Week 15 Predictions

By TLarner

Week 15 has many games with playoff implications. Unlike years past, there are no teams that can afford to bench their starters, unless you are Mike Shanahan.

Monday Night’s Results:

New York Giants 21, Minnesota 3

Ahmad Bradshaw and Brandon Jacobs each ran for over 100 yards with a touchdown for the Giants. With Tarvaris Jackson under center, the Vikings’ offense was nowhere to be found.

Baltimore Ravens 34, Houston Texans 28

Matt Schaub orchestrated a second-half comeback down 28-7. With a touchdown pass and two-point conversion with 21 seconds left in regulation, he send the game to overtime. However, Baltimore corner Josh Wilson intercepted Schaub for a 12 yard touchdown return.

Thursday Night Football:

San Francisco 49ers 7, San Diego Chargers 34

Vincent Jackson caught all three of Philip Rivers’ touchdown passes in his first full game back this season. The San Diego defense sacked 49ers’ QB Alex Smith six times, and Smith was picked off once.

Game of the Week: Philadelphia at New York Giants

In an effort to keep late season action exciting, the NFL has made this season’s schedule rather bottom heavy. In the midst of a full slate of big games, including Jacksonville at Indianapolis, the Jets at Pittsburgh, and New Orleans at Baltimore, the Eagles and the Giants will fight for first place in the NFC East. Philadelphia topped New York 27-17 at home back in November.

The high flying Philadelphia offense is first in the league in yards per game (402.8) and second in points per game (28.8). Michael Vick’s 104.3 passer rating is third in the league, only behind Tom Brady and Philip Rivers. LeSean McCoy, who leads the team in rushing, also is first with 70 receptions. Coming off a win over rival Dallas, the Eagles hope to have a few key stars healthy for this week. Both corner Asante Samuel and receiver DeSean Jackson are listed as questionable. With first round draft pick Brandon Graham in injured reserve, the Eagles signed Derrick Burgess, most recently of the Patriots and Raiders. Burgess was originally drafted by Philadelphia back in 2001.Starting middle linebacker Stewart Bradley will likely miss the remainder of the regular season with an elbow injury, so rookie Jamar Chaney will start in this rough NFC East contest.

The New York Football Giants boast the best running game in the NFC with 148.3 yards per game on the ground. With Ahmad Bradshaw seeing the majority of early season work, Brandon Jacobs has patiently for his turn. In the past two weeks, Jacobs has ran for 219 yards and three touchdowns. That hasn’t limited Bradshaw at all, as he has earned 200 yards and three touchdowns in those two weeks. The Giants placed receiver Steve Smith on injured reserve this past week. Center Shaun O’Hara is likely to return to the lineup against Philadelphia. O’Hara has been sidelined six weeks with a sprained right foot. The Giants’ defense is second in the NFL in passing yards allowed per game (185.9). They are second in the league with 39 total sacks, which will be an important part of stopping Vick.  

Key Matchup: Vick vs. Umenyiora

Everyone has seen what Vick has been able to do since his return to football began this season. He has singlehandedly shredded opposing defenses that are unable to contain him. Now that he has learned how to throw the football, something he did not do well in Atlanta, he has entered his name in the MVP talks. Lining up opposite from Vick will be a hungry Giants’ defensive line, led by end Osi Umenyiora. He currently leads the team with 10 sacks, and in the past nine games against Philadelphia, he has 12.5 sacks. Between Weeks 4-6, Umenyiora had seven sacks and six forced fumbles. He, along with Justin Tuck and Jason Pierre-Paul, will need to get to Vick, and take him down. If the mobile QB can get away from the pass rush, he will give Coach Tom Coughlin headaches.

Prediction

One of the best offenses in the league against one of the best defenses, an unstoppable force against an unmovable object. This team may easily decide who will win the division, and maybe who gets a first round bye in the playoffs. I like the Eagles in this contest. With their ability to run and throw, the offense should exploit New York’s weaknesses. With Asante Samuel back in the lineup, Eli Manning may have as much trouble as Peyton did.

Best of the Rest: (Home team in italics) 

New Orleans over Baltimore

Arizona over Carolina

Cleveland over Cincinnati

Dallas over Washington

Indianapolis over Jacksonville

Miami over Buffalo

Kansas City over St. Louis

Tampa Bay over Detroit

Houston over Tennessee

Atlanta over Seattle

Oakland over Denver

Pittsburgh over New York Jets

New England over Green Bay

Chicago over Minnesota

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