NFL Week 5 Predictions

Packers over Vikings (Correct): If Teddy Bridgewater had been healthy for this Week 5 matchup, the Thursday night game would have been a lot more interesting. Instead, the Packers offense, particularly Eddie Lacy, dominated the Vikings defense throughout the game, giving Green Bay an easy win at home.

Bears over Panthers: In the past two games for Carolina, the Panthers have been outscored 75-29, a horrible statistic seeing how the defense is supposed to be one of Carolina's strengths. Cam Newton is not playing like his former self since injuring his rib in the offseason, whereas the Bears have defeated both the 49ers and Jets on the road. Chicago looks like the early favorite.

Cowboys over Texans: While the Cowboys certainly receive plenty of criticism from football fans, there is no denying that their 38-17 victory over the New Orleans Saints is impressive. Among running backs with more than 50 attempts, Murray leads the league in rushing yards, rushing touchdowns, yards per attempt, yards per game, and 1st downs. Plus, only giving up 17 points to the mighty New Orleans Saints is a sign of improvement on defense. The Texans should not be a problem.

Lions over Bills: The Lions have beaten both the Packers and the Jets within the past two weeks. Even though Calvin Johnson has struggled thus far, Matthew Stafford and the Lions offense have had no problem putting points on the board. The Buffalo Bills pass rush is pretty talented, but not enough to derail the Lions offense.

Colts over Ravens: Quarterback Andrew Luck is certainly deserving of the Most Valuable Player Award as of Week 4, seeing how he leads the league in both passing yards and touchdowns, as well as recording a 3-1 record. The Ravens are coming off of a dominant victory over the Carolina Panthers, where receiver Steve Smith played like his former self in Carolina. This game is sure to be a shoot-out, but the Colts have home-field advantage, thus giving them a slight edge over Baltimore.

Andrew Luck's NFL-high 13 TD passes are most in Super Bowl era by QB age 25 or younger thru 4 games #QuarterbackSCenter
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) October 1, 2014

Steelers over Jaguars: The Jacksonville Jaguars are undoubtedly the worst team in the NFL, whereas the Pittsburgh Steelers are playing well enough to earn a spot in the playoffs. Antonio Brown is worthy of a position on the All-Pro team through these past 4 games, and even with a loss against Tampa Bay last week, the Steelers are guaranteed to bounce back against Jacksonville.

Saints over Buccaneers: At 1-3, the New Orleans Saints did not start off the 2014 season the way they would have liked, but with a chance to be tied for second in the division, Drew Brees and the Saints look to beat Tampa Bay, a division rival. Tampa Bay beat Pittsburgh thanks to a last minute score, but after that emotional victory, the Bucs are bound to lose at the Superdome.

Rafael Bush RT @iTerrence @Saints who's going to start at the other safely since Byrd is out?
— New Orleans Saints (@Saints) October 3, 2014

Giants over Falcons: The New York Giants are one of the more difficult teams to predict, but based on what we saw last week, it looks like Eli Manning is adjusting well to the West Coast offensive scheme. Atlanta just lost on the road to a rookie quarterback, and their road trip continues into New York. If Manning is able to play well, the Giants will beat the Atlanta Falcons.

Eagles over Rams: The Philadelphia Eagles were undefeated entering San Francisco last week, but in a close game, they were handed their first loss of the season. Meanwhile, the Rams remain winless on the year, and I don't see them earning the win on the road this week.

Browns over Titans: The Cleveland Browns are 1-2 thus far with Brian Hoyer as quarterback, where all three games were decided by three points or less against legitimate playoff contenders. The Titans have home field advantage, but the Browns have more talent on both sides of the ball.

Broncos over Cardinals: Not many people guessed at the start of the year that one of the only remaining undefeated teams by Week 5 would be the Arizona Cardinals; however, that is the case for this season. The Denver Broncos now have the best opportunity to give Arizona the first loss of the season. Even though Arizona's defense has been one of the best in the league within the past two seasons, they will be no match for the best offense in all of football.

Chargers over Jets (OT): This game is a classic example of offense vs. defense, as Philip Rivers and the high-flying San Diego offense takes on the young, talented defensive line of the New York Jets. Sunday's game will be very close, but the deciding factor will be Geno Smith's continuing struggles on offense.

49ers over Chiefs: Last week served as a must-win game for the San Francisco 49ers against the Philadelphia Eagles, and after the Week 4 win, the Niners are just two games out of first place in the division. Kansas City trounced a struggling New England Patriots last week, but if anyone can suppress the now-healthy Jamaal Charles, it would be the 49ers.

Bengals over Patriots: The New England Patriots are coming off one of their worst performances during the Brady-era. While Brady's statistics have dropped, the contributing factor has been a horrible offensive line that is not giving their quarterback enough time in the pocket. The Cincinnati Bengals are an incredible force on the defensive side of the ball, and while the Patriots should have cornerback Brandon Browner return from his suspension, the Bengals look like the all-around better team in this matchup.

Seahawks over Redskins: Kirk Cousins and the Washington Redskins lost in an embarrassing performance against the New York Giants on Thursday Night Football, and even though the Redskins are at home against Seattle, the superior talent on the Seahawks roster will help give Seattle an easy win.

Marking his cleats. RT @allygirrl221: Emmanuel Acho #51 pic.twitter.com/CuAIAHkH9P
— Philadelphia Eagles (@Eagles) October 5, 2014

#Texans won’t have 1st pick Jadeveon Clowney today. Sources tell me his target return date from his torn meniscus is Oct. 20 vs. #Steelers
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) October 5, 2014

#ThisIsOurHouse #CINvsNE https://t.co/zHFT9l5ygr
— New England Patriots (@Patriots) October 4, 2014

NFL Week 2 Predictions

Last week: We went 9-7 with our prediction from last week, which amounts to a 56.25% win percentage. Clearly, we are hoping to do much better this week.

Ravens over Steelers: For the second straight week in a row, we correctly predicted the winner of the Thursday Night Football game. Our prediction to win the AFC North, the Baltimore Ravens, will be tied for first place in the division if Cincinnati loses their Week 2 game against Atlanta.

Bills over Dolphins: The Miami Dolphins managed to dethrone the New England Patriots last weekend from atop the AFC East by winning at home in a relatively dominant fashion. Yet the Buffalo Bills should not be taken lightly after defeating the Chicago Bears in Week 1.

Lions over Panthers: The Detroit Lions managed to thrash the New York Giants on Monday Night Football last game through the air, and will likely do the same this week against Carolina. While Carolina’s defense is much more talented, Detroit just has too many offensive weapons, and Detroit’s defensive line will also be able to pressure injured quarterback Cam Newton playing in his first game of the season.

Bengals over Falcons: Yes, the Falcons managed to beat their division rivals in Week 1, the New Orleans Saints, but now they will be travelling into Cincinnati, a place where the Bengals did not lose during the regular season in 2013. The Bengals have a much better defense than New Orleans, and the combination of Andy Dalton and AJ Green will be tough to beat.

Saints over Browns: Both teams lost in relatively close games during Week 1, but there is not doubt in my mind that the New Orleans Saints will be the better team on Sunday. Expect Drew Brees and Jimmy Graham to have big games.

Patriots over Vikings: Without star running back Adrian Peterson, this Vikings team will certainly have trouble getting anything going on offense. While the Patriots looked horrible in their season opener, I expect them to win this game in a dominant fashion. Mortal lock of the week.

#Vikings RB Adrian Peterson won’t be with the team today. Team brass is gathering info, working with the NFL, they have heard his side.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) September 14, 2014

Cardinals over Giants: The Arizona Cardinals managed to beat the San Diego Chargers, a playoff team last season, whereas the New York Giants looked horrendous offensively and defensively against the Lions. The Cardinals are one of the more underrated teams in football, and I expect them to win this game.

Cowboys over Titans: The Dallas Cowboys certainly looked bad in their season opener against San Francisco, but if Dez Bryant is able to play in the entire game this weekend, Dallas’ offense is sure to fair well against Tennessee; however, don’t take the Titans lightly, who defeated Kansas City in Week 1.

Redskins over Jaguars: After a poor showing against a strong pass rush in Houston, RGIII has a chance to prove himself against the Jacksonville Jaguars, a team not known for their defense. RGIII could very well have a great game.

Seahawks over Chargers: The San Diego Chargers have a very well rounded offense, but the Seattle Seahawks are possibly the most well-rounded team of the past 5 years. The Legion of Boom will likely be able to suppress Phillip Rivers and the San Diego passing game.

Buccaneers over Rams: Both teams have a massive hole to fill at quarterback, where St Louis’ second-string quarterback, Shaun Hill, is marked as questionable for Sunday’s game. This will be a tough game to predict, but I believe Tampa Bay has a reasonable amount of talent on this roster, enough to earn them the win.

Broncos over Chiefs: The Kansas City Chiefs looked horrendous in their season opener against the Titans, while the Denver Broncos played like Super Bowl contenders yet again. Plus, Wes Welker is set to return for Sunday’s game. Advantage Denver.

Packers over Jets: While the Jets managed to squeak by the Oakland Raiders in Week 1, they will be facing a much more talented team this week in Green Bay. Aaron Rodgers and Eddie Lacy both struggled on offense against Seattle, but I believe the will both bounce back to have above-average games.

Texans over Raiders: The Texans suffered an enormous loss last weekend in their victory over Washington, where defensive end Jadeveon Clowney is now expected to miss 6-8 weeks due to injury. Yet with Arian Foster back from his season ending injury, I believe they will be able to beat Oakland on the road.

49ers over Bears: The San Francisco offense was clicking on all cylinders last weekend against the Dallas Cowboys defense, and things are bound to continue into Week 2 with Chicago coming to town. Chicago did not play their best football against Tennessee last weekend, but even if they have a better performance against San Fran, it will be tough to defeat this 49ers team.

Colts over Eagles: While Peyton Manning and the Broncos got off to an early lead last Sunday Night, the Colts almost gave them a run for their money at the end, but to no avail. This week will be different, as Indy will dominate the Philadelphia Eagles defense throughout the majority of the game.

Last Week: 9-7 (56.25%)

Thursday Night Football earned rating/share of 13.7/23, +108% from last year’s comparable game on NFL Network.
— Sam Farmer (@LATimesfarmer) September 12, 2014

@ESPNNFL #SundaySelfie pic.twitter.com/KDwr5xxFR1
— Alshon Jeffery (@TheJefferyShow) September 7, 2014

Rams will test QB Shaun Hill's shoulder in per-game warmups, but team is preparing as if QB Austin Davis will start today vs. Tampa.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) September 14, 2014

Alshon Jeffery returned to practice, but is questionable for Sun, along with Brandon Marshall: http://t.co/Up7uWdqBi7 pic.twitter.com/nolJJqPkTz
— Bears Insider (@bears_insider) September 12, 2014

Browns TE Jordan Cameron not expected to play vs Saints due to a shoulder injury, per league source.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) September 14, 2014

Week 17 Predictions

Abridged Version

Bengals over Ravens

Steelers over Browns

Panthers over Falcons (OT)

Lions over Vikings

Titans over Texans

Colts over Jaguars

Jets over Dolphins

Giants over Redskins

Bills over Patriots

Packers over Bears

Broncos over Raiders

Chargers over Chiefs

Saints over Buccaneers

Seahawks over Rams

49ers over Cardinals

Eagles over Cowboys

Week 16 Predictions

Game to Watch: Saints @ Panthers: Who would have guessed at the beginning of the year that Carolina would still be in contention for the NFC South title as of Week 16? With a win over New Orleans on Sunday, the Carolina Panthers would be in control of the NFC South, leapfrogging them into the second seed of the playoffs. The Panthers are coming off of a 30-20 victory over the New York Jets in Week 15, where Cam Newton passed for 273 yards and a touchdown. On the other hand, New Orleans was blown out by a crippled St. Louis Rams team last weekend, even though Drew Brees threw for 393 yards and a score. The last time New Orleans and Carolina played one another, Carolina was blown out on the road, allowing a season high 31 points on defense. Unfortunately for the Saints, they will not be within the safety of the Superdome, where they remain undefeated so far 2013. The Saints on the road are a completely different team, as they are 3-4 when traveling to the opponents home stadium. This Sunday's matchup definitely favors the Carolina Panthers.
Panthers over Saints 27-24

Stand Out Performance: QB Andy Dalton: The Cincinnati Bengals offense has been relatively inconsistent so far in 2013, but quarterback Andy Dalton is projected to have a monster game on Sunday. His opponent, the Minnesota Vikings, rank dead last in passing touchdowns allowed, as well as 30th in the league for passing yards allowed per game. Andy Dalton is averaging 252.5 passing yards and 2.5 touchdowns within his last two games, and these numbers are bound to increase following his performance against the Vikings. With rookie cornerback Xavier Rhodes out with an injury, the Minnesota Vikings have no solid cornerback capable of shutting down Cincy's star wide receiver, AJ Green. Both Green and Dalton are sure to have big performances in their game against Minnesota on Sunday.
QB Andy Dalton: 295 passing yards, 3 passing TDs, 1 rushing TD

Player to Watch: Candlestick Park: This Sunday will be the San Francisco 49ers' last game inside the famous Candlestick Park, where they have been playing since 1971. Originally opened in 1960 for the San Francisco Giants baseball team, Candlestick Park has hosted many important events, ranging from The Beatles final concert, to two MLB all star games, to eight NFC Championship games, and two World Series. On Monday Night, the San Francisco 49ers will play Atlanta on Monday Night Football, and there will surely be a ceremony preceding the football game.

Week 16 Predictions:

Dolphins over Bills

Panthers over Saints

Bengals over Vikings

Broncos over Texans

Titans over Jaguars

Chiefs over Colts

Browns over Jets

Rams over Buccaneers

Cowboys over Redskins

Lions over Giants

Seahawks over Cardinals

Ravens over Patriots

Packers over Steelers

Chargers over Raiders

Eagles over Bears

49ers over Falcons

Week 15 Predictions

Game to Watch: Patriots @ Dolphins: After a slow start in their game against Cleveland last weekend, the New England Patriots clawed there way back, eventually scoring the final touchdown of the game with 31 seconds left to play, as they went on to win 27-26. Even though the Patriots won the battle, one can argue this team "lost the war", as Rob Grownkowski suffered a season ending injury to his knee early in the game. Gronkowski joins Jerard Mayo and Vince Wilfork on the Injured Reserve, and the Patriots can not afford to lose anyone else if they wish to capture the 1st overall seed in the playoffs. The New England Patriots are 7-0 against the Miami Dolphins within the past five seasons, but tomorrow appears to be somewhat of a trap game for Brady and the Patriots. The Miami Dolphins have won two straight games, where quarterback Ryan Tannehill has thrown for 531 passing yards with 6 touchdowns in those two games. Tom Brady does not his best in extremely warm weather, especially that of Miami, Florida. The Dolphins are very likely to upset New England and the wake of Gornk's devastating injury.
Dolphins over Patriots 24-20

Stand Out Performance: RB LeSean McCoy: Last Sunday, the Philadelphia Eagles and the Detroit Lions played in one of the more exciting games of the season. As the snow piled up on the ground, LeSean McCoy rushed for an astounding 217 yards and two rushing touchdowns. This week, McCoy and the Eagles will be playing in the Metradome, completely protected from the environments. Since the running game is what allowed Philadelphia to be leading the NFC East with three games left to play, Chip Kelly will likely stick to his original game plan and run the ball with McCoy. Seeing that Minnesota will not have its two top running backs against the Eagles, Philadelphia is bound to shut down Minnesota's offense, leading to more offensive opportunities for the Eagles to score.
RB LeSean McCoy: 185 rushing yards, 2 TDs, 40 receiving yards

Player to Watch: QB Jay Cutler: Despite quarterback Josh McCown's extraordinary play as of late, the Chicago Bears have decided to start Jay Cutler in their Week 15 matchup against the underrated Cleveland Browns. Cutler had passed for over 1,900 yards with 13 touchdowns and 8 interceptions before injuring his ankle back in November against the Lions. Once McCown stepped in, the Bears went 2-2, but the red hot McCown is coming off of his third straight game with at least 300 yards. Marc Trestman's decision to start Cutler is very interesting, and I predict Cutler to be pulled from the field by the third quarter of Sunday's game.
QB Jay Cutler: 195 passing yards, 1 TD, 1 INT

Week 15 Predictions:

Broncos over Chargers (Incorrect)

Falcons over Redskins

Browns over Bears

Colts over Texans

Jaguars over Bills

Dolphins over Patriots

Eagles over Vikings

Seahawks over Giants

49ers over Buccaneers

Panthers over Jets

Chiefs over Raiders

Cowboys over Packers

Saints over Rams (OT)

Cardinals over Titans

Bengals over Steelers

Ravens over Lions

Week 14 Predictions

Game to Watch: Seahawks @ 49ers: The Seattle Seahawks are undisputedly the number on team in all of football. Their win over the New Orleans Saints by a score of 34-7 on Monday Night Football showed that this team is in a league of their own. Especially when they are playing at home. This Sunday, the Seahawks will go on the road to play San Francisco in CandleStick Park. The 49ers have not quite lived up to expectations so far in 2013, especially their starting quarterback Colin Kaepernick. The 49ers are 8-5 this season, currently the 6th seed if the season ended today. But with teams like Philadelphia and Arizona not too far behind, it is key for San Francisco to beat their division rival at home on Sunday. The last time these two teams played, Seattle absolutely annihilated Harbaugh and the Niners. This Sunday won't be any different.
Seattle over 49ers 23-13

Stand Out Performance: WR Calvin Johnson: As of Week 13, Calvin Johnson has eclipsed the 100 yard receiving mark 7 times this season, and in one of those games, Megatron caught 14 passes for 329 yards. Calvin Johnson has made a name for himself as the best wide receiver in the league, and as Detroit squares off Philadelphia on Sunday, Johnson is projected for yet another big day. In his past three games, Megatron has caught 19 passes for 395 yards and 3 touchdowns, while the Eagles defense against wide receivers ranks dead last in the NFL. Fantasy football owners, make sure to start Megatron for as the fantasy football playoffs start this Sunday.
WR Calvin Johnson: 125 receiving yards, 2 TDs

Player to Watch: QB Geno Smith: At the start of November, it appeared that the New York was a legitimate threat to nab a spot in the playoffs in 2013; however, all playoff hopes have been dashed as a result of poor play by their starting quarterback, Geno Smith. Smith started the year with 7 touchdowns in his first 5 games, but since Week 5, Geno has passed for just 1 touchdown with a whopping 11 touchdowns. On the year, Smith's passer rating stands at 60.4, and it is surprising that New York has not benched their quarterback. Sunday's game will be a decisive game for Geno Smith, where yet another poor performance will surely have him sitting on the bench for the rest of the season.
QB Geno Smith: 185 passing yards, 1 rushing TD, INT

Week 14 Predictions:

Ravens over Vikings

Bengals over Colts

Patriots over Browns

Jets over Raiders

Chiefs over Redskins

Falcons over Packers

Eagles over Lions

Dolphins over Steelers

Bills over Buccaneers

Broncos over Titans

Cardinals over Rams

Seahawks over 49ers

Giants over Chargers

Saints over Panthers

Bears over Cowboys

Week 13 Predictions

Game to Watch: Saints @ Seahawks: As we mentioned in an earlier post, this game is bound to be the same game seen in the NFC Championship Game later in the season. Both New Orleans and Seattle are off to spectacular starts, and a win on Monday Night would almost ensure the number one seed in the playoffs. The game is being played in Seattle, where the Seahawks have not lost a game in CenturyLink Field since December of 2011. Russell Wilson and the Seahawks offense has been absolutely spectacular, which also includes a fabulous running game led by Marshawn Lynch. Clearly the most valuable asset of this team is the defense, who have been impenetrable, particularly at home. Drew Brees and the Saints are leaving the safety of the Superdome to play the Seahawks outdoors. In the past, Drew Brees' spectacular numbers have seen a slight decrease when he plays outdoors, especially in poor conditions. The crowd in Seattle is always a factor in big games, so we predict the frightfully loud fans, mixed with Seattle well rounded team, will lead to a New Orleans Saints loss.
Prediction: Seahawks over Saints 23-13

Stand Out Performance: RB Adrian Peterson: Even though Adrian Peterson will likely fall short of the 2,000 yards rushing mark in 2013, he has already achieved 997 rushing yards with 10 rushing touchdowns. Last week, Peterson rushed for 146 yards and a score, whereas the defense he is facing this upcoming week, the Chicago Bears, allowed a whopping 196 yards and two touchdowns in their game against St. Louis last week. The last time Peterson played the Bears, Chicago forked up 100 rushing yards, but Peterson was unable to register a rushing touchdown that game. That will change on Sunday.
RB Adrian Peterson: 110 rushing yards, 2 touchdowns

Player to Watch: QB Robert Griffin III: The entire Robert Griffin III debate (to play, or not to play?) has taken a new turn following Washington's embarrassing loss to the 49ers. The Redskins are now 3.5 games out of the playoffs, and quarterback RGIII is clearly not playing like the same quarterback we saw last season. RGIII's passer rating in 2013 has dropped almost 20 points compared to his passer rating last season, and his 11 interceptions are currently ranked 9th in the league. Sunday will be a decisive game, as the Redskins coaching staff will need to decide between starting RGIII or Kirk Cousins in the following game.
QB Robert Griffin III: 225 passing yards, 1 passing TD, 1 rushing TD, FUM

Week 13 Predictions:

Lions over Packers (Correct)

Cowboys over Raiders (Correct)

Steelers over Ravens (Incorrect)

Panthers over Buccaneers

Browns over Jaguars

Patriots over Texans

Colts over Titans

Bears over Vikings

Dolphins over Jets

Cardinals over Eagles

Bills over Falcons

49ers over Rams

Broncos over Chiefs

Bengals over Chargers

Giants over Redskins

Seahawks over Saints

NFL Week 12 Predictions

Abridged Version

Saints over Falcons (Correct)

Ravens over Jets

Steelers over Browns

Lions over Buccaneers (OT)

Vikings over Packers

Texans over Jaguars

Chiefs over Chargers

Panthers over Dolphins

Bears over Rams

Colts over Cardinals (OT)

Raiders over Titans

Giants over Cowboys

Patriots over Broncos

49ers over Redskins

NFL Week 11 Predictions

Game of the Week: Chiefs @ Broncos: I taking a risk by saying that the Kansas City Chiefs will beat the Broncos tommorrow on Sunday Night Football. Yes, you read that correctly. Alex Smith and the Kansas City Chiefs will beat Peyton Manning and the Denver Broncos. Peyton Manning and Denver's high-powered offense will go up against the best defense in the league, who have allowed just 12.3 points per game, ranking 1st overall in the NFL. Kansas City also ranks first in the league in sacks, which is an extremely helpful statistic considering how immobile Peyton Manning is at this point in time. Manning did not practice on Thursday, but we all know that Manning desperately wants to play in tomorrow's game. The key for Denver will be to give Manning time in the pocket, as they do not want their hobbled quarterback avoiding defenders all game. If Manning was completely healthy, I would say the Broncos would win with no doubt in my mind; however, the Chiefs' pass rush will ruin Peyton Manning's tempo throughout the game. It is Kansas City's time to prove that they are the real deal.
Chiefs over Broncos 26-20

Stand Out Performance: QB Russell Wilson: Luckily for Seattle's offense, the offensive line may have three injured starters returning to the starting lineup in a Week 11 game against the Minnesota Vikings. Russell Wilson has been very consistent over the last few weeks, and with an improved offensive line, we can see him having a monster game against Minnesota. Percy Harvin might in uniform tomorrow as well, so one can say this is a perfect storm for success. The Vikings are having a hard time stopping the passing game so far in 2013, so we predict Russell Wilson to throw for three touchdowns tomorrow afternoon.
QB Russell Wilson: 305 passing yards, 3 TDs

Player to Watch: QB Alex Smith: Tomorrow's game against the Broncos will be Alex Smith's first truly big game as a member of the Chiefs' offense. Smith has a reputation of making few mistakes on the field, and with just 5 total turnovers this year, Alex Smith is a very consistent quarterback that you can count on. His numbers are not mind boggling, as he has just 9 passing touchdowns and a passer rating close to 85.0. Jamaal Charles really is the core of Kansas City's offense, and Alex Smith is there to provide a consistent passing game to bail this offense out on third down. Smith will have a mediocre game against Denver, where Kansas City's defense will be the true MVP in Sunday Night's game.
QB Alex Smith: 200 passing yards, 1 TD

Week 11 Predictions:

Colts over Titans (Correct)

Jets over Bills

Ravens over Bears

Bengals over Browns

Texans over Raiders

Cardinals over Jaguars

Eagles over Redskins

Steelers over Lions

Falcons over Buccaneers

Chargers over Dolphins

Saints over 49ers

Giants over Packers

Seahawks over Vikings

Chiefs over Broncos

Patriots over Panthers

Last Week: 9-5

2013 Season: 101-46 (68.7%)

Week 10 Predictions

Game to Watch: Panthers @ 49ers: On Sunday, the two hottest teams in football (apart from Andy Reid's Chiefs) will battle late in the afternoon. The Carolina Panthers, led by quarterback Cam Newton, have flown under the radar, as they sit at 5-3, just one game behind the New Orleans Saints. The competition may be weak, but in their last four games, Carolina's offense has averaged 32.5 points per game, an astounding statistic. Cam Newton's passing statistics are not jaw-dropping, yet they are good enough to get the job done. Meanwhile, the San Francisco 49ers' offense has been rolling ever since their terrible offensive performance against Indy. The running game ranks first in the league thanks to running back Frank Gore and quarterback Colin Kaepernick, as they have averaged 153.0 yards per game. The San Francisco 49ers have always been strong in their own stadium, so we see the 49ers beating Cam Newton and the Panthers on Sunday.
49ers over Panthers 37-31

Stand Out Performance: TE Jimmy Graham: Apart from a terrible performance against the New England Patriots, tight end Jimmy Graham has been incredibly consistent throughout the season. If Graham's incredible play continues, he will record 1,492 receiving yards and 20 touchdowns, where both would be NFL records among tight ends. The Dallas Cowboy pass defense has been absolutely atrocious in 2013, ranking 31st overall in passing yards allowed per game. Be prepared for a monster performance by this monster of a tight end.
TE Jimmy Graham: 145 receiving yards, 2 TDs

Player to Watch: QB Nick Foles: Who would have thought that Nick Foles, a third round pick out of Arizona in the 2012 NFL Draft, would tie the NFL record for passing touchdowns at 7. Sure, it was against the Oakland Raiders' defense, but 7 passing touchdowns is a sensational number that deserves to be discussed. The Eagles offense has been an emotional roller coaster so far this season, with its many ups and downs. The Eagles are going up against a very beat-up Packers defense. Nick Foles will not throw for 7 touchdowns, no how, no way; however, we can see Nick Foles passing for several touchdowns in a narrow victory over Green Bay.
QB Nick Foles: 285 passing yards, 3 passing TDs, 1 INT

Week 10 Predictions:

Redskins over Vikings (Incorrect)

Seahawks over Falcons

Bengals over Ravens

Lions over Bears

Eagles over Packers

Colts over Rams

Giants over Raiders

Steelers over Bills

Titans over Jaguars

49ers over Panthers

Cardinals over Texans

Broncos over Chargers

Saints over Cowboys

Buccaneers over Dolphins

Last Week: 9-4

2013 Season: 92-41 (69.1%)

Week 9 Predictions

Game to Watch: Bears @ Packers: Even though Jay Cutler has not been cleared to play on Monday Night's game against the Green Bay Packers, Chicago still has a good shot against their division rivals, the Green Bay Packers. The Bears offense can still be a dominant force, even without Cutler present in the starting lineup. Running back Matt Forte has rushed for 533 yards in 2013, averaging 4.6 yards per carry, with an additional 6 rushing touchdowns. The Bears also have wideout Brandon Marshall, who is not on track to top last year's numbers, but he is still resembling a Pro Bowl wide receiver. After a slow start to the season, the Green Bay Packers, Chicago's competition, has been 4-0 since Week 4, putting their record at 5-2. The loss of Cutler hurts Chicago's chances, but we believe it will still be a close game on Monday night.
Packers over Bears 34-24

Stand Out Performance: QB Cam Newton: The Carolina Panthers may not be one of the most successful franchises, but their starting quarterback Cam Newton is an absolute star. Newton scored 27 fantasy points last week against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, as he is averaging 26.3 fantasy points a game these past 3 weeks. Atlanta's pass defense has struggled so far in 2013, as they have allowed the second most passing touchdowns in the league with 16. Newton is also capable of running the ball, which is what makes him such a dangerous offensive weapon.
QB Cam Newton: 290 passing yards, 3 total TDs, 40 rushing yards

Player to Watch: QB Tom Brady: There is no question that quarterback Tom Brady is not playing like he once was, as his passer rating stands at just 74.9. It would be easy to blame the New England Patriots' receiving corp for Brady's poor play, but then again, Brady has 76 off-target off passes in 2013, 15 more than any other player in the NFL. Brady will be playing the Pittsburgh Steelers this Sunday, and even though the Steelers defense is very old, they are still very experienced. Tom Brady will pass for more than one touchdown against the Steelers for the first since Week 4 in a very close game.
QB Tom Brady: 195 passing yards, 1 passing TD

Week 9 Predictions:

Bengals over Dolphins (Incorrect)

Chiefs over Bills

Panthers over Falcons

Cowboys over Vikings

Saints over Jets

Titans over Rams

Redskins over Chargers

Eagles over Raiders (OT)

Seahawks over Buccaneers

Ravens over Browns

Patriots over Steelers

Colts over Texans

Packers over Bears

Last Week: 11-2

2013 Season: 82-37 (68.9%)

Week 8 Predictions

Game to Watch: Redskins @ Broncos: The Denver Broncos were handed their first loss of 2013 season by the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday Night Football, and now they have a chance to redeem themselves this week at home against Washington. The Washington Redskins (soon to be the Washington Bravehearts??) are 2-5, and a key factor of Washington's poor play is that quarterback Robert Griffin III does not look the same since his injury in the 2012 NFL Playoffs. Luckily for Redskins fans, RGIII is coming off of a dominant performance in Week 7, as  Washington's offense scored 45 points in a win over the Bears. The Denver Broncos incredible offense will create problems for Washington's struggling defense, as this game is sure to be high scoring.
Broncos over Redskins 34-23

Stand Out Performance: RB Jamaal Charles: The Kansas City Chiefs are 7-0, as they look to be 8-0 for the first time since 2003. The success of the Chief's offense relies heavily on running back Jamaal Charles, who is just one rushing touchdown away from tying his career high . At this rate, Charles is on pace to rush for 1,280 yards with 14 rushing touchdowns in 2013. Tomorrow, Charles and the Chiefs will play the Cleveland Browns, a defense that has struggled to stop the run. Charles is going to make his fantasy owners very happy with this Sunday's performance.
RB Jamaal Charles: 120 yards, 2 total TDs

Player to Watch: TE Rob Gronkowski: The New England Patriots have been missing a healthy Rob Gronkowski from their lineup for almost a full year. Gronk made his return last week against the New York Jets, as he recorded 114 receiving yards in an overtime loss to the Jets. The Patriots will try to successfully incorporate Gronkowski into their lineup so that the Patriots may return to their winning form. Once Belicheck and the coaching staff are able to figure out their plans with Gronk, the Patriots offense has the potential to be one of the best in the league once again.
TE Rob Gronkowski: 105 receiving yards, 1 receiving TD

Week 8 Predictions:

Panthers over Buccaneers

49ers over Jaguars

Chiefs over Browns

Patriots over Dolphins

Lions over Cowboys

Saints over Bills

Eagles over Giants

Bengals over Jets

Steelers over Raiders

Cardinals over Falcons

Broncos over Redskins

Packers over Vikings

Seahawks over Rams

Last Week: 9-6

2013 Season: 71-35 (66.9%)

Week 7 Predictions

Game of the Week: Broncos @ Colts: For the first time since Peyton Manning left Indianapolis to play for John Elway, the Denver Broncos will travel to Indiana so Peyton Manning can face-off against his former team. The Denver Broncos are widely considered to be the best team in all of football, but the Indianapolis Colts, thanks to sophomore quarterback Andrew Luck, are 4-2 on the year. After running backs Ahmad Bradshaw and Vick Ballard were placed on the IR, the running game now lies entirely on newly acquired back Trent Richardson. These injuries for Indy likely means that Andrew Luck will have more passing attempts over the course of the season. Even though the Colts offense scored just 9 points against the San Diego Chargers defense, and the Broncos defense have linebacker Von Miller returning for the first time this season, we doubt that Indianapolis' offense will score single digit points 2 games in a row. There is no way Peyton Manning wants to lose against his former team, so we predict Denver to win this game on the road and stay undefeated.
Broncos over Colts 27-24

Stand Out Performance: RB Adrian Peterson: The tragedies that took place last week involving Adrian Peterson's son left the Vikings offense in shambles as they played against the Carolina Panthers. Peterson has assured everyone that he is ready to play this weekend against the New York Giants, a team that has one of the worst run defenses in all of football. The Minnesota Vikings will likely hand the ball off to All-Day consistently throughout the game. We wish Adrian Peterson the best of luck.
RB Adrian Peterson: 120 rushing yards, 2 rushing TDs

Player to Watch: LB Von Miller: Outside linebacker Von Miller will be playing for the first time in 2013 since he was suspended by the league for 6 games when he violated the NFL's substance abuse policy. Miller was unquestionably the best defender on the Denver Broncos last season, as he has recorded 30.0 sacks over the course of his two year career. Last season alone, Von Miller sacked the quarterback 18.5 times, along with an additional 6 forced fumbles. It will be interesting to see if Von Miller is rusty in his first game since January 12th.
LB Von Miller: 3 tackles, 1 sack, 1 forced fumble

Week 7 Predictions:

Falcons over Buccaneers

Rams over Panthers

Lions over Bengals

Chargers over Jaguars

Dolphins over Bills

Jets over Patriots

Cowboys over Eagles

Bears over Redskins

49ers over Titans

Packers over Browns

Chiefs over Texans

Ravens over Steelers

Broncos over Colts

Giants over Vikings

Last Week: 11-4

2013 Season: 62-29 (68.1%)

Week 6 Predictions

Game to Watch: Saints @ Patriots: After starting the 2013 regular season at 4-0, Tom Brady and the New England Patriots were handed their first loss of the season by the Cincinnati Bengals. Brady had one of the worst games of his career, where his touchdown streak was napped at 52, two shy of the record held by Drew Brees. Rob Gronkowski was expected to play in tomorrow's game against New Orleans, but his most recent status is marked as 'doubtful'. Brady's wide receivers are constantly dropping balls, and if Gronk does not return in time for tomorrow's game, the Patriots' offense will be in  serious trouble. The New Orleans Saints, on the other hand, are 5-0, where the return of head coach Sean Payton has had a positive impact on this offense. Sunday's key player for the Saints will be tight end Jimmy Graham, who is off to an extraordinary start in 2013. The Patriots defense has struggled so far in defending big, physical tight ends, so Jimmy Graham will likely have a field day with the patriots' defenders. We predict the Saints to win with ease.
Saints over Patriots 35-23

Stand Out Performance: TE Jimmy Graham: Obviously, Peyton Manning against the Jacksonville Jaguars is the default pick for stand out performance in Week 6; however, the player to have the best week aside from Manning will be Jimmy Graham. Tight end Jimmy Graham of the New Orleans Saints is unquestionably the greatest tight in the league. Graham is tall, strong, and has hands that allow him to catch any ball, no matter what the placement might be. The New England Patriots struggled against Tony Gonzalez, whose style of play is very similar to that of Jimmy Graham. Considering how well Graham has been doing in 2013, there is no way the Patriots will find a way to contain this incredibly talented offensive weapon.
TE Jimmy Graham: 150 receiving yards, 2 TD's

Player to Watch: RB Adrian Peterson: This past week, Adrian Peterson experienced an emotional roller coaster that resulted in the death of his two-year old son. Despite the many emotions Peterson is likely feeling, he insists that he will be playing this Sunday against the Carolina Panthers. In the words of Peterson, "I am able to release a lot of stress through sports." If Peterson sees the same amount of carries as a regular game, we expect him to have an incredible performance against the Panthers. Thoughts and prayers are with the Peterson family.
RB Adrian Peterson: 145 rushing yards, 2 TD's

Week 6 Predictions:

Bears over Giants (Correct)

Packers over Ravens

Bengals over Bills

Lions over Browns (OT)

Texans over Rams

Chiefs over Raiders

Vikings over Panthers

Steelers over Jets

Eagles over Buccaneers

Broncos over Jaguars

Seahawks over Titans

Saints over Patriots

49ers over Cardinals

Cowboys over Redskins

Colts over Chargers

Last Week: 9-5

2013 Season: 51-25 (67.1%)

Week 13 Predictions

(Abridged Version)

J. Meric/Getty Images

Falcons over Saints

Bills over Jaguars

Bears over Seahawks

Lions over Colts

Packers over Vikings

Panthers over Chiefs

Patriots over Dolphins (OT)

Jets over Cardinals

49ers over Rams

Texans over Titans

Broncos over Buccaneers (OT)

Ravens over Steelers

Browns over Raiders

Chargers over Bengals

Cowboys over Eagles

Giants over Redskins

Week 5 Predictions

     Two undefeated teams remain in the NFL after Thursday night's upset. Arizona entered the game 4-0 before having to face the St. Louis Rams, a team the Cardinals thought little of. However, the Rams defensive line was able to knock Kolb to the ground multiple times, too many for him to get in a groove. We also witnessed star wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald drop several passes, something rare to be seen from this freak of nature. Entering Sunday, we have the quarterback match-up between Peyton Manning and Tom Brady, a rivalry that has lasted for over a decade. The game of the week between New England and Denver is a highlight of our weekend, and hopefully Week 5 lives up to the hype.

Darren Sproles (Streeter Lecka)

Game to Watch: Broncos @ Patriots: For the first time since Payton Manning's neck surgery, we will see two all time greats square off against each other. Their last match up ended with a final tally of 31-28 in favor of New England, and, similar to most of their games, it came down to the wire. Though 8 games have finished within a touchdown or less, between these two quarterbacks, Tom Brady leads the series 8-4. Denver is coming off of a dominant win over the Oakland Raiders, improving Denver's overall record to 2-2. The main problem for the Broncos has been their extremely rigorous schedule. Houston, Pittsburgh, Atlanta, New England have all been opponents within the first 5 weeks. New England on the other hand did not start 2012 the way they would have liked at 1-2, but a 51 point game over a decent Buffalo defense sets them up perfectly for tomorrow. Brady has not been able to put the same amount of points on the board as he did in 2012, but otherwise, his statistics are almost identical through four weeks. Sunday should not be much of a defensive battle, but Peyton Manning historically has flustered in Foxborough, therefore the Patriots are tomorrow's favorites.
Patriots over Broncos 31-20


Stand Out Performance: Matt Ryan: The quarterback out of Boston College has finally lived up to his first round potential. Atlanta has managed to find success since the 2008 draft, but never in such a dominant fashion as we have seen this year. Ryan has posted MVP like numbers, passing for 1,162 yards with 12 total touchdowns. By far his most outstanding statistic falls under the passer rating category, where Ryan has thrown for a rating above 100 in each of his past four games. His flawless season has allowed Atlanta to start undefeated at 4-0, taking advantage of New Orleans' struggles. Next up in the schedule for Atlanta is RGIII and the Redskins, a large obstacle in the Falcons quest for perfection. Although Washington's offense has done well, the defense has been absolutely atrocious, allowing the most passing touchdowns (11) and the second most passing yards (326.2). Even if Atlanta is unable to come out on top, Atlanta's quarterback will have a heck of a game.
Matt Ryan: 325 yards, 3 passing TDs, 1 rushing TD


Player to Watch: RB Fred Jackson: After a fractured fibula kept him from playing in almost half of the 2011 season, Fred Jackson suffered yet another injury in Week 1. His return against the Patriots last Sunday was not all that glamorous, and the fact that he will be facing a very good run defense in San Francisco does not help. However, Buffalo does not want to give Spiller many carries due to his own injury, therefore they are handing off the ball to their original starter. If Jackson is able to do well, Buffalo will have the best running tandem in the National Football League. His success would help this franchise reach the playoffs once again, and San Francisco is the first step in doing so.
Fred Jackson: 75 rushing yards, 1 receiving TD


Week 5 Predictions:

Bengals over Dolphins

Packers over Colts

Ravens over Chiefs (OT)

Giants over Browns

Steelers over Eagles

Falcons over Redskins

Panthers over Seahawks

Bears over Jaguars

Vikings over Titans

Patriots over Broncos

49ers over Bills

Saints over Chargers

Texans over Jets

Last Week: 9-6

2012 Season: 34-29 (54%)

Week 4 Predictions

     After three weeks of sloppy calls from replacement referees, the lockout has finally ended. Now, the regular referees have returned to make the game as fair as possible. Last weekend's play was one of the most surprising Sundays in recent memory. The amount of upsets seen in Week 3 is unlikely to carry over into tomorrow, but we can always expect a few upsets each and every game day. The largest storyline apart from the return of professional referees is the rumors circling Michael Vick. It is said that Andy Reid will remove Vick from the lineup if he does not get the turnover issue under control. The Eagles are matched up against a very talented pass rush in the New York Giants. The rivalry featured on Sunday Night Football will be this week's game of the week. Along with a preview of the rivalry match-up, The NFL Report follows its usual formatting to supply you with everything you need to know about Week 4.

Larry Fitzgerald

Game to Watch: Giants over Eagles: Whenever these two teams clash for a regular season battle, there is always a surprise in store. Remember 2010, when DeSean Jackson and the Philadelphia Eagles won on a game winning punt return? Since that match-up, the tension of this division rivalry has transformed into something more, where both teams are out to prove something. Dallas began their 2012 campaign in a disappointing manner, losing to Dallas at home. However, since the Week 1 loss, New York has been able to prove themselves worthy of a divisional championship. They only thing in their way is Philadelphia, a team who is looking to avenge their disappointing 2011 season. Quarterback Michael Vick has been struggling when it comes to turnovers, and his two fumbles against Arizona cost the Eagles the game. By the time Sunday evening rolls around, you will be all knowledgeable on this division rivalry game thanks to The NFL Report's Game of the Week Preview.

New York Giants: Last weekend's dominant win over Carolina proved Manning and the Giants are capable of defending their title. Eli Manning threw for over 800 yards in hist first two games, and though his passing game was not stellar in Week 3, the running game picked up the slack. Tight end Martellus Bennett (3 games, 185 receiving yards, 3 TDs) has been more than impressive in the red zone, adding a whole other dimension to this receiving corp. Once starter running back Ahmad Bradshaw left Week 2's game to a neck injury, Andre Brown was able to fill the void perfectly. His 113 rushing yards and two touchdowns helped New York win easily over a reasonably talented Carolina team. Bradshaw has been cleared to play in Week 4, and the offense looks extremely well balanced. New York's defense has recorded 6 interceptions so far, with a mediocre 21.7 points allowed per game. Offensively, New York will have to play consistently on the road if they wish to overtake Philadelphia.

Philadelphia Eagles: In the past three games, Michael Vick has combined for NINE total turnovers. His unreliable play prevented Philadelphia from gaining any sort of momentum. Vick spent too much time in the pocket, and he needs to get the ball off faster, or else his hurried play will create more and more turnovers. Both fumbles against Arizona could be blamed on Vick and the amount of time he needed to get a pass off. LeSean McCoy has anchored this offense throughout Vick's struggles, and it is likely he will have a decent game against New York this Sunday. The defense has proved to be extremely well rounded these past three games, and New York will be the ultimate test. However, a think if they come out firing, they are capable of overwhelming the Giants.

Stand Out Performance: RB Maurice Jones-Drew: After a contract holdout kept Jones-Drew from playing throughout the majority of this past off season, the Jags running back has proven the hiatus will not affect his play. The past two weeks, MJD has rushed for 237 yards with two total touchdowns. Last year, MJD's biggest accomplishment was being handed the 2011 rushing title. Though he doesn't necessarily look the same, MJD is just as lethal. As Cincinnati comes to town for a Week 4 duel, it is projected the star running back runs over this struggling defensive line. Jones-Drew is the lone star of a struggling franchise, and his spectacular performance in Week 4 will help this offense compete against a serious playoff contender.

Maurice Jones-Drew: 125 rushing yards, 1 rushing TD, 1 receiving TD

Player to Watch: QB Michael Vick: Less than a week ago, head coach Andy Reid stated the quarterback situation will be evaluated by the organization. Though he confirmed Vick will be starting against New York, the fact that the Eagles had to question their quarterbacks consistency puts Vick on the hot seat. His two turnovers last weekend against the undefeated Cardinals was one of the main reasons why Philadelphia was unable to come out on top. Michael Vick's mobility makes him prone to injury, and if he were to suffer an injury of any kind, I believe Andy Reid would be more than happy to replace him long term, even if it isn't necessary. These two issues put a lot of pressure on the Eagles starting quarterback, and a defiant win over the reigning champs would secure his starting job for several weeks.

Michael Vick: 245 passing yards, 1 passing TD, INT

Week 4 Predictions:

Falcons over Panthers

Patriots over Bills

Lions over Vikings  (OT)

Texans over Titans

Chiefs over Chargers

49ers over Jets

Seahawks over Rams (OT)

Cardinals over Dolphins

Broncos over Raiders

Bengals over Jaguars

Packers over Saints

Buccaneers over Redskins

Giants over Eagles

Cowboys over Bears

Week 3 Predictions

     Six seconds left in the game. Stephen Gostowski lines up for a potential game winning kick. There's no way he misses. The Patriots kicker was 4 for 4 on the day, the largest contributor to the Patriots offense against Arizona. Leading up to this kick, Cardinals running back Ryan Williams fumbled the football with less than 1:10 left to play. Then, Danny Woodhead rushed into the end zone, with what appeared to be the game winner. However, a holding call on Gronk cost them the touchdown. So now, it came down to Gostowski's kick. The ball was snapped and.....he missed! A tragic loss has the potential to put New England at 1-2 by the end of Week 3, as they play the Baltimore Ravens. This rematch of last year's AFC Championship is just one of many spectacular games to take place this weekend, and The NFL Report has got you covered.

Brandon Flowers (footballsfuture.com)

Game to Watch: Patriots @ Ravens: Last Sunday's game was one of the most sloppiest performances witnessed by Patriot fans in recent memory. Tom Brady struggled to put points on the board against Arizona, and his messy play forced Gostowski to make all of his kicks. Sadly, the one kick he missed was with no time left on the clock. Their Week 3 match-up is against a very talented Ravens team, who is also coming off of a Week 2 loss. Similar to Brady, Joe Flacco was not the same quarterback who showed up to play in Week 1. Both teams are highly regarded when it comes to this year's playoff race, but only one can exit Week 3 with a winning record.

New England Patriots: Three and a half quarters went by before the Patriots were even able to score a touchdown. The Patriots, a team with one of the most lethal passing games in the NFL, was unable to score more than one touchdown in Sunday's game, which put a lot of pressure on their kicker. Last week's performance made Arizona's defense look like one found in San Francisco or Baltimore. Compared to Brady's 2011 start (2 games, 940 passing yards, 7 TDs), the Patriots' quarterback has not yet found his groove, but it is expected he succeeds later on in the season. Baltimore will truly test this offense, and if prove to us if Brady can overcome such a talented squad. A division title is almost expected from New England, but I doubt they wish to start the year 1-2.

Baltimore Ravens: After an impressive victory over Cincinnati in Week 1, Baltimore fell short of the 2-0 mark by losing to Philly on the road. Baltimore had multiple chances to win the game, whether it be a 10 point lead, a controversial incomplete pass, or an overturned 4th quarter touchdown, the Ravens seemed like the better team throughout the duration of the game. Joe Flacco is projected to dominate this Patriots defense, as is Pro-Bowl running back Ray Rice. Baltimore's motivation will overpower the Patriots team as a whole.

Ravens over Patriots 17-10

Stand Out Performance: RB CJ Spiller: This year's breakout player, running back CJ Spiller of Buffalo, is projected to have another great game against Cleveland. His speed and elusiveness resembles that of CJ2K (or I should say the CJ2K seen in 2009), as does his stat line. 292 rushing yards in 2 games gives him a yards per carry of 10.1, by far the best in the league. The three rushing touchdowns to go along with it makes him a valuable player in fantasy football. Fred Jackson is not excepted to play this week, so the touchdowns will keep on coming. Cleveland's defense has allowed the fourth highest rushing yards per game in 2012, and those numbers are bound to be increased by the end of Week 3. The question is, by how much?

CJ Spiller: 85 rushing yards, 1 rushing TD, 1 receiving TD

Player to Watch: OLB Clay Matthews: Just a year after defensive end Jared Allen sacked the quarterback 22 times, 1 away from breaking the league record, linebacker Clay Matthews is on track to trump this record with flying colors. His six sacks in two games came against two relatively weak offensive lines, especially when talking about the Chicago Bears. Last year was a relatively disappointing stat line for Matthews considering his spectacular performance in 2010. However, Clay Matthews sent a message to the league when sacking Jay Cutler 3.5 times. It will extremely difficult for him to maintain such a fabulous stat line over the course of the season, for the double and triple teams are expected. However, the Seattle Seahawks had a sub-par offensive line in 2011, and not much as changed in 2012. Keep an eye out for Matthews, as he fights for the single season sack record.

Clay Matthews: 6 tackles, 1 sack

Week 3 Predictions:

Giants over Panthers

Bears over Rams

Bills over Browns (OT)

Buccaneers over Cowboys

Colts over Jaguars

Dolphins over Jets

49ers over Vikings

Saints over Chiefs

Lions over Titans

Redskins over Bengals

Eagles over Cardinals

Falcons over Chargers

Broncos over Texans

Steelers over Raiders

Ravens over Patriots

Packers over Seahawks

Week 2 Predictions

    As expected, Week 1 brought us plenty of upsets, last second heroics, and extraordinary performances from players around the league. One of the biggest story lines to take place on Sunday was the show put on by rookie quarterback Robert Griffin III. While playing a very talented Saints team, RGIII posted some impressive statistics, passing for 320 yards and 2 touchdowns. Meanwhile, quarterback Peyton Manning proved his reign in the NFL was not yet over. When taking down the Pittsburgh Steelers, Manning did not  look like the one we saw in 2004 per say, but he remains a top 10 quarterback. Last but not least, the New York Jets somehow managed to score 48 points against a highly regarded defense in Buffalo. New York was mocked throughout the preseason due to their three game touchdown drought. Their embarrassing play was a cause for concern among Jets fans, but Sanchez managed to get in a groove at home. Week 2 will separate the men from the boys, and, like always, will make for an exciting Sunday afternoon.

Charles Woodson

Game to Watch: HEEEE'S BAAACK! The Pittsburgh Steelers were the first team to be defeated by Peyton Manning since his neck injury. Manning looked close to his old self, passing for 253 yards, two touchdowns and a passer rating of 129.2. However, the road ahead is not any easier, for he will go up against the Atlanta Falcons away from Denver. Atlanta is coming off of a monstrous win over the Kansas City Chiefs, a team projected to do very well in 2012. After adjusting their game plan, Matt Ryan has been given more freedom when it comes to throwing it deep to his lethal weapons at wide receiver. Monday's game will not be a defensive battle, so it will be interesting to see who wins in this shootout.

Denver Broncos: Last Sunday's game may not have been Manning's best performance, but he is on track to throw for 30-plus touchdowns and 4,000 passing yards. The Broncos somehow managed to make the playoffs in 2011, and though it is only Week 1, they might just win the AFC West for the second year in a row. A loss to Atlanta however would hurt their confidence, and the momentum would no not be as strong. Unfortunately, with Tim Tebow gone, the running game suffered quite a bit, no longer the same unit as in 2011. This entire team will rely on Manning's leadership, who is 3-1 against Atlanta in his 14 year career. If he can stay accurate and consistent, the entire team will feed off of his success.

Atlanta Falcons: What if the Matt Ryan who showed up in last Sunday's game was the Matt Ryan we saw week in and week out. His extraordinary receiving corp, consisting of Tony Gonzalez, Roddy White, and Julio Jones, will always create problems for opposing defenses. Michael Turner's 11 attempts in Week 1 racked up just 32 yards, a mere 2.9 yards per attempt. It appears as if Turner's statistics will not improve much from here, for head coach Mike Smith wants to incorporate more passing into his offensive game plan. Smith won't be relying on this defense to stop Manning on each drive, so that will put even more pressure on Matt Ryan and the Falcons offense. Based on how they played against Kansas City, Atlanta has the edge entering Week 2's biggest stage.

Falcons over Broncos 34-20

Stand Out Performance: RB Adrian Peterson: Entering the 2012 season, it was speculated by many that  running back Adrian Peterson would not be the same rusher who has electrified the league for the past six years. His knee injury suffered on Christmas Eve forced him to miss the rest of 2011, and made him unstable for much of 2012. In Week 1, however, Peterson started off the regular season with a bang. The Minnesota Viking running back rushed for 84 yards, and his two touchdowns helped substantially in defeating the Jacksonville Jaguars. His Week 2 game is against yet another soft defense, this time the Indianapolis Colts. Indianapolis allowed three rushing touchdowns in Week 1, and had one of the worst overall defenses in the league last year. Peterson looked great in Week 1, and should be able to make his fantasy owners proud.
Adrian Peterson: 75 rushing yards, 2 rushing TDs, 1 receiving TD


Players to Watch: QB Mark Sanchez: It is hard to believe that New York was able to be so dominant offensively after their historically atrocious pre season. They did not use Tim Tebow as much as expected in Week 1, and that is due to Sanchez's spectacular performance. His 266 passing yards and three touchdowns made for an easy win over the Buffalo Bills. Sanchez was able to utilize his extremely talented wide receiver in Stephen Hill, a rookie out of Georgia Tech. Sanchez's skills will be put to the test when playing Pittsburgh on the road. The Steelers do not wish to start off their 2012 season at 0-2, so don't be surprised if Sanchez is battered around a bit.
Mark Sanchez: 210 passing yards, 1 passing TD, 2 INTs


Week 2 Predictions:

Packers over Bears

Chiefs over Bills

Saints over Panthers (OT)

Bengals over Browns

Colts over Vikings

Texans over Jaguars

Raiders over Dolphins

Patriots over Cardinals

Giants over Buccaneers

Ravens over Eagles

Cowboys over Seahawks

Redskins over Rams

Steelers over Jets

Chargers over Titans

49ers over Lions

Falcons over Broncos

The NFL Report Predictions:

Week 1: 11-5

2012 Season: 11-5

Week 1 Predictions

     The NFL season is underway! Last Wednesday's game starring New York and Dallas shocked everyone, for the Cowboys were able to defeat the reigning champions. Many teams have undergone big changes, and several stars from around the league are in new cities. The free agency shipped players such as Peyton Manning, Tim Tebow, and Vincent Jackson across the country. Upsets, injuries, and thrillers shape the game we know, and are sure to take place in Week 1. The opening week of football is bound to have exciting endings, and The NFL Report has everything you need to know!

Justin Smith (Kyle Terada/US Presswire)

Game to Watch: 49ers @ Packers: What better way to start off Week 1 than to watch Green Bay take on San Francisco? Two of the most accomplished franchises in NFL history will start their season's at historic Lambeau Field. Tomorrow's game will be a battle between offense and defense, where it will most likely come down to the final seconds. The 49ers added Randy Moss, Mario Manningham, and Brandon Jacobs in order to enhance their offense, where as the Packers signed running back Cedric Benson. These two teams are the preseason favorites to win the NFC Championship, and rightfully so. Aaron Rodgers is coming off an MVP season, where as the 49ers fell short of the Super Bowl when losing to New York in an overtime thriller. However, it will be too difficult for San Francisco to march into Wisconsin and steal a win from the Green Bay Packers.
Packers over 49ers 24-13


Stand Out Performance: QB Cam Newton: The Carolina Panthers did not know what to expect from Cam Newton when they drafted him first overall, but in no way did he disappoint. Newton now holds 27 different records, all of which in just his first NFL season. In Week 1, the Carolina Panthers will face-off against the Tampa Buccaneers, the worst scoring defense in the league. In 2011, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers allowed a league high 26 rushing touchdowns, as well as 30 passing touchdowns. Cam Newton is capable of throwing a deep ball down field, and rushing for a big gain.Thanks to his exceptional capabilities, Newton's Week 1 will be a fantasy football gem.
Cam Newton: 375 passing yards, 3 passing TDs, 1 rushing TD


Player to Watch: QB Peyton Manning: A neck injury kept Peyton Manning, one of the greatest quarterbacks of all time, from playing all of the 2011 season. The Indianapolis Colts were unable to keep their quarterback, who ended up signing with John Elway and the Denver Broncos. Now, we will see if Manning's neck will restrain him from playing like his former self, or if the injury is just a thing of the past. He will not have the same receiving corp as he did during his prime (Marvin Harrison, Reggie Wayne, Dallas Clark), but Manning has a way of making the players around him better. Can Manning bear the burden of Denver's organization, or will it be all too much? We will find out tomorrow...
Peyton Manning: 295 passing yards, 2 passing TDs, 1 INT


Week 1 Predictions:

Giants over Cowboys

Bears over Colts

Eagles over Browns

Lions over Rams

Texans over Dolphins

Chiefs over Falcons

Vikings over Jaguars

Saints over Redskins

Jets over Bills

Patriots over Titans

Seahawks over Cardinals

Packers over 49ers

Panthers over Buccaneers

Broncos over Steelers

Ravens over Bengals OT

Chargers over Raiders