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 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 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 7 Preview and Predictions

Texans quarterback Matt Schaub needs to play much better this Sunday against the Ravens in order to help his team win. (Jeremy Brevard)

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

Despite both these teams having two of the best records in the NFC, they both come into Sunday's match backsliding. After starting the season 5-0, the Cardinals have now lost to the Rams and Bills. Neither one is the scariest of opponents to say the least. They will have to look to get back on track with another quarterback change. John Skelton started the season, but was injured in Week 1. Kevin Kolb stepped in and played mostly well, but he has bruised ribs from last week. That means that Skelton is the starter once again. Regardless, the Cardinals need to move forward as much as possible.

The Vikings lost last week largely due to their inability to control Redskins rookie quarterback Robert Griffin III. Despite the loss, the Vikings offense continues to look better. Quarterback Christian Ponder is quietly playing very well this season. He is still a young talent full of potential. Running back Adrian Peterson may be getting older and more banged up, but he is still one of the best in the league. Young wide receiver Percy Harvin has emerged as a focal point of the team as well. He leads the NFL in receptions with 49.

Prediction: Vikings 20 Cardinals 16

4. Pittsburgh Steelers (2-3) @ Cincinnati Bengals (3-3) - 8:20 PM EST (Sunday), NBC

These two AFC North rivals come into their primetime matchup scuffling. The Steelers have a losing record due largely to injuries and their inability to close out road games. They should have been able to salt away wins over the Oakland Raiders and Tennessee Titans, but were unable to due to their lack of an established running game that had been missing starting tailback Rashard Mendenhall until recently. The Steelers need to get Mendenhall going to take some of the pressure off of quarterback Ben Roethlisberger. Big Ben has plenty of weapons, but he needs time to get them the football.

The Bengals come into Sunday night off losses to the Miami Dolphins and Cleveland Browns. In the Dolphins game, it was the offense that struggled; while in the Browns game, it was the defense that did. The one consistent between the two losses is that the Bengals were careless with the football throughout. In the two games, they had a combined seven turnovers, including five interceptions by quarterback Andy Dalton. He will need to be much more efficient against the Steelers defense.

Prediction: Steelers 27 Bengals 24

3. New York Jets (3-3) @ New England Patriots (3-3) - 4:25 PM EST, CBS

All four AFC East teams come into Sunday with a 3-3 record, but is the division's two fiercest rivals squaring off in Foxborough. The Jets went into last week's game against the Indianapolis Colts in need of a win. They turned in their best all-around performance of the season in a 35-9 rout. Running back Shonn Greene carried the heavy load picking up 161 yards on the ground and three scores. Quarterback Matt Sanchez threw two touchdown passes, but more importantly no interceptions. The Jets will need more of the same from both heading into a hostile environment Sunday.

The Patriots' three losses have come by a combined four points as they have struggled to close out games. This is surprisingly uncharacteristic of the Bill Belichick era. While the Patriots have utilized a more balanced offense this year with running back Stevan Ridley playing well, one has to think that at some Tom Brady is going to take over, like he did in the second half of a game against the Buffalo Bills earlier this year. With the Patriots seemingly lacking that killer instinct, Brady needs to step up and motivate his team to develop it.

Prediction: Patriots 31 Jets 20

2. Detroit Lions (2-3) @ Chicago Bears (4-1) - 8:30 PM EST (Monday), ESPN/WatchESPN

Detroit is finally back on track in their pursuit of the Bears, who are the NFC North leaders. The Lions ended a three-game losing skid with an overtime win over the Philadelphia Eagles last week. Their offense that dominated teams last season has simply been out of sync completely. In five games this year, quarterback Matthew Stafford has only four passing touchdowns compared to five interceptions. When your leading rusher, Mikel Leshoure, only has 196 rushing yards and one touchdown over that span, it compounds upon on already significant problem.

Other than a Thursday night loss at the Green Bay Packers, the Bears have quietly looked like one of the best teams in football. They could afford quarterback Jay Cutler to throw a few less interceptions (seven on the season), but the balanced running back tandem of Matt Forte and Michael Bush has worked well. The Bears defense has played solid as well. They have been particularly dominant against the run, leading the league in allowing only 65.8 yards per game on the ground.

Prediction: Bears 27 Lions 17

1. Baltimore Ravens (5-1) @ Houston Texans (5-1) - 1:00 PM EST, CBS

The Ravens come in playing solid football, but will have to find a way to win without two of their best defensive players. Linebacker Ray Lewis and cornerback Lardarius Webb have both suffered season-ending injuries. They will need players through the unit to step up to help fill those big shoes. Offensively, the Ravens continue to center around quarterback Joe Flacco and running back Ray Rice. Both played very efficiently in the team's win over the Dallas Cowboys last week.

The Texans will look to rebound from their first defeat of the season, a 42-24 loss to the Green Bay Packers. Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers came out strong and the Texans never recovered. Quarterback Matt Schaub did not play very well as he threw two interceptions and failed to throw a touchdown pass. Furthermore, running back Arian Foster was limited to 29 yards on 17 carries. The defense is still figuring out life without All-Pro linebacker Brian Cushing. The Texans well need to play significantly better to have a shot at winning on Sunday.

Prediction: Texans 31 Ravens 27

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 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

Tim Tebow and the Jets are an Interesting Match

Following a slight disagreement about money, the New York Jets have acquired Tim Tebow and a seventh round pick from the Denver Broncos for a fourth and sixth round pick. Tebow joins a Jets team that has gone through some offseason turmoil. After missing the playoffs, the organization made some changes, including bringing in a new offensive coordinator, Tony Sparano. Sparano's use of the wildcat with the Miami Dolphins is what immediately peaked the interest of the Jets. They hope Tebow can add an additional dimension to their offense.

Of course, the complication here is that the Jets brought in Tebow to be a backup. They just signed starting quarterback Mark Sanchez to a contract extension. But if Sanchez struggles, as he has in the past, will the antsy Jets fan base call for a quarterback change? Almost certainly. This team's locker room had enough discord and negativity last year. This could cause even more problems. Tebow's sterling character and leadership is sure to be a positive in the Jets' locker room, but the team has to be leery of the potential drama of a quarterback controversy.

The Jets have received harsh criticism from the press, former players, and fans. I will withhold judgment because if there is one thing we know about Tebow, it is that he has the ability to prove people wrong. People called it a miracle when he turned around the Broncos last season. If he is able to do that with the Jets, it would be a monumental miracle. The Jets are the epitome of inconsistency and continually reflect the immaturity of their head coach Rex Ryan. The team needs a culture change. Now, it is Tebow Time, Tim's chance to transform this team through his faith and how he lives it out.

NFL Week 12 Preview & Predictions

You might have noticed I took a bye week last week on my weekly NFL Preview and Predictions (I was in St. Louis with some friends). I'm back again this week, and here is this week's Top Five Games.

5. Denver Broncos (5-5) @ San Diego Chargers (4-6) - 4:15 PM EST, CBS

In Week 5, these two teams last met. Denver was 1-3, and San Diego was 3-1. The Chargers took a large lead early in the game. That is when Broncos head coach John Fox made a big decison replacing veteran starting quarterback Kyle Orton with young Tim Tebow. Tebow nearly led the Broncos to the comeback win in the game. Since that game, a lot has changed about these teams. Denver has gone 4-1 with Tebow as the starting quarterback, despite the mounting criticism building against him. San Diego has gone 0-5 and watched starting quarterback Philip Rivers implode time and time again. In this game, the Tebow-led Broncos look to continue to ride toward a potential playoff berth, while the Chargers try to hold back the rivers that seem to be washing them out of the AFC playoff picture. Prediction: Denver 20 San Diego 17

4. Chicago Bears (7-3) @ Oakland Raiders (6-4) - 4:05 PM EST, FOX

Both the Broncos and Chargers are chasing the Oakland Raiders, who are leading the AFC West. The Raiders have been the epitome of inconsistent this season (W, L, W, L, W, W, L, L, W, W). At least midseason acquisition Carson Palmer is starting to show signs off mastering the offense. After throwing a combined six interceptions in his first two games as a Raider (both losses), Palmer has thrown only one in his last two games (both wins). On the other hand, the Chicago Bears are on a consistent roll right now that they would like to keep going. They have won five games in a row and would like to maintain their NFC Wild Card lead. However, their chances were dealt a serious blow when starting quarterback Jay Cutler fractured his thumb on his right throwing hand while trying to make a tackle following an interception. Doctors are uncertain if he will be able to return during the regular season. Into the spotlight steps Caleb Hanie, who will make his first ever NFL start. Most people will remember his performance in relief of Cutler in the NFC Championship Game last season. Hanie led the Bears on two touchdown drives before throwing his costly second interception that sealed his team's loss to the Packers. Prediction: Chicago 20 Oakland 17

3. Buffalo Bills (5-5) @ New York Jets (5-5) - 1:00 PM EST, CBS

This game features two teams struggling to keep their slim playoff hopes alive. The Buffalo Bills opened the season 4-1, but have now lost four of their last five. The Bills offense averaged 32.8 ppg during those first five games, but only 14.3 ppg the past five. Quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick has been struggling, and starting running back Fred Jackson, who was having an outstanding season, has been lost for the season with a broken bone in his lower right leg. The New York Jets have been very streaky this season. Their current two game losing streak has brought them down to .500 and put them in must win mode if they are going to stand a chance of making the playoffs. The Jets aren't ready to panic yet though, as they were in a similar situation last year before putting together enough wins to reach the AFC Championship Game for the second straight year. They need quarterback Mark Sanchez to step up his game to make this happen again. Prediction: New York 24 Buffalo 10

2. New England Patriots (7-3) @ Philadelphia Eagles (4-6) - 4:15 PM EST, CBS

Many people thought before this season began that this game could be a Super Bowl preview. The New England Patriots seem well on their way to winning yet another AFC East title to try and hold up their end of the bargain. On the other hand, the Philadelphia Eagles are just trying to win another game to try and climb back into the NFC playoff picture. The Patriots have bounced back from two losses (to the Steelers and Giants) to win two games (over the Jets and Chiefs). Tight end Ron Gronkowski has blossomed into the focal point of the Patriots offense. He has 10 touchdown catches on the season, including a combined four the past two weeks. The Eagles are coming off a huge win over the Giants. Vince Young led the offense as an injured Michael Vick was unable to play. Reports believe that Young will be called on again this week. The Eagles defense stepped up big last week and will need to again this week. Prediction: New England 34 Philadelphia 17

1. New York Giants (6-4) @ New Orleans Saints (7-3) - 8:30 PM EST (MNF), ESPN

The New York Giants once seemed to be in control of the NFC East, but two straight losses and four straight wins for the Dallas Cowboys means that the Giants sit a 1/2 game behind the Cowboys. This might be the starting signs of another Giants second-half collapse, just like the past two seasons (missed the playoffs both seasons). In fact, in all seven seasons under head coach Tom Coughlin so far, the Giants have a worse second half record that their first half record. The Giants are struggling with injuries and will likely have to overcome quite a few inactives in order to pick up a win. They have a tough task going into the Superdome, where the Saints are 4-0. The Saints last two games were victories over divisional foes, including a 26-23 overtime win over the Falcons. They will be itching to play after eight days off because of their bye week last week. Prediction: New Orleans 34 New York 20

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

NFL Week 9 Preview & Predictions

Just like the college football previews and predictions, starting this week, I am blogging every Friday about the Top 5 NFL games for the upcoming weekend.

5. Chicago Bears (4-3) @ Philadelphia Eagles (3-4) - 8:30 PM EST (Monday), ESPN

This Monday football game is going to be over-hyped, just like every Philadelphia game. This is largely due to the fact that the Eagles finally showed some signs of being the team people thought they would be in a 34-7 win over the Cowboys. The Chicago Bears are coming off a bye, following their quality Week 7 win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. In fact, each team is seeking their third consecutive win. Both could really use it as well. The Bears are in third place in the NFC North. They are trailing the Detroit Lions (6-2) by a game and half and the division leading Green Bay Packers, who remain undefeated. The Eagles are in a three way tie for second in the NFC East with the Dallas Cowboys and Washington Redskins. All three teams sit two games behind the division leading New York Giants (5-2). The key matchup to watch is the Bears Cover 2 Defense against Eagles quarterback Michael Vick. In December 2010, the Bears defense led by Brian Urlacher did a great job containing Vick in a Bears win. Bears coach Lovie Smith will have his team ready coming off the bye week. The Bears have won three of their last four over the Eagles. Prediction: Bears 24 Eagles 20

4. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-3) @ New Orleans Saints (5-3) - 1:00 PM EST, FOX

The New Orleans Saints entered last week's game coming of a 62-7 destruction of the Indianapolis Colts. They had to be confident facing the previously winless St. Louis Rams. However, the Saints never led the game and were trailing 24-0 well into the third quarter against a Rams team that hadn't scored more than 16 points in any previous week. The game ended in a shocking 31-21 loss. The loss meant the Saints' NFC South lead dropped to only a half game over Tampa Bay and Atlanta, both of whom were on the bye last week. This was the best possible news for Tampa Bay. The Bucs can take the division lead win a win on Sunday. They already have a win over both the Falcons and Saints. Three weeks ago, Bucs quarterback Josh Freeman passed for 303 yards and two touchdowns in the win over the Saints. On the other hand, Saints quarterback Drew Brees threw three interceptions in the game. Interestingly enough, Tampa Bay has won three of their last four against New Orleans. Prediction: Saints 28 Buccaneers 20

3. New York Jets (4-3) @ Buffalo Bills (5-2) - 1:00 PM EST, CBS

This Sunday should help us to have a better picture of how good the top three teams in the AFC East are. This game features two of them. The New York Jets are coming off a bye and are speaking of the importance of the game. Both coach Rex Ryan and cornerback Darrelle Revis have told the media this game is a "must win." The Buffalo Bills are looking to win their first five games at home in sixteen years. They have put up an impressive 5-2 record against the NFL's sixth toughest schedule. This is largely due to the Pro Bowl caliber play of quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick and runningback Fred Jackson. Jackson is a definite candidate for Offensive Player of the year and has rushed for at least 100 yards in five of the Bills seven games so far this year. The Jets have the 26th ranked rush defense in the NFL, so expect him to do it again.Prediction: Bills 24 Jets 20

2. New York Giants (5-2) @ New England Patriots (5-2) - 4:15 PM EST, FOX

This game features a Super Bowl XLII rematch. The Super Bowl game saw Eli Manning's greatest moment of his career as he led the Giants on a 12 play, 83 yard drive to score the winning touchdown. In August, Eli Manning said that he was in the same class as Patriots quarterback Tom Brady. Manning took a lot of heat and abuse from the media from that. This game provides another opportunity for him to prove his point. He stands a great chance against a Patriots pass defense, which ranks dead last in NFL (323.1 ypg), that allowed Ben Roethlisberger to pass for 365 yards in last week's Steelers victory. The Patriots have to like their odds with Brady under center at home. He has won 31 straight games at Gillette Stadium. Additionally, Giants starting running back Ahmad Bradshaw is questionable with a broken foot.Prediction: Patriots 34 Giants 24

1. Baltimore Ravens (5-2) @ Pittsburgh Steelers (6-2) - 8:20 PM EST, NBC

The Baltimore Ravens and Pittsburgh Steelers rivalry has been one of the greatest in recent years. However, it didn't look like it in Week 1 as the Ravens punished a turnover-happy Steelers team 35-7. But both these teams are clearly different than Week 1. Baltimore is coming off of a scare by the Arizona Cardinals last week. Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco had to lead his team on the greatest comeback in franchise history to come up with the 30-27 win. Pittsburgh is coming off its best and most complete win of the season. Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger threw for 365 yards and two touchdowns in an impressive 25-17 win over the New England Patriots. The defense shut down Patriots quarterback Tom Brady, limiting him to 198 passing yards. Pittsburgh coach Mike Tomlin allowed his cornerbacks to play man-to-man defense. It worked well, and the Ravens receivers have struggled against that type of coverage, so we might see it used again. As expected, both defenses rank in the top three in almost every category. Prediction: Steelers 17 Ravens 13