What do the Baltimore Ravens and Philadelphia Eagles have in common? What’s that? No, I mean other than being average NFL teams on a good day.
Answer: Both almost derailed the New England Patriots’ drive for a perfect season.
The Patriots were lucky to beat the Ravens and squeaked past the Eagles. Question is, were those speed bumps or omens?
No, the Pats haven’t dominated anyone lately. But three of their remaining four games are at home, and two of the four are against the New York Jets and Miami Dolphins, they of the combined record of 3-21.
The Patriots’ biggest challenge could come Sunday against Pittsburgh. The Steelers have allowed the fewest points in the league (155) but have yet to answer the ultimate question: Do they belong in the conversation when the subject is legitimate Super Bowl contenders?
Pittsburgh is 9-3 and leading the AFC North. Now for the fine print: The Steelers are 7-0 at home but only 2-3 on the road. While that record has people throughout the league questioning their class, all the question marks would disappear with a win at New England. So can they do it? Let’s put it this way: Don’t bother chilling the champagne, all you ’72 Dolphins.
Follow Jim Armstrong’s daily Broncos commentaries on The Jimmy Page at 7 a.m. and noon, and read his columns Sundays and the day after Broncos games at .
Couch Potato Heaven
Indianapolis at Baltimore
6:15 p.m., Colts by 9
Last meeting: Colts won 24-7 at Baltimore on Sept. 11, 2005.
Not to get all yesterday on you, but Colts back where they belong in Baltimore. Balt LB Bart Scott displayed perfect throwing motion while tossing ref’s flag into the stands Monday night. Just wondering: Who did Ravens tick off to get back-to-backers vs. Pats and Colts? Pretty pedestrian numbers for Peyton Manning: 23 TD passes, 13 INTs. You wonder if Colts, after all but clinching AFC South with dubya over Jax, will bring it for this one.
Prediction: Colts 23, Ravens 17
Pittsburgh at New England
2:15 p.m., Patriots by 10 1/2
Last meeting: Patriots won 23-20 at New England on Sept. 25, 2005.
Bill Belichick expected to haul out long-sleeved hoodie for this one. Pats need 31 points to reach rare 500 mark. Steelers glad to be playing away from slop of Heinz Field. Memo to Tom Brady: Throw a pick already, will ya? Dude has 41 TD tosses, 5 INTs. NE CB Asante Samuel second in the league in INTs since 2005. He has 19, one behind Champ Bailey. Pitt D will have to get pressure on Brady. And while we’re on the subject, Stillers lead AFC with 33 sacks.
Prediction: Patriots 31, Steelers 20
Worth the Electricity
Dallas at Detroit
11 a.m., Cowboys by 10 1/2
Last meeting: Lions won 39-31 at Dallas on Dec. 31, 2006.
So much for those 10 Ws Jon Kitna predicted. At the moment, Lions would settle for seven. Cowboys have scored 24-plus in every game. It’s Tony Romo’s world, we just live in it. Dude is second in the league with 33 TD tosses and those Jessica Simpson rumors won’t go away. Memo to average, ordinary guys near and far: Just once, wouldn’t you like your name attached to a Jessica Simpson rumor?
Prediction: Cowboys 33, Lions 22
Oakland at Green Bay
11 a.m., Packers by 10 1/2
Last meeting: Packers won 41-7 at Oakland on Dec. 22, 2003.
Remember last meeting? Brett Favre threw four TD passes the day after his dad passed away. Pack has won four straight in series. Who’ll start at QB for Raiduhs? I’ll take heads, you take tails. Packers can clinch division with win or tie. GB CB Charles Woodson was Raiders’ No. 1 in ’98. Packers’ Greg Jennings emerging as big-play dude. He has eight TD catches in past 10.
Prediction: Packers 19, Raiders 15
Tampa Bay at Houston
11 a.m., Bucs by 3
Last meeting: Buccaneers won 16-3 at Tampa on Dec. 14, 2003.
First game vs. teams at Hugheston. If you’re into meaningless stats, Texans 3-0 all-time at home vs. NFC South. They’re also unbeaten in games they win. Bucs have held it together after Cadillac Williams’ injury. Backup Earnest Graham has 737 rush yards and figures to surpass 1,000. Texans WR Andre Johnson in five games this season: four 100-yarders, five TD catches.
Prediction: Texans 17, Buccaneers 16
N.Y. Giants at Philadelphia
11 a.m., Eagles by 3
Last meeting: Giants won 16-3 at the Meadowlands on Sept. 30.
Not that Eli Manning is an average QB, but he’s thrown 17 TD passes, 17 INTs. Eagles’ Donovan McNabb has won seven of past nine starts vs. G-Men. In past five in series, he has nine TD passes, no picks. Philly minus-9 in turnovers, Giants minus-6. Memo to Eagles Oh-linemen near and far: Somebody block Osi Umenyiora! He had franchise-record six sacks in last game vs. Iggles.
Prediction: Giants 20, Eagles 16
San Diego at Tennessee
11 a.m., Pick ’em
Last meeting: Chargers won 40-7 at San Diego on Sept. 17, 2006.
Chargers take show on the road again after easy W at K.C. Titans a tale of two teams: 7-2 with Albert Haynesworth at DT, 0-3 w/out him. Bolts second in the NF of L with plus-14 turnover ranking. Tin Men minus-3. Beach Boys have won four straight in series. The good news is Tenn K Rob Bironas leads the league with 26 FGs. The bad news is Tenn K Rob Bironas leads the league with 26 FGs.
Prediction: Titans 27, Chargers 23
Beats Cleaning The Garage
Carolina at Jacksonville
11 a.m., Jaguars by 10 1/2
Last meeting: Panthers won 24-23 at Carolina on Sept. 7, 2003.
So much for Jaguars winning the AFC South. With L at Indy, they need this one to stay in control of wild-card race. Panthers jumping for joy to be playing on road again. They’re 1-5 at home, 4-2 away. Jax D has eight INTs in past five games. Ageless Vinny Testaverde startin’ at QB for Panthers after club couldn’t agree to terms with Sonny Jurgensen. Jax QB David Garrard 5-0 career vs. NFC.
Prediction: Jaguars 34, Panthers 13
Minnesota at San Francisco
2:05 p.m., Vikings by 8 1/2
Last meeting: Niners won 9-3 at San Francisco on Nov. 5, 2006.
No TDs, even less entertainment, in last meeting vs. clubs. Trent Dilfer’s TDs-to-INTs looking like a convenience store: 7-11. Can Vikes make playoffs with Tarvaris Jackson at QB? Yes, as long as he has Adrian Peterson to hand off to. Vikes have won three straight and four of five. San Fran TB Frank Gore, battling injuries all year, could limp his way to 1,000 yards. He’s at 713 and countin’.
Prediction: Vikings 27, 49ers 19
Arizona at Seattle
2:05 p.m., S’hawks by 7
Last meeting: Cardinals won 23-20 at Arizona on Sept. 16.
Cards’ Edgerrin James had 128 yards and a TD in first meeting. Seattle TB Shaun Alexander needs one rushing TD to reach 100 mark. Seahawks, once a face in crowd of .500 clubs, have won four straight. ‘Zona WR Larry Fitzgerald leading NFC with 75 catches. You know Seattle D is on a roll when LB Lofa Tatupu is coming off a three-INT game.
Prediction: Seahawks 23, Cardinals 20
Get A Life, Bubba
Miami at Buffalo
11 a.m., Bills by 7
Last meeting: Bills won 13-10 at Miami on Nov. 11.
Dolphins lost by a FG at Buffalo. So what else is new? They’ve lost six games by three points. Rookie QB John Beck coming off three-INT performance vs. Jets. Dawfins LB Joey Porter coming off back-to-backers with an INT. Buffalo WR Lee Evans is averaging 20.6 yards per catch career vs. Dolphins.
Prediction: Bills 26, Dolphins 15
St. Louis at Cincinnati
11 a.m., Bengals by 6 1/2
Last meeting: Rams won 27-10 at St. Louis on Dec. 21, 2003.
Cincy QB Carson Palmer has all the numbers, but this one jumps off the page: 15 INTs. Bengals WR T.J. Houshmandzadeh leads the league with 88 catches. Hey, stuff happens when you’re behind in every game. Bengals plus-4 in turnovers, Rams minus-8.
Prediction: Rams 34, Bengals 30
Cleveland at N.Y. Jets
2:15 p.m., Browns by 3
Last meeting: Browns won 20-13 at Cleveland on Oct. 29, 2006.
Browns still miffed after controversial call cost them game at Arizona. Cleveland’s Kellen Winslow needs 91 yards to reach 1,000 mark, rare stuff for a TE. Special teams could factor in here. Jets KR Leon Washington leads the league with three kick returns for TDs.
Prediction: Jets 27, Browns 26
New Orleans at Atlanta
6:30 p.m. Monday, Saints by 4
Last meeting: Saints won 22-16 at New Orleans on Oct. 21.
Saints limp into Hot’lanta after giving away must-win game to Tampa Bay. N’Awlins TB Reggie Bush leads NFL RBs with 73 catches. Chris Redman is slated to start at QB for the Falcons, but at least we know this: Neither he nor Joey Harrington is very good.
Prediction: Falcons 34, Saints 29
