The weekend is finally here, and that means one thing – Sunday Night Football.
Well, ‘wee hours of Monday morning’ football for us Aussie plebs on the wrong side of the sports time zone.
After Thursday night’s slow and steady zero-touchdown game between the Cardinals and the Rams (the Cardinals’ first Thursday night win since 1948, just quietly), I’d like to hope we’re gearing up for some interesting games in Week 15 as the playoffs begin to approach.
Here’s my predictions on this week’s big games to watch.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers @ Carolina Panthers
I am fascinated by this game purely because of Carolina’s blowout 41-10 win over the Saints last week. Who knew they had it in them?
If they were to pull off another massive offensive effort like that again, Tampa Bay are the perfect team to be facing. The 2-11 Bucs are an absolute mess, and even with Panthers quarterback Cam Newton out after an unfortunate car accident (he’s okay), I don’t see them coming close.
Backup quarterback Derek Anderson had no trouble taking down the Bucs earlier in the season, and with the Panthers still holding a slight hope at nabbing the NFC South title, I’m expecting a great game here.
Prediction: Panthers by 20
Houston Texans @ Indianapolis Colts
There’s a lot of deserved buzz around Colts quarterback Andrew Luck, and the Colts could be set to take the AFC South for the second year in a row. With a win on Sunday, they’ll seal the deal.
The Texans have never won in Indianapolis, an intimidating statistic. On the flip side, the Texans’ JJ Watt is more than capable of raising hell, the team are great in the Red Zone, and the Colts will need to bring their defensive A-game.
The odds and the monolithical Andrew Luck may be stacked against the Texans, but with the possibility of taking the division title at stake here I envision the Colts cracking under pressure. I’m rooting for the underdogs in what should turn out to be a furious, exciting game of football.
Prediction: Texans with a three-point upset
Green Bay Packers @ Buffalo Bills
The Bills’ defence is on fire, especially at home where they’re averaging a modest 206 passing yards allowed per game. But the 2014 Packers are a force to be reckoned with. Putting the fact Green Bay gave up 20 points in the fourth quarter last week – damn near giving up the game to Atlanta – behind us, the Packers are 10-3 and on a five game winning streak.
I don’t expect them to end that here. Buffalo could be surprising and I expect them to make Green Bay work for it, but I don’t see them managing the upset facing a team that can in all likelihood win this year’s Super Bowl. Are we tired of watching the Packers win yet? No.
Prediction: Green Bay by 10
San Francisco 49ers @ Seattle Seahawks
The Seahawks beat the 49ers at home 19-3 in Week 13, and it’s not going to be any easier for SF when they head to Seattle this Sunday. The 49ers are a mess, with a defence that seems to be only getting worse as the season goes on.
Meanwhile, the Seahawks have only allowed 20 points in total over their last three games. The brutal loss to the Raiders last week was bad enough for Colin Kaepernick (affectionately known in my household as Colon Crappernick) and company, but they won’t be finding this game any less painless.
Prediction: Seahawks in a blowout
bttriple79
Guest
YYYEEESSSSS!! My Bucs lost by less than 20.
Mitch Sabine
Roar Rookie
why, oh why did we have to win? as rex would say though it was an absolute pillow fight. we can only hope we lose our final two (shouldn't be hard, NE at home, @ MIA) and the bucs, titans and redskins finish above us in the standings. Jacksonville and Oakland won't go after a QB after taking one in the first round last year, and maybe even TEN wouldn't with how Mettenberger looked before he got hurt, but TB and WAS would definitely take mariota. for mine, it's either mariota or bust. don't take Winston, don't take hundley. don't make the same mistake we did with sanchez when we reached for an average QB.
Justin Twell
Roar Guru
The Cowboys vs Eagles match-up is one to watch, surely?
Lucy Valentine
Roar Rookie
Oh absolutely, this could be one of the best games of the day considering the total lack of talent across both teams and the Mariota prospect! Should be a riot hahaha
Tatah
Guest
Lucy, don't forget about the NY Jets v Tennessee Titans clash which could well be the worst game of football ever played. As a Jets fan, I'm desperately hoping the team continues its rich vein of form and loses. The problem of course is that Tennessee fans will hope for their team to be beaten such that they get the first draft pick and a shot at obtaining the services of Marcus Mariota. So we have two teams with the incentive to lose; two woefully ineffective coaches, and a player roster with a bare minimum of talent across the park. This could be one for the ages!