2008 Week Fourteen NFL Football Game Previews
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Thursday, December 4, 2008
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Oakland Raiders (3-9) @ San Diego Chargers (4-8)
Time: 8:30pm ET
Spread: San Diego -10
Over/Under: 44
Preview: The Oakland Raiders and San Diego Chargers both look to be heading home after the regular season convenes. The Raiders, coming off an upset win over Denver put on a disappointing performance on Sunday, losing to Kansas City 20-13. The Raiders are 3-9 on the year with wins at Kansas City, with the Jets and over Denver. The Raiders are officially still alive in the AFC West, as they trail the leader Denver by four games with four to play. A Denver win or Oakland loss will officially eliminate the Raiders from contention. Oakland has been outscored on the year 265 – 172. The Raiders top two running back Justin Fargas and Darren McFadden have combined for just four rushing touchdowns on the season, with the rookie McFadden coming up with three. The Chargers have been a very disappointing team in 2008. At 4-8, the Chargers are three games back of Denver. San Diego has lost three in a row; Pittsburgh, Indianapolis and Atlanta. The Chargers, despite their 4-8 record have still scored more points combined then their opponents – 290 – 274. LaDainian Tomlinson has ran for 794 yards on the year with six touchdown runs. In the 22-16 loss to Atlanta on Sunday, quarterback Phillip Rivers did not complete a touchdown pass, as Tomlinson accounted for the only offensive touchdown for San Diego.
Sunday, December 7, 2008
Jacksonville Jaguars (4-8) @ Chicago Bears (6-6)
Time: 1:00pm ET
Spread: Chicago – 5
Over/Under: 40
Preview: The Jacksonville Jaguars continue their season long struggle, this week, as they head to Chicago to take on the 6-6 Bears. The Jaguars have won just four of twelve on the year, and have lost three straight games. Jacksonville’s four wins on the year came at Indianapolis, with Houston, at Denver and at Detroit. The Jaguars have been outscored 270 – 241 on the year. Jacksonville sits in last place in the AFC South, trailing 11-1 Tennessee, 8-4 Indianapolis, and 5-7 Houston. For the Bears, a week after coming off a disappointing road loss, they will look to get back on track and above .500 at home. Chicago currently sits a game behind the front running Minnesota Vikings in the NFC North. The Bears are 3-2 when playing at home this season, with three of their final four games at Solider Field. The Bears have been led by rookie running back Matt Forte, who has ran for 1012 yards and six touchdowns on the year. For the season, the Bears have scored 281 points and allowed just 268. Lovie Smith has stuck with Purdue alum Kyle Orton as his starting quarterback. Orton has thrown for 2195 yards and 13 touchdowns on the season.
Minnesota Vikings (7-5) @ Detroit Lions (0-12)
Time: 1:00pm ET
Spread:
Over/Under:
Preview: The Minnesota Vikings picked up a huge win Sunday night that put them atop the NFC North by a full game. In the win over the Bears, the Vikings defense shut down the Bears on a fourth and goal from the one-yard line, and then on the very next play threw a 99-yard touchdown pass to Bernard Berrian. That score put Minnesota up 10-7, a lead they would expand and hold; 34-14. Adrian Peterson ran for 131 yards on 28 carries, picking up a touchdown. The win for Minnesota was there seventh overall, and fourth out of the last five. On the year the Vikings have scored 287 points and allowed 260. For the Lions, the season has been an absolute nightmare. Losing all 12 games, the Lions did themselves no favors on Thanksgiving, getting blownout 47-10 to Tennessee. In the loss the Lions turned the ball over three times, including a Daunte Culpepper interception and fumble. On the year, Detroit has been outscored by a total of 190 points – 393 – 203.
Houston Texans (5-7) @ Green Bay Packers (5-7)
Time: 1:00pm ET
Spread: Green Bay – 6
Over/Under: 47
Preview: After starting the season 0-3, the Houston Texans have won five of nine games, and are creeping closer to the .500 mark. Houston has won two straight; wins over Cleveland and Jacksonville, with the ladder being their first ever Monday Night win. The Texans are 4-2 at home, while just 1-5 when playing on the road. Rookie running back Steve Slaton has ran for 904 yards and eight touchdowns to lead the Texans. On the year, Houston has allowed 310 points and scored 282. For Green Bay, after blowing out the Chicago Bears the Packers have lost two straight at New Orleans and with Carolina; both NFC South opponents. Green Bay now sits two games back of Minnesota and a full game behind Chicago in the NFC North. Aaron Rodgers is having a solid season for the Packers, throwing for 2897 yards and 20 touchdowns. Greg Jennings is the leading Packers receiver catching 64 passes and 7 touchdowns on the year.
Cleveland Browns (4-8) @ Tennessee Titans (11-1)
Time: 1:00pm ET
Spread: Tennessee – 13.5
Over/Under: 37.5
Preview: For the Cleveland Browns, their only hope for a .500 season is to win their final four games of the season. Sunday will be a tough test as they head to Nashville to take on the Tennessee Titans, 11-1. The Browns, along with San Diego have been huge disappointments on the season. In the loss on Sunday, the Browns were only able to muster six points, and did not allow an offensive touchdown in a 13-6 loss to Indianapolis. The Browns have been outscored 247 – 213 on the year. The Tennessee Titans, need just one more win to clinch at least a share of the AFC South title. Leading Indianapolis by three full games, the Titans lone loss came to the New York Jets in week 12. A two-headed monster in the backfield of Chris Johnson and LenDale White is leading the Titans. Johnson has ran for 958 yards and seven touchdowns, while White has been the red zone guy, carrying the ball 146 times for 575 yards and 13 touchdowns. The Titans have scored 304 points and allowed 175 on the year. Tennessee’s lone loss this season came at home, putting then at 5-1, while the Browns are 3-2 when playing in road games.
Cincinnati Bengals (1-10-1) @ Indianapolis Colts (8-4)
Time: 1:00pm ET
Spread: Indianapolis – 13.5
Over/Under: 42.5
Preview: The Cincinnati Bengals cannot wait for the 2008 season to come to an end. Winners of just one of twelve games the Bengals cannot seem to find the right ingredients to find a win. In a 34-3 blowout loss to Baltimore on Sunday, the Bengals picked up just 155 total yards of offense, including 98 in the air, and 57 on the ground. Running back Cedric Benson was held to just 17 yards on 10 carries. The lone win for Cincinnati came on November 2, a 21-19 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars. Opponents 310 – 151 on the season, have outscored Cincinnati. For the Colts, after getting off to a slow start, they have found the right groove and have won five straight games. The Colts with their 13-6 win over Cleveland did not pick up an offensive touchdown, as a fumble recovery was their only touchdown. The Colts are three games back of the Titans in the AFC South, but are currently in position to claim an AFC wildcard spot.
Atlanta Falcons (8-4) @ New Orleans Saints (6-6)
Time: 1:00pm ET
Spread: New Orleans – 3
Over/Under: 52
Preview: With the Carolina Panthers and Tampa Bay Buccaneers stealing the NFC South thunder with their Monday night match up, the Falcons and Saints themselves will play a huge game on Sunday. Atlanta comes in with a 8-4 mark, and just a game behind both the Panthers and Buccaneers. Atlanta has won two straight and four of five overall. The Falcons have been a pleasant surprise behind rookie quarterback Matt Ryan, and running back Michael Turner. Ryan has completed 203 of 333 passes for 2625 yards and 13 touchdowns, while Turner has ran for 1208 yards and 13 touchdowns. For the Saints, at 6-6 they feel they are still alive in the playoff hunt, but will need to win out to have a shot. New Orleans is three games behind in the NFC South, and two behind a final wildcard spot. The Saints on the year have outscored opponents 337 – 301. The Saints have won five out of six games at home this season. Drew Brees has completed 311 of 471 passes on the year, for 3870 yards and 24 touchdowns. On November 9th Atlanta beat New Orleans 34-20 in Atlanta.
Philadelphia Eagles (6-5-1) @ New York Giants (11-1)
Time: 1:00pm ET
Spread: NY Giants – 7
Over/Under: 43.5
Preview: If the Philadelphia Eagles want to play in the postseason in 2008 Sunday’s game on the road would be a must win game. After snapping their three game winless streak in a huge 48-20 win over Arizona, the Eagles will look to take down the leader of the NFC East. Philadelphia got 260 passing yards from quarterback Donovan McNabb in the win, and 110 rushing yards and four touchdowns from star running back Brian Westbrook. The Eagles have scored 319 points on the season and allowed 249. The Eagles are 2-3 in road games in 2008. For the Giants, things could not better on the field, while off the field, the defending champions have all sorts of drama around them. With the Plaxico Burress saga hopefully behind them, the Giants look to continue their hot play in the last four games of the season. The Giants are 11-1, and can clinch at least a share of the NFC East title with a win on Sunday. The Giants lone loss this season came on October 13th at Cleveland. Brandon Jacobs has been the Giants workforce offensively carrying the ball 185 times for 950 yards and 12 touchdowns on the year. New York has out scored opponents 352 – 206.
Kansas City Chiefs (2-10) @ Denver Broncos (7-5)
Time: 4:05pm ET
Spread: Denver – 9
Over/Under: 48.5
Preview: The top in the AFC West will host the bottom. The Kansas City Chiefs came away from Oakland on Sunday with a 20-13 win over the Raiders. In the win, Larry Johnson ran for 92 yards and tight end Tony Gonzalez caught passes for 110 yards. Kansas City in the win snapped their seven game losing streak. Their other win on the season came on September 28th over Denver; 33-19. The Broncos will look to remedy that loss with a win at home on Sunday. The Broncos, by picking up a win would clinch at least a share of the AFC West title. 4-8 San Diego trails the Broncos, while Oakland is at 3-9, followed by Kansas City. The Broncos are 3-3 in games played at home this season. Quarterback Jay Cutler has been up solid numbers behind center for Denver, throwing for 3393 yards and 21 touchdowns, with five of the passes going to rookie receiver Eddie Royal.
Miami Dolphins (7-5) @ Buffalo Bills (6-6)
Time: 4:15pm ET
Spread: Buffalo – 1
Over/Under: 42
Preview: In a key AFC East matchup the Miami Dolphins will travel to blustery Buffalo to take on the Buffalo Bills. The Dolphins are coming off a 16-12 win over St. Louis and have won five of six, after a 2-4 start. Miami sits just a game back of the Jets atop the division. The Dolphins have gotten quality play from quarterback Chad Pennington, who has thrown for 2881 yards and 11 touchdowns on the year. Miami, despite their winning record have been outscored 257 – 253 on the year. The Dolphins are 3-2 in road games this season. For Buffalo, after their 4-0 start, the Bills have lost six of their last eight games, including a 10-3 loss to the 49ers on Sunday. Buffalo’s quarterback Trent Edwards is out for the game, and backup J.P. Losman will take snaps behind center. Marshawn Lynch has been the Bills workforce this season carrying the ball 205 times for 844 yards and running for 7 touchdowns. Buffalo has scored 276 points and allowed 259 on the year.
New York Jets (8-4) @ San Francisco 49ers (4-8)
Time: 4:15pm ET
Spread: NY Jets – 4
Over/Under: 44.5
Preview: The New York Jets still lead the AFC East. After the loss to Denver on Sunday, New York was fortunate and saw both New England and Buffalo get beat as well. The Jets have scored an AFC high 340 points, while allowing 268 on defense. Offensively, ageless quarterback Brett Favre leads the Jets. On the season, Favre has completed 268 of 390 passes for 2708 yards and 20 touchdowns. Running back Thomas Jones is having a break out season running 233 times for 1088 yards and 11 touchdowns. The Jets are 4-2 in road games this season. For San Francisco, interim coach Mike Singletary is looking to keep his job as the headman. The 49ers are coming off an upset win on the road in Buffalo Sunday 10-3. The 49ers are now 4-8 on the season with wins over Seattle, Detroit, and St. Louis and Buffalo. San Francisco’s Frank Gore has run for 926 yards and six touchdowns on the year. The 49ers are three games back of the Arizona Cardinals in the NFC West.
New England Patriots (7-5) @ Seattle Seahawks (2-10)
Time: 4:15pm ET
Spread: New England – 5
Over/Under: 43.5
Preview: The Patriots had a chance to tie the Jets atop the AFC East, but were down by Pittsburgh 33-10 on Sunday. The loss for New England dropped them to 7-5 overall, and a game out of the wildcard spot in the AFC. The Patriots have out scored their opponents 277-255 on the year. Without quarterback Tom Brady, New England has had to rely on Matt Cassell. Cassell has completed 257 of 398 passes for 2784 yards and 13 touchdowns. Randy Moss, the top receiver has caught eight touchdown passes on the season. The Seattle Seahawks have not had the season they wanted to send head coach Mike Holmgren out. At 2-10, Seattle has beat only St. Louis and San Francisco on the season; both NFC West opponents. The Seahawks have lost five straight, including a Thanksgiving Day defeat at the hands of the Dallas Cowboys. The Seahawks have won just one of six games at home this season.
St. Louis Rams (2-10) @ Arizona Cardinals (7-5)
Time: 4:15pm ET
Spread: Arizona – 14
Over/Under: 48.5
Preview: After interim coach Jim Haslett won his first two games as head man, the Rams have now lost six straight and are 2-10 overall. St. Louis has dropped games to New England, Arizona, Jets, San Francisco, Chicago and Miami, getting outscored by 132 in those games. On the year, the Rams have been outscored 360 –159. St. Louis is 1-5 in road games this season. For the Cardinals, a win wraps up a share of the NFC West. Losing on Thanksgiving Day to Philadelphia, the Cardinals look to snap the two game streak. The Cardinals led the dismal NFC West by three full games of the 49ers. On the year, the division has an overall record of 15-33. The Cardinals have scored 338 points on the year, but the defense has played up to par, allowing 313. Kurt Warner is putting together a MVP type season completing 323 of 472 passes for 3741 yards and 24 touchdowns. Arizona is 4-1 this season when playing at home.
Dallas Cowboys (8-4) @ Pittsburgh Steelers (9-3)
Time: 4:15pm ET
Spread: Pittsburgh – 3
Over/Under: 40
Preview: The Dallas Cowboys have won three straight games to put them back in position to slide into the NFC playoffs. At 8-4, the Cowboys are currently with Atlanta for the final spot. Quarterback Tony Romo, who despite missing four games in the middle of the season has thrown for 2,559 yards and 20 touchdowns, has led the Cowboys. Running back Marion Barber is questionable for the game after an injury sent him to the sidelines early on Thanksgiving Day. The Cowboys have scored 299 points and allowed just 260 on the year. In the NFC East, Dallas trails the Giants by three full games, but currently sit ahead of Washington and Philadelphia. For Pittsburgh, the Steelers defense caused New England to turn the ball over five times in the second half en route to a 33-10 win. Pittsburgh’s defense has allowed just 170 points on the season, which ranks as the best defense in the National Football League. The Steelers are 4-2 in games played at Heinz Field this season.
Washington Redskins (7-5) @ Baltimore Ravens (8-4)
Time: 8:15pm ET
Spread: Baltimore -6
Over/Under: 38
Preview: The Sunday Night Football game will feature two teams that are above .500 on the season, with one coming off a tough loss. The Washington Redskins are 7-5 on the year, and desperate to pick up a much needed win. They will have to do it on the road at 8-4 Baltimore. The Redskins are coming off a 23-7 home loss to the New York Giants. The Redskins have now lost three of four and fallen a game behind for the final wildcard position in the playoffs. Washington’s Clinton Portis left the game on Sunday with an injury and is doubtful for the game. On the season Portis has rushed for 1228 yards and seven touchdowns. Washington has had a difficult time scoring all season, just 208 points scored, and 222 allowed. The Redskins are 4-1 on the road this year, while Baltimore is 4-1 at home. For the Ravens, a week after blowing out Philadelphia the defense did it again allowing just three points to Cincinnati in a 34-3 win. Joe Flacco, the rookie quarterback was once again sharp throwing for 280 yards in the win. Baltimore is just one game behind divisional leader Pittsburgh, and currently in place to pick up the final AFC playoff position.
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Monday, December 8, 2008
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (9-3) @ Carolina Panthers (9-3)
Time: 8:30pm EST
Spread: Carolina -3
Over/Under: 38
Preview: The Monday Night football game will feature the two current co-leaders atop the NFC South. The Buccaneers and Panthers both come in at 9-3 on the season, one game ahead of pesky Atlanta in the division. The Bucs have won four straight games since their October 26th loss at Dallas. Tampa Bay’s quarterback Jeff Garcia has been solid behind center, as Warrick Dunn has led the Tampa ground game. On the year Tampa Bay has scored 280 points and allowed 200. The Buccaneers are 3-3 in road games, with their three losses at New Orleans, Denver and Dallas. For Carolina, the Panthers were in jeopardy of losing two straight games, trailing Green Bay late in the game on Sunday. Steve Smith’s catch inside the two yard line with just under 2:00 to go, led to a DeAngelo Williams touchdown run; his fourth of the night to give Carolina a 35-31 win. On the year Carolina is 9-3 with their three losses on the road; at Minnesota, Tampa Bay and Atlanta. On October 12th the Buccaneers beat Carolina 27-3 in Tampa Bay.
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