NFL, Arizona Cardinals, Buffalo Bills, Carolina Panthers, Cleveland Browns, Denver Broncos, Green Bay Packers, Oakland Raiders, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Tennessee Titans, Live Thread, Miami Dolphins, New York Jets, Dallas Cowboys, Washington Redskins, New York Giants, St. Louis Rams, San Diego Chargers , Houston Texans , Kansas City Chiefs , New England Patriots , San Francisco 49ers, Baltimore Ravens, Indianapolis Colts, Atlanta Falcons, Seattle Seahawks, Detroit Lions, Chicago Bears, Jacksonville Jaguars, New Orleans Saints, Minnesota Vikings, Pittsburgh Steelers, Open Game Thread, NFL Sunday
Today we've brought in Dallasfan55, or Linda, to our FanIQ Pregame Show! Linda has been with the site for just over a year, and if you happen to frequent the Sports Bars you've definitely made her acquaintance. Welcome, Linda!
Thank you Jess for the opportunity to give my perspectives of this weeks games. I can't believe it's already week 15, time flies when we're having fun. I hope my picks this week are better than last week, what a shocker that was..ugh!
You're welcome, Linda - thank you for taking the time to give us your thoughts! And I know, the fact that it's week 15 is bittersweet. I'm excited for the playoffs but I don't want the season to be over! Anyway, without further ado, let's get down to business.
Early Games:
Colts @ Texans
Texans have clinched a Wild Card but Luck and the Colts still have divisional hopes. Texans will be trying to prove a point after their HUGE loss to the Patriots. Texans win by 10.
Jess: This is going to be an interesting game. Both teams have something to prove right now, and they play each other tough every year. I think Houston wins, but it's going to be a tough fight.
Giants @ Falcons
Both on a mission, Giants want to hold the lead in the NFC East and Falcons want Home Field Advantage. 2 key points in this game are Giants are dealing with key player injuries. Falcons are coming off an embarrassing loss to the 3-9 Panthers. Falcons put pressure on Eli, gain picks and win this in a close game. Falcons win by 10.
Jess: Ack, I don't even want to think about this one. I would really love to see the Falcons kick some butt but I know how December is for Eli & Co. so it makes me nervous. I'll pick a Falcons win anyway - maybe Eli will have a turnover day.
Packers @ Bears
Division battle, Packers 9-4 Bears 8-5, Bears have dropped 4 of the last 5 games. Rodgers has found ways to win close games. Packers by 10.
Jess: The Bears are having a rough go of things and the Packers have been heating up. Pack, easily.
Redskins @ Browns
Skins want this win, they have hopes of taking the division. I think whether RGIII or Cousins QB this game or possibly even both that the Skins win the game. Gonna venture to say Skins win by 17.
Jess: I think Skins win this one too, but by a slimmer margin.
Vikings @ Rams
Vikings do better @ home so I pick the Rams to win by 7.
Jess: If the Rams can stop Peterson, the Rams can stop the Vikings. Trouble is, I don't know if the Rams can stop Peterson. I'm going to call the Vikings in this game but I'm not confident about it.
Jaguars @ Dolphins
I'd like to say Jags but what are the chances? Dolphins win, no clue by how many.
Jess: I'm calling an upset special in this game for no other reason than the fact that my daughter has decided that the Jags are her 2nd favorite team this year.
Bucs @ Saints
Buccs started strong but are fading fast, Buccs losing to Eagles when Foles was the Qb ..hmmm Saints coming off an embarrassing loss to the Giants @ Met Life but have 2 things in their favor. #1 Saints playing @ home in the dome, 2nd have been given hope by 4 of the players being released from suspensions due to the bounty and will be eligible to play week 16 against the Cowboys..lucky me grrrr. Saints win by 13.
Jess: I like the Saints in this game, and I think they light it up.
Broncos @ Ravens
Broncos have clinched their division, Ravens hoping to hold the lead of theirs with Steelers and Bengals on their tails. Peyton vs Flacco, I gotta go with Peyton. Broncos win by 7.
Jess: I think the Broncos are just a better team here.
Late Games:
Lions @ Cardinals
Two teams playing to play with no hopes of a wild card so this game could go either way. I'm giving the Lions the win by 12.
Jess: I think the Cardinals win this - I have a feeling they're going to come out swinging after that embarrassing loss to the Hawks. Their D is much better than they showed against Seattle. I may be wrong, but I think they're in Stafford's face bringing pressure all day long.
Panthers @ Chargers
Panthers win by 10.
Jess: The Chargers looked a lot better last week than they have recently, and well...it's the Panthers. I think the Chargers will end this season on a high note, continuing this week with a win.
Seahawks @ Bills (Toronto)
Bills are 3-3 @ home and Seahawks 2-5 on the road. Seahawks thirsty for the NFC West division. No worries here, Seahawks win this week but decide to tone it down a little after the flack they received for last weeks HUGE win over the Cards.. Seahawks win by 34.
Jess: I don't pick my Hawks' games. I hope you're right, but if they do win this one it will be by much less than 34. I'm happy they're playing at 4:05 ET, and I like that they're in a dome, at a relatively neutral venue. I am a little nervous about this one though; it feels like a trap game.
Steelers @ Cowboys
Which team has a worse O-Line is beyond me, both have the Qb's that can win games but sadly not by themselves. Steelers have Ben back but Mendenhall is suspended for this game. Cowboys win by 3.
Jess: I apologize, but it hurts my heart to have to cheer for the Cowboys. But, that's what I have to do when they play the Steelers. I hope your Boys win. The Steelers are bipolar and it could definitely go either way. I don't know that I have a pick here; I have no idea which team will win.
Chiefs @ Raiders
Could go either way but I pick the Raiders to win by 10.
Jess: I pick the Raiders to win this one too, simply because they're at home.
Primetime:
49ers @ Patriots
Sunday Night Showdown, 49ers @ Patriots: For the Niners this is 1 of 2 SNF events. Niners lose this in NE. Patriots win by 10+ points.
Jess: Ugh.
MNF Bonus Pick:
Jets @ Titans
Jets win by 10.
Jess: The Titans are without any kind of hope right now, and the Jets are right behind them. Wow the fact that this MNF game looks disgusting actually makes me think it will be one of the best games of the season. Two fairly evenly matched teams (however awful) will probably make it a good battle. I think the Jets win this one too but again I'm not confident. It wouldn't surprise me to see another follies-fest from the Jets and have the Titans come out with the W.
12/17/12 | RaiderSteeler15 | 14903 respect
Lol the Cowboys could win the NFC East Division. The Cowboys better hope the 'skins lose to the eagles next week so the Cowboys can beat the 'Skins in Week 17. The Giants are done the way I see it... It's going to be between the 'Skins and Cowboys to win the NFC East... The Giants blew it big time talking about a collapse!
12/17/12 | RaiderSteeler15 | 14903 respect
That was one hell of a game between the 49ers and Pats!! Talking about playoff atmosphere!!
12/16/12 | JuJu_52 | 7788 respect
You and me both! Sheesh!
12/16/12 | JuJu_52 | 7788 respect
Mine are gone rofl I give up on 'em til football is over ;)
12/16/12 | JuJu_52 | 7788 respect
I hear ya girl. Don't know what the problem is holding onto the ball. Grrrrrr!
12/16/12 | JuJu_52 | 7788 respect
Oh yeah..definitely :) Had company drop by so disappeared for a bit. Cowboys pulled it off and we have a 3 way tie in NFC East for now. I been reading Jerry is gonna hire a GM or has talked to different coaches but who knows. He's one of them "know it alls that don't know jack" lol
12/16/12 |
Jess
|
28002 respect
I'm getting mighty ticked off at Tom Brady and his Pats right now.
12/16/12 | RaiderSteeler15 | 14903 respect
Tom Brady throws an interception... 49ers are in the drivers' seat to make another TD...
12/16/12 | RaiderSteeler15 | 14903 respect
49ers draws 1st blood against the Patriots...
12/16/12 |
gearhead
|
6350 respect
Hey Ben, when it comes to throwing it at defensive backs, no means no.
12/16/12 |
AlwaysSunshine
|
5902 respect
Oh ffs.
12/16/12 |
AlwaysSunshine
|
5902 respect
My nails cannot handle this Cowboys/Steelers game.
12/16/12 |
gearhead
|
6350 respect
I want some of Jason Garrett's peyote or whatever made him even think about attempting a 61 yarder.
12/16/12 | RaiderSteeler15 | 14903 respect
Hell yeah!! Couldn't ask for more... But the cowboys are in the driver's seat to do a go-ahead FG or TD...
12/16/12 | JenX63 | 26679 respect
Steelers/Cowboys, what a game.
12/16/12 | RaiderSteeler15 | 14903 respect
Norv Turner just had this "I don't give a rat-a$$" attitude as the Panthers creamed the Chargers... Norv will be fired at the end of the season...
12/16/12 |
The_Real_Stoney
|
20422 respect
I think Jim Schwartz is a huge douchebag. And the fact the Lions are a damn mess and getting waxed by an awful Cardinals team is fantastic.
12/16/12 |
AlwaysSunshine
|
5902 respect
And he has no good place to go with it when he gets finished digging.
12/16/12 | RaiderSteeler15 | 14903 respect
Somebody has to be on the hot seat, that's how the league is made lol. It's a tie game!! 24 all between the Steelers and Cowboys, Grrrrrrrr!! lol. Jerry Jones is Jerry Jones, you can't tell him anything lol. Oh yeah, I'm sure someone would love to pick up Lovie Smith if he was to be fired by the Bears.
12/16/12 |
Jess
|
28002 respect
"Bills are 3-3 @ home and Seahawks 2-5 on the road. Seahawks thirsty for the NFC West division. No worries here, Seahawks win this week but decide to tone it down a little after the flack they received for last weeks HUGE win over the Cards.. Seahawks win by 34.
Jess: I don't pick my Hawks' games. I hope you're right, but if they do win this one it will be by much less than 34. I'm happy they're playing at 4:05 ET, and I like that they're in a dome, at a relatively neutral venue. I am a little nervous about this one though; it feels like a trap game.
12/16/12 | JuJu_52 | 7788 respect
I don't really get to see enough of them play to decide for myself...but from what others say, I think Cutler is a decent QB. (YESSSSS COWBOYS SCORED!!!) Sorry for screamin' :)...I just hate to hear Coaches I like are in the hot seat. Like Andy Reid. They're just such a familiar part of teams ya know so it's strange when they're no longer with the team they're associated with. Like Wade Phillips....every time we get to see Houston play, which isn't real often, I cheer Houston but scream at them for taking one of our Cowboys coaches I loved. That's one reason I sooo dislike Jerry Jones! I mean c'mon man...Jason Garrett Head Coach over those he fired??? Maybe since ole Jerrah seems to be mellowing a bit, he'll hire a good coach that loses their job. I think Lovie would do nicely in Blue & Silver lol
12/16/12 | RaiderSteeler15 | 14903 respect
Do you think the Bears should get rid of Jay Cutler? Coach Lovie Smith is a good coach but the Front Office may be disappointed with the Bears in the last couple of years with Lovie Smith...
12/16/12 | JenX63 | 26679 respect
lol, i saw and couldn't believe they panned by him twice...ewwwww
12/16/12 | RaiderSteeler15 | 14903 respect
I get to razz hubby now cuz his Manning boy didn't do diddly...I'll wait to make any remarks about his razzing...don't wanna mess up my Boys, rofl
I guess the GA Dome Crowd was too much for Eli Manning to handle... Falcons sure got their payback from last season when these 2 teams met in the playoffs... It's a tie game between the Steelers and Cowboys now... The Steelers are in a dogfight for the AFC Wildcard 6th spot. Exactly, it's not good to do premature celebrations lol
12/16/12 | JuJu_52 | 7788 respect
Oh no! I really like Coach Lovie. I'd sure hate to see him fired :(
12/16/12 | JuJu_52 | 7788 respect
Yes, it sure does. Skins won, Giants lost so they tied...Cowboys leading right now which could go either way. I smell a 3-way tie comin' tho, lol Can't believe the Giants were held scoreless!! I was looking for a closer game.
I get to razz hubby now cuz his Manning boy didn't do diddly...I'll wait to make any remarks about his razzing...don't wanna mess up my Boys, rofl
12/16/12 | RaiderSteeler15 | 14903 respect
Bears' Head Coach Lovie Smith is definitely on the hot seat, he could be fired by the end of this season...
12/16/12 | JenX63 | 26679 respect
Skins win!
12/16/12 |
AlwaysSunshine
|
5902 respect
12/16/12 | RaiderSteeler15 | 14903 respect
I like Kiernans thinking :) I like Oher too. Really love the book - "The Blindside"
Linda..love your picks and yay Jess...for cheering the Cowboys
The NFC East just keeps getting interesting by the moment!
12/16/12 | RaiderSteeler15 | 14903 respect
The Buccaneers just proved why they aren't ready to be playoff contenders this year... Drew Brees ate the Bucs' defense alive today!!
12/16/12 | RaiderSteeler15 | 14903 respect
Wow, talking about a collapse in the NFC North, the Bears were leading in the NFC North and let it slip away... Green Bay truely deserves to win the NFC North... The Bears' Offense is the reason why they won't win the NFC North and Jay Cutler is not Tom Brady nor he's Aaron Rodgers... Aaron Rodgers OWNS Cutler big time!! You can't rely on defense all the time to win games...
12/16/12 | Trokspot | 51 respect
"Hi, I'm Jay Cutler and I have no idea what to do with the football when I have a minute left and need a touchdown drive with no timeouts."
Haha. I don't think there's a rookie in the NFL that could have done a poorer job in that situation...
12/16/12 | RaiderSteeler15 | 14903 respect
The Falcons will screw up on Saturday Night when they play the Detroit Lions...
12/16/12 |
gearhead
|
6350 respect
I'm convinced the Packers want to lose.
12/16/12 | JuJu_52 | 7788 respect
Whew! Giants takin' such a lickin' they switched games. Redskins & Browns are tied....Denver's just slam off the chain! WOW! All this exciting football making me tired...hope I don't fall asleep on my Cowboys!! Goooo Boys Goooo!!
I like Kiernans thinking :) I like Oher too. Really love the book - "The Blindside"
Linda..love your picks and yay Jess...for cheering the Cowboys
12/16/12 |
gearhead
|
6350 respect
Crosby misses again, doinking it off the upright from 42 yards. Still 21-10. I don't like how the Pack are keeping the Bears in it.
12/16/12 | JenX63 | 26679 respect
This Denver game is a runaway. Bring on the Seahawks!!
I figured that is what it was, buuut, they be leading 24-14 right now...
12/16/12 |
JrCanuckFan
|
10043 respect
I want to say...there are some teams taking no prisoners.....some great football being played today.
I'm editing cause I don't want to be a thread bomber...but Hey am I the only one that just figured out you can go from bar to bar by hitting the scores up top?...this is way cool...Yeah Q!
The 'Skins WERE leading when I posted that - (I had just watched a recap) and I got an update that they are now behind at the half, but with no game on TV I am at the mercy of TV and Web updates.
This Denver game is a runaway. Bring on the Seahawks!!
12/16/12 | JenX63 | 26679 respect
Woot Woot! Skins coming back...
(i'm getting extreme pleasure out of a certain team taking a spanking today)
12/16/12 |
gearhead
|
6350 respect
The Packers had first and goal at the 1, and of course lined up with 5 receivers and an empty backfield and Rodgers in the shotgun.
At least that was the plan until they got called for delay of game. But no matter, the next play was a 6 yard TD pass to James Jones (his third of the day). 21-7 Packers.
12/16/12 | JenX63 | 26679 respect
I just wish I could be watching the 'Skins game, cuz they are ahead!!
Unfortunately, I have ONE game to choose from right now, so Denver it is. Thankfully I get the Seahawks game after this so I won't be forced to watch Dallas/Pittsburgh. I'd watch a Christmas movie before I'd watch that!
(shakes head) Browns are leading right now....Skins will come back in the 2nd half...
I want to say...there are some teams taking no prisoners.....some great football being played today.
I'm editing cause I don't want to be a thread bomber...but Hey am I the only one that just figured out you can go from bar to bar by hitting the scores up top?...this is way cool...Yeah Q!
12/16/12 |
JrCanuckFan
|
10043 respect
17-0 Denver??? I wouldn't have thought this game would be so close, but I'm enjoying it
I just wish I could be watching the 'Skins game, cuz they are ahead!!
Unfortunately, I have ONE game to choose from right now, so Denver it is. Thankfully I get the Seahawks game after this so I won't be forced to watch Dallas/Pittsburgh. I'd watch a Christmas movie before I'd watch that!
12/16/12 |
Jess
|
28002 respect
I was just saying to Kiernan...I wonder if Michael Oher wants to kick his butt sometimes. (That's the only player she really cares about on the Ravens)
12/16/12 |
gearhead
|
6350 respect
Joe Flacco is...not good.
12/16/12 | JenX63 | 26679 respect
Go Skins!
12/16/12 |
gearhead
|
6350 respect
So, Atlanta's trying to prove everybody wrong this week.
12/16/12 |
The_Real_Stoney
|
20422 respect
Broncos D came to play today.. Damn, they finally gave up a first down
Oh, and how can you not love All Day Adrian Peterson?
12/16/12 |
gearhead
|
6350 respect
Crosby is just getting worse and worse. I don't have a good feeling about the Packers game right now.
Also, all I want for Xmas is for Dallas/Pittsburgh to end in a 0-0 tie.