BOSTON, MA – Aside from taking the New Orleans Saints over the Seattle Seahawks on the road last Sunday, I had a perfect weekend. A record of 2-1 for the weekend bumps me up to 13-22 on the season and I am now 10 games under .500. This weekend brings plenty of games with playoff implications and one with a little rugby excitement. Enjoy!
Indianapolis Colts (8-4) at Cincinnati Bengals (8-4): Does the name Daniel Adongo sound familiar? It should! Adongo, a former lock for the Southern Kings out of Port Elizabeth, South Africa, is finally getting his chance to play on the gridiron in an NFL regular season game. The former Kenyan rugby player will be playing special teams in Sunday’s game in Cincinatti. (Here is our original story when Adongo joined the Colts in July) And as far as I can tell, he sounds pretty excited.
“I think it’s a tribute to (hard work). But with that said, I’m not going to let that excitement get to me,” said Adongo, according to Bleacher Report. “It’s being subdued by my duty and obligation to do my job and whatever is asked of me by my coaches.”
As far as the game goes, it will be a fun one to watch. The Colts seem to be in the clear for their first AFC South division crown since the Peyton Manning Era ended, while the Bengals on the other hand have the Baltimore Ravens nipping at their heels. The fact that the Bengals are playing at home, where they are undefeated, and the Colts have struggled since their Week 8 bye. If the Bengals can score efficiently with quarterback Andy Dalton and wide receiver A.J. Green, Cincinnati will be in the clear. Bengals: 31-20
Seattle Seahawks (11-1) at San Francisco 49ers (8-4): This is a match-up for the ages in the NFC West. Both the Seahawks and 49ers will cause a lot of trouble in the playoffs come January, which makes this game even more exciting. With the 49ers out to avenge their Week 2 embarrassment against the Seahawks, it’s clear San Fran will come out guns blazing.
I’m going with Frank Gore and the 49ers in this one. With most of Seattle’s secondary gone because of injury or suspension and since the Seahawks are on the road I’m giving the upper hand to San Francisco. This game has much bigger implications for the 49ers than it does the Seahawks which is why you have to like San Fran’s odds. Not to mention Seattle will be playing this one on the road, where they are a much different team than when they’re at home. 49ers: 27-24
Carolina Panthers (9-3) and New Orleans Saints (9-3): This game is huge for both the Panthers and Saints. Neck and neck with 9-3 records, the next three weeks will be huge for both the Saints and Panthers. Whoever can win the first match-up of the season between these two teams will certainly have a leg up on the division crown.
I like the Saints in this one. After a disappointing loss in Seattle last week, New Orleans will be out to prove themselves once again. Carolina has struggled to get wins the past few weeks, and a game in the Superdome is not an easy task. I’ll take a Drew Brees led offense over one led by Cam Newton any day. Saints: 33-21
