Nov 29 2008
Top 5 NFL Games for Week 13
With all the games on Thursday, the choices of games for Sunday were made easy. I came up with a total of 7 big games, but this is called “Top 5″ for a reason. For those that have not followed this regular article, let’s review what I look for to prioritize these games. The first and foremost that I consider is the game has to have implications for both teams. With these being the biggest criteria, it leaves out teams that are already knocked out of contention and focuses on teams that have a legitimate shot at making the playoffs.
As for a record, I have done this for 3 weeks so far and have a 12-3 record. So, without further ado, let’s get this show started.
5th place) Pittsburgh Steelers @ New England Patriots
The Pittsburgh Steelers having been playing great defense this year. It reminds me of days of old when the Steel Curtain was around. This is very evident when you look at their league leading stat of 160 points against. The next best team is at 180, so that says a lot for the Steelers. However, this is no chump team that they have to face on Sunday. For several weeks I bashed on Matt Cassel as did most sports writers. He has stepped up most of the weeks and led his team to victory. Last Sunday, I seen the Cassel that I needed to see. He stepped in for Tom and has done what he needed to do to get his team in position for the playoffs. One of the issues that is going to face the Steelers is that you take the 5th ranked scoring team in the AFC and pit them against the number 1 ranked stingiest defense. What do you get? Well, for starters, a hell of a game. But more importantly than that, it is a chance for both teams to get closer to the playoffs.
Pittsburgh is on top of their division by just one game. They currently lead Baltimore who is faced with Cincinnati on Sunday. The New England Patriots are 1 game out of first place. They are currently chasing the New York Jets. You can read about their game next. With all that said, Pitt has only lost 1 on the road while the Patriots have lost 2 at home. All in all, it will be a great game.
New England wins
4th place) Denver Broncos @ New York Jets
I am not a huge fan of this game. I personally think that the Broncos cannot match up to the Jets. But, personal feelings aside, this is football and for this very reason, this is why games are played. Jay Cutler has had some great games this year. However, in contrast, he has had some awful ones too. In the case of this particular game, if they want to put some distance between themselves and San Diego, then they need to step up now. Even as I say that, San Diego does not have it easy this Sunday with Atlanta, but that is a BIRD of a different color.
The Jets have been looking great and freshly off going to Tennessee to beat the former undefeated Titans. Denver is freshly of a butt whooping at the hands of the Raiders. Someone please tell me what Denver was thinking. Anyway, back to the game at hand. They are playing this game at Giant Stadium. Enough said.
Jets Win
3rd place) Carolina Panthers @ Green Bay Packers
Before I get very far with this one, let me say this. What I say from the Packers on Monday Night was pathetic. They played like shit and deserved to get bet. Now that I got that out of the way, let’s go. The Green Bay Packers have duplicated the efforts of Denver this year with the exception that they are 5-6 instead of 6-5. However, they are playing this game at Lambeau Field. Green Bay is 3-2 this year at home while the Panthers are 2-3 on the road. Add in the cold weather and the screaming cheese heads that fill the stands each and every game. I am sure that you get the picture.
The Panthers are currently tied with Tampa Bay for 1st place with Atlanta on their heels. Both Atlanta and Tampa Bay do not have cake walks on Sunday. This means that these three teams all need a win. Carolina can either keep pace or fall behind, but they need to walk out of Green Bay with a “W”. On the side of Green Bay, they are 1 game out of the NFC North. Since Chicago and Minnesota is going to lock it up in a duel later that night, Green Bay needs this win bad. It will allow for the to keep 1 game out from the sole team that will be in first place alone.
Green Bay wins.
2nd place) New York Giants @ Washington Redskins
When you get these two teams locked up in a battle, it has the making to be a great game. Dallas has already won this week, so the pressure is applied to both teams. The Giants have lost just 1 game this year while the Redskins have fallen 4 times. As for the division, Washington is 2-2 while the Giants are 3-0.
At this point, I am not sure if Brandon Jacobs will play or not. I can for sure say the “trigger happy” Burress will not be in the game. One thing about the Giants that people have to realize though, the Giants find ways to win. The Redskins are catching the Giants at what they think is the best time to play them. The issue is, Hixon has stepped up every time that Burress goes down and everyone knows about the three headed running back they Giants have.
Giant win.
1st place) Chicago Bears @ Minnesota Vikings
My personal opinion of these two teams being put aside for a moment, this has been driven as the game with the most meaning for both teams. One moves forward into the number 1 spot in their division while the other falls to second place. With absolutely no team in this division qualifying for the playoffs through a wild card berth, this becomes very important.
The issue here is that they are playing in the Metrodome where the Vikings have only lost 1 game all year long. It is like this is a different team at home. As for the Bears, they have a 3-3 record on the road. This does not bode well for them.
Minnesota take the number 1 spot.
