Week 11 could be a game changer (pun intended) for many teams. It will determine which teams are serious contenders for the playoffs, and which teams should just give up the dream. And with nine teams standing at either a 5-4 record, 4-5 or 5-5, Week 11 games will are looking to be some real nail biters.
Which teams will head into Week 12 with a winning record? Do any losing record teams still really have a chance (obviously I'm not talking about the Jaguars or Bucs)? How many teams will be affected (and suffer a loss) due to injuries? There are some teams, who, if they win the rest of their scheduled games, could still have a fighting chance. First, let's break down which teams I'm talking about...
The Jets, Bears, Packers and Cardinals currently stand at 5-4. The Jets and Bills match up this week, and even before the addition of Safety (and former Miami Hurricane) Ed Reed joined the team after being released from the Texans, I would have said Gang Green takes this one. Rex Ryan has shown he is a great coach, with buzz of a possible Coach of the Year award, and has led his team to some notable victories this season over the Patriots and Saints. They beat the Bills once already this season, and though EJ Manuel has proven what a strong Rookie QB he is, even better than Geno Smith, the Bills will move in Week 12 with 3-8 record.
Da Bears are up against the (4-5) Ravens, and with Jay Cutler out again this week with an ankle injury, and we saw how Chicago plays without Cutler last week. Not well. Unfortunately for the Bears, they will be the only team of the four 5-4 teams without a 6-4 record in Week 12.
Speaking of the Ravens' record, also at 4-5 are the Browns, Chargers, and Dolphins. The Chargers and Dolphins play each other this week, and with all the drama surrounding the team, as well as their embarrassing loss to the winless Bucs last week, I don't think playing at home this week will offer them any kind of advantage that will be enough to help the Fins pull off a win.
And at 5-5, are the Eagles and Cowboys. The Cowboys have their bye this week, but the Eagles are on their 11-straight game. Their bye doesn't come until next week. Despite their probable exhaustion and their home field winless record (they've lost 10 consecutive games at Lincoln Financial, the longest active streak of any NFL team), the change of QB's (whoever is still saying Vick will be back...that's funny) seems to have been a saving grace for the Eagles, and could be the losing record breaker. Nick Foles has proven himself in the past two weeks, putting up stellar stats, earning honors and recognition, and if he keeps it up, Philly could win over the Redskins to grab a winning record and stay in the green.
It's hard to pick just one Week 11 game that will be a 'Must Watch'. It's a week of great match ups, with a lot at stake for many teams. But in the primetime slot on Sunday night, it's the game everyone is buzzing about, an AFC West match up: Broncos v. Chiefs. Peyton Manning and the Denver Broncos make their way to the midwest to take on Alex Smith and the undefeated Kansas City Chiefs. Now, we all knew this game was coming. Let's be honest, those of you who aren't even Broncos or Chiefs fans have been anxiously awaiting this game. I was hoping the Broncos would still be undefeated to make it even more interesting, but unfortunately the Broncos didn't show up in Week 7 when they played Andrew Luck and the Colts. However, Denver continues to be a force to be reckon with. Despite Manning's injury of late (ankle), he is expected to play Sunday night. Manning has always played through injuries (except for his very serious neck injury that put him on the sideline and in surgery overseas for a season). He's Peyton Manning. He will be fine. Especially with all of his receivers still going strong: Eric Decker, Demaryius Thomas and Wes Walker, who have a combined over 2,000 receiving yards so far this season. But Andy Reid has worked his magic since his arrival in Kansas City. The Chiefs defense is the hardest to score against, making them the best in the league. Peyton needs to watch out for Justin Houston and Tamba Hali, who have 20 of the Chiefs leading 36 sacks. And they will be aiming for the injured Manning. Can the Chiefs stay undefeated and move to 10-0 for the first time in franchise history? Or will the Broncos #1 offense defeat the Chiefs #1 defense and even the score so both teams to head into Week 12 with a 9-1 record? It's a tough call but I think the Chiefs could very well take this one.
Check out the rest of Week 11 match ups and team records below, and don't forget to share your picks and predictions, post comments and questions! See you for Week 12!
Jets (5-4) v Bills (3-7)
Falcons (2-7) v. Bucs (1-8)
Eagles (5-5) v. Redskins (3-6)
Lions (6-3) v. Steelers (3-6)
Cardinals (5-4) v. Jags (1-8)
Raiders (3-6) v. Texans (2-7)
Ravens (4-5) v. Bears (5-4)
Browns (4-5) v. Bengals (6-4)
Chargers (4-5) v. Dolphins (4-5)
Packers (5-4) v. Giants (3-6)
Vikings (2-7) v. Seahawks (9-1)
Niners (6-3) v. Saints (7-2)
Chiefs (9-0) v. Broncos (8-1)
Pats (7-2) v. Panthers (6-3)
Sunday, November 17, 2013
Sunday, November 10, 2013
It's week what?!
Can you believe it's already week 10 of the season? It's bittersweet to realize we are more than halfway through the regular season. Talk of the playoffs and Super Bowl contenders fill the airwaves and, sadly, before we know it, it will be February 2, 2014. Scary thought.
But for now, it is week 10 and things are really starting to get interesting. Every week another upset, another injury, another scandal. The only undefeated team left, the Kansas City Chiefs, are on a bye week. Also on a Bye week: the Patriots, Jets and Browns.
First up, Eagles v. Packers. Both teams kick off at 1pm without their starting quarterbacks. Philly's backup, Nick Foles, surprised everyone last week completing 7 TD's. But the Packers have Clay Matthews back on the field, who is a major threat on defense. And with Aaron Rodgers out with a broken collar bone, the Packers need a leader on the field. If the Eagles grab a win today, they could slip into first place in the NFC East.
Speaking of the NFC East, can the Giants grab their 3rd win today? They host the 3-5 Oakland Raiders, who have also been struggling this season and stand in 4th place of their division. Both of these teams could use a W today. Who do you think will take home the victory?
Jay Cutler is expected to return to the field today just in time to help his Bears against the Detroit Lions. This divisional game is going to be the best 1pm matchup. These two teams are currently in a 3-way tie for first with the Packers in the NFC North. Lions' QB, Matthew Stafford has been surprising this season, stacking up some stellar stats. Not surprising considering he has Reggie Bush, Calvin Johnson and Joique Bell on his offense. Stafford and his Lions may have an advantage this week because it's Cutler's first game back since his injury. Will Detroit move into first in the NFC North?
This afternoon, San Francisco hosts Carolina. The Panthers have been a pleasant surprise this season. Cam Newton still is one of the best. He and his cats kind of fell under the radar last season, but they are back and better than anyone expected this year. They are real contenders for the playoffs. They trail just behind the Saints in their division, and with the Saints playing the Cowboys this afternoon, Carolina could move into that #1 slot.
Speaking of the Saints/Cowboys game in the Sunday night slot, who do you think will take home a win? Both teams lead their division going into today's game, but will they stay in first? Though it pains me to say it, Tony Romo has been on point this season. He's thrown for over 2500 yards and 20 TDs this season with just six interceptions. But his number 1 receiver, Dez Bryant, was limited in practice this week due to a back injury. And though he's expected to play today, he may not be 100%. The Cowboys are up against the 9th defense in the league with 26 sacks, so watch out Romo. But a strong defense isn't enough to win a football game. Drew Brees may be without one of his top receivers, Jimmy Graham. Graham was questionable after practice this week due to a foot injury. That could be seriously crippling for a Saints win. But Graham has been dealing with this injury for the two weeks and still managed to put of a total of 12 catches for 153 yards and 4 TD's.
Monday night should be interesting. A few weeks ago, I would have said, the Dolphins have this. They're playing the Bucs who haven't won a game yet. But after the Incognito/Martin drama, and the head coach and general manager's future with the franchise in question, Monday night be the first victory for Tampa Bay. It's an honest question on everyone's mind as to whether all this tension will affect Miami on the field tomorrow night. The story of Richie Incognito and Jonathan Martin, the bullying, the voicemail, both players no longer on the team, Martin checking himself into the hospital and now Coach Philbin and GM Jeff Ireland may not have a job in Miami next year, this story just continues to unravel. It's hard to believe any team could go on the field and win a football game with all this drama surrounding them. Tampa Bay should use this to their advantage and tackle their first win of the season.
Week 10 is shaping up to be an incredible week of great match ups you're not going to want to miss. Don't forget to make your predictions, post your comments and share your thoughts on today's games. Tweet me @JenSomach.
But for now, it is week 10 and things are really starting to get interesting. Every week another upset, another injury, another scandal. The only undefeated team left, the Kansas City Chiefs, are on a bye week. Also on a Bye week: the Patriots, Jets and Browns.
First up, Eagles v. Packers. Both teams kick off at 1pm without their starting quarterbacks. Philly's backup, Nick Foles, surprised everyone last week completing 7 TD's. But the Packers have Clay Matthews back on the field, who is a major threat on defense. And with Aaron Rodgers out with a broken collar bone, the Packers need a leader on the field. If the Eagles grab a win today, they could slip into first place in the NFC East.
Speaking of the NFC East, can the Giants grab their 3rd win today? They host the 3-5 Oakland Raiders, who have also been struggling this season and stand in 4th place of their division. Both of these teams could use a W today. Who do you think will take home the victory?
Jay Cutler is expected to return to the field today just in time to help his Bears against the Detroit Lions. This divisional game is going to be the best 1pm matchup. These two teams are currently in a 3-way tie for first with the Packers in the NFC North. Lions' QB, Matthew Stafford has been surprising this season, stacking up some stellar stats. Not surprising considering he has Reggie Bush, Calvin Johnson and Joique Bell on his offense. Stafford and his Lions may have an advantage this week because it's Cutler's first game back since his injury. Will Detroit move into first in the NFC North?
This afternoon, San Francisco hosts Carolina. The Panthers have been a pleasant surprise this season. Cam Newton still is one of the best. He and his cats kind of fell under the radar last season, but they are back and better than anyone expected this year. They are real contenders for the playoffs. They trail just behind the Saints in their division, and with the Saints playing the Cowboys this afternoon, Carolina could move into that #1 slot.
Speaking of the Saints/Cowboys game in the Sunday night slot, who do you think will take home a win? Both teams lead their division going into today's game, but will they stay in first? Though it pains me to say it, Tony Romo has been on point this season. He's thrown for over 2500 yards and 20 TDs this season with just six interceptions. But his number 1 receiver, Dez Bryant, was limited in practice this week due to a back injury. And though he's expected to play today, he may not be 100%. The Cowboys are up against the 9th defense in the league with 26 sacks, so watch out Romo. But a strong defense isn't enough to win a football game. Drew Brees may be without one of his top receivers, Jimmy Graham. Graham was questionable after practice this week due to a foot injury. That could be seriously crippling for a Saints win. But Graham has been dealing with this injury for the two weeks and still managed to put of a total of 12 catches for 153 yards and 4 TD's.
Monday night should be interesting. A few weeks ago, I would have said, the Dolphins have this. They're playing the Bucs who haven't won a game yet. But after the Incognito/Martin drama, and the head coach and general manager's future with the franchise in question, Monday night be the first victory for Tampa Bay. It's an honest question on everyone's mind as to whether all this tension will affect Miami on the field tomorrow night. The story of Richie Incognito and Jonathan Martin, the bullying, the voicemail, both players no longer on the team, Martin checking himself into the hospital and now Coach Philbin and GM Jeff Ireland may not have a job in Miami next year, this story just continues to unravel. It's hard to believe any team could go on the field and win a football game with all this drama surrounding them. Tampa Bay should use this to their advantage and tackle their first win of the season.
Week 10 is shaping up to be an incredible week of great match ups you're not going to want to miss. Don't forget to make your predictions, post your comments and share your thoughts on today's games. Tweet me @JenSomach.
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