2008 Week Twelve NFL Football Game Previews
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Thursday, November 20, 2008
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Matchup: Cincinnati Bengals (1-8-1) @ Pittsburgh Steelers (7-3)
Time: 8:15pm EST
Spread: Pittsburgh –10.5
Over/Under: 35.5
Preview: The Cincinnati Bengals, coming off the first NFL football game to end in a tie in six years, have not lost in the last three weeks. After an 0-8 start, the Bengals picked up a week nine win, bye week in 10, and tied with the Eagles on Sunday. The Bengals got 149 yards from top receiver T.J. Houshmanzadeh. The Bengals are being outscored on the year 249-138 on the year. In road games, Cincinnati is 0-5 with losses to the Ravens, Giants, Cowboys, Jets and Texans. The Bengals are 5.5 games behind the AFC North leader Pittsburgh. The Steelers come in 7-3 on the year, and a full game ahead of second place Baltimore. The Steelers have outscored opponents 209 – 150 on the year. The three Steelers losses have come at Philadelphia, and at home with the Giants and Colts. The Steelers are coming off the NFL’s first ever 11-10 final, in which Pittsburgh was unable to find the end zone, but hit three field goals and a safety.
Sunday, November 23, 2008
Houston Texans (3-7) @ Cleveland Browns (4-6)
Time: 1:00pm ET
Spread: Cleveland – 3
Over/Under: 50
Preview: The Houston Texans have yet to win a road game in 2008. Losers of five road games; at Pittsburgh, Minnesota, Tennessee, Jacksonville and Indianapolis – the Texans will look to snap that streak on Sunday in Cleveland. On the year Houston has won three games; over Miami, Detroit and Cincinnati. The Texans Steve Slaton is leading the offense, carrying the ball 138 times for 701 yards and 6 touchdowns. The Texans are 7 full games behind Tennessee in the AFC South, while just a game behind Jacksonville and three from Indianapolis. The Browns are coming off a heroic win at Buffalo on Monday Night. The Browns kicked a late field goal, and avoided an even later field goal from Buffalo to win 29-27. The win on the season was the Browns 4th in 10 tries. The Browns are two games back of second place Baltimore, and three behind AFC North leader Pittsburgh. Cleveland has gotten two solid starts from youngster Brady Quinn, behind center.
San Francisco 49ers (3-7) @ Dallas Cowboys (6-4)
Time: 1:00pm ET
Spread: N/A
Over/Under: N/A
Preview: The 49ers picked up their first win for head coach Mike Singletary on Sunday. In the win, a 35-16 blowout over St. Louis, the 49ers picked up 106 rushing yards from top running back Frank Gore. The win for San Francisco snaps their six game losing streak. The 49ers are four games back of the Arizona Cardinals inside the NFC West. San Francisco’s four wins have come at Seattle, home over Detroit, and home over St. Louis; all teams with two or fewer losses. For Dallas, Tony Romo’s return led to 14-10 win over the divisional foe Washington Redskins. The Cowboys trailed 10-7 heading into the fourth quarter, but picked up a 25-yard catch by Martellus Bennett from Tony Romo with 10:36 remaining, and Dallas held on for the win. Dallas is now 6-4 and three full games behind the NFC East leading New York Giants, but the win put them into a second place tie with Washington, and a tie for the wildcard spot in the NFC. Dallas is 3-1 in home games played this season.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7-3) @ Detroit Lions (0-10)
Time: 1:00pm ET
Spread: Tampa Bay – 8.5
Over/Under: 41
Preview: The Tampa Bay Buccaneers kept pace with the Carolina Panthers inside the NFC South; with a 19-13 win over Minnesota. In the win, Tampa got 255 passing yards from quarterback Jeff Garcia. On the year, Garcia has completed 160 of 230 passes for 1618 yards. Tampa Bay has outscored opponents 219 – 160 this season. In road games so far this season, the Buccaneers have lost three of five. Their three road losses have come at New Orleans, Denver and Dallas. Their two road wins were at Chicago and at Kansas City. For Detroit, the Lions fell to 0-10, and continue to be the NFL’s lone winless team. The Lions played close with 8-2 Carolina, but came up on the short end once again. The Lions have allowed 308 points and have scored just 173 on the year. Detroit is five games behind all three NFC opponents; Minnesota, Chicago and Green Bay.
New York Jets (7-3) @ Tennessee Titans (10-0)
Time: 1:00pm ET
Spread: Tennessee – 6
Over/Under: 40.5
Preview: The New York Jets picked up a huge win Thursday night over the New England Patriots 34-31. In the win, quarterback Brett Favre threw for 258 yards and two touchdowns in the overtime win for New York. The Jets moved into sole possession of first place in the AFC East. The Jets three losses have come against New England, at San Diego, and at Oakland. Favre has thrown for 2237 yards and 18 touchdowns on the year. For Tennessee, the undefeated season lasted another week, despite trailing for much of Sunday’s game against Jacksonville. Tennessee got 260 yards from quarterback Kerry Collins, and the Titans outscored Jacksonville 21-0 in the second half. On the year, the Titans have only allowed 131 points, while scoring 244. Tennessee is a perfect 5-0 at home this season; with wins over the Jaguars, Texans, Vikings, Colts and Packers.
Buffalo Bills (5-5) @ Kansas City Chiefs (1-9)
Time: 1:00pm ET
Spread: Buffalo – 3
Over/Under: 43.5
Preview: The Bills were stunned by a Rian Lindell field goal miss that sailed “wide right” with just under a minute to play in the game Monday Night. The loss was the fourth straight for Buffalo, and their fifth of the season. The Bills are now at the bottom of the AFC East, and trail Miami and New England by a full game; the Jets by two. The Bills will take on Kansas City and San Francisco in back to back weeks, so Buffalo hopes to get back on the winning track. Marshawn Lynch had his best running night of the season carrying the ball for 119 yards, and picking up another 58 via the air. The Bills are 2-3 in road games this season. The Kansas City Chiefs hope to find a way to pick up their second win of the season on Sunday at home. The Chiefs have had a rough go of it, losing nine of their first ten games. Kansas City’s lone win came at Aarowhead Stadium on September 28th 33-19 over Denver. Sunday’s affair will take place at Aarowhead. The Chiefs have had a rotating group of quarterbacks this season with their latest – Tyler Thigpen starting the last four games.
Chicago Bears (5-5) @ St. Louis Rams (2-8)
Time: 1:00pm ET
Spread: Chicago – 8
Over/Under: 43
Preview: The Chicago Bears were embarrassed on the road Sunday in Green Bay, falling 37-3 to the Packers. The Bears have now lost two in a row and are 5-5 on the year, tied with Green Bay and Minnesota atop the NFC North. The Bears five wins on the season have come at Indianapolis, with Philadelphia, at Detroit, with Minnesota and with Detroit. The Bears have had quarterback controversy for another season starting Kyle Orton, then going to the injured Rex Grossman before heading back to Orton, who was very ineffective Sunday. The Bears are 2-3 on the road this season. The St. Louis Rams have been poor most of the season, falling eight of ten times, and pretty much eliminating all chances at any postseason play. The Rams are 2-8 on the year and tied in last place in the NFC West with Seattle. The Rams have lost four in a row, and been drummed their last three. The Rams on the season have been outscored 317 – 144 on the year.
New England Patriots (6-4) @ Miami Dolphins (6-4)
Time: 1:00pm ET
Spread: Miami – 2
Over/Under: 42
Preview: In a huge AFC East showdown, the New England Patriots will travel to Miami to take on the suddenly red hot Miami Dolphins. The Patriots are coming off a 34-31 overtime loss to the Jets. In that game, quarterback Matt Cassell threw for 400 yards, 108 of them to Wes Welker. The Patriots are 2-2 in their last four games, and are now one game back of the Jets in the division and tied with the Dolphins in second place. The Patriots and Dolphins are both fighting hard for one of the AFC wildcard spots. The Dolphins are winners of four straight games; Bills, Broncos, Seahawks and Raiders. Miami has moved themselves into position where they are just a game behind the Jets in the AFC East. Ronnie Brown ran for 101 yards in Sunday’s win; a 17-15 decision over the Oakland Raiders.
Minnesota Vikings (5-5) @ Jacksonville Jaguars (4-6)
Time: 1:00pm ET
Spread: Jacksonville – 2.5
Over/Under: 40
Preview: The Minnesota Vikings, one of three teams battling hard for the lead in the NFC North will travel to underachieving Jacksonville on Sunday. The Vikings are coming off a 19-13 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday. Adrian Peterson was held to just 85 yards, his first sub 100-yard game since October 6th. The Vikings have lost at Green Bay, with Indianapolis, at Tennessee, at Chicago and at Tampa Bay. Minnesota has been outscored 234 – 223 on the season thus far. For Jacksonville, the Jaguars are facing as much of a must win game as they will see. Two games behind second place Indianapolis, the Jaguars are coming off a 24-14 loss to Tennessee on Sunday. The four wins for Jacksonville this season have come at Indianapolis, with Houston, at Denver and at Detroit. Despite their record, Jacksonville has outscored opponents 212 – 210 on the season.
Philadelphia Eagles (5-4-1) @ Baltimore Ravens (6-4)
Time: 1:00pm ET
Spread: Baltimore – 2
Over/Under: 38.5
Preview: After much controversy surrounding Donovan McNabb, Andy Reid and the rest of the Eagles, Philadelphia is going to have to regroup to give themselves a chance to win on Sunday. The Eagles will travel to 6-4 Baltimore on Sunday. The Eagles are 5-4-1 on the year; after the tie in week 11 with Cincinnati. Philadelphia is in last place in the NFC East, trailing first place New York Giants, and also Dallas and Washington. The Eagles are 2-2 so far this season on the road. The Baltimore Ravens come into the game with a 6-4 mark, and 3-1 when playing at home. On Sunday, the defending champion New York Giants 30-10 humbled Baltimore. Joe Flacco, the Ravens rookie quarterback has had a solid season throwing for over 1800 yards and 8 touchdowns. The Ravens trail Pittsburgh by a full game in the AFC South.
Oakland Raiders (2-8) @ Denver Broncos (6-4)
Time: 4:05pm ET
Spread: Denver – 9.5
Over/Under: 43
Preview: Surprisingly, the AFC West has been a very disappointing division. With the Oakland Raiders coming in at 2-8, and still a full game ahead of Kansas City, and the Chargers sitting at 4-6, that leaves Denver ahead at 6-4. The Broncos find themselves with a chance to add to their lead on Sunday when they host the Oakland Raiders. The Raiders are 2-8 on the year and losers of four straight. The Raiders have not had a 100+ rusher since week two when Darren McFadden ran for 164 yards. The Raiders have scored just 31 points in their last four games. For Denver, the Broncos are winners of two straight games over Cleveland and Atlanta; both on the road. Quarterback Jay Cutler, who threw for 216 yards in the win on Sunday, is leading the Broncos.
Carolina Panthers (8-2) @ Atlanta Falcons (6-4)
Time: 4:15pm ET
Spread: Atlanta – 1
Over/Under: 42
Preview: The Panthers and Falcons a season ago would not have been a real good week 12 match up. In 2008, this is one of the top games on Sunday. The Carolina Panthers are coming in with an 8-2 record, while the surprising Falcons are at 6-4. Atlanta is two full games behind the Panthers in the NFC South. The Panthers have won four straight games; over New Orleans, Arizona, Oakland and Detroit. The Panthers beat Atlanta earlier in the season 24-9 behind Jake Delhomme’s 294 passing yards. On the year Carolina has scored 222 points and allowed 155. For the Falcons, behind rookie quarterback Matt Ryan; Atlanta is in playoff contention. The Falcons had gotten over 2100 passing yards from Ryan, along with 11 touchdowns. The emergence of Michael Turner at running back has also sparked the Atlanta offense.
New York Giants (9-1) @ Arizona Cardinals (7-3)
Time: 4:15pm ET
Spread: New York -3
Over/Under: 42
Preview: This is just the second week all season where our Game of the Week wasn't in the Sunday Night NFL matchup. However, in this excellent matchup, the defending champion New York Giants will travel to Arizona to take on the NFC West leading Arizona Cardinals. The Giants have won 9 of 10 games this year with their lone loss coming on Monday Night Football to the Cleveland Browns. The Giants are three games up on the Cowboys and Redskins within the NFC East. The Giants have another advantage over both those teams; they have beaten both. The Giants have gotten a great year out of their three-headed monster at running back in Brandon Jacobs, Derrick Ward, and Ahman Bradshaw. For Arizona, the Cardinals are full four games up on the San Francisco 49ers in the NFC West. The Cardinals have won three straight games; over the Rams, 49ers and Seahawks. Arizona is 4-0 at home, while the Giants are 3-1 on the road.
Washington Redskins (6-4) @ Seattle Seahawks (2-8)
Time: 4:15pm ET
Spread: Washington – 3.5
Over/Under: 41
Preview: The Washington Redskins, tied with Dallas in the NFC East for second place look to snap their losing streak on Sunday at Seattle. Washington is 6-4 overall, with a loss on Sunday to the Dallas Cowboys. In the loss, quarterback Jason Campbell was only able throw for 162 yards, and lead the Skins offense to just one touchdown. Clinton Portis, banged up with an injury played sparingly on Sunday, picking up 68 rushing yards. The Seahawks have had a very frustrating season, at 2-8 and at the bottom of the NFC West. Matt Hasslebeck came back after missing several games with an injury. In his come back, Hasslebeck threw for 170 yards, but Seattle’s top running back Julius Jones picked up just 19 yards rushing; leading the team.
Indianapolis Colts (6-4) @ San Diego Chargers (4-6)
Time: 8:15pm ET
Spread: San Diego – 2.5
Over/Under: 50.5
Preview: The Indianapolis Colts picked up a 33-27 win over the Houston Texans, moving themselves to 6-4 on the year. While a long shot to win the AFC South, the Colts put themselves in prime position to possible pick up a wildcard spot. The Colts quarterback Peyton Manning, coming off preseason surgery has completed 234 of 380 passes for 2568 yards and 17 touchdowns. In the win on Sunday Reggie Wayne caught 90 passing yards from Manning. The San Diego Chargers have been arguably the most disappointing team in the NFL in 2008. The Chargers lost again on Sunday; 11-10, the first score 11-10 final in NFL history. The Chargers are 4-6 and two games behind the AFC West leader Denver. San Diego has scored 254 and allowed 229 on the year. San Diego has won three of their four home games played this year.
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Monday, November 24, 2008
Green Bay Packers (5-5) @ New Orleans Saints (5-5))
Time: 8:35pm EST
Spread: New Orleans -1
Over/Under: 52.5
Preview: The Green Bay Packers picked up a huge NFC North win on Sunday, and moved themselves into a three way tie with Chicago and Minnesota atop the division. In the 39-3 win over Chicago, the Packers got 145 yards from running back Ryan Grant. Quarterback Aaron Rodgers threw for 227 yards, and two touchdowns in the win. The win for Green Bay pushed them to the .500 mark and improved their home record to 3-2 on the year. The Packers are 2-3 when playing on the road; with losses at Tampa Bay, Tennessee and Minnesota. On the road is where the Packers will be on Monday night, when they head to another 5-5 team. The New Orleans Saints picked up their fifth win on Sunday, a 30-20 winner over Kansas City. The Saints picked up 266 passing yards from quarterback Drew Brees. The Saints win moved them to 5-5, still three games behind Carolina, two behind Tampa Bay and one behind Atlanta in the NFC South.
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