Double Coverage: Sunday, November 22, 2009

Miami at Carolina
Carolina hit a mid-season groove and the double threat they have behind Delhomme continues to deliver.  I would consider them a possible wild card if their last four games weren’t Patriots, Vikings, Giants and Saints.  That seems like a knockout punch.  Miami is coming off a perplexing win against the Bucs and although they were the better team a few weeks back the momentum has swung in favor of the Panthers.
Carolina 28, Miami 24

Washington at Dallas 
Funny how the NFL works, ain’t it? Dallas beats Philly two Sundays ago, is suddenly “poised to run to the Super Bowl.” Dallas then loses to GB, who just lost to Tampa Bay (their first win) and is now “reeling.” What the f? They won’t be reeling much longer. Skins are a mess.

Cleveland at Detroit 
HOLY SHIT, PRIMETIME!
Detroit 14, Cleveland 10

San Francisco at Green Bay 
This one is kind of interesting. I think SF is still about a year, maybe two years away from anything legit. GB is a mess, though: lose to Tampa Bay (granted, on the road), beat Dallas (granted, at home). Hmmm. This one’s at home, so let’s take ‘em.

Pittsburgh at Kansas City 
The Steelers seem to be lacking what brought them a ring last year.  The 2008 Steelers wouldn’t drop a season series to the Bengals, even the 2009 Bengals and especially without their stud RB fro the second half.  Still, the Chiefs should pose no problem.
Pittsburgh 35, Kansas City 10

Buffalo at Jacksonville
Simple here: Chris Johnson shredded the Bills’ run defense last week. MJD will do the same this week. The Jaguars are looking better and better, considering they might cease to exist as a franchise if they don’t draft Tim Tebow this April.

Atlanta at NY Giants
This is the Giants fourth must win in a row, which, if you really think deep about it, kinda overvalues the term “must-win.” They lost the last 3 of them.  What can stop the avalanche?  It will have to be a perfect storm of Turner being out, the defense coming out the play and a totally windless day for Eli.  I think the by week made it all too real and the G-men can escape slipping to .500.  Not by much though.
New York Giants 27, Atlanta 24

Seattle at Minnesota

Indianapolis at Baltimore
A win after being down 13 points to Brady and Co with 4 minutes left is the definition of a momentum builder.  The Colts played a sloppy game however, and John Harbaugh does have faith in his defense.  It’s a good one too.  If the Colts aren’t careful they could lose their perfect mark. Side note: God, how brutal is Baltimore’s schedule this year? 
Indianapolis 21, Baltimore 17

Arizona at St. Louis
Two guarantees in this game: you will see a bunch of “Greatest Show on Turf” flashback segments and Kurt Warner, the QB of that team and the current Cardinals’ squad, will continue to ride his team’s underwhelming second-half schedule to a possible MVP award.

NY Jets at New England
The Patriots need to leave last weeks game on the field in Indianapolis.  Just because Bill Belichick plays football like my old roommate plays Madden, which is arrogant and infuriating, doesn’t mean the Patriots can’t blow through the Jets.  This is a grudge match also.
New England 31, New York Jets 21

San Diego at Denver
Broncos are in free fall. San Diego is rising. What more do you need to know?

Cincinnati at Oakland
Will Cedric Benson be in the game?  If not, will Larry Johnson get touches?  How will his huge ego mix with Ochocinco?  Will they clash like Smash Williams and Voodoo Tatum or will they merge to form a hilarious and super entertaining duo of orange and black?  Will he be as good as he once was?  Can he manage to stifle his urge to drop slurs on the coaching staff?  None of these questions matter because they are playing the Raiders.
Cincinnati 24, Oakland 10

Philadelphia at Chicago 
One of the best Gus Johnson calls of the last three years? God, there are so many. He did an Eagles game and when McNabb came out 6-for-6, Johnson starts yelling: “THE KID… FROM CHICAGO… BY WAY OF SYRACUSE… OUT HERE… SLINGING DARTS…” Amazing. Most notable thing about this game is: how many times will someone claim, “You know, McNabb might end up a Bear at the end of his career?” Otherwise, it’s two inconsistent teams and the spectre of Brian Westbrook’s injury hanging over everything. 

Tennessee at Houston 
This matchup looks a whole lot better than it did 3 weeks ago.  Vince Young has opened up this team, taking them to victory the last 2 weeks.  Houston is better than all three of those teams though, and the former Rose Bowl hero has a good shot to prove he can run this team.  I’ll say he doesn’t blow it this time.
Tennesee 24, Houston 21