Results, Week 13 2009

Another week is in the books! Let’s see how we got on…

What We Got Right (Based on official Mac predictions)

New York Jets @ Buffalo Bills
C – “I’m still gonna go for the Jets win.”
A – “I have to fancy the Bills to fall to 0-2 in Toronto.”
G – “I am expecting a close game, but see the Jets coming out on top.”

The Bills will be thinking these Canadian games weren’t such a good idea…

Philadelphia Eagles @ Atlanta Falcons
C – “I’d say a comfortable Eagles win.”
A – “I’m picking an Eagles win.”
G – “I am going with the Eagles on this one”

Bird related puns aside, this was an intriguing game and Vick did well in his return to the Georgia Dome.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers @ Carolina Panthers
C – “Panthers to win.”
A – “It remains to be seen whether they (the Panthers) can make themselves a factor in the wildcard race, but I fancy them here.”
G – “Panthers again for me, but this game really could end up being a close one.”

The Panthers are within one game of the Falcons now, but have the Patriots, Vikings, Giants and Saints in a run-in that no team would pick.

St. Louis Rams @ Chicago Bears
C – “Something needs to happen at the Edward Jones Dome before they get stuck in a rut… Chicago win.”
A – “The Bears… well, they’re shaping up to be this year’s biggest disappointment. However, I fancy them here”
G – “The Rams are looking fair now, but it is still very difficult to pick them. The Bears for me this week.”

The Bears improve to 5-7, but are surely looking towards next season now.

Tennessee Titans @ Indianapolis Colts
C – “As impressive the Titans have been at late… I foresee a Colts victory.”
A – “…the Colts are something else right now.”
G – “The Colts still look great and I expect a win here.”

12-0 and no signs of slowing down. All four remaining games look very winnable, and this is a team that will look to close out the season in some style.

Denver Broncos @ Kansas City Chiefs
C – “Broncos win.”
A – “Broncos to win.”
G – “I still rate the Broncos and was probably foolish not to pick them last week. They should have more than enough to see off the Chiefs.”

The Broncos stay just behind the Chargers, but comfortably in a playoff spot for now. Next week against the Colts is an important game.

New Orleans Saints @ Washington Redskins
C – “So sorry Skins fans, but i see another loss coming your way to add to a bad season.”
A – “No need to apologise Craig, they’re gonna have fun with us in all aspects of the game. I see embarrassment.”
G – “It is going to take more than the home advantage to save the Skins here.”

Oh this was a painful game. The Skins have been playing hard all season, but yesterday was a great performance against the NFC leaders. The end hurt, and I still think Rock had his arm down… but it’s completely on us. A 23 yarder? Come on Suisham!

Detroit Lions @ Cincinnati Bengals
C – “The Bengals defence will hold tight so it will be a struggle for them (The Lions) to do that. Bengals win.”
A – “I see a low scoring game going the Bengals way.”
G – “This should be a comfortable win for the Bengals.”

With a 3 game lead on the Steelers and Ravens, and being 6-0 in division (!) the Bengals will tie up the division with just one more win. Unfortunately, their next two games are on the road: Minnesota and then San Diego.

San Diego Chargers @ Cleveland Browns
C – “Chargers to have another big game and win.”
A – “there are not many teams that I’ll back to beat the Chargers. The Browns aren’t one of them”
G – “I can’t see the Browns coming close to an on form San Diego, Chargers win.”

The Chargers keep, err, charging. They’ll be looking for the Colts to beat the Broncos next week while they visit Dallas.

Baltimore Ravens @ Green Bay Packers
A – “I like the Pack here. The Ravens haven’t been the dominant defensive team we’re used to them being (by their own high standards at least) and whilst Green Bay probably aren’t a great team, they are a very good team.”
G – “Green Bay for me this week.”

C – “Like i said, it will be very tough, but if we go in thinking we can win, we shall. Ravens win.”

In a game full of penalties, the Packers were always in the lead and largely in control against a Ravens team who are disappointing this season.

What We Got Wrong

Oakland Raiders @ Pittsburgh Steelers
C – “In all, i’m going to say a Steelers win.”
A – “… they’re a better unit than the Raiders and I fancy them to get the job done this week.”
G – “Expect the Steelers to get things level again this week with a win.”

Ouch. Oakland are becoming a frustrating team and the Steelers are seeing their season fall apart, much like it did last time they were defending a title. Now 6-6, they need a very strong finish to the season, and need some key competitors to slip up to sneak into the post-season.

Houston Texans @ Jacksonville Jaguars
C – “As i said before, i like Houston. They’re a decent team playing well… So yeah, Texans win.”
A – ” I backed the Texans last time, who let me down, but I think they’re the stronger team at the moment so will see if they can get the job done this time.”

G – “Jaguars. I feel they are the slightly more consistent team, which coupled with the home advantage might just swing it their way.”

New rule for next season: Andrew doesn’t have to predict the Texans.
Well done to Graham for picking the Jags.

New England Patriots @ Miami Dolphins
C – “This could be a great game, but at the end of it i think the passing game of the Pats will win the game.”
A – “I think the spanking the Pats took at the hands of the Saints last week will make for a painful game for the ‘Fins this week.”

G – “I would have to be mad to pick Miami right? The Dolphins can win this, I am sure. ”

Are the Pats really this ordinary? They’re not looking consistent at all, which is something that we’ve come to expect from them over the Bellicheck years. A great win for Miami.
A grumbling ‘well done’ to Graham… I suppose.

Dallas Cowboys @ New York Giants
C – “Both quarterbacks are inconsistent and all eyes will be on them. Romo v Eli. In the end, i think it’ll be Romo that comes out on top.”
A – “Personally, I can’t see past the Cowboys here. They’ve not been playing well (neither team has) but I think that they will step up when they need to.”
G – “On first glance I was leaning towards the Giants, but I just don’t have the confidence. I am going for a Cowboys win from a hard fought battle.”

The Giants sweep the Cowboys, really hotting up the NFC East. The Cowboys and Eagles stay in playoff positions and the 7th NFC ranked Giants are close to the Packers in 6th. Again the division to watch.

San Francsico 49ers @ Seattle Seahawks
C – “I do like the 49ers though and i see them grinding out a victory this week.”
A – “Graham’s enthusiasm for the ‘niners is also somewhat infectious, so I find myself backing them this week.”
G – “Glad to see everyone has picked the 49ers this week (should we expect a loss?). I still think there is more to come, lets just hope Singletary can beat it out of them. 49ers win.”

Yeah, thanks Graham!

Minnesota Vikings @ Arizona Cardinals
C – “I just can’t bring myself to vote against the Vikings”
A – “Like Craig, I can’t look past the Vikings here, but I do think the Cards will give them a good game.”
G – “Vikings win, but as Andrew says it could be a close one. The Cards always look stronger at home.”

None of us could Craig. Shame.

Another strong week from Graham sees him stretch his lead. Craig had his worst week so far, in what turned out to be not as straight-forward as it first appeared.

Image Credit: Keith Allison