*** Line of Scrimmage: Week 17 - Revisiting Preseason Predictions ***
By Tony Moss, NFL Editor
Philadelphia, PA (Sports Network) - With winter having descended upon this
little corner of the northeast U.S., it's time to recall a warmer, more
innocent time roughly four months ago when I rolled out my predictions for the
2009 season. As always, those predictions included a few astute choices, a
couple of near-misses, and more than a couple of hearty laughs. Consider this
my self-audit...
Hit: I was about half-right on my playoff predictions, successfully picking
the Vikings, Cardinals, Eagles, Patriots, and Chargers to find their way into
the bracket. I also selected the Ravens, Steelers, and Texans to make the AFC
field, and at least one of them figures to end up there after this week's
wild card wackiness ceases.
Miss: My postseason field had the Falcons, Giants, Seahawks, and Titans in it,
all incorrectly, though only Seattle turned out to be an awful disappointment.
Likewise, I didn't hate teams like the Saints (9-7), Cowboys (9-7), Packers
(7-9), and Jets (7-9), I just didn't think any would be good enough to make it
to the second season. My worst underestimations were of the Colts (8-8),
Bengals (5-11), and Broncos (5-11).
Hit: The preseason tea leaves said that Vikings wide receiver Percy Harvin
would be the league's offensive rookie of the year, and there's a mighty fine
chance that will happen. Harvin has been the most electrifying player not
named Adrian Peterson on a team that has turned into a Super Bowl contender.
Miss: Shawne Merriman as Comeback Player of the Year. Merriman, who started
his NFL career with three straight double-digit sack seasons (2005-07) before
missing most of last year with a knee injury, has looked very average since
returning from the injury. Merriman has just four sacks on the year and has
displayed little of the menace that was once his calling card.
Hit: I had the Ravens' Ray Rice as my "Breakout Player," the Redskins' Clinton
Portis as my "Breakdown Player," and the Bears' Matt Forte' as the "First-
Round Fantasy Pick You'll Regret." Turns out I have decent instincts about
running backs. Rice just earned his first Pro Bowl berth, Portis only lasted
eight games before being shut down due to concussion problems, and Forte' is
the centerpiece of one of the worst running games in the league.
Miss: Mario Williams as Defensive Player of the Year. The former first-round
Texan had amassed 26 sacks over the previous two years and was pegged for big
things in 2009, but Williams needs two sacks this week against the Patriots
just to reach double-digits.
Hit: The Buccaneers' Byron Leftwich as my "First Starting Quarterback to Lose
His Job in 2009." Leftwich and the Browns' Brady Quinn actually tied for this
honor, as both were benched in the second half of their third starts of the
year. But Quinn worked his way back into the lineup eventually, while Leftwich
never saw the field again and was eventually placed on injured reserve with
what was called an elbow injury.
Miss: Matt Jones as "Undrafted Fantasy Player You'll Pick Up," Damon Huard as
"First Unemployed Quarterback to Find Work in 2009," and Warrick Dunn as
"First Unemployed Running Back to Find Work in 2009." Total number of snaps
played in 2009 by the three players above? Zero. Only Jones really got a
sniff, working out for a bunch of teams, including the Buccaneers in mid-
October, but not signing.
Hit: Dick Jauron as "Coach Who Needs to Win That Won't". It was fairly easy to
tell, even back in early September, that the Bills didn't have the talent to
compete in a very strong AFC East. Sure enough, a marginally talented team
also suffered an avalanche of injuries, leading to Jauron's ouster after a 3-6
start.
Miss: The Kansas City Chiefs as my "Team That Will Be Bad, But Not That Bad."
Nope, they really were that bad, as Matt Cassel never looked comfortable at
the helm of the offense, Larry Johnson was gone from the team by mid-season,
and none of the Chiefs' defensive additions (Mike Vrabel, Tyson Jackson, the
departed Zach Thomas) made much of a difference that has allowed the third-
most points in the league.
Hit: The Chicago Bears as my "Team That Won't Be As Good as Expected." I wrote
back in the summer, "...[F]or all Cutler's abilities, does anyone realize he
hasn't played in a postseason game since high school?" If they didn't realize
it then, they do now. Chicago has been generally uncompetitive since starting
the year 3-1 (irrespective of their performance against the Vikings on Monday
night), with Cutler as the symbol of their failure, and leading to major
speculation that head coach Lovie Smith and GM Jerry Angelo could be gone at
season's end.
Miss: Jim Mora as 2009's "First-Year Head Coach With a Shot." Mora isn't a
terrible coach, and his roster looked OK coming out of training camp, but
injuries started to take hold of this team even before Week 1 and never really
stopped thereafter. With left tackle Walter Jones possibly done for good and
Matt Hasselbeck's steep decline emblematic of an aging group, the focus now
centers on whether Mora will still be the coach of this team when it wins
again.
Hit: Steve Spagnuolo as 2009's "First-Year Head Coach With no Shot" and the
Rams as the "Leading Team in the Sam Bradford Sweepstakes." This prediction
was validated in Week 1, when the Rams went to Seattle and lost 28-0, and
little has gone well for St. Louis thereafter. Bradford doesn't look like the
No. 1 pick anymore, but the Rams have the worst record in the league and are
in position to draft him or anyone else they want come April.
For all of my 2009 preseason predictions, check this link:
http://www.sportsnetwork.com/merge/tsnform.aspx?c=sportsnetwork&page=
nfl/misc/moss/scrimmage_090309.htm
Now, let's take a look at the week that will be in the National Football
League:
WEEKLY SEED REPORT
A look at what the playoffs would look like if the season ended today:
AFC
1 - Indianapolis (14-1)
2 - San Diego (12-3)
3 - New England (10-5)
4 - Cincinnati (10-5)
5 - N.Y. Jets (8-7)
6 - Baltimore (8-7)
NFC
1 - New Orleans (13-2)
2 - Philadelphia (11-4)
3 - Minnesota (11-4)
4 - Arizona (10-5)
5 - Green Bay (10-5)
6 - Dallas (10-5)
NFL POWER POLL
The Sports Network's updated NFL Power Poll, which ranks all 32 league teams,
can be found at:
http://www.sportsnetwork.com/merge/tsnform.aspx?c=sportsnetwork&page=
nfl/misc/nfl-poll.htm
FANTASY FOCUS
Find Fantasy Editor Steve Schwarz's latest analysis at:
http://www.sportsnetwork.com/merge/tsnform.aspx?c=sportsnetwork&page=
fantasy/index.aspx
SUICIDE POOL PIX
1. Denver (vs. Kansas City) - If the Broncos didn't knock you out when they
lost at home to the Raiders two weeks ago, take them here.
2. Baltimore (at Oakland) - Don't underestimate the Raiders, who have beaten
some good teams this year, but the mistake-prone Ravens happen to match up
with them pretty well.
3. San Francisco (at St. Louis) - Rams will play hard here, but more talented
49ers should be able to get to 8-8 on the road.
THE GAMES
I was 10-6 in my picks last week, 9-7 against the spread. My crowning
achievement was probably picking the Jets to beat the Colts outright (thank
you, Jim Caldwell), and though I didn't have the Panthers or Bears springing
upsets, I did accurately predict that both would make things difficult for
seemingly superior opponents. The record for the year is now 158-82 (.658) for
the year, and 125-111-4 (.529) with Vegas involved.
Indianapolis (14-1) at Buffalo (5-10), Sunday, 1:00 (NL)
Storylines: Colts have clinched the AFC South and the top seed in the
conference portion of the playoffs, and the use of their top players is
expected to be limited...A win would give the Colts organization their best
record in team history, surpassing the winning percentage (.929) of the 1968
Baltimore Colts, who went 13-1...Bills have lost six straight to the Colts
since last defeating them in 1999...Game is expected to be the final one under
Buffalo interim head coach Perry Fewell, who is 2-4 since taking over for the
fired Dick Jauron...Indianapolis is No. 1 in NFL passing offense (292.2 yards
per game), fewest sacks allowed (12), fewest fumbles lost (4), and is tied for
the league lead in touchdown passes (34), along with the Saints, but is last
in the league in rushing offense (84.6 yards per game)...Bills are last in NFL
rushing defense (165.1 yards per game) and have forced a league-worst four
lost fumbles on the season...Colts lead the league in third-down percentage
(50.5), and Bills are last in the same category (25.0)...Bills linebacker
Bryan Scott (head) expected to be out.
Fast Fact: The last Bills quarterback to defeat Peyton Manning was Rob
Johnson, who presided over a 31-6 win over Indianapolis on Jan. 2, 2000.
Prediction: Bills starters are slightly better than the Colts' No. 2s. Bills
18, Colts 17.
---
New Orleans (13-2) at Carolina (7-8), Sunday, 1:00 (NL)
Storylines: Saints have clinched the NFC South and the top seed in the
conference portion of the playoffs, but are expected to play their starters
following a two-game losing streak...Saints haven't lost three straight since
opening the 2007 season at 0-4...New Orleans can finish with an undefeated
road record for the first time in franchise history...Saints defeated
Panthers, 30-20, at the Superdome in Week 9...Carolina is 3-1 with Matt Moore
at quarterback, including blowouts of the Vikings (26-7) and Giants (41-9)
over the past two weeks...Saints quarterback Drew Brees leads the NFL in
touchdown passes (34) and passer rating (109.6), and New Orleans is No. 1 in
total offense (416.5 yards per game), scoring offense (33.3 points per game),
touchdowns (63), and completion percentage (70.5)...New Orleans safety Darren
Sharper is tied for the NFL lead in interceptions (9) and leads the league in
INT-return yards with an all-time league single-season record 376...Panthers
wide receiver Steve Smith will not play after breaking his arm on a touchdown
catch against the Giants...Saints lead the league in takeaways (39) and have
scored a league-best eight touchdowns on defense this season.
Fast Fact: With 92 rushing yards on Sunday, the Panthers' Jonathan Stewart
will join DeAngelo Williams as the first set of NFL teammates to eclipse 1,100
rushing yards in the same year.
Prediction: Saints seem serious about not wanting to enter playoffs on a
losing streak. Saints 31, Panthers 17.
---
Jacksonville (7-8) at Cleveland (4-11), Sunday, 1:00 (Cleveland -1.5)
Storylines: Jaguars still alive for playoffs, but need a win over the Browns
along with losses for a combination of four other AFC wild card hopefuls in
order to reach the field...Jags also trying to avoid their first back-to-back
losing seasons since 2002-03...Browns have won three games in three straight
weeks for the first time since 2001, and need a win for their first four-game
winning streak since a five-game run in 1994...Browns are 0-5 against the Jags
in series home games all-time, and the road team has won the last five
installments of the series overall...Derek Anderson expected to make his
second straight start at quarterback for Cleveland...Browns are last in the
league in total offense (257.5 yards per game) and total defense (393.4 yards
per game)...Cleveland is also last in passing offense (132.7 yards per game)
and completion percentage (49.1)... Jaguars are last in the league in sacks
(14) and opponents' third-down percentage (45.64)...Browns' Joshua Cribbs
leads the league in kickoff return touchdowns (3)...Jaguars targets Torry Holt
(finger) and Marcedes Lewis (concussion) both questionable.
Fast Fact: The last Browns head coach to preside over a four-game winning
streak was Bill Belichick, who had the team on a five-game run between Weeks
3-8 of the 1994 campaign.
Prediction: Browns have played pretty well of late, but Jaguars are a step-up
in class from the Chiefs and Raiders. Jaguars 16, Browns 10.
---
Chicago (6-9) at Detroit (2-13), Sunday, 1:00 (Chicago -3)
Storylines: Lions could earn No. 1 pick in the 2010 draft with a loss and a
win for the Rams (1-14) against San Francisco, with the tie to be broken by
season-ending strength of schedule in that event...Bears trying to finish on a
two-game win streak and avoid their first season of double-digit losses since
2004...Lions have lost five in a row since beating the Browns in Week 11...
Drew Stanton, who started but was benched late in last week's 20-6 loss to the
49ers in favor of Daunte Culpepper, could make his first Ford Field start...
Chicago was a 48-24 winner over Detroit at Soldier Field in Week 4...Lions
receiver Calvin Johnson is 102 yards shy of a second consecutive 1,000-yard
season...Lions are last in the league in turnovers committed (39), turnover
margin (-17), have thrown the most interceptions in the league (31) and are
tied for last in the league in fourth-down percentage (25.0), along with the
Packers...Detroit is last in NFL scoring defense (30.5 points per game),
passing defense (265.4 yards per game), touchdowns allowed (53), touchdown
passes allowed (31), opponents' completion percentage (68.6)...Bears wide
receiver Johnny Knox (ankle) and cornerback Charles Tillman (ribs) expected to
be out after being carted off Monday night.
Fast Fact: In his last two meetings against the Bears, Lions receiver Calvin
Johnson has combined for 16 catches, 227 yards and a touchdown.
Prediction: On a short week that follows an emotional victory, look for the
Bears to come out flat in the Motor City. Lions 20, Bears 17.
---
New England (10-5) at Houston (8-7), Sunday, 1:00 (Houston -8)
Storylines: Texans, who have won three in a row, will claim the first winning
season in their eight-year franchise history with a win, and can make the
playoffs with a victory coupled with losses for the Jets and Ravens, Jets and
Broncos, or Ravens and Broncos...Patriots have clinched the AFC East title and
will be either the No. 3 or No. 4 seed...New England is 2-5 on the road this
season, with one of the wins coming in London against the Buccaneers...Texans
quarterback Matt Schaub leads the NFL in passing yards (4467)...Houston
wideout Andre Johnson leads the NFL in receiving yards (1504), and needs 129
yards to move into the all-time top 10 for single-season efforts in that
category...Patriots wide receiver Randy Moss leads the league in touchdown
catches (13)...New England wideout Wes Welker leads the NFL in receptions
(122), and needs only two catches to move into second place on the league's
all-time single-season list in that category, behind only Marvin Harrison (143
in 2002)...Texans are last in the league in yards per carry (3.344) and rushes
of 20 yards or longer (3)...Patriots have allowed a league-low-tying four
rushing touchdowns, along with the Vikings.
Fast Fact: In their last trip to Reliant Stadium (Feb. 1, 2004), the Patriots
were 32-29 winners over the Carolina Panthers in Super Bowl XXXVIII.
Prediction: Patriots would win this one handily if motivation was equal, but
Texans should be a bit more ready to play against a New England team that has
struggled on the road. Texans 24, Patriots 20.
---
Pittsburgh (8-7) at Miami (7-8), Sunday, 1:00 (Pick)
Storylines: Steelers have won two in a row and can claim a wild card berth
with a win and losses for the Texans and Jets, Texans and Ravens, or Jets,
Ravens and Broncos...Dolphins, who have lost two in a row, can still claim
wild card berth with a win and losses for the Jets, Ravens, Texans, and
Jaguars...Pittsburgh trying to avoid becoming the 13th Super Bowl winner to
miss the playoffs the following season, and third straight Steelers champion
(2006, 1980) to achieve the dubious feat...Dolphins have scored a league-best
21 rushing touchdowns, but running back Ricky Williams (shoulder) is a
question mark for Sunday after exiting last week's 27-20 loss to the
Texans...Status of Steelers safety Troy Polamalu (knee), who has missed the
last six games, unknown for Sunday...Pittsburgh guard Chris Kemoeatu (wrist),
wide receiver Hines Ward (hamstring), and linebacker James Harrison (biceps)
also question marks...Linebacker Channing Crowder (foot) will be out for
Miami...Steelers have surrendered an NFL-worst four kickoff returns for
touchdowns.
Fast Fact: The Steelers are 9-2 in Miami and Tampa since 1988, including their
27-23 win over the Cardinals in Super Bowl XLIII from Tampa last Feb. 1st.
Prediction: Dolphins don't have an explosive enough offense to expose
Steelers' shaky pass defense. Steelers 18, Dolphins 13.
---
N.Y. Giants (8-7) at Minnesota (11-4), Sunday, 1:00 (Minnesota -9)
Storylines: Vikings, who relinquished chance for homefield advantage
throughout the NFC playoffs with their 36-30 overtime loss to the Bears on
Monday night, need a win and a loss for the Eagles to claim the No. 2 spot in
the NFC and the first-round bye it would bring...Giants were eliminated from
postseason contention with last week's 41-9 loss to the Panthers...Vikings
running back Adrian Peterson leads the NFL in rushing touchdowns (17) and
total touchdowns (17)...Vikings have thrown a league-low-tying seven
interceptions, along with the Packers...Giants' Osi Umenyiora leads the league
in defensive fumble recoveries (4)...Vikings are No. 1 in the NFL in sacks
(45), and have allowed a league-low-tying four rushing touchdowns, along with
the Patriots...Minnesota cornerback Antoine Winfield (foot) expected to play
despite struggling in his last two outings...Defensive tackle Pat Williams
(elbow) a question mark for Minnesota, while running back Brandon Jacobs
(knee), guard Rich Seubert (knee), tackle Kareem McKenzie (knee) and defensive
backs Aaron Ross (hamstring) and Corey Webster (knee) are among the question
marks for the Giants.
Fast Fact: In three career starts against the Vikings, Giants quarterback Eli
Manning is 0-3, and is 55-of-116 (47.4 percent) passing for 683 yards, two
touchdown passes and eight interceptions.
Prediction: Look for Peterson to run wild here against a battered Giants team
that has probably lost interest. Vikings 38, Giants 14.
---
San Francisco (7-8) at St. Louis (1-14), Sunday, 1:00 (San Francisco -7.5)
Storylines: Rams will lock up No. 1 pick in the 2010 NFL Draft with a loss,
but could fall to No. 2 with a win and a loss for the Lions (2-13) against the
Bears, depending on the season-ending strength-of-schedule tally...Rams are
0-7 at the Edward Jones Dome under head coach Steve Spagnuolo and have lost 12
in a row at home since a win over the Cowboys last Oct. 19th...Loss would give
Rams franchise its worst single-season win percentage in the team's 73-year-
history, surpassing the 1-10 (.090) mark put up by the 1937 Cleveland Rams...
Rams seeking to avoid their first winless home campaign since 1962, when the
team was 0-7 in Los Angeles amid a 1-12-1 season...San Francisco, which was a
35-0 winner over St. Louis in Week 4, seeking to avoid its seventh consecutive
losing season...St. Louis (169 points), which is averaging a league-low 11.3
points per game and has scored an NFL-worst four rushing touchdowns, needs 31
points to avoid becoming the first NFC team to fail to reach 200 since the
1998 Eagles (161)...Rams running back Steven Jackson (back) and defensive end
Leonard Little (knee) considered questionable after missing last week's 31-10
loss to the Cardinals...Rams have allowed an NFL-high-tying 21 rushing
touchdowns and recorded a league-low-tying eight interceptions..
Fast Fact: With three touchdown passes on Sunday, 49ers quarterback Alex Smith
will become the team's first 20-TD passer since Jeff Garcia threw for 21 in
2002.
Prediction: St. Louis continues to play hard for Spagnuolo, but simply lacks
the ability to score enough points to win. 49ers 23, Rams 16.
---
Atlanta (8-7) at Tampa Bay (3-12), Sunday, 1:00 (Atlanta -3)
Storylines: Falcons need a win to post their first back-to-back winning
seasons in the 44-year history of the franchise...Buccaneers can avoid their
worst mark since 1991 with a third consecutive victory...Tampa Bay last won
three in a row when it finished off a 4-0 November last season...Falcons were
20-17 winners over the Bucs at the Georgia Dome in Week 12, and will go for
just their second home-and-home sweep of the Bucs (2006)...Buccaneers are last
in the NFL in yards per carry allowed (4.772) and have allowed the most rushes
of more than 20 yards in the league (22)...Atlanta running back Michael Turner
(high ankle sprain), who is 119 yards short of 1,000 but has just one carry
over his last five games, could return to practice this week...Falcons tight
end Tony Gonzalez (calf) expected to play...Falcons punter Michael Koenen
(concussion) expected to play but kicker Matt Bryant (hamstring, death of
father), who appeared in 65 games as a member of the Bucs (2005-08) before
being cut just prior to the 2009 season, is a question mark...Falcons signed
ex-Raven Steve Hauschka as a potential replacement on Tuesday.
Fast Fact: If the Falcons win on Sunday, the NFL team that will have gone the
longest without back-to-back winning seasons is the Cincinnati Bengals, who
last posted consecutive winning campaigns in 1981-82 (Panthers and Texans have
never done it).
Prediction: Finishing 9-7 appears important to the Falcons, who still have a
distinct talent advantage over the Bucs. Falcons 26, Buccaneers 16.
---
Philadelphia (11-4) at Dallas (10-5), Sunday, 4:15 (Dallas -3)
Storylines: Winner claims NFC East title...Philadelphia will also claim No. 2
seed and a first-round bye with a victory, but could fall as far as the No. 6
seed with a loss and a Green Bay victory at Arizona, due to a disadvantage in
the common games tie-breaker with the Packers...Cowboys will claim No. 2 seed
and a first-round bye with a victory and losses for the Vikings (vs. N.Y.
Giants) and Cardinals, but will fall to the No. 6 seed with a defeat due to a
head-to-head loss to the Packers earlier this season...Cowboys were 20-16
winners at Philadelphia in Week 9, and are going for their first head-to-head
sweep of the Eagles since 2005...Philadelphia cornerback Asante Samuel is tied
for the NFL lead in interceptions (9) along with the Saints' Darren Sharper
and the inactive Jairus Byrd of the Bills...Eagles are tied for the league
lead in opponents' third-down percentage (32.7), along with the Jets...Eagles
kicker David Akers (139 points) leads San Diego's Nate Kaeding by four points
in the quest for the NFL scoring title, and has also kicked the most field
goals (32) in the league...Eagles center Jamaal Jackson (torn ACL) will miss
the remainder of the year.
Fast Fact: The Eagles have won the second leg of their home-and-home with the
Cowboys in eight of the last nine seasons, and are 4-0 in Dallas in those
contests.
Prediction: Eagles have blown their share of big games under Andy Reid, but
usually wait until the playoffs. Eagles 30, Cowboys 24.
---
Green Bay (10-5) at Arizona (10-5), Sunday, 4:15 (Arizona -3)
Storylines: Cardinals have clinched the NFC West and can claim the No. 2 seed
and a first-round bye with a victory and losses for the Eagles and Vikings...
Packers will be either the No. 5 or No. 6 seed and will travel to Arizona,
Dallas, Minnesota, or Philadelphia in the NFC wild card round...Cardinals have
double-digit wins for the first time since going 10-4 in 1976, and are seeking
their first 11-win campaign since 1975...Green Bay is No. 1 in NFL turnover
margin (+22) and turnovers (15), and has thrown a league-low-tying seven
interceptions, along with the Vikings, but has surrendered an NFL-worst 50
sacks and is tied for last in the league in fourth-down percentage (25.0)
along with the Lions...Arizona has lost the most fumbles in the league
(18)...Packers lead the NFL in rushing defense (85.7 yards per game) and
interceptions recorded (27)...Cardinals receiver Anquan Boldin is 14 yards shy
of his fifth career 1,000-yard season, while the Packers' Donald Driver is
four yards shy of breaking 1,000 for the seventh time, and sixth
consecutive...Arizona kicker Neil Rackers (groin) could miss his second
straight game, and ex-Jet Mike Nugent could fill in for a second straight
week.
Fast Fact: The Packers are 14-3-1 against the Cardinals since 1955, including
road wins in Chicago, St. Louis, and Arizona.
Prediction: Cardinals want that No. 2 seed, while things won't change much for
the Packers, win or lose. Cardinals 28, Packers 20.
---
Kansas City (3-12) at Denver (8-7), Sunday, 4:15 (Denver -13.5)
Storylines: Broncos, who are 2-7 in their last nine games, need losses by
multiple AFC teams in order to avoid a fourth consecutive season out of the
postseason, irrespective of their own result against Kansas City...Chiefs are
0-8 in Denver since last winning there in 2000...Broncos were 44-13 winners at
Kansas City in Week 13, and are seeking their second home-and-home sweep of
the Chiefs in the last three seasons...Kansas City has lost five in a row
since upsetting the Steelers in overtime, and is 0-13 in the month of December
since a 35-30 win over the Jaguars on Dec. 31, 2006...Broncos outside
linebacker Elvis Dumervil leads the NFL in sacks (17)...Wide receiver Eddie
Royal (neck/head) and ex-Chiefs cornerback Ty Law (hamstring) are among the
questionable players for Denver...Denver lost left guard Russ Hochstein and
wide receiver Kenny McKinley to season-ending knee injuries in last week's
30-27 loss to the Eagles...Chiefs running back Jamaal Charles is 139 yards shy
of his first career 1,000-yard season, and Broncos RB Knowshon Moreno is 103
yards away from reaching the same plateau.
Fast Fact: The last Chiefs quarterback to engineer a win in Denver was Elvis
Grbac, who presided over a 23-22 victory on Sept. 24, 2000.
Prediction: Broncos will revert to first-half form, dispose of the Chiefs
easily, and cross their fingers. Broncos 25, Chiefs 13.
---
Baltimore (8-7) at Oakland (5-10), Sunday, 4:15 (Baltimore -10.5)
Storylines: Ravens will clinch a wild card berth with a win, and can be either
the No. 5 or No. 6 seed depending on what happens elsewhere in the AFC...
Ravens Pro Bowl safety Ed Reed (hip) expected to return after missing the last
four weeks, and tackle Jared Gaither (foot) could be back as well...Charlie
Frye expected to make his second straight start at quarterback for the
Raiders... Oakland, which has scored an NFL-low 16 touchdowns and nine
touchdown passes, must score 16 points to avoid finishing with fewer than 200
for the second time in the last four seasons...Ravens have allowed the fewest
yards per carry in the league (3.5) and are tied for the NFL lead in fewest
touchdowns allowed (26), along with the Jets...Oakland has allowed an NFL-
high-tying 21 rushing touchdowns, along with the Rams, and has recorded a
league-low-tying eight interceptions, along with the Rams...Raiders' Shane
Lechler leads the NFL in punting average (51.1) and net average (44.0), and
would need to average 55 yards over a minimum of nine punts to surpass Sammy
Baugh's league record for single-season punting average (51.4 in 1940).
Fast Fact: A Baltimore-based NFL team has not won a regular season game in
Oakland since Nov. 28, 1971, when the Colts were 37-14 winners there.
Prediction: Ravens haven't been consistent in many areas this season, but
beating bad teams has been something of a calling card. Ravens 24, Raiders 10.
---
Washington (4-11) at San Diego (12-3), Sunday, 4:15 (San Diego -4)
Storylines: Believed to be the final game in Redskins head coach Jim Zorn's
two-year tenure...Chargers' Norv Turner faces Washington as a head man for the
second time since being fired by the team during the 2000 season...Another
loss would give Washington its worst season since finishing 3-13 in 1994, the
team's first season under Turner...Chargers have clinched the AFC West title
and the No. 2 spot in the playoffs, and the playing time for their key
contributors is expected to be limited...San Diego has won 10 in a row since a
2-3 start, the team's longest winning streak since winning 10 consecutive to
end the 2006 regular season...Redskins have the fewest takeaways in the league
(16) but lead the league in opponents' fourth-down percentage (18.8)...
Redskins will be without safety Reed Doughty (ankle) and guard Mike Williams
(foot), and wide receiver Devin Thomas (ankle), tackle Stephon Heyer (foot),
and linebacker Rocky McIntosh (back) are all question marks...Washington
receiver Santana Moss needs 153 yards to reach 1,000 for the fourth time in
his career, and second consecutive.
Fast Fact: In his first career NFL game (Sept. 9, 2001), Chargers running back
LaDanian Tomlinson carried 36 times for 113 yards and a touchdown in San
Diego's 30-3 home victory over the Redskins.
Prediction: Probably one of those weird games where a playoff-bound team calls
off the dogs and ends up on the losing end. Redskins 17, Chargers 16.
---
Tennessee (7-8) at Seattle (5-10), Sunday, 4:15 (Tennessee -4.5)
Storylines: Tennessee running back Chris Johnson, who leads the NFL in rushing
yards (1872), needs 128 yards to become the NFL's sixth 2,000-yard rusher...
Johnson needs 234 yards to surpass Eric Dickerson's single-season rushing
record (2,105 yards) from 1984, and 75 yards to surpass Marshall Faulk's 1999
mark for yards from scrimmage (2,429)...Seahawks are 14th in the league
against the run (109.5 yards per game) and have allowed over 100 rushing yards
in seven of their last nine games...Seattle last surrendered 200-plus on the
ground in Week 2, when the 49ers' Frank Gore rushed for 207 yards as part of a
256-yard day...Titans and Seahawks have both been eliminated from the playoff
race...Tennessee trying to avoid its first losing season since finishing 4-12
in 2005...Titans are No. 1 in NFL yards per carry (5.3) and rushes of 20 yards
or longer (24)...Titans are last in the league in opponents' fourth-down
percentage (75.0)...Running back Julius Jones (hip/ankle), linebacker Aaron
Curry (shoulder/hip), and cornerback Josh Wilson (hip) among the question
marks for Seattle.
Fast Fact: The Titans/Oilers franchise is 0-6 in Seattle since notching its
only win there in 1977, and Tennessee head coach Jeff Fisher is 0-5 against
the Seahawks overall.
Prediction: Johnson should get to 2,000 by the third quarter, which will strip
any remaining intrigue from this game. Seahawks 26, Titans 23.
---
Cincinnati (10-5) at N.Y. Jets (8-7), Sunday, 8:20 (N.Y. Jets -10)
Storylines: Jets will make the playoffs with a win, and would likely head to
Cincinnati for the wild card round next week in that event...Bengals have
clinched the AFC North as either the No. 3 or No. 4 seed, and use of their key
players is in question...Likely the final NFL game in the history of Giants
Stadium...Bengals have never won at Giants Stadium, combining for an 0-10
record against the Giants and Jets in the facility...Head coaches Marvin Lewis
of the Bengals and Rex Ryan of the Jets were both a part of Brian Billick's
staff with the Baltimore Ravens from 1999 through 2001...Bengals wide receiver
Laveranues Coles, who played seven seasons with the Jets (2000-02, 2005-08),
faces his former team...New York is No. 1 in NFL rushing offense (166.6 yards
per game), while Bengals have allowed the fewest rushes of 20 yards or more in
the league (3)...Jets lead the league in total defense (264.3 yards per game),
scoring defense (15.7 points per game), passing defense 9163.9 yards per
game), touchdown passes allowed (8), opponents' completion percentage (52.9),
and are tied for the lead in touchdowns allowed (26) and opponents' third-down
percentage (32.7)...Jets lead the league in fourth-down conversion percentage
(72.7).
Fast Fact: If he maintains his team lead in receiving yards on Sunday,
Jerricho Cotchery will become the first player to lead the Jets in that
category for three straight seasons since Keyshawn Johnson (1997-99).
Prediction: If a loss puts them in position to face Mark Sanchez in the first
round of the playoffs, a loss it will be for the Bengals. Jets 23, Bengals 7.
12/29 23:53:28 ET
