Sunday, January 03, 2021

NFL Predictions Week 17 (Part I)

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NFL Predictions -

Jags at Colts - 

The Jags finally locked up the No.1 seed last weekend with a loss to the Chicago Bears and early on it looked like the Jags would actually make a game out of it! No seriously, they looked competitive for most of that first half. Then the Bears really started to put it on them as halftime approached. I think the Jags are a lot closer to being good again, then most people think. If they hit on the quarterback position, I think they are a piece away from being competitive. They have a good young running back and a few nice wide receivers. Oh and they have plenty of cap room to spend! As for week 17, I fully expect them to lose by multiple scores to the near-playoffs bound Colts! 

The Colts had a chance to wrap up a playoffs spot in week 16 vs the Steelers and make their (the Steelers) path in the postseason that much harder. Instead, they gave up a big lead and dropped one to possible future playoffs opponent! They did get help from Green Bay, as the Packers bullied the Titans on SNF. But the damage was still done, they will need more help on Sunday now. They can make the playoffs no doubt about it. If they win, then they are in. But they will need a loss by the Titans to host a playoffs game. Overall, I think this is a good team. I think Rivers has improved from earlier this season and I think the run game has been a little inconsistent, though. As for their defense, I think it is good but I think they have their flaws. With that said, I think every team in this league has flaws in their defense. I believe they are more solid than most out there. 

Prediction - It hard to believe in the Jags and the Colts are obviously the better team with more to play for. I expect the Colts to win this one by multiple scores! 

Titans at Texans -

The Titans had a chance in week 16 to put away the division, but instead they were kinda embarrassed on national tv. That loss to Green Bay is the worst loss of the season for the Titans. The Packers pretty much gave AFC teams a blueprint for beating the Titans. In last week's preview, I was very worried about the Titans's non existence pass rush and every other aspect of their defense. Most weeks, it is not ideal but they can depend on their high-powered offense controlling the clock and putting up the points. It wasn't there on Sunday night. I was pretty surprised actually. The Titans' inability to run the game meant it also took away their play action stuff. They need to run the football here in week 17 vs a bad Texans' defense. 

Texans are not a great football team and they really don't do anything overly well. That is something I pretty much point out on every single week about them. It has been a constant problem for them and really has costed them this season. Waston has been awesome this season, but he is lacking playmakers on that offense. If he could get a legit weapon or two, I think they could carry them to a possible playoffs birth. Yes, that is with that bad defense. Waston is a special player, but nobody could win with the team that the Texans has given him! 

Prediction - These defenses aren't good, but I think the Titans will take advantage of that bad run defense of Houston. I think Waston will keep the game somewhat close, but I think the Titans will control the clock and put up about 30 points. I believe last week's game vs Green Bay was a one-time thing. Texans don't have the talent to do what the Packers did to this Titans' team! 

Falcons at Bucs - 

The Falcons has not had a great season, but they played better since letting their former head coach goes after about 4 or 5 games. It seems like they have played well enough to be in games, but not enough to win games. They gave the Kansas City Chiefs a real scare in week 16. Nobody gave them a shot and they probably win, if their cornbacker didn't drop a Mahomes interception in the endzone very late. The next play, Pat Mahomes throws the game-winning touchdown the next play. It was rough to watch because they were ahead for most of the 3rd and 4th quarter. That is the story of the Falcons' season, though. They have lost many games that they were leading entering the 4th quarter. This tells me that they are good enough to win games, but coaching and gameplanning is not!

Over the last 4 weeks, the best team in the NFC might be the Bucs! But a couple weeks ago, the Falcons were up big by 4 touchdowns at one point. The Bucs came back and beat them. And that pretty much tells you all you need to know about how the Falcons' season has gone! I say this a lot about the Bucs, but they are talented enough to run through this entire NFC! But they are prong to mistakes and are also capable of getting eliminated in the wildcard round! Tom Brady in the playoffs is a different animal, but rest of these guys need to show up, too. Bucs are talented enough to win a super bowl, but they need to treat this week as the playoffs. A loss won't affect their seeding, but they need that playoffs' mindset!

Prediction - I am sure the Falcons will play this Bucs' team very close, but in the end I think Brady and Co will be too much for them. Falcons have shown us time and time again who they are and so have the Bucs. The difference is the Bucs shown us that they are godly loaded with talent. I think the talent wins out! 

Cowboys at Giants - 

The NFC East isn't good at all and one of these teams will be hosting a playoff game on wild card weekend in the playoffs! This game between the Cowboys and Giants is basically a playoffs' game! Neither team are 100% gonna make the playoffs, if they win, though. If one of these teams win and if Washington losses, then they would make the playoffs. I think the Cowboys are actually playing good right now. They would obviously being playing a lot better with Dak, but don't discount Andy Dalton! When you look at his numbers, they really aren't that far off Dak's usual numbers. I think the visual improvement on defense has really helped this Cowboys' team. I still think the Cowboys need to run the football more with Zeke Elliott. I understand this isn't the same offense with McCarthy calling the shots with Dalton under center. I just feel like they get away from the run way too much and that is part of the Cowboys' offensive struggles this season.

Giants not too long ago were in control of the NFC East, fresh off a upset win over the Seahawks. Since then? Things has looked ugly for the Giants! But they can still make the playoffs with a win and some help. I think the Giants need to make some plays on both side of the ball. I don't think that the Giants have a second gear on offense with their limited star power. I think Daniel Jones on offense has to be THAT guy and take over this game for the Giants. Do I think he is capable? Honestly I really don't think so. Cowboys are very beatable, but I don't really like what I am seeing out of this New York of late! 

Prediction - I don't like the Giants in this one and i really don't love the Cowboys. But the Cowboys are playing better football when it matters and it matters a lot right now! I say the Cowboys by a touchdown when the clock hits 0:00! 

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