Fifth Down, Week Twelve

Shopping and cleaning kept me from posting this earlier. My earlier predictions are in italics.

Steelers, 27 Bengals 10 - Win. Steelers couldn't run the ball, but Cincinnatti could neither run nor pass. Picked this one perfectly. Actual score: Steelers 27, Bengals 10

Eagles 24, Ravens 21 - Loss. Westbrook's injury is hurting his team...almost as much as McNabb's play is. First time in his career he was benched for poor performance. It was pret-ty bad, too. Actual score: Ravens 36, Eagles 7

Browns 17, Texans 14 - Loss. Quinn really didn't throw the ball accurately this game. Benched. That Cleveland run D--and Shaun Rogers the major force behind it--should be getting more kudos. Actual score Texans 16, Browns 6

Buccaneers 24, Lions 21 - Win. The Lions were up 17-0 at one point in the first half. Then, Garcia stopped turning the ball over, and the Bucs went to town. Actual score: Buccaneers 38, Lions 20

Chiefs 28, Bills 20- Loss. Thigpen played a solid game until late, but this turkey was cooked before the first half was over. Isn't Herm Edwards a defensive specialist? What gives, KC? Your defense, that's what. Maybe I need to ask them to play Santa for my household this year. Actual score: Bills 54, Chiefs 31

Bears 30, Rams 12 - Win. Bulger in, Bulger out, it made no difference, 'cause their offensive line--and entire defense--is outmanned and outplayed nearly every game. Actual score: Bears 27, Rams 3

Titans 21, Jets 7- Loss. Jets' DT Kris Jenkins is a hoss, almost single-handedly stopping the Tennessee run game, which negated the effectiveness of the play-action, and Farve had a fantastic day, as did the entire Jets team. Actual score: Jets 34, Titans 13

Patriots 17, Dolphins 14 - Win.This one was a lot closer than the final score indicates, as Cassel and Pennington dueled evenly for three quarters, before the Dolphin dbs fell to the superior Patriot WRs. Actual score: Patriots 48, Dolphins 28

Vikings 21, Jaguars 18 - Win. Jacksonville has to have one of the most inept passing games in the NFL. Has to, 'cause Minnesota's dbs aren't that great. Actual score: Vikings 30, Jaguars 12

Cowboys 31, 49ers 14 - Win. Romo and TO looked like they were in '07 mid-season form, and when that happens, the 'boys are near impossible to beat. Actual score: Cowboys 35, 49ers: 22

Broncos 21, Raiders 8 - Loss. How bad is the Broncos defense? JaMarcus Russell attempted eleven passes, and the Raiders put up thirty-one points. That's how bad it is. Actual score: Raiders 31, Broncos 10

Panthers 21, Falcons 20 - Loss. Atlanta took Muhammed out of the game and forced Delhomme to work the underneath routes with Smith (they wouldn't let Smith deep), frustrating Delhomme into too many turnovers and too deep an early hole (they were down 17-0 at one point) to climb out of. Actual score: Falcons 45, Panthers 28

Giants 28, Cardinals 27 -Win. Kurt Warner still threw for over three-hundred yards, but Warner doesn't play on Arizona's special teams unit, and it was this unit that killed the Cards. Actual score: Giants 37, Cardinals 29

Redskins 20, Seahawks 10- Win. Today, Washington's offense will eat turkey, but last week, they ate clock. Actual score: Redskins 20, Seahawks 17

Colts 28, Chargers 15- Win. That goddess Fortuna I spoke of? She's got San Diego on her karmic wheel, and she's laughing as she spins. Actual score: Colts 23, Chargers 20

Packers 27, Saints 24 - Loss. The Packers arial attack isn't in the class of New Orleans'. Actual score: Saints 51, Packers 29