Thursday Night
ESPN scoring has Thursday nights game between the Jaguars at 9 points and the Titans scoring 30 points, but the score is not the story of the game. If you did not see the game you missed one of the best performances by a Running Back in many years.
Derrick Henry of the Titans rushed for 238 yards on 17 carries and scored 4 touchdowns. At one point it appeared that Henry refused to go on the field when the Titans were on the goal line. He actually wanted his team mate and fellow RB Dion Lewis to have a shot at a score.
All in all even without the fifth possible score he sacrificed for his team mate he still beat the team rushing record and tied the scoring record for a single game. Congratulations to Derrick Henry on his record night.
Sunday, Sunday, Sunday
On Sunday we have a host of games with meaning for several teams. We have 8 early games, 5 late games and the Sunday Night game. There is also an important game on Monday that could hold the fate of both teams. For a full rundown on all the teams, locations and game times, even the Las Vegas Line, you can visit ESPN.
Early games start out with the Jets visiting the Buffalo Bills and the Panthers head to Cleveland to face the Browns. Next up we have the Atlanta Falcons going to the frozen tundra of Green Bay to take on the Packers. Look for all the chains and tethers to be removed from Rodgers for this game, I expect 450+ passing yards out of QB Aaron Rodgers in this outing.
The Ravens verses the Chiefs is the first of the real offense vs defense games of this weekend. We will also see the Patriots at the Miami Dolphins, historically speaking of all the teams in Brady’s history Miami has been the one to have his number. The Saints against the Buccaneers is a rematch from week one where the Bucs beat the Saints and it was the only loss they had until the Cowboys beat them in week 13.
Next we have the Giants taking on the Redskins who are trying to keep their season alive in the still up for grabs NFC East. The Skins look to keep pace with the Cowboys for a shot at the playoffs. The last of the early games shows the Indianapolis Colts against the Houston Texans who are on a 9 game win streak. The Colts have an absolute must win on their hands in this match-up if they want to have any chance in having a post season.
The first of the late afternoon games is the Cincinnati Bengals taking on the Los Angles Chargers at the StubHub Center in Carson Ca., Phillip Rivers and the Chargers look to extend their streak and keep pace with the division rival Chiefs. Another late game is the Denver Broncos taking on the San Francisco 49ers in Santa Clarita Ca., Phillip Lindsay RB of the Broncos looks to add another chapter to his storybook year against the 9ers.
There is another NFC East battle when the Eagles take on the Cowboys at AT&T Stadium. This may decide who between these two teams advance to the post season in the division. The Pittsburgh Steelers travel west to face the Oakland Raiders in what the Steelers hope to be a get right game after their loss last week. Last of the afternoon game we will see the Detroit Lions face the Arizona Cardinals, neither team has a real shot at the playoff this year, but would like to end the season on a high note.
Sunday night we see another offense versus defense match-up when the number one Los Angles Rams take on the Chicago Bears. The Bears get their starting QB Mitch Trubisky back after he missed the last two weeks with a shoulder injury. The Bears defense ranks number one in most stats along the defense line. The Rams have a defense power house of their own in Tackle, Aaron Donald. On Monday night we will witness another potential playoff gateway game between the Minnesota Vikings and the Seattle Seahawks. Both teams look to remain relevant in the NFC so a win is important for both teams this week.
Bold Predictions
My first bold prediction for this week is for a team that has struggled this year at times and has had flashes of greatness. The Browns will defeat the Panthers 34-21 and basically end the Panthers season.
Next the defense will show up big in my next prediction when the Ravens beat the Kansas City Chiefs 28-17 and the Ravens QB has his first 300 yard passing game.
I am once again going to pick on the Patriots when they face the Dolphins. In past years the Dolphins are the only team to beat Brady and the Pats 9 times, this week makes 10 with a 24-28 victory for the Fins.
The Cowboys published the book on how to beat the Saints on Thursday of week 13. I believe the Buccaneers will take a chapter out of that book and defeat the Saints in the same fashion 13-28.
Last is another defense over offense match-up. The Rams have put on a clinic this year against most teams they have faced. That ends this week when they face the Bears at Soldier Field. The defense will hold the Rams to less then 20 points while Mitch Trubisky and the offense put up 30.
Fantasy
This week in Fantasy Football is the first week of playoffs in a lot of leagues. If you are on one of those leagues good luck to you. Keep in mind if the Rams win this week they clinch a first round bye in the playoffs. That being said it is very possible that Gurley could see limited use in the upcoming weeks. Also Goff and any other starter that may be in the Rams line up may only play half a game and if it gets out of hand early maybe less. Any team that clinches this week or next when it comes to your Super Bowl have an option for a substitution.