I’ve been dodging landmines all season, and last weekend I stepped right into one. My record finished 2-4 combined. The only correct games I had were the Broncos and Jaguars winning, while the Giants, Raiders, Vikings and Redskins handed me losses. At 39-46-2 entering the second last week of the regular season, its going to take a miracle to just finish even on the year. With week fifteen here, this is the matchups I’ll be rolling with this weekend
SILVER PREDICTIONS
ARIZONA CARIDINALS VS WASHINGTON REDSKINS (-4)
A meaningless matchup since neither of these teams are playoff bound this season, but there is still plenty of reasons to wager on this matchup. Washington has lost four of their last five games, while the Cardinals are on the road for the first time in four weeks. I think this is matchup has convincing Washington victory written all over it. Arizona is fresh off an upset victory over Tennessee last week and have been resting on their home laurels. While Washington has depth on both sides of the ball and have under performed again this year. Kirk Cousins is a man that deserves to get paid and should be the Redskins franchise quarterback next season. The Cardinals have a strong defensive line but if the Redskins can get some play action going this game should be decided by halftime. Roll with the Washington this weekend, they are in a great position to bounce back.
FINAL SCORE – CARDIALS 16 – REDSKINS 27
PHILADELPHIA EAGLES VS NEW YORK GIANTS (+7.5)
There might be something wrong with my brain, but I’m riding the Giants for a 3rd straight weekend. The have let me down in two straight, but have to bounce back. This is a divisional matchup and the Eagles just saw all their Super Bowl dreams flushed down the toilet with Carson Wentz blowing an ACL. Nick Foles is by no means the worst backup in the league and he is surrounded by weapons, but in the last six games between these two rivals only one game has been decided by more than 8-points in favour of the Eagles. I like the Giants chances to bounce back this weekend. Am I crazy? Maybe, but nobody sane has ever been rewarded with riches..
FINAL SCORE – EAGLES 21 – GIANTS 17
GOLD PREDICTIONS
CINCINNATI BENGALS VS MINNESOTA VIKINGS (-10.5)
Big spread for my Vikings this weekend, but it isn’t big enough to deter me from laying the points. Cincinnati is a mess on the offensive side of the football and the Vikings defense has been stellar all season. They haven’t lost back-to-back all year and at home this year, are 5-1, and in those five victories have won by an average of 13 points. While four of those victories came against teams that are either in a playoff spot or in the hunt. As we all know, the Bengals are nowhere near playoff bound his season. I think this weekend the Vikings defense is going to get the best of Andy Dalton while Stephon Diggs and Adam Thielen have bounce back games. Don’t under estimate this team at home, Minnesota is poised to make a run this year so long as Case Keenum doesn’t suddenly turn into a pumpkin.
FINAL SCORE – BENGALS 10 – VIKINGS 27
GREEN BAY PACKERS (+3) VS CAROLINA PANTHERS
R-E-L-A-X. Aaron Rodgers said it best over two years ago, and the same result is going to come to fruition this year. Green Bay is going to make the playoffs and the first thing standing in their path is Carolina. Cam Newton has put this team on his back this year and the Packers defense has looked like the cheddar heads in the stands at Lambeau…but that isn’t going to deter me from riding Green Bay this weekend. With Aaron Rodgers back in the lineup it is going to rejuvenate this team on both sides of the ball. Jordy Nelson who has been none existent since Rodgers went down should have a big game, while Jamall Williams has been a workhorse on the ground since Rodgers left. In the last three games Williams has 5 touchdowns, earning rookie of the week honours last weekend. With a lethal passing attack and a solid running game the Packers should win this game.
FINAL SCORE – PACKERS 26 – PANTHERS 20
PLATINUM PREDICTIONS
LOS ANGELES RAMS (+2.5) VS SEATTLE SEAHAWKS
Los Angeles should have won the first meeting between these two teams, this weekend they will win. Seattle is hanging in the NFC West by a thread. Russell Wilson has been a magician at quarterback and earned Seattle at least two, if not more victories this year with his legs. The Rams have a big task to contain him this weekend, but Wilson has high praise for this game. He came out earlier this season saying that Aaron Donald is the best defensive player he has ever faced. Donald will play a huge part in this game, while the Rams offense should slice through the weakened Seahawks secondary. Jared Goff welcomes back his favourite target in Robert Woods after missing the last three games due to a shoulder injury. I’m expecting big things from the Rams offense this weekend, and for the Seahawks to be de-throned in the NFC West divisional title for only the second time in five seasons.
FINAL SCORE – RAMS 30 – SEAHAWKS 20
LOS ANGELES CHARGERS (-1) VS KANSAS CITY CHIEFS
The Chargers are playing some fantastic football right now and have matchup advantages on both sides. Joey Bosa is playing like a man on a mission this year and has everyone in the league fearing the Chargers pass rush. While Philips Rivers might be playing the best football of his career. As for the Chiefs, their offense seems to be hit or miss every other week and the secondary can’t stop anyone. Kansas City ranks 28th in total yards allowed per game, (373) 30th in rushing yards per game (120) and have only 24 sacks all season (27th). With the football the Philip Rivers is playing; Keenan Allen becoming the first wide receiver in history to post three consecutive games with over 10 catches, 100 yards and a touchdown; and Melvin Gordon lurking in the backfield – things are stacked in favour of Los Angeles for me in this one. I don’t trust Kansas City and everything seems to be coming up Chargers lately.