Nov 22 2008
Top 5 NFL Games for Week 12
Walking into week 12, many teams are facing a must win situation. This is the case of out fifth ranked game for both teams involved. You can read more about my thoughts on that game soon enough. With just 6 total weeks of games left, teams can not continue to afford to let games get by them. This is such the case with the Philadelphia Eagles in last weeks case. That single tie could be the deciding game in their fate for the year.
As with each and every week, all the games going on are important to each and every team. However, in this, I look for the 5 top games that has the most implications effecting both teams. So, without further ado, lets get started.
5th) Philadelphia Eagles @ Baltimore Ravens
It is not hard to find the significance for both teams in this game. They are both still in the race for the playoffs and this game can be a turning point for either one. In the case of the Eagles, they are bringing up the rear end to what I think might be the toughest division in all the NFL, the NFC East. With the tie that they encountered last week, this could very well be the deciding factor to their post season. A lost Sunday can put some separation in the wild card race. Barring a complete New York Giants meltdown, the division is pretty much clinched. In the case of the Ravens, it is a similar story. For them, the Pittsburgh Steelers have already played for the week and won, so this puts added pressure on Baltimore to keep pace. A loss will put them 2 wins out. Not only will a loss bring separation for the division, it will put added pressure on the Ravens to get in as a Wild Card.
Baltimore Ravens Win.
4th) Carolina Panthers @ Atlanta Falcons
This particular game is a no brainer. With a 2 game lead, the Panthers head to the Georgia Dome to try to increase that lead as the Falcons will attempt to shrink it. A loss here for the Falcons would also put a strain on their chances for a Wild Card berth. A loss for the Panthers would knock them out of their 3rd sport in the NFL behind only the Giants and the Tennessee Titans. This would certainly start causing a log jam at the top and make things very interesting.
Falcons pull out a win here.
3rd) New York Giants @ Arizona Cardinals
This particular game has a nice spin to it as two division leaders lock up in University of Phoenix Stadium in Arizona. Both of these teams sit atop their respective divisions. In the case of the Cardinals, a win here can pretty much seal the Division Championship and put them into the playoffs. A loss will make it a little more interesting, but not too much. On the side of the Giants, a loss is much worse as it could potentially leave them with just a 2 game lead. However, on the other side of the coin, if they win, this will put some distance between them and the other teams in their divisions, but from what I see, Dallas and Washington both should keep pace while Philadelphia drops out the race.
Giants stick it out with just 1 loss.
2nd) New England Patriots @ Miami Dolphins
The Dolphins last shot at the Patriots left the Patriot World wondering if their season was done. Now, it looks like this meeting will determine which of these 2 teams wants a chance to be number 1. Both of the teams have a quarterback that feels that they have something to prove. In fact, both really do. And, so far, they have done a great job proving it. The New York Jets lead this division just by 1 game and given the contest that they have on Sunday, they very well could be tied with one of these 2 teams. Hence, the #2 ranking this weak as most important games.
I have to go with the Dolphins on this. If it were in New England, it would be a different call.
1st) New York Jets @ Tennessee Titans
This has to be the biggest game of the week. Heck, it might be the biggest game of the NFL yet this season. On one hand, you have the Tennessee Titans playing at home and currently leading the NFL as the ONLY undefeated team. However, on the other side sits a quarterback that knows what it takes to win. He is more gutsy than any other quarterbacks that the Titans have yet to face this season. I have read a lot of people’s articles that list the Jets not having a chance. The problem with that is when you count Brett out, that is when he beats you the worst.
I have to say, the undefeated falls on Sunday.
