Waddle's World

Chiefs at Lions

Whats worse than losing 6 straight? How bout 7 straight. And the Chiefs will more than likely make that 8 straight when they visit the Lions this weekend. The Lions have already packed it in, with last weeks display in San Diego serving as exhibit A. They were thumped by the Chargers 51 to13, and looked pathetic in every facet of the game. They wont be any more inspired this weekend, but the Chiefs are even worse. Their young quarterback has been a lost ball in high weeds since taking over in week 10. Granted, Brodie Croyle doesn't have a ton to work with, but he continues to make bad decisions while running for his life. As inept as they've been on offense, the Chiefs defense has been a disaster. They've allowed an average of 342 yards and 26 points per game the last 7 weeks. Lets see, a kick to the groin or a poke in the eye…..Neither sounds real entertaining. Sorta like choosing between the Lions and Chiefs.. I'll reluctantly take the home team

Raiders at jags

Well, football fans, if you learned anything last week it was that the Jacksonsville Jaguars are the 3rd best team in the AFC. That may not sound like much, but when it's only the patriots and Colts ahead of you, you done good! This week the Raiders visit the Jags in one of those so called "trap games". The Jags are coming off an emotional road win over the Steelers and the Raiders come to town with nothing to lose. A lesser team would be prone to a letdown, but not these Jags. They are a well coached, old school team that brings it each and every Sunday. We all knew they could run it, but the outstanding play of David Garrard has made them a threat to ALL in the AFC. This is a tough matchup for the Raiders. They do one thing well, run the ball. Unfortuantely, they'll face quite a challenge from the Jags 5th ranked run defense. Speaking of stopping the run…the Raiders aren't real fond of making a stand. They allow 144 rushing yards per game. And that's a problem, cuz the Jags are the leagues 2nd best running team. The Jags may come out a little flat, but they could sleep past these Raiders. I like the Jaguars at home.

Eagles at Saints

With a win over the Cardinals last Sunday, the New Orleans Saints moved to 7 and 7 and kept their playoff hopes alive. That in itself is a minor miracle considering their 0 and 4 start. This week they face an Eagles team that was officially eliminated from the post season thanks to the Vikings Monday night victory. Take all of that and throw it out the window. These are two of the most unpredictable teams in the league. The Eagles went to Dallas last week and beat the mighty cowboys with a great defensive effort and a solid running game. Expect Eagles defensive coordinator Jim Johnson to come up with another aggressive game plan to get after Drew Brees. Brees is a high risk, high reward, quarterback who can be easily rattled. Surprisingly enuff, Brees has been sacked less than any quarterback in the league, but has been prone to throwing bad picks. 15 of them in fact. Pass defense is another weakness of this Saints team. Teams throw for an average of 250 yards per game against this New Orleans secondary. I think you know where Im going here. Last year the Saints ended the Eagles season in the Superdome. Im sure they would love to return the favor. I like the Eagles on the road.

Bucs at 49ers

The Bucs and 49ers meet in San Francisco this weekend in what should be a pretty competitive game. Shaun Hill has provided quite a spark for this 49er offense, completing 78% of his passes with 2 touchdowns and zero interceptions in 6 quarters of play. The threat of a passing game has done wonders for Frank Gore whos no longer facing 8 and 9 man fronts. Now lets see if these Niners can have the same success against a strong defense. The Buccaneers allow just 278 yards and 16 points per game. They re coordinated by cagey veteran Monte Kiffin who's stifled his share of flash in the pan quarterbacks. Speaking of cagey veterans, Jeff Garcia returned to the lineup last week and led the Bucs to a dominant 37 - 3 win over the hapless Falcons. Earnest Graham is well on his way to his first career 1000 yard season, and should find room to run against the Niners 23rd ranked run defense. These Bucs aren't spectacular, but they will battle you for 60 minutes.. I like the Buccaneers on the road.

Falcons at cardinals

A battle of grounded birds in the desert this weekend as the Falcons meet the Cardinals. Add Chris Redman to the list of backup quarterbacks who've fallen quickly after an initial burst. Last week he was held to 34 yards on 4 of 15 passing including a couple interceptions against the Bucs. The Cardinals defense wont be as stiff of a challenge, but Im not sure they're shaking in their boots with thoughts of Chris Redman lightening them up. Conversely, the Falcons SHOULD be concerned with what they'll see from the Arizona passing game. Given time, Kurt Warner can still pick you apart. And Warner should have plenty of time as the Falcons have just 21 quarterback sacks on the season. The battle on the outside should be a good one as D'Angelo Hall squares off with Larry Fitzgerald. My money's on Fitzgerald. And Anquon Bolden, and Edgerrin James, and a Cardinal defense that is still grinding despite being decimated by injuries. I like the Cardinals at home.

Steelers/Rams

An interesting matchup Thursday night at the Edward Jones Dome as the Steelers invade…Well, not really but let me try to sell you on it anyway. The Steelers aren't real thrilled with themselves after the Jaguars went into Heinz Field last weekend and beat em up. The 29-22 final score wasn't quite indicative of the Jacksonville domination. The Steelers will go back to what they do best if they want to maintain possession of 1st place in the AFC North. And it starts with running the football with Willie Parker and the NFL's 3rd-best rushing attack. The next chore is to stop the Rams offense with their top-ranked defense. The Rams have been hampered by injuries all year, but still have a little punch with Steven Jackson, Marc Bulger and their veteran receivers. The Rams defense has had trouble stopping everyone this year. As you know, Im not as high on the Steelers as everyone else , seems to be but they shouldn't have any trouble against these Rams. I like Pittsburgh on the road



Cowboys/Panthers

The Cowboys and Panthers meet in Charlotte Saturday, and the Cowboys aren't a happy bunch after losing to a mediocre Eagles squad last weekend in Big D. Tony Romo played poorly and was banged up in the process, left with a damaged thumb on his throwing hand. As for the Panthers, they're coming off their biggest win of the season as they upset the Seahawks. I don't want to dwell on the past and I certainly don't want to waste your time with the numbers. Let me put it to you like this: Romo, Barber, Owens, Witten vs. a Matt Moore-lead offensive juggernaut that racks up less than 16 points per game. Any questions? Didn't think so. The Cowboys win big and stay in the driver's seat for home-field advantage throughout the NFC playoffs.





Browns/Bengals

It's an AFC North battle Sunday afternoon in the Queen City as the 5-9 Bengals host the 1st-place Browns. Yes, you heard me correctly. The Cleveland Browns are tied for first place as we head into week 16. Actually, they would lose a tie breaker with the Steelers after being swept by Mike Tomlins' guys in the season series, but that doesn't sound as dramatic as "tied for first". What is dramatic is their weekly offensive output, minus the snowball fight with the Bills last weekend . The Derek Anderson-Braylon Edwards combo has been good for 13 touchdowns. Jamal Lewis is quietly having a terrific season as well. And then there's their defense.Theyre not good. As a matter of fact, they rank dead last in the NFL. Fortunately for them, they'll face a Bengals offense that has underachieved,to say the least. The talent is there, but something is missing. Mediocrity should not be an option for an offense featuring Carson Palmer, Rudy Johnson, Chad Johnson and T.J Houshmandzadeh. But THEIR offensive problems pail in comparison to those of the defense. The Bengals don't stop the run or the pass. And That doesn't bode well against a Browns offense that hung 51 on them the first time these two teams met. They may not reach 51 again in this one, but they should be able to score one more than the Bengals. I like the Browns on the road.



Texans/Colts

It's an AFC South matchup Sunday afternoon in the RCA dome as the 12-2 Colts host the 7-7 Texans. It is the holiday season, so I'll say some nice things about these Texans. They play in the toughest division in football. They've been without their starting quarterback, starting runningback, and best wide receiver for a good portion of the season, and yet they've managed to get back to .500 and create optimism about their future. And did I mention the development Mario Williams? The 2nd-year defensive end leads the AFC in sacks with 13 and has quickly become one of the most dominant defenders in the NFL. Okay, Enough about them. The Colts have clinched the division and a first round bye, but Tony Dungy will continue to play his starters. We don't know for how long but it will be long enough for the most well-rounded team in the NFL to get past these pesky Texans. Yes-you heard me correctly. I didn't say "the best". I said "the most well-rounded". Indy has won 10 of 11 in this series. Make it 11 of 12. I like the Colts in a tight one.



Giants/Bills



A good matchup Sunday afternoon in Buffalo as the Bills host the Giants. Once again, hats off to Dick Jauron and the Bills for a wonderful 2007 season. This team fights hard every week with a minimal amount of talent and if not for the horrific weather conditions last weekend in Cleveland, who knows what might have been? BUT, the Browns ended the Bills playoff hopes and they will start looking to next season. Meanwhile, The Giants looked like they were cruising towards a wildcard berth, and then they were dominated at home by an inferior Redskins squad. The annual Tom Coughlin rumors are swirling and the Giants are starting to feel the heat. And while they may be facing a Bills team that doesn't excel in any phase of the game, they are scratch, kick and claw you for 60 minutes. On paper, this is a mismatch that heavily favors the Giants. And with the Patriots looming next weekend, The Giants need this one badly. Unfortunately, I think theyre in for another humongous letdown. I like the Bills at home as the Giants teeter on the verge of a monumental collapse..



Ravens at Seahawks

Another fine feather matchup in Seattle this weekend as the Ravens meet the Seahawks. Im not Marlon Perkins, but these are two of the ugliest birds in the aviary. The Ravens take that ugliness to a whole new level ON the field. Weeks ago they were on the verge of spoiling the Patriots undefeated season, last week they were the dreadful Dolphins 1st victim of the season. These Ravens have lost 8 straight and don't seem to like each other. The defense blames the offense, the offense blames, the special teams, and collectively, they all blame the coach. Good Times! As for the Seahawks, they embarrassed themselves last week in Carolina, but they should bounce back, especially at home where they've won 22 of their last 26 games. Seattle is very explosive on both sides of the ball, averaging 23 points per game, while sacking 41 opposing quarterbacks and forcing 31 turnovers. Mark it down. The Seahawks will pound the Ravens.

Jets at Titans

The Jets travel to Nashville this weekend to face the Titans, and theyre bringing a moral victory with them. The merits of so called "moral victories" are debatable, but when you hang with the Patriots for 4 quarters, lose by only 10 points at their building, that's the Websters dictionary definition of a moral victory. Granted, the Jets still aren't very good, but the Titans shouldn't take them lightly, especially with Vince Young's tendancy to play careless with the football, and the Jets competent secondary. As I said last week, the Titans need to stick with what they do best, and that's run the football and play good defense. LenDale White should have no problem finding room to run against this Jets front seven that allows 141 rushing yards per game. The Titans should also have no problem getting to Clemens or Pennington and forcing mistakes. Both Kyle Vanden Bosch and Albert Haynesworth, my guys, are getting a much deserved all expenses paid trip to Honolulu in February. The Titans are clinging to playoff hopes and there is no room for error against an inferior opponent. I like the Titans at home.



Dolphins at Patriots

The Dolphins visit the patriots this weekend , and as humerous as this may sound, it's the Dolphins who have to guard against a letdown. Yes, the Fins escaped history with their win over the Ravens last weekend, and a frigid 3 hour encounter with the best team in football is probably not high on their Christmas lists. The temporary jubilation will quickly turn to humiliation as the Patriots beat down on them for 4 quarters. If they're lucky, the Dolphins may get to face the Patriots JV squad , which would probably still be 3 touchdowns better than Cleo Lemon, Samkon Gado, and Greg Camarillo. As for these Patriots, they may need a good 40 point victory as some sort of sadistic reaffirmation after sweating out 3 of their last 4 games. The rest of the Big Boys in the AFC are starting to feel a little better about their chances against this Patriots team, the more they see them struggle. My guess is Bellicheck will put the pedal to the metal and send a statement over the next 2 weeks that the "Big Dog" still has plenty of bite. Patriots win big.

Redskins at Vikings

Well, the Vikings train continued moving forward with Monday nights win over the Bears, but the play of Tavarus Jackson allowed a little doubt to creep back in as to whether theyre truly ready for primetime. This week they host the Redskins, who kept their slim playoff hopes alive with a win over the fading Giants. Todd Collins was bad last week going 8 of 25 against a banged up Giants secondary. He's gonna have to be much better this week against the Vikings. Clinton Portis will find it to be a rough ride against the NFL's stingiest run defense, and Collins will find himself being forced to carry the Skins through the air. Im not real confident he's capable of that. After watching the Monday nighter, Im not sure Tavarus Jackson is ready to do that either. Jackson was awful against a bad Bears defense and will have his hands full again if the Skins slow down Peterson and Taylor. Im predicting that WONT be the case. Peterson has been held in check 2 consecutive weeks, I don't see that happening again. The Vikings will grind up the Redskins and force Collins into making mistakes. I like the Vikings at home



Broncos at the Chargers

The Broncos and Chargers meet in San Diego for a good old fashion AFC West showdown. Unfortunately for the Broncos, this one doesn't count for anything. The Chargers have clinched the West, but at 9 and 5, they have the same record as the Steelers and would love to finish strong and capture the number 3 seed. The eye popping story in this one is the Chargers dominance at home this year. It has been an up and down year filled with controversy and consternation, but one thing has remained constant: You don't wanna mess with these Chargers at Qualcom. They are 6 and 1 at home and have won those 6 games by average of 18 points per. For the year, they are averaging well over 300 yards and 28 points per game at home. It all spells trouble for the Broconos. Defensively they have been a disaster. They're equal opportunity bad against the run and pass and allow 26 points per game. The Chargers have won 4 straight and 8 of their last 10 and are starting to look like a threat. They should have no trouble getting past the Broncos. I like San Diego at home.