The Seahawks and Rams are playing in St. Louis today with major playoff implications on the line.
Just seeing if you’re paying attention, bubba.
While that game ought to come equipped with head bags, there are several compelling matchups around the NFL. We start at the top of the food chain with the Giants and Cowboys, each of whom stumbled their way to losses last week.
The G-Men have wrapped up the NFC East but haven’t secured home-field advantage throughout the playoffs. The Cowboys, meanwhile, want to regain their mojo as they try to nail down a wild card.
Then there’s the Other Team in New York. Two weeks ago, the Big Apple media were speculating about an all-New York Super Bowl. Today, the Jets are trying to win a game, any game. Stuff happens when you don’t show up in back-to-back weeks.
Finally, there’s the Ravens-Steelers matchup in Baltimore. Pittsburgh has the top-rated defense in the business, and Baltimore is a close second. A win by the Ravens and the two would be tied atop the AFC North.
No preview of the NFL dance card would be complete with mentioning the Lions’ quest for complete and utter incompetence. They’re playing the Colts at Indy. In other words, 0-14, here they come.
Onward, pigskin junkies, to Week 15.
Week 15
Tampa Bay at Atlanta
11 a.m., Falcons by 3
Last meeting: Buccaneers won 24-9 at Tampa, Fla., on Sept. 14
Dirty Birds have one home loss in ’08. … Jeff Garcia has won six straight vs. Falcons. … Just wondering: When does Michael Turner hit the wall? Former Bolts backup has 300 carries in 13 games for Atl. … The ol’ man’s still got it: Jason Elam 25-for-27 in FG-launching dept.
Prediction: Bucs 19, Falcons 16
Washington at Cincinnati
11 a.m., Washington by 6 1/2
Last meeting: Bengals won 17-10 at Washington on Nov. 14, 2004
Memo to Danny Boy Snyder: Don’t invite Jim Zorn and Clinton Portis to the office Xmas party. … Portis hacked off at his coach after being shut down in second half of loss to Ravens. … Big news in Cincy. Cedric Benson has reached 3.0 yds per carry. Parade plans still on hold.
Prediction: Redskins 31, Bengals 10
Tennessee at Houston
11 a.m., Titans by 3
Last meeting: Titans won 31-12 at Tennessee on Sept. 21
Texans the best dang 6-7 team in footbawl, pod’ner. … Tale of two teams’ turnovers: Titans plus-11, Texans minus-11. … Thanks for stopping by, Matt Ryan, but our rookie of the year vote goes to Tenn TB Chris Johnson: 222 carries, 1,094 yards, eight TDs. … Texans’ rookie TB ain’t half-bad, either. Steve Slaton: 206-1,024-8.
Prediction: Titans 24, Texans 19
Detroit at Indianapolis
11 a.m., Colts by 17
Last meeting: Colts won 41-9 at Detroit on Nov. 25, 2004
Do Colts have pictures on somebody or what? They had Bungles last week, Motown Misfits today. … Colts have won six straight. What’s that? Yeah, you’re right. What’s the big deal. They’ve won at least six in a row every year for five seasons. … Peyton Manning during W streak: 145-for-212, 12 TDs, three INTs.
Prediction: Colts 38, Lions 6
Green Bay at Jacksonville
11 a.m., Packers by 2 1/2
Last meeting: Jaguars won 28-25 at Green Bay on Dec. 19, 2004
Talk about a fall from grace. President Bush has higher approval ratings than these two. … Teams combined for 24 wins in ’07. … Pack coming off back-to-back losses at Lambeau. … Holiday gift suggestion for GB QB Aaron Rodgers: Big screens for his linemen so they can watch Brett Favre in the playoffs.
Prediction: Jaguars 17, Packers 16
San Diego at Kansas City
11 a.m., Chargers by 5
Last meeting: Chargers won 20-19 at San Diego on Nov. 9
Remember first meeting? Chiefs snatched defeat from jaws of victory by misfiring on late two-point conversion. … Bolts D lineman Jamal Williams admitted last week that talk of playoffs made team overconfident. Ya think? … Who knew? Chiefs TE Tony Gonzalez could come outta this mess with 100 catches. Prediction: Chargers 30, Chiefs 19
San Francisco at Miami
11 a.m., Dolphins by 6 1/2
Last meeting: Dolphins won 24-17 at San Francisco on Nov. 28, 2004
Anybody notice the Niners have been downright competitive since Mike Singletary brought his striptease act to the sideline? … With a dubya, Miami would tie the greatest turnaround ever for a 1-15 ballclub. Twice, 1-15 teams have gone 9-7 the next year.
Prediction: Niners 23, Dolphins 20
Buffalo at N.Y. Jets
11 a.m., Jets by 7
Last meeting: Jets won 26-17 at Buffalo on Nov. 2
So it’s official. Bills were phonier than Ashley Simpson on “Saturday Night Live.” … Jets looking to wallop somebody after back-to-back double-digit losses. … Stats say Jets are your basic mediocre bunch: 14th in offense, 18th in D. … Thomas Jones, long a Broncos trade target, leading AFC with 1,144 rush yards.
Prediction: Jets 31, Bills 13
Seattle at St. Louis
11 a.m., Seahawks by 3
Last meeting: Seahawks won 37-13 at Seattle on Sept. 21
Epic battle of 2-11 squads. If only John Facenda were around to describe the thrill-a-minute action. … Rams 27th in offense, 29th in D; Seahawks 29th and 30th. Other than that, this one could be one for the ages. … Matt Hasselbeck, winding down an injury-plagued season, has won six straight vs. Rams.
Prediction: Seahawks 33, Rams 26
Minnesota at Arizona
2 p.m., Cardinals by 3
Last meeting: Vikings won 31-28 at Minnesota on Nov. 26, 2006
Tarvaris Jackson expected to go at QB, what with Gus Frerotte hurtin’ fer certain. … Did you know? House of Cards in top 10 in D after blowout dubya vs. Rams. … Vikings have won five of past six, but all-time series tied 9-9. … When’s the last time we typed these words? Cardinals wrapped up division title last week with three games to play. Prediction: Cardinals 27, Vikings 15
Pittsburgh at Baltimore
2:15 p.m., Ravens by 2
Last meeting: Steelers won 23-20 (OT) at Pittsburgh on Sept. 29
Just wondering: Has there ever been a 2-0 game in the Not For Long? Could happen here with these two D’s. Steelers numero uno, Ravens second. … Ravens have won seven of past eight, and with a rookie QB no less. Joe Flacco in those eight: 12 TDs, three INTs.
Prediction: Ravens 13, Steelers 9
New England at Oakland
2:15 p.m., Patriots by 8
Last meeting: Patriots won 30-20 at New England on Sept. 8, 2005
Second straight West Coaster for Pats, who practiced in San Jose after beating Seahawks last week. … Wes Welker leads league with 96 catches. Well, duh! They throw it to him every other play. … Raiders’ newly adopted slogan: “Wait ’til next year. On second thought, we’re gonna stink then, too.”
Prediction: Patriots 34, Raiders 3
N.Y. Giants at Dallas
6:15 p.m., Cowboys by 3
Last meeting: Giants won 35-14 at the Meadowlands on Nov. 2
Remember last meeting in Big D? Cowboys won 45-35 in September and Tom Coughlin was gonna get gassed the next day. Or not. … TOs killin’ the Cowboys. They’re minus-8, G-Men plus-10. … With apologies to Plaxico Clueless, Eli Manning the top gunslinger in the Big Apple: 20 TD passes, 8 picks.
Prediction: Cowboys 27, Giants 20
Cleveland at Philadelphia
6:30 p.m., Eagles by 14
Last meeting: Eagles won 34-31 (OT) at Cleveland on Oct. 24, 2004
Excuse us, Mr. Goodell. Who did MNF officials tick off to get this game? … Browns QB Ken Dorsey will make first, and no doubt last, start on MNF. … Not that Romeo Crennel is gonezo, but custodians at team facility last week painted “Schottenheimer” over the name on his parking space. … Eagles No. 1 in NFC in D, coming off megawin over G-Men.
Prediction: Eagles 31, Browns 0
Jimmy tracker
Season record: 131-76
Record vs. the spread: 102-101-4
Highlight of the week: Colts over the Bengals 34-9. Your final score from Indian-no-place: Men of Manning 35, Bungles 3
