Sanders's Week 12 NFL Predictions

Week 12 NFL Predictions

It’s Thanksgiving Weekend meaning we got early picks! I won’t say much for the intro this week as I want you all to be spending time with your families, playing backyard football and appreciating your time together.

I want you all to know, I AM THANKFUL FOR YOU, THE READERS! I write because I enjoy it and I’m glad you guys are willing to read for me every week.

Sanders went 10-4 last week bringing his total record to 96-63-2.

Minnesota Vikings vs Detroit’s Lions

The Vikings recovered last week by taking a win against the Arizona Cardinals but it wasn’t easy for them at all. Their opponent, the Lions, won’t be any easier and it will be on Turkey day AT Detroit. Unlucky timing for Minnesota. The Lions have a better functioning offense than the Cardinals do and Matt Stafford is the MVP of the Detroit Lions. Stafford can further prove himself by winning a big time game and putting the Lions in the lead of the NFC North. I don’t think the Vikings can just out will the Lions like they did the Cardinals.

Vikings 21  Lions 30

Washington Redskins vs Dallas Cowboys

The Redskins are a hot team in the last 8 weeks going 6-1-1 in that time period. Dallas, however, has won 9 in a row! This should be a great matchup and one that can potentially decide the division winner. However, until Dallas stops showing the resilience they have as a team, there are only 1 or 2 teams in the NFL who can beat Dallas and, as of right now, the Redskins aren’t one of them. Look for Elliot to have another huge day. In addition, I expect Cousins and Co. to have a huge day as well making this a close game. I’ll look to the most accurate kicker in the NFL, Dan Bailey, to seal the deal for Dallas.

Redskins 27  Cowboys 30

Pittsburgh Steelers vs Indianapolis Colts

Overall, this looks like a matchup of mediocrity vs mediocrity but this is a tale of two teams going in two different directions. The Steelers appear to be on a downward trend while the Colts seem to be in an upward trend. They are both 5-5 but the Colts have seemingly worked harder for that 5-5 record and have showed more teeth doing it. That being said, the Steelers will always have a potent offense that can go off and the Colts have a defense that has been allowing too many points all year. To make matters worse for the Colts, Andrew Luck will be out with a concussion. Without Luck, this Colts team will show it’s true colors of just how much it needs Luck to carry games. The Steelers should be able to take advantage of a weaker opponent.

Steelers 24 Colts 13

Arizona Cardinals vs Atlanta Falcons

Conventional wisdom says the Falcons should win. But the Falcons are playing against a Cardinals team full of veterans that are in must-win games now. While the Cardinals probably won’t win every game, this game is the perfect matchup for them. The Falcons have lost every game when Matt Ryan is shut down. Look towards the Eagles game for evidence where Wentz only threw for 99 yards and 2 TDs but somehow still one with that. The Cardinals can win by shutting down the Falcons defense and the Cardinals Defense has been playing well all season.

Cardinals 16  Falcons 13

Cincinnatti Bengals vs Baltimore Ravens

This should be an easy game for Baltimore. While there is drama surrounding the fact the Bengals have beaten the Ravens 5 straight times now, this isn’t the same Bengals team we have seen the last 3 years. Not to mention AJ Green and Giovani Bernard won’t be on the field. Unfortunate for the Bengals, but they just don’t have the roster to keep up with any teams right now, including Baltimore who will be playing at home.

Bengals 14  Ravens 22

Jacksonville Jaguars vs Buffalo Bills

Rex Ryan is taking caution with this game. He said the Jaguars are the “best 2-8 team” he has ever seen. Well Ryan, you might not be wrong but it’s still a 2-8 team. The Bills will be fighting for their playoffs lives. If they can’t beat Jacksonville here, they don’t deserve to be in the playoffs. Plain and simple as that.

Jaguars 17  Bills 27

Tennessee Titans vs Chicago Bears

It’s interesting to think of whether Cutler will be back with the Bears next year. But for now, this is a time for Matt Barkley to audition to the NFL as he gets the start at QB for the Bears. However, Barkley has not done anything special yet in the little action we have seen so I don’t expect much as he is a relatively unknown character. As for the Titans, we know what kind of team they are. They are a hot and cold team. When they are hot, they are unstoppable but when they get cold, they look very bad. Against the Bears, they should be a hot team. The Titans seem to have the ability to beat teams worse than them but not better than them.

Titans 28  Bears 17

New York Giants vs Cleveland Browns

It’s hard to put analysis on game with the Browns. They don’t even have a fun offense to watch anymore and look better when McCown is playing than when Kessler is playing. Super sad. Giants will win this game just because they are better. That puts the Giants at 8-3 yet nobody is covering them and how good they playing. Weird for a NYC team.

Giants 24  Browns 13

San Diego Chargers vs Houston Texans

I still maintain that the Texans are the worst winning team in the NFL. They are just very boring and their offense is probably one of the worst to watch. How they win games, I’m not sure but this seems like the type of game they could lose against the Chargers. This is also the type of step up game the Chargers would have showing that Philip Rivers should be in the playoffs but his team always holds him back. Rivers should show off his talents and ability even more in this game. The better quarterback wins.

Chargers 27  Texans 16

San Francisco 49ers vs Miami Dolphins

The 49ers are like the Browns. You just can’t imagine them beating any of the teams they face. This includes the Dolphins who are currently a hot team on a 5-win steak. I expect that the Dolphins can take advantage of a weaker team and continue their win streak to 6. Adam Gase is doing well in South Beach and sipping a beer with his toes in the sand.

49ers 17  Dolphins 27

Los Angeles Rams vs New Orleans Saints

Goff had a very uneven first start but he should get better as time goes on. That’s at least the theory. However, looking at now, I don’t think Goff is good enough to out shoot and beat Drew Brees. The Saints should pick up another win to fight for the division title.

Rams 17  Saints 34

Seattle Seahawks vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers

So the Bucs pulled off an upset against the Chiefs. Good for them. They don’t do it again against Seattle barring a massive end of season surge by the Bucs. So far, I think Seattle is the best team in the NFC and not Dallas mainly because I think Seattle is the only team who can beat the Cowboys right now. But that’s another story for another day. Seattle defense hasn’t been amazing but it has been clutch when it needs to be while the Seattle offense has the ability to score a lot of points when asked too. This team is built to handle multiple situations and should be able to handle anything the Bucs throw at them.

Seahawks 24  Buccaneers 20

New England Patriots vs New York Jets

The Jets season is over and they know it so they’ve been messing with their QB situation a lot. New England however, is trying to compete for a No.1 seed in the AFC and a win here would go a long way as it’s both a divison and conference game. I think it’s easy to say that the Patriots are the better team and while they Jets can give them all they got, Brady and Co. should come out victorious.

Patriots 28  Jets 21

UPSET OF THE WEEK!!!!

Carolina Panthers vs Oakland Raiders

This game should be better than most people are thinking. The Raiders are 8-2 and the Panthers are 4-6. But the Panthers have been playing really tough as of late and will probably give the Raiders all they can handle. In fact, it’s possible that the Panthers can steal this one away from the Raiders and that is why I am taking this one as an upset pick. The Panthers will lock down on defense, and Cam Newton will have one of his MVP like games to upset the Raiders.

Panthers 28  Raiders 24

Kansas City Chiefs vs Denver Broncos

This should be exciting. The Chiefs and Broncos are both in contention for the division and this could be a decider. While the Chiefs have the same record as Denver, the big problem is that the Alex Smith has not been playing well lately. Neither has Siemian but Denver has more offensive playmakers. This looks to be a defensive game and whoever wins the turnover battle, should win this game.

Chiefs 16  Broncos 17

Green Bay Packers vs Philadelphia Eagles

It’s really sad. I am picking the Eagles to win because they are at home and the Eagles defense always steps up when they play at home. So far, the Packers offense has looked average but you can’t win games with an average offense when your defense is allowing the offense to score so many points. If the Packers have any hope of winning, they have to be able to stop a Wentz-Sproles led offensive attack. Who knows if they can do it though.

Packers 20  Eagles 31

Sanders's Week 11 Predictions

Week 11 NFL Predictions

The NFL season is on edge right now. It’s due or die for a lot of teams this week as games are becoming more important to win than they were a few weeks ago, especially in the AFC. Why in the AFC? Because the AFC West has a commanding lead in the lead in the playoffs with 3 teams having 7+ wins in that division. That’s ridiculous if you ask me. It’s the best division in football right now. But we’ll see how more things unfold today.

Sanders went 8-6 last week bringing his total record to 86-59-2.

New Orleans Saints vs Carolina Panthers

This is a hard one to pick. The Saints looked like they were going to be on a comeback roll but are now 4-5 while the Panthers are trying to make a comeback into the season themselves. With the Falcons looking vulnerable at 6-4, it shouldn’t be hard for either team to try. I think the Saints have just enough firepower to overcome. I love this Saints offense. They are so fun to watch. And they can beat Carolina’s secondary. So I pick the Saints.

Saints 27  Panthers 23

Buffalo Bills vs Cincinnati Bengals

Both of these teams are having rough seasons. However, the injuries were piling up for the Bills before the season started yet have been an extremely competitive team so they have an excuse. The Bengals don’t have one. If either teams wants to stay relevant in the playoff race, this game is a must-win and frankly, teams led by Rex Ryan have just seemed to historically fair better in desperate win scenarios. I pick the Bills.

Bills 30  Bengals 21

Pitssburgh Steelers vs Cleveland Browns

This should seem obvious. Yes the Steelers have been struggling but not as much as a Browns team that has gone through 10 games and still can’t find an identity. The Steelers should pick up the easy win here. If they don’t, I am writing for them off for the season. No playoff contender should be losing to the Browns.

Steelers 24  Browns 10

UPSET OF THE WEEK???? (Not really)

Baltimore Ravens vs Dallas Cowboys

Let me set the record straight before you all go bonkers on me. I truly believe the Cowboys are going to win this game. The Cowboys are just the better team overall. So, I am going to put two picks, my own true opinion and an opinion because this was the juiciest game for an upset pick.

The reason this game can go either way is because these two teams matchup really well. The Cowboys have the No. 1 running game with 161 YPG. The Ravens have best run defense in the league allowing only 71.3 YPG. Dak Prescott has thrown the least interceptions in the League as a starter. The Ravens are tied for 2^nd most interceptions in the League. Dallas has the 23^rd ranked defense and Baltimore has a 25^th ranked offense. Both teams even have the two best kickers in NFL history. These two teams matchup so well in the sense that they are polar opposites and will be true tests for each other.

My true opinion? Give it to the home team.

Ravens 21 Cowboys 30

The Upset Pick?

Ravens 26 Cowboys 23

Jacksonville Jaguars vs Detroit Lions

The Lions are just the better team. The Jaguars just can never score points unless it’s in garbage team. Even against a relatively mediocre Lions defense, do you think that will change? I don’t. Matt Stafford is gonna blow up this Jaguars defense to start for a huge lead.

Jaguars 17  Lions 28

Tennessee Titans vs Indianapolis Colts

I still believe in the Titans and while the Colts have improved and just come off a bye week/victory (they beat the Packers), I still am not sure what to think of this Colts team. They just let opposing offense score too many points. Enter the exotic smashmouth offense that the Titans employ. I’m thinking Mariota and Luck are going to have a classic Western shootout. The difference is Mariota has a running game to rely if all else fails and Andrew Luck doesn’t.

Titans 31  Colts 28

Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs Kansas City Chiefs

Okay Sheeple. Did any of you know KC is the No. 1 seeded team in the AFC? I bet not! The Chiefs style of football is boring to watch but it gets the job done and it won’t be any different against an inferior team like the Bucs. For as much hope as the Bucs had, they just haven’t done anything to impress the NFL or win games for that matter. Chiefs go on to 8-2.

Bucs 16  Chiefs 23

Arizona Cardinals vs Minnesota Vikings

Tough one to pick here. Both teams have been struggling this season but the difference is that Arizona has been purely inconsistent while the Vikings are in a free fall right now. With that in mind, I will take the Cardinals to ramp it up and take advantage of a free falling team. Yes, the Vikings lose a 5^th game in a row after starting with a 5 win streak. Karma.

Cardinals 27  Vikings 17

Chicago Bears vs New York Giants

So the Giants are rolling at 6-3. That’s incredible with them being in such a tough division. However, their opponent this week isn’t so tough because it’s DA BEARS. Well, is there really anything else I need to say? Beckham, run them over baby.

Bears 13  Giants 24

Miami Dolphins vs LA Rams

Okay okay. I admit it. The Dolphins are on the hot hand and are living up to their potential finally. I won’t deny it. So, with that in mind, they should be able to beat a lesser foe like the Rams, right? One would like to believe so. And I think the Dolphins can emerge victorious. The defense just needs to take advantage of rookie Jared Goff. Eat em up Suh. Eat em up. If not, maybe the Dolphins win streak was just a fluke? Also, Ajayi needs to blast through that formidable Rams defense to guarantee the Rams don’t have a chance of winning.

Dolphins 20  Rams 17

Philadelphia Eagles vs Seattle Seahawks

The Seahawks are arguably the best team in the NFC depending on if you favor Dallas instead. Either way, that doesn’t change the fact the Eagles have a hard road matchup here. This game is winnable if it were in Philadelphia, but I think Wentz is finally going to get a taste of why the 12^th man is so heavily regarded in the NFL. Also, the LOB is going to give him a rough day as well.

Eagles 20  Seahawks 23

New England Patriots vs San Francisco 49ers

Do I even have to talk about this won? Besides the Browns, the 49ers are one of the worst teams in the NFL and the Patriots are one of the best. The Patriots win this easy. Duh.

Patriots 31  49ers 13

Green Bay Packers vs Washington Redskins

Tough one to call here. While I would love to believe the Packers can take this win, they are on the road and Cousins has been performing well again. Frankly, the Redskins are just the better team right now with Cousins playing precision football and the Redskins D being opportunistic. Until the Packers defense can prevent opponents from scoring and the Packers offense can get into better sync, their wins seem far and few between as they head to what looks like 8-8. Give this one, again, to the home team.

Packers 23  Redskins 31

Houstan Texans vs Oakland Raiders

How the Texans are 6-3 is beyond me. They are the worst 6-3 team I have ever seen. Maybe it’s due to an easy division, maybe it’s due to some miracle plays by Osweiler an Miller every once in a while. I don’t know. All I know is that the Raiders are the better team because they have the better offense and an MVP candidate in Carr. I don’t expect Osweiler to just suddenly figure out how to play QB magically in this game. If the Raiders lose, it will be because Osweiler does just that. Psst, it’s not gonna happen.

Texans 19  Raiders 27

Sanders's Week 10 NFL Predictions

Week 10 NFL Predictions

It’s interesting to think about the amount of pressure on some teams right now. The Cardinals, the Steelers, even the Broncos who seem to be going in a backwards direction. All 3 teams thought to be picks for deep playoffs runs and are now pondering if they can make the playoffs (save maybe the Broncos who still seem in pole position). It’s also hard to comment how these teams will fare since the second half of a season seems to always test who the true teams are. Guess we will find out won’t we?

Sanders 8-5 last week bringing him to 78-53-2 on the season.

Baltimore Ravens vs Cleveland Browns

This looks like a no brainer but would anyone put it past the Ravens to lose this one? Nope. Not after their poor 4 game skid which they recovered from against a Steelers offense that looks flat out terrible outside of Roethlisberger and Antonio Brown. For the Browns to finally pick up their first win, Coleman and Pryor must go off. That could be hard though against a Baltimore defense that has been the only consistent thing on this team all season. If Baltimore wins, it will be because of a tremendous defensive effort by the Ravens again like last week against the Steelers

Ravens 20  Browns 10

Kansas City Chiefs vs Carolina Panthers

The Panthers seem to be back in the groove of things winning 2 of their last 3 games but the problem is they haven’t been greatly tested. The Chiefs will be a fantastic test for them but this game should come to who puts up the better defensive effort. So far, the Chiefs have looked consistently better all season so I will go with the Chiefs. However, if Cam Newton can continue his progress, we could see a different story.

Chiefs 23  Panthers 20

Houstan Texans vs Jacksonville Jaguars

I wanted to elaborate this as a better matchup but I simply can’t. The Jaguars have proven the hype around them was for nothing and Gus Bradley has established himself as a losing coach with a 12-38. Something has got to give and Bradley’s job might give if they lose this one. Who knows for sure. But the Texans will make continue to further the case as to why Bradley can’t be the coach anymore. Oh, and let’s not forget Bortles seems to continue regressing every week. Not good.

Texans 24  Jaguars 17

UPSET OF THE WEEK!!!!

Denver Broncos vs New Orleans Saints

This predicted upset is solely based upon matchup. The Saints matchup well with the Broncos in the sense that they have enough offensive playmakers to take on the defensive playmakers. As the case of every game, if Von Miller has a beastly game, the Denver defense can take over, but I think Brees and his offense can take care of business. It also doesn’t do the Broncos any favors that Siemian has been off-target in recent weeks. I’m looking for another Drew Brees MVP performance here to top off a sweet victory for the Saints.

Broncos 17  Saints 20

Los Angeles Rams vs New York Jets

The Jets are starting Bryce Petty. Well. They have officially given up on the season and looking forward to next season with that kind of move. As for the Rams, where is Jared Goff? No where to be seen. The guy needs playing time. And I am still waiting for it to happen. Hopefully Keenum does so poorly in the first half Goff gets to lay in the second half. I think the Rams defense can take control and win in what should be a rather boring game.

Rams 13  Jets 10

Atlanta Falcons vs Philadelphia Eagles

This could be a potential view at a playoff game in the NFC. But first, the Eagles must prove they are worthy of getting into the playoffs. They can do that with a good showing against the Falcons. However, Matt Ryan is having an MVP season and has pretty much done well against every defense thrown at him (this includes the Broncos and Seattle). It will be interesting to see if Matt Ryan can cement his MVP case against another good defense in the NFC. I think he will.

Falcons 27  Eagles 17

Chicago Bears vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers

An interesting matchup between the “cream of the crap” as I was once told. It’s hard to tell which team can win, BUT if Cutler can improve upon his performance against the Vikings, the Bears can easily run away from this. With the matchup for the Bears offense being a terrible Bucs defense, they can pull it off.

Bears 26  Bucs 20

Green Bay Packers vs Tennessee Titans

I wouldn’t be surprised if the Titans won here. I wouldn’t be surprised if the Packers won either. This should be a great matchup and it will be the game I am watching in the morning. I can’t wait. However, I said the Titans would win because of a great effort from Mariota and Murray when they faced the Chargers. They put up the effort but the Titans D still managed to let the Chargers put up 44 points. That’s why I’m going to pick the Packers. Not because I think the Packers are good enough to outduel the Titans offense but because I think the Titans defense is just that bad right now and Rodgers can slice them up.

Packers 35 Titans 34

Minnesota Vikings vs Washington Redskins

The Vikings seem to be a in a downward spiral simply because their offense is terrible. Shocker. I knew Bradford would end up being garbage like he has been his entire career. If the Vikings still had AP, it could be a different story. However, I won’t fault Bradford for the offensive woes this time. I fault their offensive line. Jesus, they can’t protect anyone. The Redskins defense should be able to take advantage and Cousins should be able to have a day come the 4^th quarter once the Vikings D becomes worn out from so much time on the field.

Vikings 16  Redskins 21

Miami Dolphins vs San Diego Chargers

The Dolphins are currently on a hot streak but the Chargers are coming off of an electric win against the Titans. The Chargers have the potential to outscore anyone in their way and I’m not quite sure the Dolphins defense will be able to handle the firepower that the Chargers can bring. It all comes down to if they can stop Melvin Gordon.

Dolphins 20  Chargers 31

San Francisco 49ers vs Arizona Cardinals

If anything, this is a game the Cardinals need to get themselves back on track and get some confidence in their offense. If they lose here, the season is lost. The 49ers are just bad and just don’t seem like a team who can do much on either side of the ball. Look for the Red Sea to be so loud and desperate enough for a win that the 49ers won’t be able to function in Arizona.  #homefieldadvantage

49ers 16  Cardinals 27

Dallas Cowboys vs Pittsburgh Steelers

The Steelers seem to be in disarray and outside of Roethlisberger and Antonio Brown, don’t have too much going for them on offense. They also have one of the worst ranked run defense. Enter Ezekiel Elliot. Even if Dak Prescott is starting to get figured out by other defenses, nothing you can do about Ezekiel Elliot and the best offensive line in the NFL. I’m predicting a 150 yard rushing game from Elliot to lead the Cowboys to a victory putting them to 8-1.

Cowboys 30  Steelers 21

Seattle Seahawks vs New England Patriots

The Seahawks are a great team and just had a gut check win against the Bills. However, they had to fight hard to beat the Bills and a controversial call may be the reason they won but we will never know for sure as game plans change based upon events in games.  The Patriots offense matches up well with the Seahawks and they should be able to use the same formula they used in the Super Bowl two years ago again to beat the Seahawks in primetime. Also, they are in Foxborough. No 12^th man to rely on in clutch situations.

Seahawks 23  Patriots 24

Cincinnati Bengals vs New York Giants

The Bengals are desperate for a win if they want to stay in the AFC North race. As for the Giants, they are sitting pretty at 5-3 and a win here puts them at 6-3 making the NFC East even more intriguing. If Beckham can have another huge game, the Bengals don’t have the firepower on offense to keep up. The Giants are at home and will look to shrine bright under the New York Monday Night lights.

Bengals 23  Giants 26