Flynn and McCoy are Lastest Quarterbacks to be Traded

The Oakland Raiders traded for Matt Flynn (left) to compete with Terrelle Pryor (right) for their starting quarterback position. (Getty Images)

With the weakest draft class of quarterbacks in recent memory, many NFL teams are resorting to trading for options to compete with who they currently have. The Kansas City Chiefs were the first team to make a move. They acquired veteran Alex Smith from the San Francisco 49ers in exchange for a 2013 second-round draft pick and a 2014 conditional second-round draft pick. Today, two more quarterbacks were on their way to new homes due to accepted trades.

The Oakland Raiders acquired quarterback Matt Flynn from the Seattle Seahawks in exchange for a fifth-round pick in the 2014 draft and a conditional pick in 2015. Flynn has waited for a long time to be given the reigns of a team as a starting quarterback. He spent for years backing up Aaron Rodgers in Green Bay. The Seahawks signed Flynn prior to last season, but he got beat out by rookie sensation Russell Wilson.

The Raiders knew they needed to bring a new quarterback in once they found that veteran Carson Palmer wasn't the answer. He failed to get Oakland to the playoffs in 2011, falling one game short. Last season, the Raiders regressed and finished 4-12. With Palmer owed $13 million for this season and the Raiders in rebuilding mode, general manager Reggie McKenzie decided to get a quarterback he was familiar with from his time in Green Bay.

Flynn did shine in his limited playing experience with the Packers. For example, he was 31-for-44 for 480 yards and six touchdown passes in the Packers' 2010 season finale win over the Detroit Lions. The Raiders do also have Terrelle Pryor who got limited action late last season after Palmer got injured.

In last season's regular season finale, Pryor went 13-for-28 for 150 yards, two touchdowns and an interception in a 24-21 loss to the Chargers. He also ran for 49 yards and a touchdown. Pryor showed signs of being capable of effectively running a NFL offense. It appears to be a fairly open race to see whether Flynn or Pryor will emerge during this offseason as the Raiders' starting quarterback.

The Seahawks are of course set with Wilson as their starter. They also have Tyler Thigpen on their roster, who is expected to be Wilson's primary backup. Thigpen has substantial NFL experience, including playing in 14 games with the Chiefs in 2008. The Seahawks will need to add one more quarterback to their roster. Matt Leinart is a possibility to rejoin his collegiate coach Pete Carroll, who is now the head coach of the Seahawks.

The Cleveland Browns traded backup quarterback Colt McCoy to the 49ers. The Browns sent McCoy and a sixth-round pick (173rd overall) in exchange for the 49ers' picks in the fifth (164th overall) and seventh rounds (227th overall). This trade seems to be a win-win for both the Browns and their former starter.

During his three seasons with the Browns, McCoy went 6-15 as a starter. This really should have come as no surprise. McCoy was projected to be a solid backup quarterback, but not a consistent starter. Additionally, with a weaker arm strength, he didn't have a chance of succeeding in Cleveland weather. The Browns really made a mistake using a third-round pick on him in the first place.

McCoy now gets a refreshing new start with the 49ers. He goes from one of the worst teams in the NFL to a Super Bowl contender. McCoy will compete against Scott Tolzien to be the backup to starter Colin Kaepernick. I expect that McCoy will win the job and will be ready in case of injury to Kaepernick.

This gives the Browns more financial flexibility at the quarterback position. This means that the Browns will likely give last season's starter Brandon Weeden every chance to earn the starting job again. He will likely get the majority of the first-team snaps during the team’s offseason.The Browns did bring in veteran Jason Campbell to compete with Weeden, so that is something to keep an eye on.

Super Bowl XLVII Preview and Prediction

The career of Ray Lewis has been the talk of the media, but Patrick Willis may surpass his greatness soon enough. (Cary Edmondson)

Super Bowl preview after Super Bowl preview focuses on how the head coaches of the San Francisco 49ers and Baltimore Ravens are brothers. Thanks to Jim and John we have what has been dubbed the Harbowl.What has been somewhat overlooked is how talented a number of players in this game are. After all, when all is said and done, it is the football players on the field that decide the game not the head coaches.

49ers: Many questioned why 49ers head coach Jim Harbaugh made a quarterback switch from Alex Smith to Colin Kaepernick in Week 11. Kaepernick has answered every question thrown his way. In his first career playoff game, he threw for 263 yards and two touchdowns and ran for 181 yards and two touchdowns. The latter was a new record for the most rushing yards by a quarterback in a playoff game ever. Kaepernick's addition was rejuvenated and diversified the 49ers offense. Last week, he helped the 49ers overcome a 17-0 road deficit to defeat the Falcons in the NFC Title Game. The 49ers defense that has been superb all season came up with a courageous goal line stand in the closing moments of that game to send their team to the Super Bowl.

Ravens: The Ravens got off to a strong 9-2 start to the season, but their offense sputtered midseason leading to consecutive losses. John Harbaugh made his questionable move by firing his offensive coordinator and bringing in Jim Caldwell. Caldwell has opened up the passing game, which has allowed Joe Flacco to shine. The Ravens defense got the boost it needed from the return of Ray Lewis and Terrell Suggs. They dominated the Colts offense in the wild card game. The Ravens then needed a miracle to knock off the Broncos in overtime. Last week, they went on the road and got revenge on the Patriots in the AFC Title Game.

Prediction: As I already eluded to, I believe that the talent, focus, and execution of the football players is what will determine the outcome of this Super Bowl. I am convinced that the 49ers are superior in all three of those categories. The Ravens defense has taken advantage of the predictibility of the offenses they have faced so far in the playoffs. The complexity of the 49ers offense will not allow them to do so. What Kaepernick will do is nearly impossible for a defense to predict. If he throws, he has a stud receiver in Michael Crabtree, a matchup nightmare in tight end Vernon Davis and the still dangerous Randy Moss, who is capable of going deep at any time. The Ravens also have to try and stop the 49ers rushing attack that will feature Kaepernick's cleverness, Frank Gore's bruising attack and LaMichael James' explosive capabilities. That is too much to slow done for an older, worn down defense like the Ravens. The 49ers defense will come up with the big plays needed to take care of the rest. Justin Smith, Aldon Smith and the rest of the front seven will keep Flacco under pressure all night. Patrick Willis is the best defensive player on the field and will prove it with a big play late in the game.

My final prediction is that the 49ers will win Super Bowl XLVII 31-27 over the Ravens.

AFC and NFC Championship Preview and Predictions

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

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

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

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

Prediction: 49ers 27 Falcons 20

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

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

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

Prediction: Patriots 31 Ravens 27

NFL Divisional Preview and Predictions

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

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

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

Prediction: Broncos 31 Ravens 17

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


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

Prediction: 49ers 24 Packers 20

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

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

Prediction: Seahawks 31 Falcons 20

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

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

Prediction: Patriots 38 Texans 20

NFL Week 16 Preview and Predictions

Ben Roethlisberger and the Steelers know that if they win their final two games of the season, they will make the playoffs. (Joe Sargent)

5. Washington Redskins (8-6) @ Philadelphia Eagles (4-10) - 1:00 PM EST, FOX
The Redskins are in position to win the NFC East for the first time since 1999 and to return to the playoffs for the first time since 2007. They have won five straight games to move into a three-way tie for first, but they have the tiebreaker over the Dallas Cowboys and New York Giants. Rookie quarterback Robert Griffin III has the nation believing in and cheering for the Redskins. An optimistic outlook at the beginning of the season has turned into an absolutely dismal reality for the Philadelphia Eagles. Losers of nine of their last ten, little has gone their way. The Eagles have two more shots to get some revenge against a pair of divisional opponents the last two weeks of the season. They would be more than happy to knock one or both of them from the playoffs.

Prediction: Redskins 27 Eagles 16
 
4. New York Giants (8-6) @ Baltimore Ravens (9-5) - 4:25 PM EST, FOX
Last week, it was the Giants who were in position to win the NFC East. They had been there and done that and knew what they had to do. However, they were embarrassed 34-0 by the Atlanta Falcons. Now, they have to likely win out and get some help to return to the playoffs to defend their Super Bowl. Eli Manning has pitiful in the loss, passing for only 161 yards and two interceptions. On defense, the Giants weren't any better, giving up 394 total yards in the blowout loss. The Ravens are in a downward spiral as well. Losers of three straight, they are hoping simply to win the AFC North, which they have controlled all season. Quarterback Joe Flacco's six turnovers during the losing streak certainly isn't helping matters. This year's version of the Ravens' defense isn't as statistically strong either, especially at stopping the run.

Prediction: Giants 27 Ravens 24

3. Minnesota Vikings (8-6) @ Houston Texans (12-2) - 1:00 PM EST, FOX
The Vikings have won two straight and are in the playoffs heading into Week 16. However, that isn't what most of the talk around the team is about. Less than a year after suffering a torn ACL and MCL, Peterson is leading the NFL with a career-best 1,812 rushing yards on 289 carries. That means that he needs 294 yards in the last two games of the season to break Eric Dickerson's single-season record of 2,105, set in 1984 with the Los Angeles Rams. If Peterson has two big games and the defense plays well, the Vikings might just sneak into the playoffs under the radar. The Texans are on the verge of having home-field advantage throughout the playoffs. All they need is one more win, and they would love to take care of that this week. With a balance offense and strong defense, this is a team built for a run at the Super Bowl.

Prediction: Texans 24 Vikings 20
 
2. San Francisco 49ers (10-3-1) @ Seattle Seahawks (9-5) - 8:20 PM EST (Sunday), NBC
These two NFC West rivals should both make the playoffs, but there is plenty of pride and a first-round bye on the line in Sunday night's game. The 49ers have the second-best record in the NFC, but have yet to clinch the division due to their pesky divisional foes. They come into Sunday night's game following a huge win at New England, but they can't afford to let down their guard here. The Seahawks are primed for more success and have a perfect home record to protect. The solid play of rookie quarterback Russell Wilson and the rejuvenation of running back Marshawn Lynch's career has sparked the offense. The Seahawks defense is one of the most physical in the league. This should be a hard fought, low-scoring battle to the end.

Prediction: Seahawks 16 49ers 13
 
1. Cincinnati Bengals (8-6) @ Pittsburgh Steelers (7-7) - 1:00 PM EST, CBS
As winners of five of their last six, the Bengals are on the verge of making the playoffs and keeping their archrival out at the same time. With a win over the Steelers, they would clinch their spot in the postseason. The trouble is that the Bengals have never had much success again the Steelers, especially in Pittsburgh. The Steelers are in an unusual spot. Losing four out of their last five game has them sitting outside of the playoffs looking in. Injuries have mounted up on both sides of the ball and poor decision making has cost them games. Despite the downfall, the Steelers are still in control of their own fate. A win against the Bengals on Sunday and next week at home against the Cleveland Browns would send the Steelers back to the playoffs. There is only one playoff spot left in the AFC and only the Bengals or the Steelers can be that team.

Prediction: Steelers 20 Bengals 17

What to Take From the 49ers 41-34 Win Over the Patriots

In the biggest game of his young career, Colin Kaepernick outdueled Tom Brady in Foxborough. (Jim Rogash)

In a Sunday Night Football battle that many proclaimed a Super Bowl preview, little went as expected. No one could have expected the 49ers to go up 31-3 midway through the third quarter. It seemed completely unlikely that Tom Brady would rally his troops to score four touchdowns to tie the score up with 6:43 left in the game. The final surprise was when it was Colin Kaepernick who made the big throw to lift his team to victory with the game on the line, rather than Brady.

None of this could have been predicted. However, now that it has occurred, we can look at what we can learn from it. My blog will reveal my five observations from the game as we head towards the playoffs.

1. Colin Kaepernick made some mistakes, but came up with the big plays when the 49ers needed him to. This victory should quell any talks of a quarterback controversy in San Francisco. Kaepernick is and should be the man as the 49ers move into the playoffs. He had an interception and trouble with center exchanges, but his four touchdown passes were each a thing of beauty. All of them being 24 yards or more opens up this 49ers offense completely. His ability to move in the pocket and threat to run only enhances this feature of the offense.

2. Tom Brady reminds us once again that he is indeed human. Brady is known as a touchdown machine. He had multiple passing touchdown games in seven out of the Patriots' last eight games. Brady has also thrown four interceptions all season. He got picked off twice by Carlos Rogers and Aldon Smith. Brady's offense that had been nearly unstoppable all season was held to three points for the majority of the game. Brady is still one of the greatest quarterbacks of all time. He just reminded us that even the greats have bad days at the office.

3. The 49ers pressure on Brady throughout the night was a crucial reason they won the game. Aldon Smith got pressure on Brady early in the game. Ray McDonald had two sacks from his defensive tackle position. He and Ricky Jean-Francois had sacks on consecutive fourth-quarter plays that led to the 49ers making an imperative stop of the Patriots as they clung to a 38-31 lead. The pressure helped force the interceptions by Aldon Smith and Carlos Rogers that played a significant role in the outcome of the game. The 49ers defensive pressure was pivotal to their success on both sides of the ball.

4. The Patriots can be uncharacteristically careless with turning the ball over. The Patriots entered the game with an NFL-best plus-24 turnover differential. Brady threw a first quarter interception into tight coverage. Then, running backs Stevan Ridley and Shane Vereen both fumbled. Those turnovers put the Patriots in an early hole. The Patriots entered the game with just 10 turnovers, but had four in this game, two interceptions by Brady and the fumbles by Ridley and Vereen. This is completely unexpected in the Bill Belichick era.

5. The X-factor that might help the 49ers win the Super Bowl could be their special teams. Punter Andy Lee changed field position significantly with a 64-yard punt in the fourth quarter. After the Patriots scored to time the game up, rookie LaMichael James' returned a kickoff 66 yards to put the 49ers in position for Michael Crabtree's go-ahead touchdown catch. Lee again pinned the Patriots at their 3-yard line in the final three minutes. Even kicker David Akers, much maligned this season, had a solid day making two out of three field goals, including the one that helped seal the 49ers victory. Lee is one of the best in the game, James is a game changer, and Akers is a veteran who knows what to do with the game on the line. The three of them could be crucial to the 49ers run at the Super Bowl.

NFL Week 15 Preview and Predictions

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

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


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

Prediction: Redskins 24 Browns 20

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

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

Prediction: Steelers 23 Cowboys 20

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

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

Prediction: Packers 27 Bears 17

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

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

Prediction: Falcons 24 Giants 23

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

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

Prediction: Patriots 24 49ers 20

NFL Week 12 Preview and Predictions

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

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

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

Prediction: Ravens 24 Chargers 13

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

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

Prediction: Buccaneers 27 Falcons 24

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

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

Prediction: Packers 24 Giants 20

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

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

Prediction: Bears 23 Vikings 20

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

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

Prediction: 49ers 27 Saints 24

NFL Week 11 Preview and Predictions

Due to an injury to Ben Roethlisberger, Byron Leftwich will get the start against the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday night. (Gregory Shamus)

5. San Diego Chargers (4-5) @ Denver Broncos (6-3) - 4:25 PM EST, CBS

The Chargers sit two games back of the Broncos for the AFC West division lead. A win on the road in Denver would be a significant step in the right direction. If they are going to have a chance of winning, quarterback Philip Rivers must make smart decisions and limit his turnovers. His 12 interceptions so far this season have cost the Chargers at the end of some games. The offensive line must give Rivers an opportunity to work effectively and efficiently  Their task won't be easy as the Broncos lead the league in sacks with 31 through their first nine games. Speaking of the Broncos, they are playing some of their best football of the season so far. They have won four straight games and scored at least 31 points in each of them. Quarterback Peyton Manning threw nine touchdown passes over the span.

Prediction: Broncos 31 Chargers 20

4. Indianapolis Colts (6-3) @ New England Patriots (6-3) - 4:25 PM EST, CBS

After a one-year break from relevance, the Colts and Patriots meet at Gillette Stadium with much on the line again. The Patriots are in a familiar position. Veteran quarterback Tom Brady has his team in the AFC East driver's seat once again. On the other hand, the Colts are one of the surprise stories of the season so far. Coming off an abysmal season, rookie quarterback Andrew Luck has led his team to four straight victories and into the thick of the AFC playoff picture. Both quarterbacks are playing at a high level lately, so they will likely try to balance their offense with a strong running game to help control the clock. The team that does that more effectively may turn out to be the winner.

Prediction: Patriots 27 Colts 24

3. Green Bay Packers (6-3) @ Detroit Lions (4-5) - 1:00 PM EST, FOX

The Lions have won three out of their last five games, but they remain in last place in the NFC North. If they are going to make the playoffs, they know that every game from here on out is extremely important, especially divisional games. The Packers come into this game off of a bye and as winners of four straight. Quarterback Aaron Rodgers has thrown 15 touchdown passes over the winning streak. The Lions counter with Matthew Stafford as their man behind center. Stafford is finally starting to find the endzone, after struggling for much of the first half of the season. He has thrown three touchdown passes in each of his last two indoor games. He will look to keep it going at home against a middling Packers pass defense.

Prediction: Packers 24 Lions 20

2. Chicago Bears (7-2) @ San Francisco 49ers (6-2-1) - 8:30 PM EST (Monday), ESPN/WatchESPN

The Bears and 49ers are the two top teams in the NFC right now, but both could be without their starting quarterbacks due to concussions when they meet on Monday night. Bears quarterback Jay Cutler has already been ruled out, so Jason Campbell will get the start. If 49ers quarterback Alex Smith isn't able to go either, Colin Kaepernick will be behind center. The injuries could be more of an emphasis on the respective run games. Matt Forte had stepped up as the Bears feature back to play well lately, but will need to rebound from a rough game against the Houston Texans last week. Frank Gore continues to be the engine that keeps the 49ers offense going strong. He has 753 rushing yards and five touchdowns so far this season. The teams have two of the best defenses in the league, so expect a low scoring battle that will be decided late.

Prediction: 49ers 13 Bears 9

1. Baltimore Ravens (7-2) @ Pittsburgh Steelers (6-3) - 8:20 PM EST (Sunday), NBC

The Steelers have won four straight games to pull within a game of the Ravens' AFC North lead. If they are going to pull into a tie for the lead with win on Sunday night, they are going to have to do something they haven't done since stud quarterback Ben Roethlisberger joined the league in 2004. They have to beat the Ravens without him. Big Ben is banged up with a sprained should and an even more serious dislocated rib. The Steelers have gone 0-4 against the Ravens in games without him. Veteran Byron Leftwich will be making his first start since 2009 and will be seeking his first win since 2006.

The Steelers expect to have running back Rashard Mendenhall back to help with their running game. They will look to run the football with Mendenhall, Isaac Redman and Jonathan Dwyer as much as possible in hopes of controlling the clock and keeping the Ravens offense off the field. Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco is coming off of a win over the Oakland Raiders in which he threw for 341 yards and three touchdowns. Flacco will face a much more difficult task in this game against the Steelers top ranked pass defense. As a result, the Ravens may look to get their always dangerous running back Ray Rice more involved in the game from the very start.

Prediction: Steelers 20 Ravens 17

NFL Week 6 Preview and Predictions

Alex Smith and the 49ers hope to play better against the Giants in a rematch of last season's NFC Championship Game. (Christian Petersen)

5. Detroit Lions (1-3) @ Philadelphia Eagles (3-2) - 1:00 PM EST, FOX

Both of these teams have disappointed greatly so far this season. The Lions were expected to build upon last season's playoff berth. However, they are now 1-3 and haven't won since the opening week. The Lions are coming in off the bye week, so they hopefully have regrouped to go forward. They will need to keep their offensive attack balanced as well as possible.

The Eagles do have a winning record and are among the leaders in the NFC East, but those numbers can be very misleading. For example, their three wins have come been by a combined four points. If you have watched any of their games, that is because of their struggles, rather than clutch play. Quarterback Michael Vick must limit his mistakes and turnovers. He will be under continual pressure from the Lions defense.

Prediction: Eagles 20 Lions 17

4. Green Bay Packers (2-3) @ Houston Texans (5-0) - 8:20 PM EST, NBC

The Packers have had a surprisingly disappointing season thus far as well. Their offense hasn't been nearly as dominant as it has been the past few seasons. Their defense simply isn't talented enough to compensate for the difference that makes. The Packers could be throwing even more Sunday as a result of running back Cedric Benson being ruled out for the season.

The Texans have been dominant this season and have distinguished themselves as one of the best teams in the NFL. However, they are trying to recover from a loss of a player to injury. The Texans have found out that they will be without All-Pro linebacker Brian Cushing. They will need players such as defensive end J.J. Watt to step up and make a difference.

Prediction: Texans 27 Packers 24

3. New England Patriots (3-2) @ Seattle Seahawks (3-2)

The Patriots offense is beginning to click on all cylinders  One would expect the passing game to be rolling along with quarterback Tom Brady at the helm, but it has been the running game, led by the likes of Stevan Ridley, that has been just as good, if not better thus far this season. The Patriots defense has had its ups and downs. Their secondary and pass defense have continued to be struggle areas moving forward.

The Seahawks have been an intriguing team to follow this season. On offense, rookie quarterback Russell Wilson has benefited greatly from the strong rushing attack led by Marshawn Lynch. The Seahawks defense has been excellent this season. They're a force to be reckoned with. Their big secondary will look to pressure the Patriots targets early and often.

Prediction: Patriots 20 Seahawks 16

2. Denver Broncos (2-3) @ San Diego Chargers (3-2) - 8:30 PM EST (Monday), ESPN/WatchESPN

The Broncos have played well in all of the games this season. They just don't have all the wins to prove that. Offensively, the Broncos could benefit from being more aggressive on offense. The last two weeks, they have had to come-from-behind and lost as a result. The Broncos defense has played well, but have committed too many personal fouls and unnecessary actions. They must keep their emotions in check.

This is a big matchup with playoff implications for both teams. The winner will be in great shape to win the AFC West. The Chargers have looked good at times, but have played poorly as well. No aspect of their game really stands out. Offensively, quarterback Philip Rivers must limit his mistakes and turnovers to help his team win. Linebacker Shaun Philips is the man to keep an eye on defensively, as he will look to pressure Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning into creating errors.

Prediction: Broncos 27 Chargers 24

1. New York Giants (3-2) @ San Francisco 49ers (4-1) - 4:25 pm EST, FOX

This game is a rematch of last season's NFC Championship Game. The teams have changed some, but both continue to have the same tendencies. The Giants have started to pick up their game. Last week against the Cleveland Browns, their offense was on full throttle. Quarterback Eli Manning threw three touchdown passes, while running back Ahmad Bradshaw rushed for 200 yards and one score of his own.

The 49ers took little time to shake off the rust from a disappointing loss in Week 3 to the Minnesota Vikings.  In the two games since then, they have outscored their opponents by a combined 79-3. Running back Frank Gore has rushed the football well to lead the way. Defense continues to be a stronghold for the team. They are one of the most consistent and well-balanced units in the league.

Prediction: 49ers 24 Giants 20

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

What Will Randy Moss Do For the 49ers?

The San Francisco 49ers had a surprisingly good season last year, making it all the way to the NFC Championship Game. One of the main reasons they lost the game was a lack of production from their wide receivers, just one catch for three yards in the loss. Thus, the 49ers were looking for an upgrade or two. They decided to give recently unretired Randy Moss a workout. Head coach Jim Harbaugh liked what he saw, so the team inked Moss to a one-year deal.

The deal is relatively low-risk, in case things don't work out well. Moss will likely have to get use to playing with quarterback Alex Smith. Smith's play can be erratic at times, but clearly showed improvement last season, his first year under Harbaugh. The 49ers should also keep an eye on how Moss relates with Michael Crabtree. Crabtree is a young receiver the team really likes. It is important that Smith, Moss, and Crabtree get along well.

Overall, the move makes sense. The 49ers needed an upgrade at wide receiver. They are taking a low-risk chance on a veteran here. Things could really go either way with Moss. He has mild down some in old age, but it will still be interesting to see him work with Smith. If things go as the 49ers hope, Moss will provide Smith with another consistent target and be a mentoring veteran presence in the locker room. If not, they will just go ahead and cut him.

NFL Divisional Round Preview & Predictions

New Orleans Saints @ San Francisco 49ers - Saturday, 4:30 PM EST, FOX

This game is a matchup of two dominant opposing forces. The New Orleans Saints offense seems to be operating like a machine. They set records during the regular season and dismantled the Detroit Lions last weekend when they had 626 yards of offense and scored 45 points. Now, they face a San Francisco team that plays hard-nosed defense. The 49ers have taken on the personality of first-year coach Jim Harbaugh, who led them to the playoffs for the first time in nine years. The 49ers offense revolves around Frank Gore running the football. While Gore has been great and quarterback Alex Smith has improved this season, there seems to be no way that the 49ers can win a shootout with the Saints. In order for the 49ers to win, they are going to have to slow down this Saints offense. I think they will do enough to get it done. Prediction: 49ers 20 Saints 17

Denver Broncos @ New England Patriots - Saturday, 8:00 PM EST, CBS

The Denver Broncos pulled-off a shocking overtime win over the Pittsburgh Steelers last weekend. While everyone is talking about quarterback Tim Tebow's performance, it is important to remember that he wasn't the only one who stepped up his game last week. The Broncos' receiving core and defense played very well as well. The defense will have to play very well again if they are going to slow down Tom Brady and the Patriots offense. The Patriots put together another great regular season, however, the team is looking to reverse its playoff fortunes having lost two straight home playoff games. While the Patriots look like the clear favorite on paper, this is not an easy game to pick. The Broncos come into the game riding a lot of momentum. Even though the Patriots won the regular season matchup earlier this year, the Patriots have had the struggles against Denver. Brady has only a 2-6 record against the Broncos. While I am still going to pick the Patriots to win, the one thing we have learned about the Broncos this year is that they are able to do the unexpected. Prediction: Patriots 27 Broncos 24

Houston Texans @ Baltimore Ravens - Sunday, 1:00 PM EST, CBS

When you look at these two teams, you wonder if they are one in the same because of their similarities. On offense, they both look to run the football first to open up the field for the passing plays. Both defenses are among the best in the league. The Houston Texans need another great game out of running back Arian Foster. If Foster and backup Ben Tate can open up the field for rookie quarterback T.J. Yates, it will help him greatly as he looks to get the ball to his receivers, especially Andre Johnson. The Baltimore Ravens have an electrifying running back as well in Ray Rice. Rice was dominant in the previous matchup between these teams earlier this season. Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco looks to reverse some playoff history of his own. Flacco has struggled with turnovers in the postseason. This could cause a problem as the Houston Texans like to force them and did so last week in their win over the Cincinnati Bengals. I'm giving the slight edge to the Ravens in this matchup based on their home-field advantage and playoff experience. Prediction: Ravens 27 Texans 24

New York Giants @ Green Bay Packers - Sunday, 4:30 PM EST, FOX

The reigning Super Bowl champion Green Bay Packers finished the regular season 15-1 and earned their first home playoff game in four years. The Packers dynamic offense is of course led by their outstanding quarterback Aaron Rodgers. They also have wide receiver Greg Jennings back from injury. The Packers defense has been the question mark all season. The group has been much maligned throughout the season and do need to play better to improve the team's chance of winning. The New York Giants are playing as confident as any team in the NFL right now. They have won three straight must-win games to get a rematch with the Packers. Two of the key differences for the Giants playing so well is the healthiness of their running backs and defense. Running backs Ahmad Bradshaw and Brandon Jacobs need to play well again to help slow the pace of the game and take pressure off quarterback Eli Manning. The Giants defensive line, led by All-Pro Jason Pierre-Paul, is one of the best in the NFL and will need to put pressure on Aaron Rodgers. The key is that they need to get to him and force him into a sack or a bad throw. They cannot allow him to escape the pressure. I like the Giants to pull the upset in this game. The formula for beating the Packers is keeping the ball out of Rodgers' hands for extended periods of time and slowing him down. I think that the combination of the Giants defensive pressure, running game, and the clutch play of Eli Manning will be enough in this one. Prediction: Giants 24 Packers 23

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