ALBANY, NY – Well ladies and gentlemen, it only took 15 weeks but I got there. I have finally reached my perfect weekend. Last weekend I picked the Atlanta Falcons over the New York Giants, Denver Broncos over the Baltimore Ravens, and Houston Texans over the Indianapolis Colts. My undefeated weekend boosts my My NFL Picks for Rugby Heads season average up to 23-24, just a tad under .500.
Cincinnati Bengals (8-6) at Pittsburgh Steelers (7-7): This game is crucial for both teams, as each are vying for what seems to be the final Wild Card spot in the AFC. The Steelers have dropped two straight and four of their last five and a desperately looking for a way out of this downward spiral. On the other hand, Cincinnati has won five of their last six games after starting out the season 3-4. This will be a great match-up and one with huge playoff implications. It will be a big test for the Bengals who are yet to beat the Steelers in the two’s last five meetings.
My Prediction: 24-14 Steelers
New York Giants (8-6) at Baltimore Ravens (9-5): In a way these two teams are almost identical. They both have a slumping offense and a banged up defense. Like the Bengals-Steelers match-up, this one has big playoff implications as well. The Giants need this win desperately now, after they were blown out in Atlanta last week, knocking themselves out of the NFC East Division lead and a Wild Card Spot. The Ravens need this victory to keep themselves ahead of the Bengals and in control of the AFC North. This one will be a defensive battle.
My Prediction: 17-10 Ravens
San Francisco 49ers (10-3-1) at Seattle Seahawks (9-5): Both these teams are coming into this game hot, with the 49ers taking it to Tom Brady and the boys and the Seahawks putting up 50 points on the Buffalo Bills in Toronto. This is a battle of the top two teams in the much-improved NFC West. A match-up that features two great defenses, two unstoppable run games, and two unexpected starting quarterbacks. This will be a fun one to watch.
My Prediction: 23-14 Seahawks
Some NFL Notes:
Congratulations Detroit Lions wide receiver Calvin Jo;hnson! In a season filled with disappointment in Detroit, there is one bright spot Megatron! Last night Johnson broke Hall of Fame wide receiver Jerry Rice’s single-season record for yards. The new record is now 1,892 yards; 44 yards more than Rice’s record.
The Bills are staying in Buffalo! For years now the future of the Buffalo Bills in Western New York have been in doubt. But the train stops here! The Bills have a new 10-year lease on Ralph Wilson Stadium in Orchard Park solidifying the Bills home in Buffalo for the next decade. Now let’s hope they make the playoffs before this deal is up!
Sit down Mark! The inevitable has finally happened in East Rutherford; Mark Sanchez has finally been benched. And no not for Tim Tebow, but for former Alabama QB Greg McElroy. Remember when McElroy was criticizing the Jets locker room at the end of the season last year and then was criticized by the media because he was the third string quarterback and had no right to say anything? Well boy things have changed!
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