Overall Record: 11-2
Miami Dolphins at Baltimore Ravens
Pick: Baltimore Ravens
Result: Miami Dolphins, 0 – Baltimore Ravens, 40
Analysis: A matchup between the two worst yardage offenses in the league coming in and the home team exploded for a big win. 2 passing touchdowns (one from Ryan Mallet, one from Flacco), 2 defensive touchdowns, 2 field goals, and an offensive fumble recovery by WR Chris Moore lead the Ravens to the win. Jay Ajayi could never get going in this one and has since been traded to the Eagles after the poor performance. Matt Moore threw two pick sixes in this ugly loss. The Dolphins could not get anything going offensively, and I don’t know if anyone has ever said this before but maybe the return of Jay Cutler will help. Devante Parker is also expected to return this Sunday for the Dolphins.
Minnesota Vikings at Cleveland Browns
Pick: Minnesota Vikings
Result: Minnesota Vikings, 33 – Cleveland Browns, 16
Analysis: Isaiah Crowell and Duke Johnson Jr. looked good for the Browns averaging a combined 5.7 YPC and 97 yards on the ground and had 64 yards receiving against the Vikings defense. The Browns couldn’t overcome two fumbles and a good game from the Vikings’ Case Keenum who threw for 288 yards, 2 TDs, and 1 INT. The Vikings pressured Deshone Kizer getting 3 sacks against the rookie QB. The bright spot for the Browns defense was holding Vikings running backs to a combined 88 yards and 2.6 YPC.
Oakland Raiders at Buffalo Bills
Pick: Oakland Raiders
Result: Oakland Raiders, 14 – Buffalo Bills, 34
Analysis: The Marcell Dareus trade did not end up hurting the Bills defense as badly as we suspected, but the Raiders running backs were effective on 11 carries running for a combined 47 yards at 4.2 YPC. One could ask why they did not commit to the run more early on while the game was still close, but Derek Carr threw 49 times. Two of those throws were intercepted by the Bills defense. The two picks combined with a fumble by Deandre Washington that was returned for a TD was too much to overcome in Buffalo. Oakland gave away a game they should have won by not running the ball consistently and not taking care of the ball. Credit to the Bills defense though for forcing the turnovers against the potent Raiders offense.
Indianapolis Colts at Cincinnati Bengals
Pick: Cincinnati Bengals
Result: Indianapolis Colts, 23 – Cincinnati Bengals, 24
Analysis: The Bengals barely pulled this one out against a bad Colts team, needing a Carlos Dunlap interception return for a 16-yard touchdown with 7 minutes left in the game to go up 24-23. 2 fumbles by the Bengals offense and a their running backs combining for 34 yards on 17 carries kept this game close. One takeaway for the Colts here is that Jacoby Brissett continues to look like a viable quarterback in this league.
Los Angeles Chargers at New England Patriots
Pick: New England Patriots
Result: Los Angeles Chargers, 13 – New England Patriots, 21
Analysis: Melvin Gordon had an 87-yard touchdown run in the 1st quarter, but besides that he ran for under 3.5 YPC on his other 13 carries. Travis Benjamin’s infamous punt return for a safety gave NE a lead they never relinquished. Tom Brady had a big game with 333 yards and 1 TD, completing 68% of his passes.
Chicago Bears at New Orleans Saints
Pick: New Orleans Saints
Result: Chicago Bears, 12 – New Orleans Saints, 20
Analysis: The Saints have now won 5 games in a row after losing their first 2, and could be a real contender to represent the NFC in the Super Bowl. The Bears continue to be competitive behind a great effort from their defense and a 102 yard game from Jordan Howard. Trubisky only completed 44% of his passes for 164 yards and an interception. If Trubisky can learn to not turn the ball over and increase his efficiency, the Bears could make a late season push for the playoffs in an Aaron Rodgers-less division or earn a wild card spot in a year filled with mediocrity.
Atlanta Falcons at New York Jets
Pick: Atlanta Falcons
Result: Atlanta Falcons, 25 – New York Jets, 20
Analysis: Matt Ryan finally threw 2 TDs without an INT this season, and lead his team to a big win against a surprisingly competitive New York Jets team. The Jets run game never got going with Forte and Powell averaging a combined 2.1 YPC, but McCown had another big game with 257 yards and 2 TDs. Tevin Coleman and Devonta Freeman were the more effective running back duo in this one gaining a combined 123 rushing yards on 26 carries. The comparatively better running game was enough for the Falcons to overcome their two turnovers.
San Francisco 49ers at Philadelphia Eagles
Pick: Philadelphia Eagles
Result: San Francisco 49ers, 10 – Philadelphia Eagles, 33
Analysis: The Eagles win their 6th straight game in a beatdown of the 49ers. No surprises in this one, the better team executed, and forced 2 interceptions of the rookie Beathard who was making his 3rd career start. The Eagles defense put pressure on Beathard, sacking him four times as well. One flaw to address moving forward is the Eagles’ offensive line. They allowed three sacks and a lot of pressure on Carson Wentz all game by the 49ers defense. A good team will take advantage of that in the playoffs if they can’t figure something out.
Carolina Panthers at Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Pick: Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Result: Carolina Panthers, 17 – Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 3
Analysis: A very ugly game from both teams. The Buccaneers could not get anything going against the Panthers 2nd ranked defense. This game again proved the old saying “Defense wins games”. The Panthers have weapons on offense (especially when Greg Olsen comes back from IR week 11), and could make a run late in the season and into the playoffs if Cam Newton can rally the offense. We thought Jameis could lead the Bucs to a win over their rival, but he looked bad all game at home.
Houston Texans at Seattle Seahawks
Pick: Seattle Seahawks
Result: Houston Texans, 38 – Seattle Seahawks, 41
Analysis: The game of the week. Both teams secondaries got lit up for over 400 yards of passing by the opposing team. In the end the more experienced Russell Wilson got the win over the rookie Deshaun Watson. The Seahawks have no rushing attack with their running backs combining for 5 yards on 16 carries. The ACL tear for Deshaun Watson this week in practice is a shame, and were all losers for not getting to see him play the rest of the season. Hopefully he has a speedy and full recovery.
Dallas Cowboys at Washington Redskins
Pick: Dallas Cowboys
Result: Dallas Cowboys, 33 – Washington Redskins, 19
Analysis: Ezekiel Elliot was the MVP in this one with his 150 yard game and 2 TDs. The Redskins kept fighting to stay in this one up until Byron Jones had the 21-yard interception return for the TD with 21 seconds left in the game to put the Cowboys up by 14. The Cowboys defense had 4 sacks against the Redskins banged up O-line to help put this one away as well. Washington never really had a chance with their porous offensive line.
Pittsburgh Steelers at Detroit Lions
Pick: Pittsburgh Steelers
Result: Pittsburgh Steelers, 20 – Detroit Lions, 15
Analysis: The Steelers seem to be putting it together halfway through the season. The Steelers defense kept Detroit out of the end zone, giving up 5 field goals. Pittsburgh’s offense did enough to get the job done. 317 yards, a TD, and an INT for Roethlisberger and 76 yards and a TD for Le’Veon Bell. The big difference in this one was Detroit’s ineptitude to get into the end zone while the Steelers got the ball in for a touchdown twice on the day. If the Steelers can continue to keep teams out of the end zone they will be a tough out in the playoffs.
Denver Broncos at Kansas City Chiefs
Pick: Kansas City Chiefs
Result: Denver Broncos, 19 – Kansas City Chiefs, 29
Analysis: The Chiefs end up being the team to end their two-game skid, and the Broncos lose their third in a row. Denver continues their bad offensive play with 3 picks from Siemian and 3 sacks given up by the offensive line. The positive for the Broncos was all three backs ran very efficiently albeit against the Chiefs 28th ranked rushing defense. Charles, Booker, and Anderson combined for 157 yards on 29 carries to keep them in striking distance for most of the game. Alex smith continues his streak of not throwing an interception this year throwing for 202 yards and 1 TD. Kareem Hunt was bottled up by Denver’s D running for 46 yards on 22 carries, but that wasn’t enough as Alex Smith lead the Chiefs to the win.
Photo cred: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2016_Dallas_Cowboys_season (Found via Creative Commons)
Lemonade Tribe 