Games to Watch: Week 13 - Mparas1432's Blog

Mparas1432's Blog

Games to Watch: Week 13

Posted on November 30, 2012 at 03:25 PM.

(0)

Games to Watch:

Seattle Seahawks (6-5) at Chicago Bears (8-3)

X-Factor:

Brendan - Seattle Secondary

With Brandon Browner and Richard Sherman not suspended this week, they will have the pleasure of attempting to shut down Brandon Marshall. The Bears will literally only target Marshall for long stretches of a game, as evidence of his 17 targets and the next two receivers only had 8 total. Granted, the Bears can�t seem to get the ball downfield to Marshall, so maybe another 12-catch, 90-yard performance is in the cards for Marshall against the Seahawks.

Browner and Sherman will likely be suspended for the following week, so I�d expect them to go all-out in their final game of the regular season and help the Seahawks in their playoff push.

Matt - Russell Wilson, Seattle Seahawks QB

How will the rookie square up against the Monsters of the Midway? On the road Wilson has thrown eight interceptions to only six touchdowns. The Bears lead the league with33 takeaways as well. Wilson has demonstrated a lot of poise this season, but it�s still unclear how he will do against Chicago.

Predictions:

Brendan - Well, unfortunately for the Seahawks, they aren't playing in Seattle. Last week against the Dolphins we saw the Seahawks truly can lose to anyone while on the road. Chicago is a much better team than the Dolphins, and have a much better defense. Prediction: 24-13 Chicago.

Matt - Look out for a rough game from Wilson. The Bears will do everything to torment the rookie from Wisconsin. 35-14 Bears

Tampa Bay Buccaneers (6-5) at Denver Broncos (8-3)

X-Factor:

Brendan - Denver Receivers

The Bucs come into the game with statistically the worst pass defense in the league. They also have the league�s best rush defense in the league. It doesn�t help Denver will be without Willis McGahee and have a running back by committee headed by Knowshon Moreno. Denver�s receiving duo of Demaryius Thomas and Eric Decker are in for big days.

Even Denver�s third receiver, Brandon Stokely, could be in for a big day. The Broncos will lose some of their balance on offense with McGahee out, but if you were going to pick a week to throw the ball more than ever, the week you play the league�s worst pass defense might not be the worst time.

Matt � Vincent Jackson, Tampa Bay WR

Champ Bailey knows Vincent Jackson quite well from his San Diego days. While Bailey is one of the best shutdown corners in the league, Jackson has had a remarkable season with his new team. Can he find room to catch in a crowded Denver secondary?

Predictions:

Brendan - So you�re telling me Peyton Manning gets to face the league�s worst pass defense just when he is being counted on more than ever? Well, I�ll be on the hall of famer and the Denver defense finding a way to slow down the Tampa Bay offense. Prediction: 38-28 Broncos

Matt � Both teams are some of the hottest teams in the NFL. Like Brendan, it�s a safe bet to say Peyton Manning will carry the day. However I expect a much closer game. 34-31 Broncos

Pittsburgh Steelers (6-5) at Baltimore Ravens (9-2)

X-Factor:

Brendan - QB Joe Flacco, Baltimore Ravens

The Steelers defense still does a great job shutting down opponent�s passing game, as they are tops in the league in pass defense. However, Joe Flacco is much better at home than on the road, and also plays fairly well against the Steelers. It looks like something will have to give in this game between bitter rivals.

Even though Flacco struggled in the first meeting this year, playing at home in front of the Baltimore fans who are whacko for Flacco, he tends to play better. It wouldn�t hurt to set up the big plays to Torrey Smith down the field, rather than just taking a shot and throwing jump balls up to Smith every other drive. Flacco will have to do a better job of that, as defenses can just key on Smith and provide safety help over the top.

Matt � Jonathan Dwyer, Steelers RB

In the first Ravens meeting this season, Dwyer had 55 yards on 12 carries. Dwyer was announced the starter this week and will need a big game in order to bail out Charlie Batch, who has been announced the starter.

Predictions:

Brendan - Baltimore is undefeated at home and as I mentioned, its no coincidence that Flacco plays better at home. With Big Ben being out that leaves Charlie Batch, who most likely thought was a coach, not a quarterback until recently, as the starter against the Ravens. Prediction: Ravens 23, Steelers 9

Matt � The Steelers can�t get anything going offensively as of late and that will continue against Baltimore. 21-6 Ravens

New York Giants (7-4) at Washington Redskins (5-6)

X-Factor:

Brendan - Redskins Receivers

Off the top of your head, name the player who leads the team in receptions on the Redskins. Did you guess Josh Morgan? A guy who doesn�t even start for the Redskins leads the team in receptions. In fact, Fred Davis who has been out for a few weeks now is still fourth on the team in receptions and yards. Basically what I�m getting at is the receivers need to step up against the Giants in order for the Skins to even have a chance.

Pierre Garcon makes this an entirely different offense and provides the big-play threat they were missing. Robert Griffin III has done a great job spreading the ball around, and when he�s able to get out of the pocket he�s still looking downfield to throw the ball and that allows his receivers an opportunity to get open. With the vaunted Giants pass rush coming to town, rest assured RGIII will be on the run, and it will be up to his receivers to help him by getting open.

Matt � David Wilson, Giants RB

With Andre Brown going out for the year, this could be Wilson�s time to shine alongside Ahmad Bradshaw. Wilson has been in Coughlin�s doghouse for most the year since a week one fumble, but if used, could add another threat to an already lethal Giants offense.

Predictions:

Brendan - My heart says RGIII can pull this out. My head slaps my heart and reminds me the Giants are coming off a game on national TV where they demolished the Packers. This is probably why I don�t work for the four letter network. Prediction: 31-28 Redskins.

Matt � The Giants looked amazing last week against the Packers, but I like the Redskins with the upset. 28-24 Redskins