Results, Week 14 2009

All in all a pretty good week for all of us!

What We Got Right

(Based on Official Mac Predictions)
New Orleans Saints @ Atlanta Falcons

C – “They [The Saints] are beatable for sure, but it’s just finding the right team to do it on the right day. For that reason, i’m backing New Orleans to take the win here and remain undefeated”
A – “But the lucky wins they’ve had, combined with when they’ve been playing well, is starting to make me think that the Saints could go unbeaten this season.”
G – “While they are still unbeaten, we know they can be beaten. That said I don’t think they will drop their record in this game. Saints Win.”

The Saints are hanging about in close games and getting it done. That’s the sign of a quality unit that no-one is going to want to face in the post-season. With their schedule, 16-0 is a real possibility this year.

Detroit Lions @ Baltimore Ravens

C – “I’m looking to see Flacco improve as his last few games have been quite disappointing. Hopefully we won’t see quite as many penalties in this game though! Ravens win.”
A – “A game against the Lions is probably just what the doctor ordered and I see them picking up a win.”
G – “Craig should take some joy from this game just as he has from the Steelers downfall. Ravens win.”

This was a blowout in the end. With the Bengals and Steelers both losing, the Ravens are thereabouts.

Green Bay Packers @ Chicago Bears

C – “I’ve got to go for them against the Bears this Sunday. I don’t see any other outcome.”
A – “I think this will be a close game, but fancy Green Bay to be hungrier here.”
G – “Green Bay dropped off for a while, but it seems they are back and have been playing some nice football. I have to pick them to overcome the Bears.”

The Pack are on a five game streak, and firmly in place for the post-season. The Bears… well, there’s next year. They played some good ball, but there’s a real sense of unity and purpose coming out of Green Bay.

Denver Broncos @ Indianapolis Colts

C – “I’m sticking my neck out and going for a Broncos win”
A – “That said, I don’t think anyone would pick against the Colts this week. And I’m not going to either.”
G – “I still think the Broncos are class, but the Colts are in a league of their own at the moment. I pick the Colts.”

Craig… what?
That’s homefield advantage wrapped up with 3 games to go. The Colts have a short week before taking on the Jaguars on Thursday, but 16-0 has just got a bit closer.

Buffalo Bills @ Kansas City Chiefs
C – “With not much to pick between them i’m going for a Bills win.”
A – ” I think the Bills will get past the Chiefs.”
G – “That said I think things will come together for the Bills and I am picking then here.”

Carolina Panthers @ New England Patriots

C – “They [Patriots] are a strong team who have blipped. I see them getting back on track this Sunday. Pats win.”
A – “This isn’t the best way to predict games, but I can’t see the Pats losing 3 in a row so I have to pick them.”
G – “I am sure the Pats will want to put last week behind them and this is a great game to do it”

New York Jets @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers

C – “I’m going with a Jets win.”
A – “Surely the Jets here. They have their problems, but are a better team than the Bucs.”
G – “I am going to pick the Bucs here.”

Graham… what?

Cincinnati Bengals @ Minnesota Vikings

C – “However i would say the Vikings should win this. Can find myself to go against this team”
A – “In the Dome though, I think I fancy the Vikes.”
G – “As Andrew says this should be a good one to watch, but the Vikings should pull this one off.”

The Vikes were businesslike again, climbing to 11-2 and booking their post-season place. They can’t be complacent for the division though, with Green Bay in storming form.

Miami Dolphins @ Jacksonville Jaguars

C – “I’m going for the Dolphins here.”
A – “You never know with the Jags, but I see the Dolphins gaining in confidence. That alone should get them past their state rivals.”
G – “Miami win for me.”

Seattle Seahawks @ Houston Texans

C – “We’ll see. I still think they’ll [The Texans] get it done over the Seahawks, who have been largely disappointing.”
A – “I’ve practically given up predicting the Texans. Who knows what they’ll do on any given sunday? Still, I’m going to stick with them as the ‘Hawks are at least as erratic!”
G – “What Texans team will turn up? I am not sure, but there is more chance of their ‘good’ team turning up than Seattle’s good team, so on that weak basis I pick the Texans.”

Well, it was that Texans team who turned up! Ouch.

St. Louis Rams @ Tennessee Titans

C – “the Titans will get this done. The Titans can shut down Jackson and not have to worry about threats from elsewhere.”
A – “It’s hard to fancy the Rams in Nashville.”
G – “Tennessee win for me.”

Ouch again.

Washington Redskins @ Oakland Raiders

C – “Whilst the Raiders have provided a few shock victories this season, i still think the Skins will see them off comfortably.”
A – “This isn’t even a fan-blind pick: Redskins to win.”
G – “The Skins are getting better and you just never know what to expect from the Raiders at the moment. I am going to back the Skins”

A great game to watch, some dodgy calls, loads of penalties and a Redskins win! Perfect.

San Diego Chargers @ Dallas Cowboys

C – “Overall, i think the Chargers are the ones in form and i see the Cowboys losing this one.”
A – “December, the Cowboys”
G – “The Chargers go into this one as the underdog according to the bookies. I can’t see it myself, the Chargers are the better team in my eyes and are my pick here.”

And so it was…

Philadelphia Eagles @ New York Giants

C – “I see the Eagles getting one over on them.”
A – “I think the Giants will have enough about them here, it what I expect to be a close game.”
G – “Another very close game. I fancy the Eagles to win it by a beak”

Andrew… what?
A stunning game, exactly what the schedulers have in mind when they chose the primetime games.

Arizona Cardinals @ San Francisco 49ers
C – “I think the 49ers will edge it.”
A – “Ooh, a tough game to call… But I can’t see past the Cardinals here”
G – “On paper an Arizona win. But, I am taking the 49ers for a home win.”

The turnover monster was back for the Cardinals, and it was as ugly as ever. The 49ers are within two games of them now.

What We Got Wrong

Pittsburgh Steelers @ Cleveland Browns

C – “So… going off this information i have, and wanting the Steelers to lose to keep the Ravens in the hunt for the Wildcard spot… i’m going for a Browns win!”
A – “Tempted as I am to put him down for the Browns, I did just make out that he said the Steelers”
G – “It is hard to rate the Browns here in what should be a business like win for the Steelers.”

Craig shows us that sometimes you just have to trust your gut.

So a good showing from all of us, with even me at 13-3 beating the Yahoo! guys. Craig (and the offficial Mac predictions) 15-1 is stunning and we’re starting to regret letting him come to play with us.

Image Credit: TuttleTree