So yet again we missed getting a prediction up for the early game. And as tempting as it is to go and revisit what I originally said, I’m going to leave it as it is.

From this week we have Craig joining us as a permanent predictor. Having three people means that we can break the deadlock that Graham and I frequently have. So as well as our individual predictions, we’ll have an overall verdict that at least two of us agree on.

So on with the picks for this week!

Thursday November 19th

Miami Dolphins @ Carolina Panthers
A – Ronnie Brown has been ruled out of the game for the Fins and the Panthers have lost Jordan Gross, so Delhomme might feel exposed during the game. A tricky one to call, but I think the Panthers should have enough here. Sorry Graham.

G – *start fan blindness* So, you probably think I will be scared off because Brown is out right? Well, no! Williams can handle that role so it is a loss, but not as big a loss as people make out. It should be a cracking game tonight and I see Miami just taking it…..no…..really.*end fan blindness*

C – This could very well be a game of 2 halves, so to speak. Miami favour the run, for obvious reasons. Carolina aren’t really a rush defence team. On the other side, Carolina do have some passing game, so against Miami i can see them attempting to utilise this againts their dire pass defence. This game will probably be about who can out score the other one. Although the Panthers generally have more of a balance between passing and rushing, my prediction goes to the Dolphins. Miami win

Sunday November 22nd

Pittsburgh Steelers @ Kansas City Chiefs
A – The Steelers are having a difficult season and really need a win here. The Chiefs are still improving (seems like we’ve been saying that a while now) but victories against the Redskins are Raiders are no indicator at all!
Steelers to win big.

G – I agree, I think that the Steelers will be too much for the Chiefs here.

C – Not one to argue, i’m going with Steelers too. They’ll romp away to victory.

Indianapolis Colts @ Baltimore Ravens
A – Ooh, this is a tasy game! The Colts are still unbeaten after just getting by the Patriots last week and the Ravens at 5-4 are not where they (or we) thought they would be at this stage of the season. I think it’ll be a close game, but can’t look past the Colts.

G – One I want to watch (which probably means it will be blacked out? I’ll check that out in a bit). The Ravens should put up a great fight, but the Colts just keep going and should win this one.

C – *fan mode* I really like the Ravens set up. They have a great QB in Flacco, Ray Rice is a revelation this year after a disappointing rookie season, the defence is tight and they have a decent WR core. That said, Indianapolis have been superb. And even when they haven’t they have won. I think it will be a great battle, unfortunately i see the Colts getting the win.

San Francisco 49ers @ Green Bay Packers
A – Gah, another hard one. This is a tricky week. The Packers surprised many last week with their defense doing a great job and Charles Woodson having a brilliant game. The 49ers have been struggling, but snuck past the Bears last week. They’ve had an extended break here, and will be fresh but I’ve got to fancy the Packers here.

G -I am going with Green Bay, but only just.

C – Packers also. I really like Rodgers.  Dude has been sacked 41 times this season and he is still putting up big numbers. If he could stay on his feet then Green Bay would be in a much better position. Beyond Gore doing anything i don’t really see SF doing much.

Buffalo Bills @ Jacksonville Jaguars
A – Dick Jauron is out, and coordinator Perry Fewell will try to salvage something from this season. Though they’ve hung in games, they’ve had trouble stopping the run and have Mo-Jo to deal with this week.
I can see them putting up a strong showing, and I won’t be surprised if New-Coach-Syndrome gets them a win, but I’ve got to trust my instincts here and back the Jaguars.

G – The Bills have more than just coach problems at the moment and have really blown hot and cold over the season so far. Jaguars win for me.

C – Jaguars all the way. The ground game will be unstoppable. Maurice Jones-Drew to run riot.

Atlanta Falcons @ New York Giants
A – Another tricky one. The Giants are coming off their bye week after a five game slide that is in danger of pushing them out of contention in the NFC East (and that’s something that none of us could have seen!). It’s too strong to say that the Falcons are going backwards, but they’ve suffered losses in the past few weeks that may come back to haunt them. Should be a close game, but I think the Giants will take it.

G -Every time I pick the Giants they seem to lose! So sorry about this Giants fans but I am picking them again, maybe the bye week will break the curse? This should be another great one to watch.

C – Again, i’m agreeing with the fellas. Giants will be looking to get out of this funk they have found themselves in. I can just see them outscoring Atlanta.

New Orleans Saints @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers
A – A bit easier. The Saints have been on good form, and are winning even when they don’t play well. So are good most of the time, and lucky the rest. The Rams gave them a good game this week, but I can’t see the Bucs doing so this week. Saints to win.

G -Ooh two Wembley home teams! I still say the Bucs are getting better and better, but this should be the Saints game. The Bucs must take hope from the Rams performance against New Orleans though.

C – Saints all the way. The Bucs just don’t have enough about them to muster anything to test them.

Cleveland Browns @ Detroit Lions
A – Oh my. Just thinking about this game makes me tired. Lions to win.

G – haha, yes Andrews comment says it all. Detroit should pick up a win here.

C – I’m going to go a different route. Browns to scrape a win. If they are going to win a game, this will be the one.

Washington Redskins @ Dallas Cowboys
A – Now this is a tricky one. Although I always want to have faith in my team, I won’t usually hesitate to predict the other way but I really think this will be a close game.
Still, I’m going to have to go with a Cowboys’ win here. And hope I get it wrong.

G – Andrew will probably fall off his chair when he reads this, but I am going for a Skins win. I feel like last week was a turning point for team morale and that may be enough to bring them a win.

C – Cowboys win. Roy Williams will be the guy to watch here. Skins will look to mark Austin out the game leaving Williams to do his thing. As long as Romo gets his head down i don’t forsee any problems.

Seattle Seahawks @ Minnesota Vikings
A – Got to be a Vikings’ win here. The Seahawks really should be doing better than they are, but this isn’t the week they can do anything, expecially if they’re without their starting corners. The Vikes are just too good right now.

G – I expect the Vikings to continue their impressive form and pick up another win this week.

C – As above, Vikings to win. I don’t see any other outcome.

Arizona Cardinals @ St. Louis Rams
A – As I mentioned above, the Rams gave the Saints a bloody nose last week and hung in there with the NFC’s top ranked team. But the Cardinals are great when they’re working right and I can’t see them struggling to record a win against the Rams.

G – Another Cards win for me.

C – Warner has had an up and down season, but i see him getting the job done against the Rams. Aside from Jackson the Rams just don’t offer any consitency elsewhere, and they can’t keep relying on him.

New York Jets @ New England Patriots
A – Oh my, another delicious game! I’ve got to back the Patriots here though.

G – I’d like to see a Jets win here just to open the AFC East right up, but I don’t think it is going to be anything like as close as I hope. Pats win.

C – Pats win. I don’t think Sanchez will have a good game personally.

San Diego Chargers @ Denver Broncos
A – Surely Match of the week! The Chargers have fought tooth and nail to be back in contention in the AFC West and have now caught the Broncos who have lost three in a row now. The winner will take the division lead and a large step towards the post-season, and it could be that the situation will be a factor here. Which team can take the pressure?
I’ve deliberated more on this game than any other this week, but think San Diego will take it.

G -Yes this should be a goodie! The Broncos let me down last week, but I just have to pick them again this week. It could go either way, but I think the shock of a loss combined with the home advantage should see the Broncos making a great start.

C – I’m going with Chargers this week. They have performed well lately where-as the Broncos are in a slump. I’d expect Rivers and co. to take advantage of this and grab the win.

Cincinnati Bengals @ Oakland Raiders
A – I looked at the Bengals at training camp time and suggested they could do more than play spoiler this year… and they’re certainly doing that! What new signing Larry Johnson can bring is anyone’s guess at this point. Why am I deliberating though, it’s just the Raiders (sorry Raiders’ fans). Bengals to win.

G -Bengals for me too. I’d like to see a Raiders win, but this is just not the week.

C – Bengals. No question. The Raiders really are shocking this year.

Philadelphia Eagles @ Chicago Bears
A – Both teams are coming off two straight losses. It seems like we’re bemoaning the Bears every week now, and the Eagles are blowing hot and cold as well. They are really struggling to run the ball, and struggling in the redzone. The Bears… well, they’re just struggling generally and only managed 6 points against the 49ers last week and are only averaging under 16 points so far this season. Even with their redzone woes, I have to fancy the Eagles.

G -The more I think about this game the better I think it will be. They both look to be around the same level and that should make for a close game. I expect the Eagles to ’soar’ in the end though….geddit?…oh never mind….

C – This game will either be a dull low scoring game with mistakes and frustration, or a full on assault on both teams defences with scores coming thick and fast. Despite his 19 interceptions, Jay Cutler is putting up good numbers so i’d expect the same this week. McNabb has a huge arm too, so i’m looking forward to some big plays. Crunch time… i’m going with the Bears.

Monday November 23rd

Tennessee Titans @ Houston Texans
A – There are some really tricky matches this week, and this is one of them. Graham and I both predicted the Titans in week 2, and were wrong. The Titans will be looking to stay above .500 after their great start to the season and need to stay with the Jaguars for the hope of a wildcard spot.
The Titans have finally woken, and are rumbling along nicely. Chris Johson, the current leading rusher is a real force out of the backfield and Vince Young is doing enough to win the games as they’ve come out of their bye-week a different team to be 3-0 since the break.
However, I think Houston will take this one to break the Titans’ run.

G -Houston are another team that always seem to do the opposite to what I predict. I am going with them here though.

C – Another team i’m liking the look of, Houston have a great set-up. Schaub is having a massive season and i’d expect it to continue this game. In spite of the Titans turn around i’m going for the Texans win.

	Andrew	Graham	Craig		Offical MAC Prediction
Miami Dolphins @ Carolina Panthers
Pittsburgh Steelers @ Kansas City Chiefs
Indianapolis Colts @ Baltimore Ravens
San Francisco 49ers @ Green Bay Packers
Buffalo Bills @ Jacksonville Jaguars
Atlanta Falcons @ New York Giants
New Orleans Saints @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Cleveland Browns @ Detroit Lions
Washington Redskins @ Dallas Cowboys
Seattle Seahawks @ Minnesota Vikings
Arizona Cardinals @ St. Louis Rams
New York Jets @ New England Patriots
San Diego Chargers @ Denver Broncos
Cincinnati Bengals @ Oakland Raiders
Philadelphia Eagle @ Chicago Bears
Tennessee Titans @ Houston Texans

Image Credit: jaminhyman