Fifth Down, Week Fifteen

Ah, I'm ready for next Monday night, when I can find some time to tabulate. Until then....(original predictions in italics):

Saints 27, Bears 21 - Loss. Brees came up a bit short, but he can't play defense, can he? Actual score: Bears 27, Saints 24.

Falcons 21, Buccaneers 20 - Win. Atlanta racked up 175 yards rushing on the Bucs. And there you have it. Actual score: Falcons 13, Buccaneers 10.

Redskins 20, Bengals 10 - Loss. You know, if I'd been paying closer attention to the Redskins' last five games, I would have predicted something like this happening. Their offense is dead. Zorn may be, too. Actual score: Bengals 20, Redskins 13.

Titans 28, Texans 20 - Loss. Andre Johnson--who caught for two-hundred yards this game--is officially the best receiver in football. Actual score: Texans 13, Titans 12.

Packers 31, Jaguars 13 - Loss. Didn't watch this one, but I'm not surpised, as the Packers' D has seem deflated for most of the year. Actual score: Jaguars 20, Packers 16.

Dolphins 14, 49ers 13- Win. You know, if the San Fran allow Samurai Mike to keep coaching next year, this could be a playoff team...and Miami's playing like one. Actual score: Dolphins 14, 49ers 9.

Seahawks 24, Rams 13 - Win. Senaca Wallace--the next big star? Could be. Showed some fire and spunk. Actual score: Seahawks 23, Rams 20.

Jets 30, Bills 9 - Win. The Jets let other teams run on them like this the next two weeks, and they won't make the playoffs. Actual score: Jets 31, Bills 27.

Chargers 35, Chiefs 31 - Win. Philip Rivers had one heckuva game; heck, he's having one heckuva year, especially considering the dismal display of defense the first half of the season, and the completely dormant running game. If the Chargers make the playoffs--they'll have to win their next two, and Denver will have to lose the next two--then I'm starting a petition for Rivers to be MVP. Actual score: Chargers 22, Chiefs 21.

Colts 30, Lions 12 - Win. At one point in the fourth quarter, Detroit had this game tied at 21. How can the Colts hope to win in the playoffs if they continue to let teams stick around like this? Same way they've won the past seven games in a row--let Peyton take control.
Actual score: Colts 31, Lions 21.

Cardinals 27, Vikings 24 - Loss. I tune in about midway thorugh the first quarter, and the Vikings are up 21-0. Goodness. Has Whisenhunt not properly prepared his team? That's ridiculous. Actual score: Vikings 35, Cardinals 14.

Steelers, Ravens - Win. Hah! I forgot to put a score down. I did, though, predict the Steelers to win, and I predicated that predication on Ben R.'s will to win. I was right. One of the best games of the year. Actual score: Steelers 13, Ravens 9.

Panthers 31, Broncos 21 - Win. Steve Smith and DeAngelo Williams took over the game, and the Carolina D--without much effective work from Julius Peppers--stymied Cutler all game long. Actual score: Panthers 30, Broncos 10.

Patriots 17, Raiders 8 - Win. Zip! Zip! Zip! Zip! Four quick touchdowns. Looked like last year's Patriots for the first time. Actual score: Patriots 49, Raiders 26.

Cowboys 24, Giants 21- Win. DeMarcus Ware is having one of the best seasons a defensive player has ever had. They double team him and nick him on third downs, and he still gets sacks. Actual score: Cowboys 20, Giants 8.

Eagles 26, Browns 11 - Win. Whenever Shaun Rogers is out of the line-up (every third play), then the Eagles could do what they wanted to. When he was in, the Eagles could...well, Rogers did make several plays, otherwise this would have been much worse. . Actual score: Eagles 30, Browns 10.