Okay, it's crunch time now. Four games left in the regular season and a lot on the line for a number of teams. Now is where you really need to pay attention to how teams perform, because it's the momentum teams build in these next final weeks that carries them to a championship. Pretenders don't last during this time of year and contenders, though they may stumble, don't lose stupid. Let's get into the important match ups and highlight the important things to look for.
Colts vs. Bengals
I'm fascinated by this game. Both teams lead their division and both teams are seriously flawed. The Colts have the better QB (and it's not close), but the Bengals have the better overall roster and home field advantage. I don't think either of these teams makes it to the Super Bowl so this will be an important game to gauge the trajectory of each team. The Colts have a brighter future because their QB will probably be in Canton, five years after he retires. The weather is going to be bad so I'll be looking to see how well the Colts assert their running game, manage the weather, and the hostile crowd. As for the Bengals I'll be watching how Andy Dalton handles a big home game. I'll think the Bengals win, but I want to see how much a part of that Dalton is because if this team is ever going to win a championship Dalton has to be the driving force. He'll never be in Luck's universe, but maybe he can be a Trent Dilfer type for a championship Bengals team.
Lions vs. Eagles
Jim Swartz has to win this game to keep ownership's confidence in his job. Traditionally this has been the type of game the Lions lose and I wonder how the team is functioning mentally after a big Thanksgiving game win and with a lot of time off. I'm skeptical of the Lions in this spot because I think they won't take the Eagles seriously enough and I think Chip Kelly is a smarter/better coach than Swartz. The Lions' offense, when the running game isn't rolling, relies too heavily on Megatron, and while I think the Eagles will struggle to stop the all powerful Decepticon in pads I don't have much confidence that they'll be able to keep up with what Kelly, Foles, and McCoy will throw at them. If the Lions get down by 14 I think it's a done deal and it's the beginning of the end for their head coach.
Bills vs. Bucs
I know, neither team has a shot at the postseason, but I'm interested in this game because I think both of these teams will be interesting in 2014. I'm not sold on Schiano, but he's managed to get his guy at the helm at QB and the Bucs are playing with fire. Ultimately I think Glennon is a lot like Dalton and lacks the "it" quality to beat Cam and Brees on a consistent basis. The more interesting team in this matchup is the Bills and E.J. Manuel. We know he's a high character guy, but I want to know just how much of his character is rubbing off on the rest of the team. We'll know his impact by how hard this team plays down the stretch. I think Manuel might be a franchise guy. If he is this team will be a tough out for teams and Manuel will play well.
Cards vs. Rams
Must win game for Cards if they are going to keep pace for a wildcard spot. The Rams are a QB away from being on par with the rest of the division and their defense plays hard. I don't think the Cards make the post season because their o-line is below average and they have virtually no running game. The outcome of this game is a toss-up in my opinion so keep your eye on how the losing team goes down and how they deal with defeat, especially if it's the Cards.
49ers vs. Seahawks
This game means more to the 9ers than the Seahawks, but like some of the other games, I'm more interested in how this game plays out than I am in the final score. The Seahawks think they have the 49ers' number and I'll agree with them if they come out and dominate San Fran on the road. I think this game comes down to the play of Kaepernick. He's looked lost against the Seahawks and will need to play lights out to match Russell Wilson. I think the 49ers win a close one because they want this game more.
Enjoy the games!
Colts vs. Bengals
I'm fascinated by this game. Both teams lead their division and both teams are seriously flawed. The Colts have the better QB (and it's not close), but the Bengals have the better overall roster and home field advantage. I don't think either of these teams makes it to the Super Bowl so this will be an important game to gauge the trajectory of each team. The Colts have a brighter future because their QB will probably be in Canton, five years after he retires. The weather is going to be bad so I'll be looking to see how well the Colts assert their running game, manage the weather, and the hostile crowd. As for the Bengals I'll be watching how Andy Dalton handles a big home game. I'll think the Bengals win, but I want to see how much a part of that Dalton is because if this team is ever going to win a championship Dalton has to be the driving force. He'll never be in Luck's universe, but maybe he can be a Trent Dilfer type for a championship Bengals team.
Lions vs. Eagles
Jim Swartz has to win this game to keep ownership's confidence in his job. Traditionally this has been the type of game the Lions lose and I wonder how the team is functioning mentally after a big Thanksgiving game win and with a lot of time off. I'm skeptical of the Lions in this spot because I think they won't take the Eagles seriously enough and I think Chip Kelly is a smarter/better coach than Swartz. The Lions' offense, when the running game isn't rolling, relies too heavily on Megatron, and while I think the Eagles will struggle to stop the all powerful Decepticon in pads I don't have much confidence that they'll be able to keep up with what Kelly, Foles, and McCoy will throw at them. If the Lions get down by 14 I think it's a done deal and it's the beginning of the end for their head coach.
Bills vs. Bucs
I know, neither team has a shot at the postseason, but I'm interested in this game because I think both of these teams will be interesting in 2014. I'm not sold on Schiano, but he's managed to get his guy at the helm at QB and the Bucs are playing with fire. Ultimately I think Glennon is a lot like Dalton and lacks the "it" quality to beat Cam and Brees on a consistent basis. The more interesting team in this matchup is the Bills and E.J. Manuel. We know he's a high character guy, but I want to know just how much of his character is rubbing off on the rest of the team. We'll know his impact by how hard this team plays down the stretch. I think Manuel might be a franchise guy. If he is this team will be a tough out for teams and Manuel will play well.
Cards vs. Rams
Must win game for Cards if they are going to keep pace for a wildcard spot. The Rams are a QB away from being on par with the rest of the division and their defense plays hard. I don't think the Cards make the post season because their o-line is below average and they have virtually no running game. The outcome of this game is a toss-up in my opinion so keep your eye on how the losing team goes down and how they deal with defeat, especially if it's the Cards.
49ers vs. Seahawks
This game means more to the 9ers than the Seahawks, but like some of the other games, I'm more interested in how this game plays out than I am in the final score. The Seahawks think they have the 49ers' number and I'll agree with them if they come out and dominate San Fran on the road. I think this game comes down to the play of Kaepernick. He's looked lost against the Seahawks and will need to play lights out to match Russell Wilson. I think the 49ers win a close one because they want this game more.
Enjoy the games!
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