Tuesday 20 December 2011

NFL Week 15 Review


Thursday Night Football

JAC Jaguars lost to ATL Falcons by 27
Original prediction: Atlanta to win by 10.
Despite Maurice Jones-Drew rushing for another 100+ yards, the Jags were unable to stop Matt Ryan on offence (3 passing TD’s) and John Abraham defence (3.5 sacks, 2 forced fumbles). Leading 27-0 at half time, the Falcons managed to win out comfortable to complete their 4th straight winning season.

Record = 1-0

Saturday Night Football

DAL Cowboys beat TB Buccaneers by 16
Original prediction: Dallas to win by 12.
Despite playing in December, Tony Romo and the Cowboys managed to win a game when the NFC East title was on the line. With three passing touchdowns and one rushing TD Romo ended the Cowboys two game losing streak and claim the top spot in their respective division. Tampa have now lost eight straight games.
Record = 2-0


6PM GMT Games

MIA Dolphins beat BUF Bills by 7
Original prediction: Miami to win by 9.
The closest prediction so far as Miami beat the Bills by 7 points. Behind the rushing performance of Reggie Bush (203 rushing yards, 1 TD), interim head coach Todd Bowles coaching career got off to a good start with a debut win. Matt Moore continued improving with 2 more passing touchdowns, whilst opposite number Ryan Fitzpatrick continued the poor play since his new contract deal (2 TDs, 3 Ints).

Record = 3-0

SEA Seahawks beat CHI Bears by 24
Original prediction: Seattle to win by 4.
Once again the Bears fell victim to an injury to a key offensive player, this time Johnny Knox. Despite Lynch not rushing for 100 yards, Seattle still managed to dominate Chicago behind the arm of Tavaris Jackson and two pick sixes in the second half. The Seahawks who outscored the Bears 31-0 in the second half still have a slight change of making the playoffs.

Record = 4-0


CAR Panthers beat HOU Texans by 15
Original prediction: Texans to win by 10.
My first incorrect pick this week as Cam Newton and the Panthers trickery were able to end the Texans 7 game win streak. In the all rookie QB matchup, it was Newton who would end up out playing his rival T.J. Yates (149 yards, 2 TDs compared to 212 yards, 2 Ints). With Wade Phillips missing due to an operation earlier in the week, the Texans defence were playing below their usual standards and now Houston loses the top seed in the AFC.

Record = 4-1

TEN Titans lost to IND Colts by 14
Original prediction: Titans to win by 17.
Oh Tennessee…  you are now the laughing stock of the NFL. Not only did you let the Colts beat you, but you let them win when their QB threw for a grand total of 82 yards! Despite a solid performance last week the Titans decided to bench Jake Locker and start Matt Hasselbeck. Who promptly  threw two interceptions before being benched. Donald Brown showed a small glimpse of his potential with 161 rushing yards and 1 TD.

Record = 4-2

GB Packers lost to KC Chiefs by 5
Original prediction: Packers to win by 15.
Another victory for an interim head coach as the Chiefs ended the Packers pursuit for perfection. Kyle Orton starting for the first time since his move to Kansas passed for 299 yards and no turnovers to lead the Chiefs offence against the Packers defence. Despite passing for one TD and rushing another, Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay offence were unable to overcome the inspired performance by the Chiefs.

Record = 4-3

NO Saints beat MIN Vikings by 22
Original prediction: Saints to win by 17.
Finally my predictions got back to winning ways as the Saints beat the Vikings to claim the number 2 seed in the NFC for the time being. Drew Brees is slowly swaying a lot of MVP voters with his performances of late, this week’s performance of 412 yards and 5 touchdowns the best so far. At least a plus for the Vikings was Adrian Peterson rushing for 60 yards on his return from injury.

Record = 5-3

WAS Redskins beat NY Giants by 13
Original prediction: Giants to win by 8.
For some reason the Giants keep struggling against the Redskins. Despite Rex Grossman throwing 2 interceptions, he still managed to throw one TD to Santana Moss whereas Eli Manning threw 3 interceptions which constantly stalled the Giants offence. The 7-7 Giants still control their destiny and wins over the Jets and Cowboys would win New York the NFC East.

Record = 5-4

CIN Bengals beat STL Rams by 7
Original prediction: Bengals to win by 15.
The Bengals kept their slim hopes of playoff football alive with a win over the St.Louis Rams this week. Rookie A.J. Green once again had 100+ receiving yards to top the 1,000 yard mark this season. Kellen Clemons filling in for Sam Bradford was unable to lead the Rams to a victory as they now drop to 2-12 for the season. Another win for the Colts and the Rams may end up with the number one draft pick...

Record = 6-4

9PM GMT Games
DET Lions beat OAK Raiders by 1
Original prediction: Detroit to win by 6.
What a game between the two dirtiest teams in the NFL! Matt Stafford and Calvin Johnson lead the Lions to a last minute victory over the Raiders. After Aaron Curry returned a fumble recovery for a touchdown it looked as if Oakland would come away with the victory. Unfortunately for the Raider Nation, Stafford led Detroit to two late scores and eventually it was Suh returning from his two game suspensions that would block Janikowski’s attempted FG.

Record = 7-4

CLE Browns lost to ARI Cardinals by 3
Original prediction: Cardinals to win by 3.
Finally my first perfect prediction in what has been a poor week so far! After a controversial week with concussiongate the Browns were unable to close out their game against the Cards and eventually lost by a Feely FG in over time. John Skelton filling in for the injured Kevin Kolb (again...) passed for 313 yards, 1 TD and 1 INT to lead the Cards to their third OT victory in their last 7 games. Peyton Hillis started to show glimpses of his 2011 form with 99 rushing yards, 1 rushing TD and one reception for 9 yards.

Record = 8-4

NE Patriots beat DEN Broncos by 18
Original prediction: Broncos to win by 7.
I’ll admit I honestly thought the Broncos would win against the awful, awful Pats defence and after the first quarter my prediction looked pretty smart! Then the second quarter happened and the Broncos managed to fumble three times which all resulted in points for Tom Brady and the Patriots offence (20 points in the second quarter). A win for New England moves them to 11-3, the top spot in the AFC for the time being and most importantly, wins the Patriots the AFC East once again.

Record = 8-5

NY Jets lost to PHI Eagles by 26
Original prediction: Jets to win by 6.
You’d think that the day after his team got humiliated to Philadelphia Rex Ryan would keep his mouth shut for the moment, but that’s not the case as he’s already started to have digs at next week’s opponents the New York Giants. Back to the game and the running game of LeSean McCoy (102 rushing yards and 3 TDs) tore the Jets defence apart and led the Eagles to their second straight win. A loss see’s the Jets drop to 8-6 and now tied with the Bengals for the final playoff spot in the AFC.

Record = 8-6

1.20AM GMT Game

BAL Ravens lost to SD Chargers by 20
Original prediction: Ravens to win by 7.
This was a shock victory, yes the Chargers had a chance of winning, but winning by 20? I did not see that coming. Philip Rivers passed the 4,000 yard mark for the fourth straight season and Ryan Matthews reached the 1,000 yard rushing mark for the first time in his short career. With their offence firing on all cylinders the Chargers easily ran away with this game and now sit one game back of the Broncos despite losing six straight earlier this year.

Record = 8-7

Monday Night Football
PIT Steelers lost to SF 49ers by 17
Original prediction: 49ers to win by 3.
The 49ers defence has been so lights out recently they killed the lights at Candlestick Park, twice! Patrick Willis and friends completely shut the Steelers and their crocked QB down while the 9ers offence took advantage punching the ball in for a couple of TD’s. Aldon Smith continued his effort to get Defensive ROTY with 2.5 sacks.

Final record 8-7

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