2008 Week Sixteen NFL Matchup Previews
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Thursday, December 18, 2008
Click Here For This Week's NFL Football Matchup Previews
Indianapolis Colts (10-4) @ Jacksonville Jaguars (5-9)
Time: 8:15pm ET
Spread: Indianapolis -6
Over/Under: 44
Preview: In an AFC South tilt, the Indianapolis Colts will look to lock up a playoff berth in Jacksonville, against the Jaguars. The Colts come into the game winners of seven straight; including a 31-21 win over the Lions. Peyton Manning threw for 318 yards in the win, and has thrown for 23 touchdowns in 14 games this season. The Colts sit two games behind the Titans in the AFC South, but sit in the # 5 playoff position. Indianapolis has scored 323 points and allowed 274 on the season. The Colts are 5-2 on the road this season, and 8-2 playing against AFC foes. For Jacksonville, after a four game losing streak, the Jaguars were able to knock off Green Bay 20-16. The win for the Jaguars moved them to 5-9 on the season, and in last place in the AFC South, behind Tennessee, Indianapolis and Houston. The Jaguars David Garrard threw for 238 passing yards in the win on Sunday. Jacksonville is 2-5 when playing at home this season.
Saturday, December 20, 2008
Baltimore Ravens (9-5) @ Dallas Cowboys (9-5))
Time: 8:15pm ET
Spread: Dallas -4
Over/Under: 39.5
Preview: In a game with huge playoff implications, the Baltimore Ravens will head to Dallas to take on the Cowboys. With both teams at 9-5, and both tied for the final playoff spot, a playoff spot could be on the line with this game. The Ravens are coming off a close loss on Sunday to divisional rival Pittsburgh, a game in which clinched the division for the Steelers. The Ravens are led by rookie quarterback Joe Flacco, and their defense. Flacco has completed 223 of 380 passes for 2525 yards and 13 touchdowns. The Ravens defense has allowed 213 points on the season, while scoring 325. Baltimore is 4-3 when playing on the road, and 2-1 this season against NFC foes. For Dallas, after the drama of Tony Romo, Jason Witten and Terrell Owens, the Cowboys were able to upset the defending super bowl champions; and NFC East champion New York Giants. Romo has thrown for 24 touchdowns this season, with Witten catching 3 of them, and Owens catching 9. Marion Barber was beat up last week in the win over the Giants, and his health for Saturday’s game is still in question. Dallas is 6-1 at home this season, and 2-1 against AFC opponents.
Sunday, December 21, 2008
San Francisco 49ers (5-9) @ St. Louis Rams (2-12)
Time: 1:00pm ET
Spread: San Francisco – 5
Over/Under: 43.5
Preview: In the a NFC West divisional match up the San Francisco 49ers will look to pick up their 6th win on the season, at St. Louis (2-12). The 49ers had won two in a row before their 14-9 loss at Miami on Sunday. The 49ers got 233 passing yards from quarterback Shaun Hill in the loss. Issac Bruce picked up 71 receiving yards, while DeShaun Foster ran for 76. The 49ers have been outscored on the season 341 – 295. San Francisco is 2-5 in games played on the road this season. For St. Louis, after winning their first two under interim coach Jim Haslett, the Rams have lost eight straight games. Their latest loss came on Sunday when Olindo Mare kicked a field goal as time expired to lead Seattle to a win. Marc Bulger has had a very difficult season throwing 12 interceptions to just 9 touchdowns. The Rams have been outscored on offense by a total of 417 – 189, ranking last in defense. The Rams are 1-6 when playing at home this season, with their lone home win coming on October 19th over the Dallas Cowboys.
Arizona Cardinals (8-6) @ New England Patriots (9-5)
Time: 1:00pm ET
Spread: New England – 7.5
Over/Under: 44
Preview: After clinching the NFC West title, the Arizona Cardinals got drilled by NFC North leading Minnesota. The Cardinals have lost three of four games overall. On Sunday, Arizona will head across the country and take on the New England Patriots. Arizona is 8-6 on the year, and led by quarterback Kurt Warner. On the season, Warner has thrown for 4,290 yards and 26 touchdowns. The Cardinals have scored 386 points, and allowed 358. Arizona is 3-4 when playing on the road, and 2-1 against AFC opponents. The New England Patriots are in a three-way tie atop the AFC East. Tied with the Jets and the Dolphins, all three teams are in must win situations come Sunday. The Patriots are coming off a 49-26 win over the Oakland Raiders. In the win, Matt Cassell threw for 218 yards and five touchdowns. New England on the season has scored 350 points, and allowed 302. The Patriots are 4-3 in home games this season.
Cincinnati Bengals (2-11-1) @ Cleveland Browns (4-10)
Time: 1:00pm ET
Spread: Cleveland – 3
Over/Under: 35
Preview: In the battle of Ohio, the 2-11-1 Cincinnati Bengals will travel to the 4-0 Cleveland Browns. On September 28th the Browns came away with a 20-10 victory behind Derek Anderson’s 138 passing yards. The Bengals are coming into the game off a 20-13 win over the Washington Redskins. The Bengals other win this season came on November 2nd, a 21-19 win over Jacksonville. Cincinnati and Philadelphia tied 13-13 on November 9th. While both teams will not be playing postseason football, Cincinnati is further back in the division than Cleveland. The Bengals are 1.5 games behind the Browns for third place in the AFC North. Pittsburgh and Baltimore sit atop the division. On the year the Bengals have been outscored 358 –174 and they are currently 0-7 when playing on the road. For Cleveland, coming in off ten wins last season, the Browns had high expectations. Now it appears Romeo Crennell will likely be out of a job coming 2009. The Browns are 4-10 and have lost four straight games, including a 30-10 loss on Monday Night football at Philadelphia. The Browns offense has not scored a touchdown since Monday November 17th against Buffalo. Cleveland is 1-6 when playing at home this year, and 3-7 against AFC opponents.
San Diego Chargers (6-8) @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers (9-5)
Time: 1:00pm ET
Spread: Tampa Bay – 3
Over/Under: 42.5
Preview: The San Diego Chargers hope to keep their playoff chances alive, and set up an AFC West title match next week. The Chargers are 6-8 on the year, and two games back of the Denver Broncos. San Diego will need a win on the road on Sunday, and then head back home, and hope for a Denver loss, and then a win over the Broncos next week. San Diego has won two straight games, over Oakland and Kansas City. Despite the 6-8 record, the Chargers have outscored opponents 346-302. In road games played this season San Diego is 2-5. Out of the NFC South, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers look to win and keep their playoff chances alive. The Buccaneers are tied for the final spot, in which just two of three teams tied can make it. Tampa Bay has lost two straight games, both to NFC South opponents, Carolina and Atlanta. The Bucs will hope to have quarterback Jeff Garcia back. On the year, Garcia has thrown for 2223 yards and 10 touchdowns. The Bucs are a perfect 6-0 when playing at home this season.
Pittsburgh Steelers (11-3) @ Tennessee Titans (12-2)
Time: 1:00pm ET
Spread: Pittsburgh – 1.5
Over/Under: 34.5
Preview: In a battle for home field supremacy, the Pittsburgh Steelers will travel to Nashville to take on the Tennessee Titans. Currently, Tennessee leads the AFC with their 12-2 mark, but Pittsburgh sits one game behind, and would take control of the tiebreaker with a win on Sunday. In week 17 Pittsburgh takes on Cleveland, while Tennessee will battle with Indianapolis. A Titans win would clinch home field throughout the entire AFC playoffs. The Titans are coming off a 13-12 upset loss to divisional foe Houston on Sunday. In the loss, Titans quarterback Kerry Collins threw for 181 yards, including 76 to receiver Justin Gage. The Titans have won games via their defense this season allowing 197 points, while scoring 344. Another team winning games via their defense – the Pittsburgh Steelers. Pittsburgh has allowed just 192 points on the season, while scoring 302. Hines Ward leads the Steelers offense with six touchdowns on the season. The Steelers have wrapped up the AFC North division; doing so on Sunday in the win over Baltimore. Tennessee is 6-1 at home, while the Steelers are 6-1 on the road.
Miami Dolphins (9-6) @ Kansas City Chiefs (2-12)
Time: 1:00pm ET
Spread: Miami – 4
Over/Under: 40
Preview: The Miami Dolphins, in a three way tie with the Patriots and the Jets atop the AFC East are in a must win game. In the game, the Dolphins will head to Aarowhead Stadium and take on the Kansas City Chiefs. The Dolphins, after starting the season 0-2 have won nine of their last 13 games, including 7 of last 8. Chad Pennington has been solid as Miami’s quarterback throwing for 3218 yards and 14 touchdowns. Ronnie Brown has carried Miami’s offensive workload on the ground with 827 yards and 10 touchdowns. The Dolphins have won four of six road games this season. For Kansas City, a team playing with nothing to lose may be extremely dangerous. At 2-12, the Chiefs would love to spoil an opponents playoff chances. The Chiefs have two wins on the season, with Denver and at Oakland. The Chiefs have been outscored on the season 254 – 386. One of the six wins for Kansas City came at home, and the Chiefs are 2-8 against other AFC opponents.
New Orleans Saints (7-7) @ Detroit Lions (0-14)
Time: 1:00pm ET
Spread: New Orleans – 7
Over/Under: 50.5
Preview: The Detroit Lions will make an effort at picking up their first win of the 2008 season on Sunday. They are running out of time, as this is the home finale for Detroit, followed by a road game at Green Bay next week. For New Orleans, their Thursday night overtime defeat at the hands of Chicago sent them packing for the off season. In the NFC South, the Panthers, Bucs, and Falcons are all in the playoff hunt, leaving New Orleans as a dead duck. The Saints, at 7-7 on the year will be without the services of running back Reggie Bush. New Orleans placed Bush on the IR for the remainder of the season due to a knee injury. On the season, the Saints have scored 390 points, while allowing 353. New Orleans has lost two of their last three games coming into the ball game. The Saints are 1-6 in road games this season with their lone road win coming at Kansas City. For Detroit, one is all they are asking for. At 0-14, Rod Marinelli’s group is dangerously close to going into the record books. The Lions are coming off back-to-back losses to Minnesota 20-16, and Indianapolis 31-21. On the season, Detroit has allowed 444 points, while scoring just 240. Calvin Johnson leads the Lions with ten touchdown catches, while running back Kevin Smith has ran for six touchdowns.
New York Jets (9-5) @ Seattle Seahawks (3-11)
Time: 4:05pm ET
Spread: NY Jets – 5
Over/Under: 44.5
Preview: The New York Jets are going to have to win on the West Coast to win the AFC East and get into the postseason. The Jets, at 9-5 are tied with the Patriots and the Dolphins atop the AFC East. New York has lost at San Diego, at Oakland and at San Francisco on the year. The Jets are coming off a 31-27 home win over Buffalo on Sunday. In his first season as the Jets quarterback Brett Favre has thrown for 3052 yards and 21 touchdowns. The Jets offense has scored 385 points, while allowing 319. The Jets are 4-3 in road games, and 2-1 against NFC foes. Seattle comes in, another team playing with nothing to lose. The Seahawks are 3-11 on the season and will play their final home game under head coach Mike Holmgren. The Seahawks won last week over St. Louis 23-20. The win for Seattle snapped their six game losing streak. Seattle has been outscored on the year 355 – 260.
Buffalo Bills (6-8) @ Denver Broncos (8-6)
Time: 4:05pm ET
Spread: Denver – 7
Over/Under: 44
Preview: The 6-8 Buffalo Bills will look to head to Denver and knock off the Broncos and put their playoff chances in question. Buffalo has been free falling for over a month after starting the season 4-0. The Bills are coming off a 31-27 loss at the New York Jets. The Bills have lost seven of their last eight games. In the loss on Sunday, the Jets for the game-winning touchdown returned J.P. Losman’s fumble with under 3:00 to go. Buffalo on the season has scored 306 points and also allowed 306 points. Buffalo has won three of seven games on the road this season. For Denver, one win will clinch the NFC West. The Broncos would like to clinch the division, and not have to play a winner take all game at San Diego in week 17. The Broncos are coming off a 30-10 loss at the hands of the Carolina Panthers on Sunday. Denver is 4-3 in games played at home this season.
Houston Texans (7-7) @ Oakland Raiders (3-11)
Time: 4:15pm ET
Spread: Houston – 7
Over/Under: 44
Preview: The red hot Houston Texans will take to the road and battle with the Oakland Raiders. The Texans have won four in a row, after their 3-7 start. In the upset win over the Titans on Sunday, Matt Schaub threw for 282 yards and Steve Slaton ran for 100. The Texans in the AFC South trail the Colts by three games for second place and the Titans by five games for first place. Houston has scored 319 points, while allowing 343. The Texans are 2-5 in road games this season. For Oakland, the 3-11 Raiders will try to find a way to pick up another win. Oakland will play its final home game, a place in which the Raiders have won just one of seven on the year. The Raiders have lost three straight games with Kansas City, at San Diego and with New England. On the season, the Raiders have been out scored 205 – 348. Oakland is 3-8 when taking on AFC opponents.
Atlanta Falcons (9-5) @ Minnesota Vikings (9-5)
Time: 4:15pm ET
Spread: Minnesota – 3.5
Over/Under: 44
Preview: In a battle of a pair of 9-5 teams, the Atlanta Falcons will head north to take on the Minnesota Vikings. The Falcons are in a dead lock with Tampa Bay and Dallas for the final wildcard position in the NFC. The Falcons are coming off a 13-10 overtime win over the Buccaneers. The week before Atlanta lost 29-25 at New Orleans. Rookie quarterback Matt Ryan has completed 242 of 389 passes for 3146 yards and 14 touchdowns. The Falcons running back Michael Turner is having a MVP type season rushing 332 times for 1421 yards and 15 touchdowns. For the Vikings, they look to wrap up the NFC North division title. The Vikings have won four in a row after a November 16th loss at Tampa Bay. The four wins have been at Jacksonville, with Chicago, at Detroit and at Arizona. The Vikings running back Adrian Peterson has carried the ball 320 times for 1581 yards and 9 touchdowns. Minnesota is 5-1 at home, while Atlanta comes in with a 3-4 mark on the road.
Carolina Panthers (11-3) @ New York Giants (11-3)
Time: 8:15pm ET
Spread: NY Giants – 3
Over/Under: 39
Preview: One of the hottest teams in the National Football League coming into week 16 is the Carolina Panthers. The Panthers will look to continue to stay hot as they head to the Meadowlands on Sunday and take on the defending Super Bowl Champion – New York Giants. Carolina will come in, as winners of three straight games; at Green Bay, with Tampa and with Denver. Carolina has been led by running back DeAngelo Williams. On the season Williams has ran for 1229 yards and 14 touchdowns, while his backfield mate Johnathon Stewart has also picked up 751 yards and nine touchdowns. The Panthers lead the NFC South with a 11-3 record, and could clinch the division outright with a win. The New York Giants have lost two straight games, and fallen to 11-3 on the season. The Eagles and the Cowboys have knocked off New York in back-to-back weeks. New York’s Brandon Jacobs has been banged up with an injury, but appears to be ready to go for this Sunday Night battle. Jacobs on the year has run for 1002 yards and 12 touchdowns. The winner of this game will be ahead by one full game for the race for home field advantage through the NFC playoffs. New York is 6-1 at home, while Carolina is 3-3 when playing road games this season.
Monday, December 22, 2008
Green Bay Packers (5-9) @ Chicago Bears (8-6)
Time: 8:30PM (EST)
Spread: Chicago -3.5
Over/Under: 42
Preview: In a game that had the billing of a huge NFC North rivalry game, with a possible playoff spot on the line; this game has turned into much less. Green Bay; by losing four straight games have fallen completely out of both the divisional picture and the playoff outlook. In the four defeats, Green Bay has been outscored 130 – 97. The Packers’ Aaron Rodgers has taken over for legendary quarterback Brett Favre and thrown for 3470 yards and 23 touchdowns on the year. Greg Jennings leads Green Bay in touchdowns with 8 on the season; 1153 yards. The Bears still have a shot at the NFC North title. Chicago comes in, winners of two straight games; and three of four. The Bears are one game back of the Minnesota Vikings in the NFC North. Chicago picked up 172 passing yards from quarterback Kyle Orton in the overtime win over the Saints on Thursday night. Rookie running back Matt Forte ran for his career low 34 yards in the win, but missed much of the game, but also picked up a rushing touchdown. The rookie running back has scampered for 1,115 yards and 7 touchdowns this season, while only losing one fumble all season.
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