NFL Week 13 - Sunday Preview Part 1

Kansas City Chiefs (8-3) @ Atlanta Falcons (7-4) - Georgia Dome

It's an early blockbuster here as the Chiefs head into Atlanta to take on the Falcons. The Chiefs scored a hugely impressive 30-27 overtime, come from behind, victory over arch rivals the Broncos in Denver to remain just one game behind the Raiders in a high octane AFC West. Despite winning six of their past seven games, the Chiefs have scored just 20 offensive touchdowns this year at an average of just 2 per game. In contrast to that, the Falcons have the best offense in the League, with the most points scored and third most in total yards. Quarterback Matt Ryan is in the MVP discussion with over 3500 yards passing and 26 touchdowns to only 6 interceptions on the year. 

Verdict - Falcons 28 Chiefs 24

Expect a great game here but I really like Atlanta at home. They have a big powered offense in the Dome and I think on paper they have the firepower to outscore a really tough Chiefs' team. Maybe expect the Chiefs to be a bit tired from that marathon 75-minute game in Denver last Sunday Night. 

San Fransisco 49ers (1-10) @ Chicago Bears (2-9) - Soldier Field

From a great match-up to a match between the two worst teams in the League when the 49ers head to Chicago to take on the Bears. It is a match up in futility with these teams combining for just three victories from their 22 games this season. Despite not being able to register a victory in his return to the side, Colin Kaepernick is starting to resemble at least something of the all pro quarterback he was that led the 49ers to the Super Bowl just four years ago. He has passed for 1400 yards and has 10 touchdowns to only 3 interceptions. Matt Barkley made a solid debut last week for the Bears throwing for over 300 yards, with 3 touchdowns and 2 interceptions in the Bears 28-21 loss to the Titans at home. 

Verdict - 49ers 26 Bears 24

What the hell, I am going for the 49ers. The Bears have been horrible at home the past couple of years and the 49ers have actually played ok the past 3 weeks. 

Philadelphia Eagles (5-6) @ Cincinnati Bengals (3-7-1) - Paul Brown Stadium

Both the Eagles and Bengals appear headed out of the playoff race as they come together for a match up in Cincinnati on Sunday. The Eagles, after starting 3-0 this year, have lost 6 out of their last 8 games including a damaging 24-13 loss to the Packers at home last week. Whilst Carson Wentz has had a solid debut season, he has been unspectacular of late, with the Eagles sitting last in a red hot AFC East division. The Bengals are having a nightmare season with a number of  close losses putting Head Coach Marvin Lewis's job in jeopardy heading into next year. The Bengals have had 3 consecutive close losses against the Giants, Bills and Ravens where they blew opportunities to win in every game. 

Verdict - Bengals 23 Eagles 20

Both these teams have been disappointments this season. Really don't have any strong feeling on this game, however, given the Bengals are at home, I will lean their way in a close game. 

Houston Texans (6-5) @ Green Bay Packers (5-6) - Lambeau Field

The Packers and Texans clash as both teams look to stay in the playoff race heading into December. The Packers got a season saving 24-13 win over the Eagles in Philadelphia on Monday night. Aaron Rodgers has been put under the microscope this season, however he responded with a strong game going 30 for 39 for 313 yards and 2 touchdowns in the Packers' win. After the defence gave up 30 points in four consecutive games, the Packers' defence stood up last week holding the Eagles to just one touchdown. The Texans are now clinging to a half game lead in the muddled AFC South after dropping their last two games against the Raiders and Chargers. The Texans' defence has been stout this year, however the big signing Brock Osweiler at quarterback has been far from spectacular with 12 touchdowns to 13 interceptions. 

Verdict - Green Bay 34 Texans 13

I get the feeling the Packers might be about to make a late season surge. When Aaron Rodgers gets on a roll he can be hard to stop. I am no fan of the Texans, and even in a very weak division they are vulnerable to losing the lead in the AFC South over the final 5 weeks. 

Los Angeles Rams (4-7) @ New England Patriots (9-2) - Gillette Stadium

A reeling Los Angles Rams outfit head to New England for a matchup with the high flying Patriots at Gillette Stadium. After starting 3-1 the Rams have dropped 6 of the past 7 games to fall out of the playoff picture oncemore. Head Coach Jeff Fisher is right under the microscope again, and the 49-21 drubbing they were handed in New Orleans last week will not have helped his chance of holding on to his job for next year. The Patriots are having to come to grips with the news that star tight end Rob Gronkowski is most likely out for the rest of the season with back surgery. The injury may well put a major dent on Tom Brady's quest to win a 5th Super Bowl. While the Patriots have been far from their best in two road wins over the 49ers and Jets, Tom Brady has led the team from behind in both matches to keep them sitting atop the AFC standings with the Oakland Raiders.

Verdict - Patriots 31 Rams 14  

The Rams are a team going nowhere under Jeff Fisher. The Pats can't afford to drop games like this, and I see them controlling this game from start to finish despite the absence of Rob Gronkowski. 

Detroit Lions (7-4) @ New Orleans Saints (5-6) - Super Dome

The Lions look to stay atop the NFC North when they visit the Saints at the Super Dome on Sunday. The Lions have been one of the surprise teams of the season, with quarterback Matthew Stafford having an outstanding season propelling a young team towards the playoffs. Stafford has close to 3000 yards with 18 touchdowns to only 5 interceptions. He has been clutch in the close games this year, with remarkably all 7 of the Lions wins coming by a touchdown or less. The Saints have been a mixed bag this year with Drew Brees, at 37 years of age, playing some of the best football of his storied career.  Brees has completed 70 per cent of his passes in each of the last six games, and has over 3500 yards of passing with 30 touchdowns to only 8 interceptions. The Saints' defence has been a problem, this year giving up 20 points or more in 10 of their 11 games. 

Verdict - Saints 37 Lions 27

Drew Brees and the Saints are red hot at home and I think they can topple the Lions here. Expect this game to be a real end-to-end shoot out with both defences gasping for air.