Mattie T’s Week 15 NFL Predictions

Thankfully, this is the LAST Thursday Night game of the year!!!! I’m 0-for-5  so far, so hopefully i can finally get one right!!!

Week 14: 8-8

Overall: 132-76 (.635)

Indianapolis at Jacksonville.

I am VERY tempted to go with the Jaguars since the Colts have already clinched homefield advantage through the AFC Playoffs, but a couple of things are preventing me from doing so.

Jacksonville’s bad pass rush & secondary should mean a big day for Peyton Manning, who has had four straight games under 300 yards passing for the first time since Week 3-10 of last season.

Maurice Jones-Drew will have to pick things up in order for a Jaguar upset, as he’s rushed for under 80 yards in each of the last 4 weeks & have only scored 2 touchdowns in that same time frame.

Look for Manning to carve up Jacksonville’s secondary before paving way for Curtis Painter in the 4th quarter, as Indianapolis wins to partially damage the Jaguars’ playoff hopes.

Dallas at New Orleans.

Pivotal game for Dallas, as they try to shake off their December blues after critical back-to-back losses.

Drew Brees has been sensational at home though, as he’s completed a mind-blowing 72.7% of his passes and has tossed 18 touchdown passes to just 3 interceptions with 321 yards passing in 6 Superdome contests.

Roy Williams has already “predicted” a win, but i doubt it will come true as the Cowboys have only notched 1 victory against a winning team all season.

Saints win to go 14-0.

Cleveland at Kansas City.

I wish i can surpass games like this.

I’ll give Kansas City some love though, as 2nd year speedster Jamaal Charles is coming off a powerful 120-yard effort in a losing cause against Buffalo in Week 14.

Even though the Chiefs aren’t playoff-bound, they will get a boost with the return of wide receiver Dwayne Bowe, who returns after serving his 4-game suspension & could help fantasy owners whose teams are in the playoffs this weekend.

Cleveland is coming off a stunning 13-6 home win over Pittsburgh, but Brady Quinn has only won one road start (November 17th, 2008 at Buffalo) in his 3-year NFL career.

Going with Kansas City in their home finale.

Atlanta at N.Y. Jets.

The Jets are making a serious playoff push, while the Falcons’ playoff hopes are quickly sizzling without their star quarterback.

Matt Ryan will most likely miss his 3rd straight game on Sunday, but Michael Turner could return to action after missing last week’s loss to New Orleans with an ankle injury.

Jets head coach Rex Ryan feels that Mark Sanchez will be ready to play after missing the team’s Week 14 win over the Buccaneers.

Expect New York’s defense to turn up the heat on Chris Redman, as the Jets will win their 4th straight game.

Miami at Tennessee.

Titans’ playoff hopes could take a serious blow without the services of Vince Young, as Kerry Collins has lost 7 of his last 8 games dating back to December 14th, 2008.

In a humorous side note, Chris Johnson claimed that Dolphins wide receiver Ted Ginn Jr. was a “no-show” in their summer meeting on South Beach at a race to proclaim the NFL’s fastest player.

I actually think Miami has the horses to contain Johnson, as they’ll gut out yet another big road win to keep their playoff & division championship hopes alive.

San Francisco at Philadelphia.

I am tempted to pick the 49ers in an upset after their dominating mastery of Kurt Warner on Monday night, but a cross-country trip doesn’t fare well in hoping of knocking off the first-place Eagles.

Frank Gore finally came back to life with a 167-yard outburst against Arizona, but is only averaging 40.2 rushing yards in 6 road games with just 2 touchdowns this season.

Look for the Philadelphia defense to rattle Alex Smith into a few turnovers, which will key them to a big home win & a possible NFC East title.

New England at Buffalo.

It’s safe to say that the Patriots are the most unimpressive 8-5 team in the league.

New England’s defensive line is banged up with injuries to both Vince Wilfork & Ty Warren, but Ryan Fitzpatrick isn’t the type of quarterback that can exploit it with the Pats’ bad secondary.

Buffalo might be able to contain Tom Brady, but Laurence Maroney & co should run wild as the Patriots will win to inch closer to an AFC East crown.

Arizona at Detroit.

Cardinals should be an angry team after failing to clinch the NFC West title on Monday & will take their frustrations out on a Lions team that has lost 10 of their last 12 home games.

Larry Fitzgerald appears ready to go on Sunday after suffering a scary knee injury, which is great news for Arizona as he should devour Detroit’s pass defense.

Cards bounce back in a huge way with a convincing blowout road win here.

Chicago at Baltimore.

Ravens are still alive in the AFC Playoff hunt & should be able to have their way with the Bears, who have lost 2 of their last 3 road games by 26 points or more.

Devin Hester has already hinted that big changes could be in store for Chicago next season, as they haven’t won a road game since late September.

The Ray Rice show will be in full effect on Sunday afternoon, as Baltimore wins again at home to stay alive.

Houston at St. Louis.

Texans finally showed some explosiveness for the first time in 6 weeks during their Week 14 blowout win over Seattle & should wreak havoc on a lifeless Rams team that sports the worst offense in the NFL.

The biggest news of the week from St. Louis was the release of offensive lineman Richie Incognito, who was released following an on-field spat with head coach Steve Spanuglo.

I guess the Rams need all the distractions they can get to make them forget a dreadful season. Houston should absolutely crush this team on Sunday.

Oakland at Denver.

Broncos control their own playoff destiny, as they have favorable matchups to end the season, which starts with the Raiders at home.

Charlie Frye is set to make his first NFL start since October 12th, 2008 as a member of the Seattle Seahawks during their 27-17 loss to Green Bay.

If Frye struggles, then we could see J.P. Losman in his first action in over a year.

Neither of those options sound good, so i think Denver will steamroll to a big win on Sunday.

Cincinnati at San Diego.

Before i begin previewing this game, prayers go out to Bengals’ Chris Henry, who was injured yesterday during a domestic dispute & is fighting for his life.

As for Sunday’s game, the sizzling Chargers will look to win their 9th straight game & inch closer to a 4th straight AFC West title.

Cedric Benson returned during Cincinatti’s Week 14 loss to Minnesota & looked sharp, as he ran 16 times for 96 yards while equaling a season-high 6.0 yards per carry.

While Chad Ochocinco is having a good season, his numbers are taking a significant dropoff on the road as he’s only averaging 55.3 yards per game compared to 86.4 yards per game at Paul Brown Stadium.

Look for Philip Rivers & the Chargers to keep it movin, as San Diego wins their 9th straight game.

Green Bay at Pittsburgh.

Someone’s playoff hopes will be killed on Sunday, as Pittsburgh looks to rebound from an embarassing loss to Cleveland in Week 14.

This game will feature two quarterbacks who have combined to take EIGHTY-SEVEN sacks this season!!!!!

Aaron Rodgers has been the better man though this season & has played very well on the road, where he is averaging 282 yards per game & has thrown for 12 touchdowns against only 4 interceptions for a 108.2 rating.

I think Rodgers will be able to expliot that Steelers secondary minus Troy Polamalu, unless Mike Tomlin finally “delivers” on his changes that never came last week.

Close game, but i like for Green Bay to win here & eliminated the defending World Champs from playoff contention.

Tampa Bay at Seattle.

Both teams are coming off embarassing losses, but Seattle seeks their 3rd straight home win on Sunday.

Tampa Bay has lost their last 8 road games dating back to December 8th, 2008 & will continue to stick with Josh Freeman at quarterback despite his 8 interceptions in the past 2 weeks.

Matt Hasselbeck should have a solid day on Sunday, as he’s completed 65% of his passes at home this season with 10 touchdowns and just 4 interceptions for a 92.3 rating.

Seattle at home to hand Tampa Bay their ninth straight road loss.

Minnesota at Carolina.

Panthers are mathematically still alive in the playoff hunt, but face a tough test against a Vikings team that could wrap up the NFC North with a win & Packer loss on Sunday.

Look for Minnesota to try & bottle up DeAngelo Williams, which will force Matt Moore to air it out often.

Antoine Winfield & the Vikings secondary will be ready, as i think Minnesota will win in a prime-time blowout to clinch back-to-back division titles for the first time in 31 years.

N.Y. Giants at Washington.

Giants lost a crucial game last week to Philadelphia & Washington won’t be any easier when you consider how well Jason Campbell has played of late.

Campbell has amassed back to back ratings of 100 or higher in his last 2 games for the first time since Weeks 2-4 of the 2008 season & will face a battered New York secondary on Monday night.

That spells good news for tight end Fred Davis, who has scored in each of the last 3 weeks & had the first multi-touchdown game of his career during Washington’s Week 14 win over Oakland.

Look for the Redskins to upset the Giants in a pivotal NFC East battle, which will keep New York from winning a division title & possibly making the playoffs.