NFL Weekend Watch

Previewing the key NFL games this weekend:

For all of you turkey day fans out there, I apologize I didn’t get to preview Thursdays games for you. The reason being, it would have been far too simple to just take the Saints, Patriots and Jets. Form was held, and those 3 teams were victorious (thanks to Roy Williams). So let’s get into the 4 marquee matchups of the weekend, and if you’re lucky I’ll throw in an upset special as well.

Went 4-1 last week, losing only my upset special, the 49ers over the Bucs. Apparently Pirates dislike Troy Smith a great deal as well…

Green Bay @ Atlanta

A potential NFC Championship preview featuring two of the next tier of superstar QB’s in the NFL in Aaron Rodgers and Matt Ryan. What you may be surprised about is that both of these Defenses are in the top 5 of the NFC statistically. Reliable quarterbacks and unwavering defenses, not a bad recipe for success, which is why these two squads are a combined 15-5. Matt Ryan is 18-1 at home, and has won 14 consecutive starts at the Georgia Dome, so how could anyone possibly pick Green Bay? That’s what I’m here for. The streak stops here as Aaron Rodgers and the Pack Attack featuring Greg Jennings and James Jones, efficiently migrate down the field for the second consecutive week inside of a dome, using intermediate passes early to open up down field targets late.  And if you’ve never seen Clay Matthews play defense, tune in. He eats children.

Take the Packers to make a statement to the rest of the NFC  30- 17

Jacksonville @ New York Giants

If I would have told you 4 weeks ago when the Jags were 3-4 and the Giants were 6-2 that these two teams would feature the same record when they played in week 11 you would have looked at me like I stole your turkey. Well, here you go, the Jags have won 3 in a row, and the Giants have lost their last two, reverting back to last year's form. Believe it or not, this is a huge game. Both of these teams need this victory to stay in prime wild card position in their respective conferences. Now, the g-men lead the league in turnovers with 30. Enter Brandon Jacobs, who takes butter fingers Ahmad Bradshaw’s job as starting running back after Bradshaw fumbled twice last week in the loss against Philadelphia. Although Eli Manning will be without his top two targets in Steve Smith and Hakeem Nicks, the Jags have struggled against big backs this year (check Peyton Hillis last week), and quite frankly this has been one of the most inconsistent teams in the recent decade. Look for Jacobs to run hard earlier, making it easier for Eli to complete passes to his former Mcdonald's employees as of a week ago. Although the Jags came through with a a big win last week, they cannot sustain it at the new Meadowlands. Look for the Giants defense specifically Osi Umenyiora and Justin Tuck off the edge to rattle Dave Garrard at the end of this thing, forcing a late turnover to clinch a Giants victory and pull them back into a tie in the ever-changing NFC East.

Giants win 20-16

Philadelphia @ Chicago

Both teams are 7-3, but 10 out of 10 people are quick to call the Bears pretenders. This is an opportunity for Chicago to make a statement, at home. Philadelphia’s offense has been explosive, but sledding could get tough against a Chicago team that is tied for the NFL lead in scoring defense at 14.6 points, ranks second in rush defense at 78.0 yards and third in total defense at 303.0 yards. This one will be a surprise to some. Chicago is for real. When Jay Culter is good, he's very very good. And this sunday he comes through.  Peppers wreaks havoc, Jay Cutler throws the ball to his own team, and Da bears win. 28-26

San Diego @ Indianapolis

Three things are certain at this time of year. Leaves falling off of the trees, Christmas gifts flying off of the shelves, and the chargers winning football games. They are notoriously slow starters, but always seem to get healthy towards the end of the year and play not good, but championship-like football ...until they have to go somewhere frigid in the playoffs. The chargers are number one in the NFL offensively and defensively, in terms of yards grossed per game, and yards allowed per game. Abysmal special teams and inopportune turnovers are the reason San Diego is 5-5. But their special teams seem to be on the right track,Vincent Jackson comes back, Antonio Gates is getting healthier, and Philip Rivers has been the best QB in the AFC all season (sorry Tom). These are two teams that seem to be headed in opposite directions, as the colts will be missing Austin Collie, Dallas Clark of course, and possibly Reggie Wayne as well as he enters questionable. And by the way, the Chargers are 4-1 against Peyton Manning in their last 5 meetings.

Take San Diego 38 – 31

UPSET SPECIAL:  Washington over Minnesota. This may not be an upset to you, but everyone and their mother likes Leslie Frazier to win his coaching debut and light a fire under the Vikings Hineys. In the words of Lee Corso, not so fast my friend. Skins win it. 21-18



Mike Nicastro