A surprising three of these four games are repeats of week 17, so we’ll see if the momentum from last week carries over. However, all four remain very tricky games to call that could go either way.

New York Jets @ Cincinnati Bengals
A – It’s hard to read too much into last week’s 37 point shutout by the Jets: they had everything to play for and the Bengals had nothing of consequence. However, they’ve been giving up rushing yards at an alarming rate and seemed to have lost the ‘spark’ that saw them sweep their division.
The Jets will look to their running game and strong defensive unit, and as much as I like the Bengals I think they’ll probably have enough here… despite the flak I’ve given them recently.

C – Last week was total domination from the Jets, and to be honest i’m expecting the same again. The Bengals just couldn’t muster anything from anywhere. Palmer looked like he’d never played the game before in his life. If the Jets defence keeps up its performance and the running game keeps hitting hard then i can see the Jets getting to the divisional final. Jets win.

G – I am going to start off by going against the grain now. All of these games could go either way so they are tricky picks. Who knows what the plan was at the weekend, but I can’t see Bengals taking it again. I am going with a Bengals win here.

Official MAC Prediction:
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Philadelphia Eagles @ Dallas Cowboys
A – The Cowboys swept the Eagles this year, and secured this match in Texas purely on last week’s wipeout. Beating a team 3 times is a tough ask, and this one could really go either way. The Eagles can score points when they need to, but have struggled throughout the season in the redzone.
The Cowboys have been as inconsistent as they always are, but have produced when they’ve needed too and will be desperate to take a play-off win. But in a clinch, I fancy the Eagles to get it done. Eagles to win.
But no mistake, this is a really tough game to call.

C – Last week was an impressive win for the Cowboys. Shutting out one of the highest scorers in the NFL this year, and also racking up 2 consecutive shut-outs in the process. Confidence will be high with Romo and crew so you’d have to expect them to come into this came with a winning mentality. You can’t forget about the Eagles though. They have been consistently putting up big numbers, and when they’re clicking they are lethal. I think this will be a closer game than last week, but because of last week i think the Boys will edge a win.

G – This should be a lovely game. On gut feeling alone I am going with the Eagles.

Official MAC Prediction:
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Baltimore Ravens @ New England Patriots
A – You can never write off the Pats, but there’s no doubting this isn’t the fearsome side that they’ve been in the past. The Ravens have hung in there to get into the post-season, and are always a team to watch. Though this season they’ve not been the defensive giants we’ve come to know (though still solid).
On reflection, I think the Pats are a better outfit. Not just on the field, but in coaching, preparation and experience here. So sorry Craig, Pats to win.

C – This will be a difficult game no doubt. Welker being out is a huge loss to the Pats, but could help us. Brady is also carrying a knock i believe. Our defence will be looking to assert its dominance from the get go, so if we can get to Brady a couple of times we could really be in with a chance. The tandem of Rice / McGahee is working well so you’d assume our gameplan would be to pound the defence with the running game to wear them down and then let loose McGahee for the long gain. We’ll see how it plays out. Ravens win. (fingers crossed)

G – As Craig says, Welker is a big loss to the Pats, but they do have depth, so they should be able to operate without too much of an issue. That is not to say that this couldn’t go the Ravens way, but I do feel the Pats will take the win.

Official MAC Prediction:
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Green Bay Packers @ Arizona Cardinals
A – I like the Packers, and they really set down a marker last week. After some early season stuggles, they’ve turned into a consistent unit and the constant pressure that Rodgers has been under will have served him well for the rest of his career. Right now, he’s playing at an elite level and it’s great to watch.
Nobody dislikes the Cards, but I don’t see them as genuine contenders and that’s something we mentioned before the season started: they were a great story from last season, but not one we see being repeated.
I fancy Green Bay to get it done here.

C – I can’t say much that i haven’t said over the last 5-6 weeks. Green Bay are genuine contenders for the Superbowl. Although Arizona made a surprise push last year i just can’t see them doing it again. After last week’s result in this game too you can’t not vote for the Packers. Green Bay win.

G – I really want to see the Cards pull this one off, but I have to be realistic. I was excited about Green Bay’s chances at the start of the season. While they have had both good and bad performances they have been solid. Green Bay win.

Official MAC Prediction:
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Image Credit: Mike Morbeck