Prediction: Lions 28 Vikings 20

3. San Francisco 49ers (1-2) @ New York Jets - 1:00 PM EST, FOX

After beating a pair of playoff teams (Packers and Lions) from last season, the last thing the 49ers must have expected was to lose to the Vikings. The 49ers must be prepared to bounce back quickly as they travel cross-country to take on the Jets. It might have taken overtime to knock off the Miami Dolphins, but the Jets now have a 2-1 record, including 2-0 against their division.

The 49ers must look to rush the first and foremost with stud tailback Frank Gore leading the way. His hard determination and drive help draw the opposing defense. This benefits quarterback Alex Smith, tight end Vernon Davis, and the rest of the 49ers offense. It also helps their defense stay fresh and energized on the sideline.

The Jets need consistency out of quarterback Matt Sanchez. He is the focal point of their attack, and his play affects the attitude of the whole team. Defensively, the Jets must do a better job of pressuring the football. Through three games, they only have three sacks. That is simply unacceptable and must be improved upon if they are going to pick up many more wins.

Prediction: 49ers 24 Jets 20

2. Chicago Bears (2-1) @ Dallas Cowboys (2-1) - 8:30 PM EST (Monday), ESPN/WatchESPN

The Bears have had their share of ups and downs so far this season. They bounced back from a disappointing loss to their division rival Packers with a solid, team-effort victory over the St. Louis Rams. Running back Michael Bush had a touchdown, and safety Major Wright's pick-six helped seal the win. Interestingly enough, the Cowboys are 2-1 and have had their ups and downs as well. After getting beat down by the Seattle Seahawks, they returned home and defeated the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 16-10.

The similarities continue in the matchup as well. Both defenses have carried their respective teams each week. On the other side of the football, both offenses have to do a better job of limiting turnovers and mistakes. Running back Matt Forte is questionable for the game, so quarterback Jay Cutler would certainly benefit from a big game out of wide receiver Brandon Marshall. The Bears brought him in for situations just like this.

The Cowboys offensive line must protect quarterback Tony Romo. The weapons around him have struggled with inconsistency. He has been unreliable at times as a result. More than anyone else, tight end Jason Witten must step up his game. Romo relies on him for security, but he hasn't been up to the task so far this season. The Cowboys leader on defense is DeMarcus Ware. He must put pressure on Cutler and help to contain Forte in the backfield.

Prediction: Bears 17 Cowboys 13

1. New York Giants (2-1) @ Philadelphia Eagles (2-1) - 8:20 PM EST (Sunday), NBC

After going 1-1 a pair of close games, a loss to the Cowboys and a win over the Buccaneers, the Giants finally put it all together in a slaughtering of the Carolina Panthers. The Eagles eked out one-point victories in the first two weeks, but played poorly in a blowout loss to the Arizona Cardinals in Week 3. The three turnovers and poor play defensively doomed the Eagles from the very beginning.

The Giants having been airing the ball out a lot this season, but the Eagles boast a strong pass defense. Giants quarterback Eli Manning has had a great season so far, but always benefits from having a running game he can rely upon. Defensively, the Giants must avoid giving up the big play. Eagles quarterback Michael Vick, running back LeSean McCoy and wide receiver DeSean Jackson are all dynamic and capable of breaking a play at any given time.

As I just mentioned, the Eagles could use big plays out of the likes of Vick, McCoy and Jackson. They offensive is operating at full capacity when all three are playing well. The defense must put pressure on Manning and control the line of scrimmage. They would certainly benefit from their offense keeping the ball away from the Giants as much as possible.

Prediction: Giants 27 Eagles 24

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

What to Watch for in Giants and Cowboys NFL Kickoff

Soft-spoken New York Giants wide receiver Hakeem Nicks is ready to let his play show how talented he really is. (Nick Laham)

It is hard to believe that the start of the NFL season is less than 24 hours away. On Wednesday night, the reigning Super Bowl champion New York Giants host their NFC East rival Dallas Cowboys. With much on the line already, my blog post looks to give you a few things to keep an eye on while you watch the game.

Giants Wide Receivers Hakeem Nicks and Victor Cruz vs.
Cowboys Cornerbacks Morris Claiborne and Brandon Carr

One of the most blatant statistics from last year's Giants vs. Cowboys matchups was that Nicks and Cruz lit up the Cowboys secondary for 25 catches and nearly 500 receiving yards. It obviously didn't take long for Cowboys owner Jerry Jones to take notice of the issue. It was one of his top offseason priorities. Jones traded up to get Claiborne out of LSU in the first round of the draft. He also acquired Carr from the Kansas City Chiefs. The real question becomes are Claiborne and Carr ready to slow down and contain Nicks and Cruz. Wednesday night's game should be a good indicator one way or the other.

Giants Defensive Line vs. Cowboys Offensive Line

This is not an insult to the Cowboys offensive line. They are actually pretty talented, especially if tight end Jason Witten is able to play through his lacerated spleen. This is really about how good the Giants defensive line is. Whether it is Jason Pierre-Paul, Osi Umenyoria, Justin Tuck, Mathias Kiwanuka, or Rocky Bernard, the Giants have a ton of personnel that they can rotated through their defensive line. If the Cowboys are going to have any chance of winning, they must protect their quarterback Tony Romo and open up lanes for their running backs.

Giants Dominance vs. Cowboys Lack There Of

Since 2008, the Giants are 7-2 against the Cowboys. The wins haven't typically been blowouts. They have usually come down to one or two crucial plays. The Giants players have been the ones making them. Last December, it was Pierre-Paul's field goal attempt block. In January, it was Giants quarterback Eli Manning's third down completion to Cruz in the fourth quarter. The Giants have simply been the better team as of late. There has to be a psychological edge that comes along with that.

Dez Bryant Loses His Temper and Assaults His Own Mother

The talent of Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Dez Bryant is undeniable, but he must solve his personal problems first. (Matthew Emmons)

From a purely talent standpoint, Dez Bryant is one of the greatest wide receivers of this century. His mixture of speed, agility, and strength make for a virtually unstoppable target for any quarterback. The problem is that his character choices and personal problems have led to distractions off the field and underachievement on it.

Dez Bryant's talent first caught the widespread attention of fans during his time at Oklahoma State. There was play after play that talent wise showed he was a man among boys. Other than being irresponsible, Bryant largely didn't run into any trouble with the Cowboys. Entering the 2010 NFL Draft, Bryant's talent was one of the biggest topics of discussion. While he was slated as high as #1 overall in some mock drafts, he quickly fell down the draft board, as it became apparent that many teams were concerned with his rough background. Finally, the Dallas Cowboys decided to trade up to select Bryant. They could only dream of the potential of pairing him with their starting quarterback Tony Romo.

Now two seasons later, Bryant has had two good, but underwhelming seasons with the Cowboys. Many analysts and fans see the potential and realize that he isn't really living up to it. The dedication to improving as a football player simply isn't there. The problem is that Bryant has been making more headlines from off the field issues than for his play on the field.

The laundry list of incidents is long, but I will focus on a few. Bryant and his friends were banned from a Dallas mall for inappropriate dress and language. He was sued for having unpaid debts. He was detained by the police over an incident in a Miami nightclub. He has also been fined by the Cowboys for numerous team violations, such as being late for team meetings. The latest incident though is the biggest to date.

Saturday afternoon, Bryant got into a verbal altercation with his mother and physically assaulted her. Angela Bryant told the police that her son Dez hit her in the face with a ball cap, pulled her hair, tore her shirt and bra, and repeatedly struck her hands and arms when she tried to push him away. Her testimony was confirmed by witnesses and bruising that appeared several days later.

I can't truly comprehend what Dez Bryant has gone through in his life. His mother was only 14 years old when he was born. She later went to prison, and Dez lived in a multitude of rough situations. I understand that had to be difficult and that it affects who he is today, but there is no excuse for assaulting a woman, especially one's one mother. Dez has personal issues, such as his temper. These problems are affecting him both on and off the football field.

The Cowboys need to decide whether or not they are committed to Bryant. If they truly are, they need to begin seeking to help him with his issues. Bryant needs to surround himself with better friends, put himself in better situations, and seek the help he needs to deal with his problems. The NFL does not need another Terrell Owens or Chad Ochocinco. Very few teams have the patience left to put up with that type of behavior.

With training camp just a few weeks away, Bryant could face additional discipline from either or both the Cowboys and NFL. I hope he learns from this experience and seeks the help he needs. It is so sad to see someone with so much talent and potential, struggle and fail to meet expectations. Dez Bryant just needs help and encouragement in the right direction. I hope he finds it.

NFL Week 17 Preview & Predictions

Well this is it. Week 17. The playoffs are on the line. Which teams will make it in? In the NFC, the teams are pretty much set. The only open spot is the NFC East division champion. The AFC playoff picture is much more clouded. It was simpler for me to hear it explained. This Associated Press video helps explain it: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zxNC_VyB-sI&feature=player_embedded.

Here are the games with playoff implications and my predictions as to what I think will happen:

Dallas Cowboys (8-7) @ New York Giants (8-7) - Sunday 8:20 PM EST, NBC

• Breakdown: The Giants are coming off a game they had to win against the Jets, which they won. Quarterback Eli Manning and wide receiver Victor Cruz are really starting to click. Last week, the Cowboys lost to the Eagles. Tony Romo was injured in that game, but the team says he is ready to play. But how effective will be? If you are a Cowboys fan, you just better hope this game doesn't come down to a field goal attempt with time winding down.
• Prediction: Giants 20 Cowboys 17
• What this would mean: The Giants would be in, the Cowboys would be out

Baltimore Ravens (11-4) @ Cincinnati Bengals (9-6) - Sunday 4:15 PM EST, CBS

• Breakdown: The Baltimore Ravens have already clinched their playoff spot, but don't tell them this game shouldn't be important to them. They need a win Sunday to secure the division title and first-round bye. In the AFC North, divisional pride is a very important thing. Additionally, it is important for the Ravens because their home record is 8-0, while their away record is a lackluster 3-4 entering Sunday. For the Cincinnati Bengals, they know they control their own fate. If they win, there in the playoffs. If they lose, they could still make it, but they don't want to have to think about that. Rookie quarterback Andy Dalton has gotten the job done all year, but his team needs him to step up now.
• Prediction: Bengals 20 Ravens 16
• What this would mean: The Ravens and Bengals would get both AFC wild card spots

Pittsburgh Steelers (11-4) @ Cleveland Browns (4-11) - Sunday 4:15 PM EST, CBS

• Breakdown: As was aforementioned, the Pittsburgh Steelers are playing for the division title. They would like that first-round bye to help heal quarterback Ben Roethlisberger. Big Ben plans on playing, but how effective will he be and how long will he play. Backup Charlie Batch played well last week. The Cleveland Browns aren't going to give the Steelers' a yard more than they can help, let alone the win. The Browns would love to send their rival Steelers into the playoffs on a sour note and will be coming after Roethlisberger full throttle.
• Prediction: Steelers 20 Browns 6
• What this would mean: Steelers would be in line for the division title and first-round bye if the Ravens lost

Kansas City Chiefs (6-9) @ Denver Broncos (8-7) - Sunday 4:15 PM EST, CBS

• Breakdown: Hey Denver, do you remember Kyle Orton? Well guess what? He is going to be the starting quarterback of the team trying to knock your team out of the playoffs. The Denver Broncos decided to switch starting quarterbacks to Tim Tebow. They decided to give Orton a chance to start elsewhere, so they waived him. What the Broncos didn't expect, was that the Chiefs would claim him and that he would be playing against them with the playoffs on the line. For the Broncos to win, Tebow needs to limit his mistakes, especially turnovers, and the Broncos defense needs to step up and play well again.
• Prediction: Broncos 16 Chiefs 13
• What this would mean: Broncos would win the AFC West

San Diego Chargers (7-8) @ Oakland Raiders (8-7) - Sunday 4:15 PM EST, CBS

• Breakdown: Like the Chiefs, the San Diego Chargers can try to play spoiler to a divisional foe. This season didn't go like the Chargers had planned. It started great with a 4-1 record, but then they lost six games in a row. They simply couldn't recover from the losing streak. The Oakland Raiders have been a streaky team all year. They brought in quarterback Carson Palmer to lead them to the playoffs. Now, they need him to step up and make that happen. The Raiders defense will try and force turnovers, which the Chargers have been susceptible to giving up all year.
• Prediction: Raiders 20 Chargers 10
• What this would mean: The Raiders would be in line for a chance at winning the AFC West title or one of the wild card spots

Tennessee Titans (8-7) @ Houston Texans (10-5) - Sunday 1:00 PM EST, CBS

• Breakdown: The Houston Texans have already clinched their first playoff berth in franchise history. They will focus on getting players healthy and comfortable this week. Star wide receiver Andre Johnson returns to the lineup for the hosts. The Tennessee Titans are still alive for the last wild card spot in the playoffs. They need some help though to set up what would be a rematch with the Texans in the playoffs. If the Titans don't make the playoffs, they don't have anyone to blame but themselves, especially after they lost to the previously winless Indianapolis Colts.
• Prediction: Titans 20 Texans 17
• What this would mean: The Titans would have an outside shot at the last wild card spot