Tag: NFL

Front 4: NFL Divisional Round

We’re down to eight! Four teams from each conference remain as they attempt to punch their ticket to Super Bowl 51 in Houston. With four matchups on this weekend’s slate, the Front 4 team will debate who they believe will walk away from each game victorious. Before we get to their predictions, let’s take a look at how they fared last week and of course the overall standings as the season nears its end.

Wild Card Round: 

Daisy: 7                                                                          Daisy: 47

Carlos: 6                                                                        Ryan: 46

Ryan: 5                                                                           Carlos: 46

Kyle: 4                                                                             Kyle: 44

Texans@Patriots

urlDaisy: Patriots

Despite the Texans having the league’s top defense, I don’t think there’s any shot that they can go into New England and beat Tom Brady. The Pats are just better. Unfortunately they’re on their way to another Super Bowl appearance.

Carlos: Patriots

The Patriots are going to win this game rather easily because they have Tom Brady who is just stockpiling wins and championships at this point. 3500 yards and 28 touchdowns for a guy who missed four games is pretty darn impressive. The Texans defense has been good, but the Patriots have too much experience and too much power to overcome.

Ryan: Patriots

The Patriots beat the Texans 27-0 in week 3 this season with their third string quarterback. Add in Tom Brady and subtract JJ Watt and you have a game where a 15-point spread will be covered.

Kyle: Patriots

The Texans were able to figure things out for a week and pick up a playoff win against the Carr-less Raiders, but Brady and Belicheck will be in the driver’s seat this weekend as they end the Texans’ dreams rather easily.

Steelers@Chiefs

Daisy: Steelers

The Steelers head into this one with Big Ben nursing an injury, but that won’t hold this team down. When they’re clicking, they’re unstoppable. I think the Steelers steal one on the road.

Carlos: Steelers

The Chiefs were able to secure a bye in the playoffs, but their defense is ranked 24th in the league and their offense was ranked 20th so there is room for improvement. They weren’t lights out, but they have a good quarterback in Alex Smith and a good coach in Andy Reid. Good won’t be enough when it comes to Le’veon Bell. I see Bell running all over the Chiefs defense that was ranked 26th in rushing yards allowed. Antonio Brown and Big Ben are also too much for that defense to handle. There are too many weapons to stop and the Steelers are coming in hot on an 8-game winning streak.

Ryan: Steelers

I want to go Chiefs here, especially with news that Big Ben in a walking boot earlier in the week, but the Steelers just seem to get better and better each week (like the Packers). I’m not going to overthink this game and go Steelers. I can’t wait for the last second Tyreek Hill punt return, a la Desean Jackson against the Giants, to ruin this pick for me.

Kyle: Steelers

In the first match up between these two, the Steelers routed the Chiefs 43-14 thanks to an early onslaught. The Steelers got out to a 22-0 lead in the 1st quarter thanks to a KC fumble, muffed punt and interception from Alex Smith. Pittsburgh would go on to score 36 unanswered points to start the game and KC never stood a chance in what was probably their worst game of the season. The Chiefs will obviously want to use that game as motivation especially at home and I think they will come out with a better gameplan, but ultimately this game might come down to whichever team wins the turnover battle. I’ll take the Steelers to come out on top because of the 3 B’s: Ben, Bell and Brown. 

Seahawks@Falcons

Daisy: Falcons

The Falcons have looked great all season and I think Matt Ryan and the squad will show why they’re in the playoffs and why they were the second best team in the NFC.

Carlos: Falcons

We all know that Seattle has a great defense, but they are dealing with injuries. To add to that, they are playing on the road. That’s too many obstacles to overcome especially against a Falcons offense that was on another level this season as they scored 33 points per game which was best in the league.

Seattle can hang in there especially if Thomas Rawls has another big game. Against the Lions he set a franchise playoff record with 161 rushing yards. Atlanta was ranked 17th in rushing yards allowed so it could come down to Seattle establishing a running game, but my money is still on Atlanta. Ironically, Matt Ryan’s only playoff win came in 2012 against the Seahawks.

Matt Ryan

Ryan: Falcons

I don’t like trusting the Falcons in the playoffs, but I think this game turns into a shootout and the Seahawks won’t be able to match the Falcons offensively. If Earl Thomas was playing, I’d probably go Seahawks, but it’s a huge loss to play without him. Matt Ryan’s only playoff win has come against the Seahawks so hopefully he can do it again this year.

Kyle: Falcons

This is a tough one to predict because it pits the Falcons’ high-powered offense against the Seahawks’ lights-out defense. If this game was in Seattle, I would’ve taken the Seahawks, but this game will be indoors allowing Matt Ryan to play in comfortable conditions which could lead to plenty of scoring even against the Seahawks defense. He threw for 335 and 3 touchdowns against the Seahawks in Seattle earlier this season so I expect even better numbers in Atlanta.

Packers@Cowboys

Daisy: Cowboys

This is the most intriguing game of the weekend because both of these teams are pretty evenly matched up and are both coming in hot. It’s going to be a close one, but the Cowboys are home and will come out victorious to prolong their great season. 

Carlos: Packers

Not only are the Packers red hot, but they also have the experience. Aaron Rodgers is one of the best quarterbacks not only in the game now, but maybe all time. He has already won a Super Bowl and just looks unstoppable. The Cowboys are scary because of Dak, Zeke and the offensive line, but this team is young. They’re playing rookies at the QB and RB positions and that might hurt them. These teams are evenly matched so it should be a close game, but ultimately I see Aaron Rodgers leading the Packers to a win on their final drive.

Ryan: Packers

The Cowboys are the best team in the NFC, but the playoffs are all about who’s hot and Aaron Rodgers is on fire right now. Meanwhile, on the other side, Dallas is starting two rookies and as great as they’ve been it’s hard to pick rooks over A.A.Ron Rodgers. Also…Dez didn’t catch it.

Kyle: Cowboys

I don’t know if anyone can stop Aaron Rodgers right now. He put up 33 points against a Giants defense that was on a tear. The Cowboys defense has played well, but it’ll be extremely difficult to slow down the Packers offense. It should be interesting to see how Dak and Zeke perform in their first playoff games and the Cowboys will likely need huge days from both men if they want to move on to the Conference Championship. I could see this going either way, but I’m going to stick with dem boyz. 

Highest Scoring Game?

Daisy: Seahawks/Falcons

I am really banking on both of these quarterbacks to just go back and forth with touchdowns this week. The Seahawks have a tendency to show up in the playoffs so I think they’re going to try their best to keep up with the Falcons.

Carlos: Seahawks/Falcons

Atlanta is going to come out swinging. They want to prove they belong and Matt Ryan wants that second playoff win. The Seahawks are good on defense, but they are limping in with injuries. That being said, Seattle won’t just sit and accept a loss. They’re going to go down swinging and they’ll need to establish the running game to complement Russell Wilson in order to produce points. I see this being a back and forth battle.

aaron_rodgers_2014Ryan: Packers/Cowboys

Each team has offensive weapons that are borderline unstoppable in Elliott and Rodgers. Even if each team had an above-average defense (neither does), I would still expect those two to put up big numbers.

Kyle: Packers/Cowboys

We all know what Aaron Rodgers is capable of. We’ve also seen what the Cowboys’ stacked offense can do. This could be a back and forth game that might come down to the wire with both teams trading punches.

Will Zeke or Bell Have More Rushing Yards?

Daisy: Le’Veon Bell

I usually pick Zeke to out-run most backs, but I think Le’veon Bell has a better chance getting through the Chiefs defense than Zeke does against the Packers. Zeke will have still have a great game, but I just trust Bell more at this point. 

Carlos: Bell

I’m going with Bell because the Chiefs don’t have the greatest defense against the run. They were ranked 26th in rushing yards allowed with 122 rushing yards per game. Zeke will have to run against a better run defense that is ranked 8th and only allows 95 rushing yards per game.

Ryan: Bell

Big Ben is in a walking boot, but the Steelers will probably be fine without him at 100% because of Bell. Le’Veon is on fire and is coming off a 167-yard performance in the Wild Card game. Zeke is a monster, but the Cowboys might find themselves behind with a rookie QB under center.

Kyle: Ezekiel Elliott

Both Bell and Zeke lit up their opponents in their matchups against the Chiefs and Packers earlier in the season, but I’m leaning toward Zeke since he’ll be playing in better conditions. He rushed for 157 yards in Green Bay and now he gets to face that same defense indoors in Dallas.

Who Will Have More Passing Yards Between Brady, Big Ben, Rodgers and Ryan?

Daisy: Matt Ryan

Matt Ryan has been brilliant this season and I’ll keep faith in the better Ryan. 

Carlos: Tom Brady

Brady is on a mission to win another Super Bowl. The Texans were ranked 2nd against the pass this season so it won’t be easy for Brady, but he is able to just break down any defense and do as he pleases. I don’t see Houston playing with much spunk in this one which will lead to an onslaught from Brady and company.

Ryan: Aaron Rodgers

Rodgers is the best QB facing the easiest matchup of the four. I learned the hard way to never bet against Rodgers and I won’t make that mistake again.

Kyle: Matt Ryan

The Falcons have flown somewhat under the radar this season even though they finished with the 2nd seed in the NFC. If they lose to Seattle at home, it will really make people forget about their impressive offensive season. I think Matt Ryan has his best playoff game to set up a match-up with Dallas.

Which Running QB Will Have the Most Total Yards?

Dak Prescott, Russell Wilson or Alex Smith

russell_wilson_vs_vikings_november_4_2012Daisy: Russell Wilson

Out of the three QBs in this question, Russell Wilson has the most favorable matchup. I think Russell will definitely be able to throw the ball and use his feet to pick yards on the run as well.

That being said, I think Dak still plays well despite the evidence of past rookie quarterbacks in the playoffs. I think he will continue to play well especially with the team he has around him. He doesn’t seem to get flustered and Nothing makes him nervous… not even girls.

Carlos: Wilson

Wilson will need to be mobile and electric if the Seahawks have any chance to win so I am counting on Russell Wilson to make big plays including big runs that will complement the passing game. Plus, of the 3 quarterbacks, Wilson is facing the weakest defense which is the Falcons that was ranked 25th in the league.

Ryan: Wilson

Betting on Russell Wilson in the playoffs is a smart thing to do and I like to pretend I’m smart. Dak is great, but still a rookie and Alex Smith is effective, but not going to fill up the scoresheet. Wilson all day.

Kyle: Alex Smith

Andy Reid, Alex Smith and the Chiefs had an extra week to prepare for the Steelers(assuming they expected them to beat the Dolphins) and Reid has proven that he uses the extra time to the best of his ability. I think this bodes well for Smith who will rack up yards in small bunches, but I think those bunches eventually lead to a solid day for the veteran quarterback. 

Will the Texans/Patriots Game Be Decided By Less than 16 Points?

Daisy: Yes

Yes, I believe the Texans can keep this from getting out of hand, but only because of their defense. I mean you guys are representing the AFC South. Please don’t make us look worse than we already are. 

Carlos: No

As I said before, Tom Brady is on a mission to win. He is still mad about the suspension and it shows in the way he plays every week.

Ryan: No

Tom Brady vs. Brock Osweiler. One puts up a lot of points while the other does not.

Kyle: Yes

The only way this happens is if the Texans protect the ball. They CANNOT afford to turn the ball over and if they don’t they may be able to keep the game close because their defense is that good.

Closest Game?

Daisy: Packers/Cowboys

Both teams are coming in hot and like I said earlier, this will definitely be the most intriguing game of the weekend.

Carlos: Packers/Cowboys

This game has the ingredients to be a classic. You have a red-hot Super Bowl champ in Aaron Rodgers and you have great rookie playmakers in Zeke and Dak. It’s a tough game to predict and those kind of games usually make for close games.

29739017656_d3982146b9_b

Ryan: Seahawks/Falcons

The Falcons are the better team, but they aren’t great in the playoffs. The Seahawks are money in the playoffs. That’ll make for a close game that will hopefully come down to the final possession. We gotta get interesting playoff football at some point, right?

Kyle: Packers/Cowboys

With Aaron Rodgers you can expect fireworks. Fireworks usually means late game heroics so I’ll go with the Packers/Cowboys.

Tiebreaker: Which Team Will Gain the Most Total Yards?

Daisy: Cowboys

Carlos: Falcons

Ryan: Patriots

Kyle: Steelers

Do you agree with the Front 4 team’s predictions? Be sure to comment below to let us know who you think will be one step closer to the Super Bowl!

Front 4: NFL Wildcard Round

As the regular season came to a close, the members of the Front 4 team decided to make things interesting in the final week to give us a nail-biter heading into the playoffs. With just four weeks of predictions remaining, Ryan holds a one-point lead over Kyle, Daisy and Carlos who are all tied for second place.

With four games on the schedule this weekend, the Front 4 team will take a look at each match up and debate who will move one step closer to a trip to the Super Bowl. Let us know if you agree with their predictions for the NFL Wildcard Round.

Raiders@Texans

Kyle: Texans

If Derek Carr were playing this game would be one of the easier ones to predict, however, with rookie Connor Cook making his first career start that also happens to be a playoff game on the road, it’s a little tougher. The Raiders are still the better team, but Houston did win their division(miraculously) and I think this game could come down head-coaching decisions.

Raiders head coach Jack Del Rio is entering the playoffs for just the 3rd time in his 11 seasons as a head coach and only has one win which came back in 2007 with the Jaguars. The Raiders have been known to take chances under Del Rio and I think that backfires this week under Cook as the Raiders’ once promising season comes to a crushing halt thanks to a late stop by the Texans as Brock Osweiler walks away with his first playoff victory putting him ahead of Andy Dalton. 

Daisy: Raiders

Let’s go Raiders! Despite losing their MVP-caliber quarterback and then losing their 2nd string quarterback, the Raiders are a solid squad. I think the Texans defense will definitely be a challenge for Connor Cook, but I believe the Raiders will score enough points to get the job done.

Carlos: Texans

Regardless of the result of this game, the Raiders should be proud of their season. Going from 7 to 12 wins and making the playoffs for the first time since 2002 is a huge accomplishment. If Carr was healthy, the Raiders  could have been a serious threat to reach the Super Bowl. Teams have only been able to score 20 points per game against the Texans and without a QB like Carr, points will be tough to come by for the Raiders. The Texans aren’t the best team, but they were able to win enough games to get to the playoffs so don’t take them for granted.

Ryan: Texans

This is easily the toughest game to pick this weekend. How do you pick between a QB who was cheered by the crowd he’ll be playing in front of when he was benched or a QB who has never played in an NFL game and will be starting on the road? Both teams have strong defenses but my god how do you choose between these offenses? If Carr starts this game, you could put down a game-winning drive for the Raiders in stone. Osweiler will have a bad game, but Cook might have a worse one. Poor guy.

Dolphins@Steelers

Kyle: Steelers

Big Ben is 11-6 in the playoffs while Matt Moore has never thrown a pass in the postseason. Jay Ajayi and Jarvis Landry have never touched the ball in the postseason and Adam Gase is in his first year of coaching with Miami. I’ll take the experience from Big Ben, Bell, AB, and Mike Tomlin at home in this one.

Daisy: Steelers

The Steelers are a more complete team. In order for the Dolphins to win, they’ll need to stop Pittsburgh’s explosive offense and hope for another stellar game from Jay Ajayi. I don’t see all of that happening. 

ben_roethlisberger_2016Carlos: Steelers

Miami has one of the worst defenses against the pass so I expect the experienced Big Ben to capitalize. The Dolphins are in the same boat as the Raiders in that they should be proud of making the playoffs, but losing their starting QB late in the season is going to make it tough for them to go much further.

The Steelers have the experience and they look like a team that is able to make a deep run. Big Ben, Le’Veon Bell, and Antonio Brown make this team scary and they should not be taken lightly.

Ryan: Steelers

Okay, this might be the toughest game to pick. The Steelers defense is bad and Matt Moore is probably better than Ryan Fitzpatrick so just because he’s a backup doesn’t mean he’s automatically trash (though being better than Fitz isn’t a huge compliment). Jay Ajayi has already rushed for 204 yards against this team earlier in the year. Also, may I remind you that Big Ben lost a playoff game to Tim Tebow. But while I would bet on the Dolphins covering the 10-point spread, despite all the evidence, I just can’t bring myself to take them straight up.

Giants@Packers

Kyle: Packers

This one is sure to come down to a late possession. It could mean the Giants defense will have to stop Aaron Rodgers one last time late in the 4th quarter, but we’ve seen time and time again that Rodgers doesn’t need much time on the clock to make something happen. There’s plenty of questions heading into the playoffs, but two things everyone can agree with is the Giants can play defense and Rodgers can play quarterback; both at a very high level. I look forward to seeing if the Giants’ stellar defense can stop this hot Packers offense. By a hair, I’ll take the Packers to win thanks to a late kick from the foot of Mason Crosby. 

Daisy: Packers

Despite the Giants’ defense being great lately, Aaron Rodgers has been better. It will be an exciting game and the one I’m most looking forward to.

2012_packers_vs_giants_-_eli_manningCarlos: Giants

I’m using past playoff runs for this one. In both of their recent Super Bowl runs, the Giants beat the Packers. The Giants offense has not been great, but they have one of the best playoff quarterbacks in  Eli Manning. They also have this OBJ guy that surely wants to prove he’s the best weapon in the NFL. The Giants defense looks to be Super Bowl worthy and what better test than the red hot Aaron Rodgers. Ultimately, I think we get an ELIte performance from Manning and the Giants’ defense. 

Ryan: Giants

Okay, all these games are hard to pick. Wow, get ready for some good football this weekend. In this match up, we have the New York “does it feel like 2007 in here or is it just me?” Giants against the Green Bay “Aaron Rodgers at home” Packers. The Pack are on a six-game roll, but haven’t faced a team like the Giants in that span. This game will be as cold as your ex’s heart and I’ll always lean defense in those games. But what do I know.

Lions@Seahawks

russell_wilson_vs_vikings_november_4_2012
via wikimedia

Kyle: Seahawks

Both of these clubs limped into the playoffs, but this still could turn into one of the more exciting games of the weekend because of the two stand-out QB’s. That being said, I think the Seahawks will win because the Lions have not proved they can beat a playoff team this season. They’re 0-5 against this year’s playoff  squads(Packers x2, Texans, Cowboys, Giants). That doesn’t give me much confidence they’ll be able to pull of any kind of upset.

Daisy: Seahawks

I am not feeling an upset in this game. The last time the Seahawks lost a Wild Card game at home was in 2004 against the Rams. Seahawks should get the win. 

Carlos: Seahawks

The Seahawks will win this game behind a great game from Russell Wilson. The Seahawks have dealt with plenty of injuries this season, but their defense is still one of the scarier groups in the league.  The Lions are evenly matched with the Seahawks so the deciding factors could be that the game is being played in Seattle and the Seahawks have plenty of playoff experience. 

Ryan: Seahawks

Matthew Stafford has not been the same since injuring his finger and now he has to take on the Seahawks in Seattle. The Seahawks have a lot of issues themselves, but not enough to make up for the Lions’ struggles.

Which AFC QB Not Named Big Ben Will Throw for the Most Yards?

Kyle: Brock

Brock Osweiler has to know what he’ll be facing if he loses at home against a rookie quarterback, right? He can almost wipe away his awful first season with a solid performance to carry his team into the second round. He obviously hasn’t lived up to his huge contract, but he gets a chance to get a playoff win under his belt and give the organization and the fans some hope.

The Raiders defense isn’t good and was overlooked because Carr and co were pulling out comeback wins and helping people look past their flaws. Without Carr, the Texans should be able to put some points on the board and grab a comfortable lead. C’mon BrockStar.

Daisy: Matt Moore

This one is tough because many of these teams aren’t going with their number 1 QB. I am going to say Matt Moore will throw for the most yards, but unfortunately for Miami fans, that’s all he’ll be winning. 

Carlos: Brock

Brock Osweiler is going against a defense that is ranked 24th in the NFL against the pass. He hasn’t had a great season, but he should be able to get some yards. Conner Cook is facing a great defense against the pass that is ranked 2nd in the NFL. Matt Moore gets the average Steelers’ defense that has been much better of late so I’ll take Brock. 

Ryan: Matt Moore

Matt Moore is a semi-competent NFL quarterback. The other two are not. Also, the Steelers have a bad defense and could be in for a shootout.

Will Jay Ajayi or Le’Veon Bell Rush for More Yards?

Kyle: Ajayi

If the Dolphins are going to have any chance against Pittsburgh, they’re going to need a huge game from Jay Ajayi. Not just a 100-yard game, but probably a performance like the ones he put up against the Bills. He’ll be the focal point of the offense with Tannehill out so I’ll take Ajayi in this one.

leveon_bell_26_practicing_2013Daisy: Bell

Bell is arguably the best back in the league. I’ll trust him when it matters most.

Carlos: Bell

Jay Ajayi and Le’veon Bell both had around 1200 yards this season so this could go either way, but I think Bell will rush for more yards because Miami has one of the worst defenses against the run in the league. They allowed about 140 rushing yards per game which is ranked 30th in the league so I expect a big game from Bell.

Ryan: Ajayi

I’m all in on the Dolphins this week I guess (aside from, you know, picking them to win). Ajayi ripped off over 200 yards against the Steelers earlier this year and the Dolphins will do everything they can to help him replicate that again.

Which NFC Game Will Be Decided By Fewer Points?

Kyle: Giants/Packers

The Giants/Packers game is the best match-up of the weekend and it should be the closest game as well.

Daisy: Giants/Packers

The Packers’ offense and the Giants’ defense make this such an intriguing battle that should result in a close game.

Carlos: Giants/Packers

The Giants have a great defense as they’ve only allowed  17 points per game which is ranked 2nd in the league. Even though their offense has not been elite, it does match up well against an iffy Packers secondary. It will be interesting to see what gives in this one, but all of this should lead to an exciting chess match between both teams.

Ryan: Giants/Packers

This game will be a 17-16 thriller or something along those lines. I don’t expect the Lions to keep up with the Seahawks in Seattle and it will be the exact opposite in Green Bay.

Which NFC QB Will Throw for the Most Yards?

Kyle: Eli

I’m going with Eli because this man shows up in the playoffs. Another reason is only the Saints were worse than the Packers defense when it came to passing yards per game. If the Giants want to win, Eli will have to take advantage of the Packers’ flaws.

Daisy: Aaron Rodgers

Aaron Rodgers has been on a role these past few weeks and the experienced Green Bay quarterback will continue to do that this Sunday.

Carlos: Wilson

Russell Wilson was ranked 10th in yards thrown this year with about 4200 yards. He isn’t lights out with his arm, but he can get it done. The obvious choice is Aaron Rodgers, but he is facing a pretty good defense in the Giants as is Matthew Stafford who is facing the tough defense in the Seahawks. Eli Manning has thrown for the least amount of yards this season out of the bunch so I’m going with Wilson.

Ryan: Wilson

With Eli and Rodgers stuck in the snow, expect Wilson to outduel a hobbled Stafford to take the passing crown this week.

Who Will Have the Most Receiving Yards? Odell, Jordy or AB

noigf0x0
via @OBJ_3

Kyle: Odell

I’m taking Odell for the same reasons I took Eli. These two will connect early and often and I expect OBJ to catch and run all over Green Bay.

Daisy: Odell

Odell will definitely be targeted a ton throughout this game and I expect him to rack up plenty of yards in the process.

Carlos: Antonio Brown

Brown will be able to put up good numbers in the game because his quarterback is Big Ben who averaged 273 yards per game. Odell will be close as well because Green Bay’s secondary isn’t great, but I see Brown pulling it out. 

Ryan: OBJ

Never bet against Odell.

Will Russell Wilson or Matthew Stafford Have More Total Yards?

Kyle: Stafford

Russel Wilson is one of the most dynamic players in the NFL, but he hasn’t been able to showcase that much this season because of his offensive line and the injuries he’s endured. The Seahawks line has been terrible and maybe its because their front office hasn’t put much effort into the position. Of their available cap, the team only spends 4.18% of its money on their line which is dead last in the league. The Giants are second to last, but spend double what Seattle does. Even though he’s going against Seattle’s defense, Stafford should have more time to make things happen. 

Daisy: Wilson

Normally, I would go with Matt Stafford on this, but since the Seahawks are playing at home – I have to give the advantage to Russell Wilson here.

Carlos: Wilson

The Lions defense was ranked 18th in yards per game with about 354. Stafford did throw for about 4300 yards and 24 touchdowns, but even though the Seahawks defense is hurt they can still hold Detroit’s offense which was ranked 21st in total yards. This will come down to Wilson’s experience and the home crowd that will be in his favor.

Ryan: Wilson

Doubling down on Wilson as you can’t go wrong with Russ at home against a defense that has been struggling. And again, Stafford has a finger injury that clearly has had an effect on his game.

Tiebreaker: Which Receiver Will Have the Most Receptions?

Kyle: Jarvis Landry

Daisy: Jordy Nelson

Carlos: Antonio Brown

Ryan: Doug Baldwin

Do you agree with the Front 4 team’s predictions? Let us know in the comments and be sure to follow all the action all weekend!

 

Front 4: NFL Week 15

Week 14:                                                                                 Overall:

Daisy: 5                                                                                    Ryan: 37 Points

Ryan: 4                                                                                     Carlos: 36 Points

Kyle: 4                                                                                      Kyle: 33 Points

Carlos: 2                                                                                  Daisy: 33 Points

Daisy was able to sneak by and come out with a 5-point victory in Week 14 as the rest of the panel only managed four points. The Front 4 team will now shift their focus to Week 15 of the NFL season where they’ll take a look at the Lions/Giants match up, whether or not the Browns can win in Buffalo and if the Panthers can go into Washington and win on Monday night.

Lions@Giants

Daisy: Giants

With only three weeks of regular-season football left, the Giants and Lions both need a win this week to keep a strong hold on their playoff positions. The Giants and Lions are both coming off pretty big wins, however, if you look at the overall schedules of both teams, the Lions have had it a bit easier and their real test will be these next couple of weeks. This is going to be an extremely close game and I am going to go with the Giants because I feel that their defense is the real deal at the moment.

Matthew Stafford
Lions at Redskins 8/20/15

Kyle: Lions

The Giants are coming off an emotional win against the Cowboys and have been on a tear of late. This could be a preview of a first-round match up in the playoffs which should be enough motivation for both teams. The Giants’ defense was fantastic last week, but besides one amazing catch and run from Odell, their offense was non-existent. I expect a close game and the Lions have proven time and again that they can close out games especially this season. Give me Detroit by a field goal.

Carlos: Lions

Both teams are riding high and are having great seasons. The Giants are coming off a big win against the Cowboys and the Lions have won 5 straight. The Lions have had a slightly better offense as they score 22 points per game compared to New York’s 19 points per game. Winning becomes a habit and the Lions are trying to clinch the NFC North. This will be a close and fun game, but Detroit will come out on top.

Ryan: Giants

This is a battle of two teams that just find ways to win. The Lions have been losing at the start of every 4th quarter except one and yet still lead the NFC North, while the Giants look abysmal on offense but have a record of 9-4. I expect this game to be decided late and by only a few points.

How Many Florida Teams Will Win?

Dolphins@NYJ, Jaguars@HOU, Buccaneers@Cowboys

Daisy: Two

Despite Ryan Tannehill’s injury, I think the Dolphins have a chance to take advantage of a very weak Jets team that doesn’t have a proven Quarterback. I also expect an upset from either the Jags or Bucs.

Kyle: One

I could potentially see all 3 teams win and I could also see all 3 teams lose. The Bucs/Cowboys game is an extremely intriguing match up, but I think Dallas needs a bounce-back win and will be ready to go. As for the Jags/Texans, I still don’t know what to think of Houston. They win games, but get nothing from DeAndre Hopkins and Brock. Then again the Jags wish they had Houston’s problems. As for the Dolphins, it’s their first game without Tannehill and its on a Saturday so Moore didn’t have as much time to prepare. I think the Dolphins have the best shot to win so I’ll go with 1.

Carlos: Zero

The Dolphins may have the better record, but they aren’t that much better than the Jets. They both allow around 24 points per game. The Dolphins do have an advantage in points scored per game with 21 compared to 17 for the Jets. The Texans will win because of a better defense. The Jags allow almost 10 more points per game then the Texans do. The Bucs will not beat the Cowboys. That O-line is not losing two in a row. Plus, Dallas’s record is 11 and Giants, I mean 2. Get it? They only lose to the Giants. Am I funny yet, Kyle?

Ryan: One

With the overrated Ryan Tannehill out, this game should be close but the Dolphins are definitely still favored. The Jags don’t have much of a chance against the Texans, but I like the Bucs against the Cowboys since their defense has been on fire recently. One of the Bucs or Fins will win.

Who Will Have More Passing Yards in the Steelers/Bengals Game?

Daisy: Ben Roethlisberger

Despite Big Ben struggling on the road and the Bengals having a pretty solid defense, I feel Ben will have more passing yards in this game.

Kyle: Andy Dalton

I think the Steelers have realized they can rely on Bell which means less passing yards for Big Ben.

Carlos: Ben Roethlisberger

It is hard to go against a Quarterback like Big Ben as he has been one of the best for many seasons. I know Andy Dalton is averaging more yards per game and the Bengals do have a slightly better defense against the pass allowing only 238 yards per game compared to the Steelers’ 251 yards per game. But my gut says Big Ben because of his history of showing up in December.

Ryan: Andy Dalton

Big Ben away from home has not been the best this season and the Bengals will certainly be in “I’m-going-to-kill-you” mode on defense because they are the Bengals.

Which Top Rusher Gains the Most Yards?

Ezekiel Elliott, Le’Veon Bell, David Johnson

Daisy: Ezekiel Elliott

People of America, I would like for you to place your hand on your heart and let me introduce you to America’s hero and potential MVP…Ezekiel Elliot.

However, his true test, against perhaps the hottest defense in the league right now which is the Buccaneers, will show whether he is worthy of such a distinction. 

Kyle: Le’Veon Bell

Give me Bell. He’s coming off the best performance of his career in snowy Buffalo. He looked better in snow than Frosty.

leveon_bell_26_practicing_2013Carlos: Le’Veon Bell

Le’Veon Bell will rush for the most yards because of the 3 defenses the Bengals have the worst defense against the run.

Ryan: Le’Veon Bell

The Bucs have been stellar on defense recently and Dak is getting cold. David Johnson could get a lot of touches against a terrible Saints team, but Le’Veon Bell can’t be stopped right now.

Will T.Y. Hilton or Stefon Diggs Have More Receptions in the Colts/Vikings Game?

Daisy: Stefon Diggs

Luck’s lack of protection will be a big reason why many Colts receivers including T.Y Hilton won’t get the ball as often and that’s why I am going with Stefon Diggs to get more receptions. However, I won’t be mad if I get this wrong.

Kyle: T.Y. Hilton

Both teams are solid against the pass as they’re both in the top half of the league in receptions allowed. That being said, I think this could come down to time of possession and its very interesting because the Vikings rank second in the league in time of possession in home games with an average of 33:06 per game. However, the Colts rank 1st in the league in time of possession on the road with an average of 32:39. I’ll take Hilton in a toss up, but this one could just come down to which team has the ball longer and creates more opportunities.

Carlos: Stefon Diggs

Stefon Diggs will have more receptions in the Colts/Vikings game because Indy’s defense against the pass is one of the worst in the league. The Colts are ranked 26th in yards allowed per game with 262 yards per game. If teams are getting yards on them they are getting receptions as well. The Vikings on the other hand have one of the best defenses against the pass, ranked 3rd with 202 passing yard allowed per game.

Ryan: T.Y. Hilton

TY had 13 targets last week with Donte Moncreif out and with the Colts’ #2 receiver out again this week, look for Luck to lean on his favorite target even more than usual.

Panthers@Redskins

Daisy: Redskins

With the looks of how this season has gone, the struggling Panthers will fall short against Washington. Despite the Panthers’ secondary looking great last week, I don’t think it’s enough to defeat Washington.

Kyle: Panthers

Both teams are coming off wins in Week 14. The Redskins desperately need this game to stay in contention for a wild-card spot. The Panthers aren’t playing for much, but with the spotlight on them on MNF, everyone will be talking about their poor season. I think this motivates them to take down Kirk Cousins and give a glimpse of hope for their team heading into next season.

Kirk Cousins
Eagles at Redskins 10/04/15

Carlos: Redskins

The Redskins seem to be overlooked by many teams and many members of the media. That could change after a solid performance on MNF. I think the Redskins will win this game rather easily actually. They have the advantage on offense and even though it seems to be more even on the defensive side, the Panthers still allow more points per game.

Ryan: Redskins

I think the Redskins can make the playoffs and I think they think they can make the playoffs. I also think the Panthers have given up.

How Many Points Will the Falcons Beat the 49ers By?

0-10, 11-20, 21-30, 30+, 49ers Win

Daisy: 21-30 Points

According to NFL.com, the 49ers are giving up on average 413.5 yards per game which could land them a spot on a very bad list of the  top 5 WORST defensive seasons since the merger. A game against the Falcons isn’t gonna help their cause.

Kyle: 21-30 Points

The Falcons have scored 40+ points 4 times this season and are coming off a 28 point win against the Rams. I think we should expect more of the same here especially since they’re at home. I’ll take the Falcons by 21-30 points.

Carlos: 21-30 Points

The worst defense in the league is taking on the best offense in the league. The 49ers are so bad they couldn’t hold on to beat the Jets. At times, the Jets’ offense made the 49ers’ defense look like a high school team. The Falcons are a much better offense than the Jets so this could get ugly.  Just to give you a little sample of how good the offense has been, the Falcons score 32 points per game and the next best is Oakland with 27 points per game.

Ryan: 11-20 Points

Hope y’all have a lot of Falcons in your fantasy football lineups this week.

Will the Browns Win in Buffalo?

Daisy: No

No, the only way for this to happen is if Isaiah Crowell goes off. Even then, I still don’t see the Browns picking up their first win. 

Kyle: No

I trusted Cleveland last week and they threw a flea flicker from the endzone that led to an interception. Give me the Bills.

Carlos: No

I said it last week and I’ll say it again. The Browns are not winning a game this season. The Bills score more points than the Browns and also allow less points. The Browns need to continue to fight for the first pick in the draft so they can get that player that will take them to the glory days. For the Browns, that means 5 wins.

Ryan: No

Hahahahaha. Oh wait this is a serious question?

Upset of the Week?

NFL: Preseason-Minnesota Vikings at Tennessee Titans

Daisy: Titans over Chiefs

Marcus Mariota and DeMarco Murray will have to step up and if they do they could be able to take down the Chiefs.

Kyle: Titans over Chiefs

The Titans might have my favorite offense in the league besides the Cowboys. Mariota is coming into form and after taking down the Broncos last week they’ll get another tough task, but a win could not only help their division-title hopes, but also strengthen their wild card hopes.

Carlos: Jets over Dolphins

I believe that spark that Petty gave us at the end of the game last week was anything but a fluke. There is more where that came from and he will show it against Miami. The Jets need to take advantage of these useless games and find out what they have on this roster.

Ryan: Jets over Dolphins

SCREW IT! I’M PICKING THE JETS! LET’S GO PETTY!

In Dallas on Sunday, Who Will Have More?

Mavericks’ Points Against Kings or Ezekiel Elliott Rushing Yards Against Bucs

Daisy: Ezekiel Elliott

The Mavs are not the same team they’ve been in the past so I am going to go with Zeke.

Kyle: Ezekiel Elliott

The Mavericks only scored 89 points against the Kings at home on December 7th. Zeke is in store for a big game so I’ll take the Cowboys’ rookie back.

Carlos: Ezekiel Elliott

That O-line, Dak, and Zeke want to prove they have what it takes to not only make it to the playoffs, but also be a Super Bowl contender. Also, the Mavs score the least amount of points per game so it does make my prediction a little easier.

Ryan: Mavericks

Zeke isn’t a sure bet to hit triple digits, but I think the Mavs are.

Tiebreaker: Who Will Have the Most Receptions?

Daisy: Antonio Brown

Kyle: Larry Fitzgerald

Carlos: Jarvis Landry

Ryan: T.Y. Hilton

Well there you have it! Those are our predictions for Week 15 of the NFL season. Let us know in the comments if you agree or disagree!

Front 4: NFL Week 13

After outscoring Carlos in a tiebreaker, Kyle was able to get back to his winning ways in Week 11:

Week 11:                                                                                        Overall:

Kyle: 7(+1: Edelman 77 yards)                                               Ryan: 30 Points

Carlos: 7(Green 0 yards)                                                         Carlos: 30 Points

Daisy: 5                                                                                         Kyle: 27 Points

Ryan: 5                                                                                          Daisy: 26 Points

As Week 13 approaches, the overall standings just got interesting as Carlos has stormed back to take a tie for the lead with Ryan. This week, along with Kyle and Daisy, they’ll be giving their predictions for the Giants/Steelers, Lions/Saints and more!

Chiefs@Falcons

Matt Ryan
Falcons at Ravens 10/19/14

Kyle: Falcons

Atlanta has already beaten the Broncos and the Raiders in the AFC West and I think they’re able to take down the Chiefs as well because Kansas City won’t be able to keep up with Matt Ryan and the Falcons’ high-powered offense. 

Daisy: Falcons

Matt Ryan is the man. The Chiefs have allowed the 8th most points in the league which should give the Falcons the advantage.

Carlos: Falcons

The Falcons have had one of the best offenses this season. They score 32 points per game. On top of that, Kansas City has not been as great on offense and are only scoring around 22 points per game. Both defenses aren’t great and even though Atlanta does give up more points per game, I think the Falcons’ offense is good enough to get the win.

Ryan: Chiefs

Everything points towards the Falcons in this game, but despite the ugly loss to Tampa Bay two weeks ago, the Chiefs have still won 18 of their last 21 regular season games. They are the most consistent team in the league. 

Dolphins@Ravens

Kyle: Dolphins

The Dolphins have put together a nice stretch of games, but this could be their toughest test yet and I think they pass as Ryan Tannehill continues his solid campaign.

Daisy: Dolphins

Glad this question isn’t on video… Jay Ajayi (whose name I still can’t pronounce) has been having a great season and I think he will continue to stay on track this week.

Carlos: Dolphins

The Dolphins are starting to believe they will be in the playoffs. They have won six straight and I think they will make it seven when they beat the Ravens. The Ravens have had an up and down season at 6-5. Joe Flacco hasn’t been great and that is why the Ravens aren’t doing better.

Ryan: Ravens

I still don’t think Ryan Tannehill is a good quarterback and he’s going to have to outduel Joe Flacco considering the Dolphins’ banged-up O-line and the Ravens’ stout run defense.

Giants@Steelers

ben_roethlisberger_2016Kyle: Steelers

This game is going to be a shoot-out and could come down to whoever has the ball last. I’ll take the Steelers because I’ll take their playmakers over the Giants’.

Daisy: Steelers

The Steelers will win this matchup because they are just overall a better team offensively and defensively. It will be close and thrilling game to watch.

Carlos: Giants

The Giants are red hot right now. They have won 6 straight and that will continue. Pittsburgh has the better offense and they have a weapon called Antonio Brown, but the Giants have a decent defense that is slightly better than the Steelers. New York has confidence in their secondary and I can see them holding Brown to minimum yards. They were able to hold AJ Green to 68 yards a couple of weeks ago and Collins at safety is going to be looking for more interceptions this week.

Ryan: Steelers

The Giants are not as good as their record would indicate and the Steelers are better than their record would indicate. While the Giants seem to pull wins out of nowhere, their defense (which has carried them so far) will be overmatched by the likes of Le’Veon Bell and Antonio Brown.

Which Super Bowl Winning QB Throws for the Most Yards?

Eli@PIT, Big Ben vs. NYG, Brady vs. LA, Rodgers vs. HOU, Flacco vs. MIA, Wilson vs. CAR

Kyle: Big Ben

Eli and Big Ben will be fighting for this honor, but I’ll take Big Ben in a coin flip. I expect him and Eli to both eclipse 350 passing yards.

Daisy: Aaron Rodgers

R-E-L-A-X… Relax. Aaron Rodgers is still an elite quarterback so watch him do work this Sunday.

Carlos: Tom Brady

Tom Brady will be facing a good defense against the pass in the Rams, but he will be the Super Bowl winning QB to throw for the most yards. Brady has been great since coming back from suspension, some even calling for him to be the MVP. He has thrown for 314 yards per game, 18 touchdowns and just 1 interception.

aaron_rodgers_2014Ryan: Aaron Rodgers

Big Ben is a threat to go off on any given week, but Aaron Rodgers has thrown for over 300 yards in three straight weeks on the road and is rounding into form in time for a home game against the Texans. The Packers are trying to claw their way back into the playoff picture and will no doubt unleash Rodgers to lead them over Houston.

How Many Touchdowns Will Occur in the Lions/Saints Game?

Kyle: 9+

Points. For. Days.

Daisy: 5-6

I am going to go with 5. Each team has averaged at least 2 touchdowns per game so I expect not as much of a shootout that these two teams are capable of. 

Carlos: 5-6

Drew Brees as always has been great. He has thrown 30 touchdowns so far and look for more along with Matt Stafford.

Ryan: 7-8

Both teams have great passing attacks and porous defenses. Brees might put up 10 touchdowns all by himself, but I’ll be conservative and stick with 7-8 touchdowns.

How Many Interceptions Will Blake Bortles Throw Against the Broncos?

Kyle: 2

I expect this game to be low-scoring and Bortles will be throwing plenty of times which means a couple of those passes are bound to end up in the hands of the Denver defense.

Daisy: 2

The Broncos defense is elite and I expect them to shine against Bortles.

Carlos: 2

Bortles will throw 2 interceptions in this game. He has not been the best at throwing the ball to the right team. He has 13 interceptions this season and the Broncos have been able to take the ball away from teams with 10 of their own interceptions.

Ryan: 1

Bortles protects the ball pretty well and while the Broncos defense is elite, they haven’t recorded an interception in 5 of their last 7 games. If the Jaguars get behind he could be forced to throw and be pressured into more dangerous passes, but I don’t expect more than one pick.

Who Will Have More Receiving Yards: Odell Beckham Jr. or Antonio Brown?

Kyle: Antonio Brown

It’s impossible to choose between both of these stellar receivers so I’ll take the better dancer.

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Daisy: Antonio Brown

Antonio Brown! The Steelers look good right now and I think their defense will shut Odell down.

Carlos: Odell Beckham Jr. 

The Giants defense is better overall and that also gives Odell the advantage to do his thing and show why he is one of the best wide receivers in the NFL.

Ryan: Antonio Brown

Both receivers will be heavily involved in this important matchup, but it’s never smart to bet against Antonio Brown. Volume is key as Brown gets 28.8% of the Steelers’ targets, which is second in the league. Also, Janoris Jenkins might be too busy tweeting and nursing his burn wounds after Terrelle Pryor torched him last week to keep up with Brown in this matchup.

How Many Points Will the Colts beat the Jets by?

1-10, 11-20, 21-30, 30+, Jets Win

Kyle: 1-10 Points

The Colts haven’t won by more than 8 points all season so I’ll say they beat the Jets, but not by more than 10 points.

Daisy: 11-20 Points

Andrew Luck is playing on Monday so the Colts are hands down going to win by 11-20 points.

Carlos: Jets Win

Both defenses aren’t great at all, but the Jets are slightly better. They can come a long way in a close game for my team. The Colts offense is better and they do have “Luck” on their side, but the Jets are at home and have only given their fans one win at home and the fanbase deserves another one.

Ryan: Jets Win

The Jets gave the Patriots a good fight last Sunday and even if Andrew Luck plays on Monday, he’s no Tom Brady. Nick Mangold could be back and Matt Forte should get back to his dominant ways against a soft defense, allowing Fitzpatrick to just…. just please don’t touch anything Fitz, just don’t do anything stupid.

Redskins@Cardinals

Kyle: Redskins

The Cardinals’ only wins this season are against the Jets, Bucs, and the 49ers twice. The Redskins offense will be too much and will probably put an end to Arizona’s slim playoff hopes.

Daisy: Redskins

Washington is coming off a tough loss on Thanksgiving so I think they will be out to find redemption. Their loss against Dallas will definitely fuel them this week.

Kirk Cousins
Eagles at Redskins 10/04/15

Carlos: Redskins

The Redskins are fighting to stay alive in the NFC East and to make a push for the playoffs. The Cardinals do have the better defense, but this game is about want and the Redskins want this game and want to reach the playoffs.

Ryan: Redskins

The absence of Jordan Reed makes this a tougher game to call, but I still think the Skins pull it off. Kirk Cousins might be a legitimately good QB and Washington’s defense might be better than the Cardinals defense.

Upset of the Week

Kyle: Bills over Raiders

The Raiders are due for a close loss agasint an average team and I think that loss comes this week against the Bills. Buffalo plays up to their competition and their defense should be able to make things tough for Derek Carr and company. 

Daisy: Bills over Raiders

The Raiders are looking like serious playoff contenders and are definitely the favorite to win in this game, however, I think the Bills’ defense will slow down the Raiders passing attack to give them a shot at the upset.

Carlos: Jets over Colts

The “upset” of the week will be the Jets over the Colts.

Ryan: Jets over Colts

J-E-T-S JETS JETS JETS!

Tiebreaker: Lowest Scoring Game

Kyle: Broncos@Jaguars

Daisy: Bills@Raiders

Carlos: Jets@Colts

Ryan: Dolphins@Ravens

There you have it! Do you agree with our predictions? Let us know in the comments and be sure to stay tuned for Week 14 next Sunday!

 

Front 4: NFL Week 11

Thanks to a tiebreaker, Carlos was able to barely edge out Ryan for the win in Week 10:

Week 10:                                                                              Overall:

Carlos: 4(+1-Brady 316 yards)                                       Ryan: 25

Ryan: 4(Ryan-267 yards)                                                Carlos: 23

Kyle: 3                                                                                    Daisy: 21

Daisy: 3                                                                                  Kyle: 20

With Carlos on Ryan’s heels, the predictions become more and more important. This week the Front 4 team will take a look at Bills/Bengals, Packers/Redskins and Tom Brady’s trip to San Francisco.

Who Passes for the Most Yards in the Titans/Colts game?

Carlos: Marcus Mariota

The Colts’ defense has been one of the worst. Even though Andrew Luck has the edge in total yards this season, the Titans have a slightly better defense against the pass. In a game of inches, the defense can come up big for Mariota and give him the edge in yards.

imgres-2Ryan: Andrew Luck

The Titans have the better all-around offense while Luck will be relied on heavily to put up points; not to mention the Colts will most likely be playing from behind for most of this game.

Daisy: Andrew Luck

I know the Titans have Demarco Murray and Derrick Henry, but do you want to know what the Colts have? Luck. Now, the trick here is for the Colts to take advantage of the Titans’ defense that has allowed at least 300 passing yards in four of the last 5 games. 

Kyle: Marcus Mariota

These two young AFC South quarterbacks find themselves in the top 8 in passing yards this season with Luck in 5th and Mariota in 8th. Both teams are in the bottom half of the league in defense so expect Luck and Mariota to add to their high numbers. Ultimately, I think Mariotta continues his hot run and barely out throws Luck as the Colts are 31st in passing yards allowed per game.

Will Jay Ajayi or David Johnson Rush for More Yards?

Carlos: Jay Ajayi

Jay Ajayi will rush for more yards against the Rams than David Johnson against the Vikings. Ajayi is averaging 90 yards per game which is more than Johnson’s 84 yards per game. To add to that, Minnesota has had a good defense this season as they have been in the top 10 at stopping the run. 

Ryan: David Johnson

Sure, David Johnson has only rushed for 79 yards in his past two games. Sure, he’s a more dynamic back than Ajayi and will be more involved in passing downs as well. Sure, he’s facing a top 10 run defense. I don’t know, everything points to Ajayi this week so I’m going Johnson.

Daisy: David Johnson

I am going with who is facing the weaker defense. The Rams defense has stepped it up while the Vikings defense is going through their own share of injuries. David Johnson will rush for more yards this week.

Kyle: David Johnson

I expect both to have strong performances, but I think Johnson runs for more yards because I think he’ll have more opportunities. The Rams are starting Jared Goff and will be running the ball a lot which will favor them in time of possession. The Vikings are also coming off a game where they let Ryan Kelly rush for 97 yards. Johnson should be able to put forth a similar effort.

Will Larry Fitzgerald or Stefon Diggs Have More Receiving Yards?

Carlos: Larry Fitzgerald

Arizona has been one of the best at stopping the pass this season so I’ll take Fitz. 

Ryan: Larry Fitzgerald

The knee is a concern for Fitzgerald but it hasn’t slowed him down yet. 18 targets in his last game is more than enough for me to put my trust in him.

Daisy: Larry Fitzgerald

While Stefon Diggs has caught 13 passes in each of his past two games and is putting up stellar season numbers, Larry Fitzgerald’s advantage here is Carson Palmer. Fitzgerald is Palmer’s go-to target on the field, and he is facing a sort of limited Vikings defense. 

Kyle: Stefon Diggs

The two are only separated by 23 yards on the season, but I’m going with Diggs because even though Fitz is more consistent, he’s only reached more than 81 yards once which was last week against the 49ers when he broke out for 132 yards. Diggs has reached 100 yards 3 times including a 182 yard performance against the Packers and a 164 yards last week against the Redskins.

Packers@Redskins

Kirk CousinsCarlos: Redskins

The Redskins have had a good season so far, but a lot of people/ teams overlook them. The Packers have not been the same team we have been used to seeing in recent years. The Redskins have the edge in offense with about 3600 yards total which is better than Green Bay. If it comes down to it, I have more confidence in the Redskins being able to pull out the win in a close game.   

Ryan: Redskins

Hooray for actually good primetime matchups this week, alright! This will be a close game but the Packers are just off this year. I want to pick them because they’ve won both night games they’ve played in this year, while Washington has gone 2-10 since 2013 in night games and also lost their best offensive lineman to a suspension. However, I just can’t see Green Bay beating the Redskins on the road after three straight losses to the Falcons, Colts and Titans.

Daisy: Redskins

The Packers will have a hard time against a fired up Washington offense that has produced an average of 461 yards over their past 4 games.

Kyle: Packers

The Redskins are 4-19 in prime time since 2008 so I’m going to go with Aaron Rodgers and the Packers who have experience playing under the spotlight, in the Super Bowl, to win on the road.

How Many Points Will the Raiders Beat the Texans By?

0-10, 11-20, 21-30, 30+, Texans win

Carlos: 0-10

The Texans have had a solid defense this year and have been able to hold teams to just 20 points per game. The Raiders have had a good offense this season, but it will be tough to score against this defense. The reason Oakland will win this game is because the Texans don’t have the offense to score more than the Raiders. I really like Derek Carr and will like to see a big game from him to give the Raiders the win. He has 17 touchdowns and 3 interceptions which sounds like a good ratio to me.  

Ryan: 0-10

I don’t know man, these are some tough questions this week, gimme a break.

Daisy: Texans Win

Now this will be an interesting matchup between Carr and the Texans’ defense. The Texans have not allowed a 300-yard passer this year, while Derek Carr has thrown for 300 yards 10 times in his career. I think the Texans will be able to keep Carr under 300 while looking for any mistake the Raiders make to take advantage of. This will be a close one, but I have the Texans with the upset.

Kyle: 0-10

The Raiders have 7 wins, but have only won by 10 points twice and once was against the Jags. So I’ll say they beat the Texans, but only by 10 points.

Higher Total: Odell Beckham Jr. Receiving Yards or Knicks Points

Carlos: Knicks

Once again I love these multi-sport questions. Chicago has been bad this year, but if there is one positive it is that they aren’t the worst at stopping the pass. They hold teams to 242 yards per game which is number 12 in the league. Odell Beckham averages 85 yards per game. The Knicks average a little above 100 points per game so it will be close, but I think the Knicks will score more points.

Ryan: Odell Beckham Jr.

Dude’s unreal.

noigf0x0
via @OBJ_3

Daisy: Odell Beckham Jr. 

It’s obvious Odell has not had an Odell-like season, but when putting him up against the Knicks against the Hawks? C’mon man. That’s adding insult to injury. If the Knicks were playing the Nets then I’d say sure they’ll have more points than Odell, but no way. Odell will maneuver his way around dah Bears’ defense.

Kyle: Odell Beckham Jr.

The Knicks average 101 points per game and Odell has only reached that number twice this season. But, when he has great games, he usually makes them GREAT games. Just see his 222 yard performance against a solid Ravens defense. This week he gets a Bears team that just let up 312 passing yards to an average Buccaneers offense. I think Beckham eclipses the 100 yard mark and outscores the Knicks who are facing a Hawks team that allows 98 points per game.

Higher Total: Cowboys Win Margin or Browns Loss Margin

Carlos: Browns

I have no faith what so ever in the Browns. For that reason they will lose to the Steelers by a larger margin than the Cowboys beat the Ravens. The Ravens have had a great defense this season and have held teams to the least amount of yards all season and teams have only scored 17 points per game. Even though the Cowboys are on a great run and they will get the win, it won’t come easy. The Browns just have too many flaws to be able to stop the Steelers. 

Ryan: Browns

In one game you have a battle of first place teams. In the other you have a star-studded offense in a must-win game against a winless team. I’ll take the Steelers to beat up the Browns.

Daisy: Browns

Cowboys will definitely face one of their tougher match-ups this week and again I emphasize TOUGH making it a close game. Now on the other hand  we have the Steelers versus the Browns. This in theory should be an easy game for the Steelers therefore I am predicting a larger margin of a loss for the Browns.

Kyle: Browns

I’m going to say the Browns’ loss margin because the Steelers are going to be very angry coming off their loss to the Cowboys. Tomlin is on the hot seat. Big Ben is calling out people. Its’ going to be bad. Poor Cleveland.

Bills@Bengals

Carlos: Bills

The Bills are coming off 3 straight losses and really need a W. The Bengals are coming off a lose to the Giants so they are also in need of a win, but I don’t see it happening. The Bills score 26 points per game which is better then the Bengals’ 20 per game. The Bills also have a slight edge on defense. I hate to say it, but the Bills are looking for wins in order to stay relevant in the Playoff hunt. That motivates any team to get wins in the final weeks of the season.  

Ryan: Bengals

The Bengals screwed me on Monday night, but I still have faith in them to win at home against the Bills. The Bills lost three straight before their bye last week and I’m not sure that extra week off will make much of a difference.

Daisy: Bills

Both teams here are looking to put an end to their recent losing streak. Now, the last time the Bill lost 4 in a row was 5 years ago. Despite their recent losses, the Bills are very good offensively. They have been averaging 26.3 points per game this season and honestly the Bengals have been cutting it way too short as of late.

Kyle: Bills

The Bills are 2-3 on the road, but in their three losses they’ve lost by 6, 3 and 6 points with the last game coming against the Seahawks in Seattle. I think the Bills are able to go into Cincy and bury the Bengals’ playoff hopes.

Higher Total: Tom Brady Passing Yards or 49ers Total Yards

Carlos: Tom Brady

Tom Brady is going to destroy the 49ers defense and will have yet another big game. The 49ers defense is 31st in total yards allowed. On top of that, the 49ers defense is 29th in total yards all season. Bad defense and bad offense looks to me like Tom Brady will have a field day.

Ryan: Tom Brady

This one is going to be close and I wouldn’t be surprised if the 49ers won this in garbage time, but you learn one thing very quickly as a Jets fan and that is to never bet against Bill Belichick, the Patriots or Tom Brady. I’ve learned my lesson.

tom_brady_vs-_vikings_2014

Daisy: Tom Brady

Tom Brady will make an impact in his first game at Levi’s Stadium. As good as the 49ers have looked with Colin Kaepernick, I don’t think they’ll be able to out-perform Tom Brady’s passing yards. I also think the Patriots are fired up from their tough loss against the Seahawks last week and that’s got to make some sort of an impact here.

Kyle: Tom Brady

Brady has thrown for 327 yards per game while the 49ers are good for 310 yards total yards per game. I’m going to go with an angry Patriots team that’s getting to face a terrible team in the 49ers. Brady is angry and will take out the 49ers on a beautiful day in San Francisco.

Upset of the Week

Carlos: Eagles over Seahawks

The Eagles are coming off a win against the Falcons and the Seahawks are coming off a huge win over the Patriots. On top of that, the game is in Seattle. Everything is pointing to an easy win by the Seahawks, but my gut is telling me the Eagles pull it off in a nail biter. The key is Philadelphia’s defense as they have been top 10 in the league and if they can keep Russell Wilson in the pocket, the Eagles can have a successful game.

Ryan: None

No upsets is a rare thing, but none of these matchups give me any hope for any underdog. The Eagles and Jaguars probably have the best shots, but on the road against two division leaders means chalk this week.

Daisy: Texans over Raiders

I feel like the Texans-Raiders game is one of the more even matchups. Both teams are at the top in their respective divisions and neither have home field advantage since this game is being played in Mexico City Monday night… on ESPN. The Texans have a chance here to stop Derek Carr’s offense and give me two points this week.

Kyle: Buccaneers over Chiefs

I wanted to go Texans, but in Brock’s only game against the Raiders last season he wasn’t able to manage a touchdown even though he threw 51 passes. My next best guess would be the Buccaneers. They’re coming off a strong performance even though it was against the Bears. I think they realize they have a legitimate shot at the playoffs and come into this game prepared. The Chiefs may be looking ahead to a week 12 match up against the Broncos and may overlook Jameis and company.

Tiebreaker: Most Receiving Yards in

Week 11

Carlos: AJ Green

Ryan: Antonio Brown

Daisy: T.Y. Hilton

Kyle: Julian Edelman

Do you agree with our predictions? Let us know in the comments and stay tuned for Week 12!

 

Front 4: NFL Week 10

Ryan padded his lead atop the overall standings with a one-point victory over the rest of the Front 4 team in Week 9:

Week 9:                                                                    Overall:

Ryan: 5                                                                     Ryan: 21

Daisy: 4                                                                    Carlos: 19

Kyle: 4                                                                      Daisy: 18

Carlos: 4                                                                  Kyle: 17

As we look toward Week 10, there are plenty of exciting games on the slate. The Seahawks and Patriots meet in a Super Bowl rematch from a couple of years ago. Cowboys/Steelers, Broncos/Saints and Falcons/Eagles also headline this week’s action. Take a look as the Front 4 team gives their predictions for ten of the biggest games this week.

Seahawks@Patriots

Ryan: Patriots

The league is divided into two groups this year: the Patriots and everyone else. No team is even close to their level and I feel sorry for whoever has to play them. What’s that? The Jets still have to play them twice? *jumps into blender*

Daisy: Patriots

The Pats are home,  Brady has Blount, and Belichick is 11- 4 after a bye. All the signs point to a Patriots win.

New England Patriots at Washington Redskins 08/28/09Kyle: Patriots

The last time these two teams faced was in Arizona when Malcom Butler sealed a Super Bowl championship for the Patriots with a late redzone interception. The Seahawks obviously are going to be prepared for this rematch and are going to look to slow down Tom Brady and that offense in New England. I think they are able to rattle Brady and force him to throw his first interception of the year, but I think this game once again comes down a late drive and Brady is able to punch it in for the win.

Carlos: Patriots

The Patriots will beat the Seahawks because Tom Brady is still the quarterback in New England. Since coming back from his 4-game suspension there has been no mercy. Brady has thrown for 1300 yards, 12 touchdowns and 0 interceptions. The best way to win games is to simply not turn the ball over. It won’t be easy for Brady as he will be facing a defense that only allows 16.8 points per game. 

Chiefs@Panthers

Ryan: Chiefs

The Panthers have quietly rattled off two wins a row against decent opposition after an abysmal start to the season. Unfortunately for them, the Chiefs have won four in a row and are expecting the return of four-time Pro Bowler Justin Houston. The Chiefs are dealing with a ton of injuries to the offense, but this Panthers D is nowhere near what it was last year.

Daisy: Chiefs

In this matchup, I am going to go with the Chiefs. Alex Smith and Tyreek HIll will make this fun. 

Kyle: Panthers

Even though they got off to a dreadful start, the Panthers have a shot to sneak into the playoffs if they’re able to put together a late run here in the second half of the season. If they want to realistically keep their hopes alive, a win against a good Chiefs team will get people thinking about the defending NFC Champions again.

Carlos: Chiefs

The Panthers defense has not been lights out when it comes to the passing game. Carolina has allowed 25 points per game. The best part of the Panther’s defense is stopping the run, but the Chiefs haven’t been a great running team and have found ways to win games. Kansas City’s running game isn’t amazing, but it will do enough to win the game.

Broncos@Saints

Ryan: Saints

I’m gonna get burned by the Broncos again this week. I can feel it. But after the offensive display against the Raiders, I have no faith that Denver can score enough points to win this one. That’s saying a lot since the Saints defense is unbelievably bad, but Drew Brees at home means tons of points and Denver’s offense won’t be able to keep up.

Drew Brees
via wikimedia

Daisy: Saints

The Saints will walk away with the win here, but I feel it will be a close one. The Broncos defense has to step up against a pretty solid Saints offensive line.

Kyle: Saints

If there’s a defense that could beat the Saints in New Orleans, it would be Denver’s. They’re coming off an emotional loss to the Raiders and I think the Broncos will be able to limit the Saints’ offense, but I still don’t think they’ll score enough to pick up the road victory.

 

Carlos: Broncos

The Broncos will beat the Saints because of their defense. The Broncos defense has limited teams to 183 yards per game which is the best in the league. It will be a close game because New Orleans offense has been able to produce 326 yards per game which is number one in the league. So, we got a great defense vs a great offense, but the one problem the Saints have is that their defense has not been good. They have allowed 300 yards per game which is the worst in the NFL. Even though, the Broncos offense hasn’t been as good as they’d want, but it will be good enough to get the victory.

Vikings@Redskins

Ryan: Redskins

So the Vikings aren’t good? Or what’s up? I’m gonna go with what I know here and what I know is that the Redskins have lost to good teams but have generally played above league-average this season. With plenty of time to recover from their London trip, the Redskins will continue the Vikings’ free-fall.

Daisy: Redskins

The Redskins will extend the Vikings’ losing streak. Despite the Redskins’ average defense, I don’t think Sam Bradford will be able to do much.

Kyle: Vikings

I have no idea what to think of this game. Both teams have the potential to be great, but are nowhere near consistent. I’ll trust the Vikings defense over Kirk Cousins and the Redskins offense and say the Vikings put an end to their losing streak.

Carlos: Vikings

The Vikings have only allowed 15 points per game which is best in the league. Washington’s defense on the other hand has not been as good allowing 23 points per game. Neither of the offenses have been great and even though the Redskins do produce a lot of yards per game, they have not translated that into a ton of points. The main focus of the game will be on the defensive side and Minnesota will come out on top.   

Falcons@Eagles

Matt Ryan

Ryan: Falcons

Matt Ryan will throw for the most yards this week and lead the Falcons over the Eagles in the Battle of the Birds *CAWWWW*

Daisy: Falcons

More like Hotlanta Falcons! They’ve been killing it lately and I think Matt Ryan will continue to lead the way. The Eagles defense is good, but I think the Falcons will be too much for them to handle. It’ll be a GLORIOUS victory for the Falcons.

Kyle: Eagles

The Eagles are coming off two losses against division rivals and they’re going against the perfect defense to get Carson Wentz and the offense back on track. If Philly’s defense can control the passing game of the Falcons, I wouldn’t be surprised to see the Eagles pull off the upset at home.

Carlos: Falcons

The Falcons will beat the Eagles because Atlanta’s offense continues to be one of the best in the league and Matt Ryan has almost 3000 yards which is the best in the NFL. Philadelphia has not been bad at stopping the pass this year, but Matt Ryan has what it takes to bring in the win. The scary part for the Eagles is that week by week they are starting to look worse, currently on a two-game losing streak. Their offense has been below average and that means they won’t be able to keep up with Atlanta if they start scoring a lot of points.

Packers@Titans

Ryan: Packers

The Packers own the top run defense in the league and DeMarco Murray owns opposing defenses. If they can contain Murray, Rodgers will have no problem leading the Pack to a winning record.

Daisy: Packers

The Packers NEED to bounce back this week after their loss against my Colts!  *Go, Colts, Go. Hey, America what do you say? The Colts are gonna win today. * Aaron Rodgers will have a tough time against the Titans defense, but he’ll be able to move around them as the Packers win a close one. 

Kyle: Titans

The Titans’ offense has gone under the radar so far this season. They’re ranked 8th in the league in total offense behind Marcus Mariotta. The Packers will attempt to slow down Murray with their talented run defense, but we saw what Dak Prescott was able to do when the Cowboys faced the Packers. If the Titans can follow a similar formula, I think more lanes will open up for Murray and enable the Titans to put a mark on their playoff push.

Carlos: Packers

The Packers will beat the Titans because the Titans’ defense has not been good. The Packers offense will be able to take advantage during this game. Tennessee has allowed teams to score 25 points per game and produce a total of 3212 yards. The teams are pretty even when it comes to points they put on the board. Both teams have been able to put up 24 points per game, but the Titans defense might let them down in a close game.

Rams@Jets

Ryan: Rams

The Jets are not a good football team. That’s all I have to say about that.

Daisy: Jets

On paper, the Jets should win this, but I don’t trust them. The Jets like games getting ugly, but I am hoping this week is not the case. 

Ryan Fitzpatrick

Kyle: Jets

Even though both teams don’t look like playoff teams, the winner of this game could catapult themselves right back into the race. In a marquee quarterback duel between Case Keenum and Ryan Fitzpatrick, the Jets should be able to pick up the win. The crowd at MetLife will be quick to let the Jets hear it if they get off to a poor start in this one. I think the Jets are able to pull out some magic and give their fans just a slimmer of hope.

Carlos: Jets

The Jets will beat the Rams because the Jets really need it if they want to be relevant the rest of the year. The problem this season for LA has been being able to put up points. They have only been able to produce 16 points per game which is the worst in the league. The Jets offense has only been slightly better scoring 19 points per game, but the Jets should be able to stop this offense. This should be another close and stressful game for Gang Green. Is it baseball season yet?

Cowboys@Steelers

Ryan: Cowboys

The Patriots are a lot better than the Cowboys, but the Cowboys might be the second best team in the NFL. Until they show me otherwise, I have no reason to bet against Dak, Zeke and this offensive line. Their defense has been solid too and is just as good as the Ravens’ D that held the Steelers to just 14 points last week.

Daisy: Cowboys

If the Steelers want to win they must stop Zeke. As solid as the Steelers defense has been, I don’t see that happening as Los Cowboys win.

Kyle: Cowboys

The Steelers are heading into this game knowing that the Ravens already picked up a win against the Browns. Pittsburgh needs a win to keep pace with Baltimore and their defense will certainly attempt to rattle Dak Prescott. If the Cowboys defense can make enough stops and prevent Antonio Brown from breaking out, I’m confident Dallas will continue their winning streak in a low-scoring affair.

Carlos: Cowboys

Dak is averaging 8 yards per attempt which is good for number 4 in the league. This guy is a rookie and has 12 touchdowns and 2 interceptions. The Cowboys’ offense produces 27 points per game which is top 5 in the NFL and their defense is not letting them down either. The Cowboys’ defense has been Top 10 in the league. Pittsburgh has not had a good year defensively as they’ve allowed 375 yards per game.

Bengals@Giants

Ryan: Bengals

Don’t let their record fool you; the Bengals are a good team. Their schedule has been Jets-level of brutal so far this season and against a weaker opponent in the Giants I think they take their frustrations out on Eli Manning and keep pace in a crowded AFC North.

Daisy: Bengals

The Bengals have Geno Atkins. Expect to hear that name a lot when Eli Manning is on the ground as the Bengals leave New Jersey with a win. 

Kyle: Bengals

Following their tie in London, the Bengals have had 14 days to prepare for this Giants team. The Bengals are 0-2 so far against the NFC East, but the two weeks to prepare should give them the edge over the Giants.

Carlos: Giants

The Giants will beat the Bengals because New York is feeling good right now coming off 3 straight wins. The Bengals defense has not been great allowing 378 yards per game. Even though the Giants haven’t produced a lot of yards per game, they can do it against an average defense. The Giants defense hasn’t been the best, but they have held teams to 20 points per game which is better then the Bengals who are holding teams to 23 per game.

Dolphins@Chargers

philip_rivers_2013Ryan: Chargers

I am not usually a fan of either of these teams to do well during the season, but this year the Chargers are changing my mind on them. They have been competitive in every game and Joey Bosa seems legit. The Dolphins got lucky against the Jets (!!!) last week to earn their third straight victory but that ends in San Diego this week and I will continue to believe that Miami and Ryan Tannehill are overrated.

Daisy: Chargers

I am definitely in the minority here, but I genuinely like this Chargers team. Philip Rivers is great and Melvin Gordon is so explosive. I don’t think this is a walk in the park at all for the Chargers because the Dolphins are coming off a great week of football. However, I think the Chargers will even up their record this week.

Kyle: Chargers

The winner of this one will find themselves closer to the last wild card spot in the AFC. The Chargers have figured out how to win and should be able to take down this Miami team that has been up and down all season.

Carlos: Chargers

San Diego’s offense has been great and that will be the difference maker in this game. The Chargers have been able to produce 378 yards per game and score almost 30 points per game. Miami’s defense has been average and it will be difficult for them to stop Phillip Rivers.  

Tiebreaker: Which QB Throws for the Most Yards in Week 10?

Ryan: Matt Ryan

Daisy: Philip Rivers

Kyle: Carson Palmer

Carlos: Tom Brady

Be sure to let us know if you agree or disagree with our predictions and stay tuned for Front 4: NFL Week 11 predictions coming next week!

 

Digging Into What Could be an Exciting Finish to the NFL Season

ynif14s
via WallPaperCave

By Kyle Boris

Sure, there’s been some sloppy football played this season and yes, games are being scrutinized and debated because of poor officiating. However, the NFL may be able to save its image thanks in part to an exciting second half.

As it stands, it looks like the New England Patriots are the only team in the NFL guaranteed a playoff spot. The Raiders and Cowboys are in good positions, but they also play in the two best divisions. A couple of losses and they could find themselves looking up at another team.

The Browns, Jaguars, Bears and 49ers are probably already eliminated because their poor performances in the first half of the season will be too much to overcome. Then, we come to everyone else.

via NFL.com
via NFL.com

The Broncos, Chiefs and Falcons lead the pack with six wins each. The remaining 22 teams all have either 3, 4, or 5 wins to their name. With all of these teams fighting for division titles and wildcard berths, every game should be important. We could be in store for a crazy end of the season with tiebreaker scenarios a plenty. Millions of fans will still be watching because their team still has a chance to play deep into January. The playoff push in the NFL is just beginning and not even poor officiating or sloppy play can change that.

16460546595_1185c61fbc_bWe’ll start off with the defending NFC champs. At 3-5, the Carolina Panthers are currently 13th in the NFC and are only ahead of the Bears and the 49ers. Don’t give up Panthers fans. The Panthers are one game behind the Redskins(who currently hold the second wild card spot) in the win column. The only problem is that there are 7 teams between Carolina and Washington.

Would you be surprised if the Panthers snuck into the playoffs as the 6 seed? You shouldn’t be seeing as though they were able to rattle off 15 wins last season. They also have the luxury of playing the Saints, Seahawks, Redskins, Falcons and Buccaneers in the second half of the season so they’ll be in prime position to make up ground.

As for the AFC, three of their divisions will be flat-out bananas going down to the wire. We know the AFC West has the best chance to send three teams to the playoffs thanks to the Raiders, Broncos and Chiefs. Even if the AFC North and South only send one team each, the races will be still exciting.

With a win against the Ravens, the Steelers could have given themselves some serious space between them and the rest of the division. Unfortunately for them, their offense didn’t show up until the 4th quarter against Baltimore. Now, the Steelers and Ravens have identical 4-4 records with the Bengals only one game back in the win column. Cincinnati still has two games remaining with the Ravens including a game at home on the final day of the season. The Bengals could play average football the rest of the way and still pull out an AFC North Division title with two wins against the Ravens.

As for the AFC South, well that crazy train is just about ready to board. The Texans have looked great one week(see wins against the Lions and Chiefs) and then have looked terrible other weeks(see blowout losses to the Patriots, Vikings and Broncos). With that being said, they still sit two games up in the loss column ahead of the Titans and Colts. However, Houston still has road games at Indianapolis Week 14 and at Tennessee Week 17.

NFL: Preseason-Minnesota Vikings at Tennessee Titans
Marcus Mariotta will look to lead the Titans to their first playoff appearance since 2008

The AFC South has been and will seemingly always be tough to predict. The Titans have games against the Packers, Colts and Bears before heading into their late bye week. If they’re still in the race heading into the bye, they’ll be able to come out of it fresh with four games remaining. Of their final four games , three will be against teams ahead of them in the Broncos, Chiefs and Texans with a match-up in Jacksonville as well.

The Colts may be 4-5, but Andrew Luck and Co shouldn’t be counted out just yet. Of their five losses, four have come by four points or less. They’re heading into their bye after a big win in Green Bay and coming out of the break they’ll have to keep their foot on the gas as they have remaining games with the Titans, Steelers, Jets, Texans and Raiders.

The AFC then has its share of dark horses. The Chargers, Bills and Dolphins will have a tough time winning their divisions, but they still have the opportunity to sneak up and snatch one of the wild-card spots. All three teams have four wins and are coming off good performances in Week 9. Even though the Bills were the only ones who lost, they might have looked the best in a close game in Seattle on national television.

tyrod_taylor_against_the_texans-1
Tyrod Taylor will try to build off his performance in Seattle

The Bills will have time to get over the officiating in their MNF loss as they head into their bye week. They’ll have to move on eventually though as they still have a chance down the stretch. Buffalo has home games remaining against the Jaguars and Browns in what should be winnable games if they’re to be considered a playoff contender. Their remaining five games are all against teams still in the race as they have the Bengals, Raiders, Steelers, Dolphins and Jets on the schedule.

The Dolphins are an interesting team because they have some key wins and some key losses. They’ve lost to the Bengals and Titans which could hurt them in tiebreakers, but they also have wins over better wild card teams in the Steelers and the Bills. The Dolphins have a Week 10 match up against San Diego and have the opportunity to add to their tiebreaker advantages. They also have the Ravens and the Bills again remaining on the schedule and their second game against the Patriots comes during Week 17 when the Patriots might be lucky enough to rest some players.

The most intriguing of the bunch is of course the Chargers. We all know that the Chargers blew a few leads early in the season, but they seem to have gotten over the hump recently with wins over the Broncos, Falcons and Titans. They have crucial games against the Dolphins and Texans coming up that could dictate whether they have a legit shot at the postseason this year. A meeting with the Chiefs on the final day of the season could also be of importance.

The NFC wild card scenario is even more jam packed as the Giants and Redskins are currently the proud owners of the 5th and 6th seeds with 5-3 and 4-3-1 records respectively. They shouldn’t get comfortable, though, because the Lions, Saints, Packers, Eagles and Cardinals are all right behind them with just four losses. The Rams, Buccaneers and Panthers are just two games back with five losses.

The Cardinals were in the NFC Championship game last season, but haven’t looked the same so far this year. They don’t have any wins over teams in the mix and that’ll need to change for them to have a shot. They have games against the Vikings, Falcons, Redskins, Saints, Seahawks and Rams so there is room for them to move up.

2012_packers_vs_giants_-_eli_manning
Can Eli Manning lead the Giants to another playoff run?

As for the team that everyone is chasing, the Giants, they’ll have to continue to put together wins. New York is the only team who has beaten the Cowboys this year and could still make a run at the NFC East title with another win against Dallas. The Giants also have wins over the Saints and Eagles which could help in tiebreaker situations, but they have losses against the Redskins, Vikings and Packers which could hurt them. Their last four games of the season against the Cowboys, Lions, Eagles and Redskins could play a big part in whether or not they keep playing throughout January.

The Packers are a team that when hot could be a huge threat, but for most of the season they’ve been cold. Even with just a 4-4 record, Aaron Rodgers has a chance to lead his team to another playoff appearance. The Packers still have games at Washington and Philadelphia as well home games against the Seahawks and Vikings. Their last game of the season could have huge implications as they travel to Detroit.

The Redskins seemed to have flown under the radar so far. A loss to the Lions and a tie in London against the Benglas over their last two games are probably the reasoning behind that. Washington should be taken more seriously though because they already have wins over the Giants and Eagles. That doesn’t mean things will be any easier because Washington finishes its season with a handful of games against teams surrounding them. They have the Vikings, Packers, Panthers and Giants at home, but they still have to travel to Dallas, Arizona and Philadelphia. They truly control their own destiny the rest of the way.

Will all of these teams still be alive after a few weeks? Probably not. But, that just means we’re getting important football in Week 10 of the NFL. A couple wins for one of these teams and suddenly they’re in the driver’s seat. Back-to-back losses? Well, they might just be out of it. The NFL is not used to these poor ratings, but with all of these teams still in contention, fans around the country might just stick around to see how this thing plays out.

Kyle Boris is the co-founder of YourSitch.com

Twitter: @KyleNoStyle

Front 4: NFL Week 9

Our newest member, Carlos, was able to win rather easily and climb the overall leaderboard:

WEEK 8:                                                     OVERALL:

Carlos: 7 points                                       Ryan: 16 points

Ryan: 4 points                                          Carlos: 15 points

Daisy: 4 points                                         Daisy: 14 points

Kyle: 2 points                                            Kyle: 13 points

As we reach the half-way point of the season, each passing week is getting more and more interesting. This week the Front 4 team will debate the huge AFC West showdown between the Broncos and the Raiders. Aaron Rodgers, Andrew Luck, DeMarco Murray and Melvin Gordon are also all topics of discussion as Week 9 of the NFL season is set to kick off.

Will the Broncos or Raiders Win on Sunday Night Football?

Carlos: Broncos

The Broncos will take over 1st place in the AFC West. It will be a close game and even though the Raiders offense has been good, scoring 26 points per game, Denver’s defense has been outstanding and has carried them. Also, the Raiders are at home and for most teams that would be an advantage, but the Raiders’ only two losses have been in Oakland. They look way better on the road with a 5 – 0 record.

Ryan: Broncos

The Raiders always make it hard on themselves to win, but Derek Carr always finds a way to overcome the mistakes. That’ll be hard to do against the best defense in the league. I would love to see Derek Carr, an elite two-minute quarterback, get the ball down a touchdown late in the 4th. Barring that epic showdown, I’ll say the Broncos make the most of Oakland’s mistakes and get the win.

imgresDaisy: Raiders

Oakland and Denver are coming into Sunday night with quite a few similarities. Both share a 6 – 2 record in the same division [AFC West] and both are on a two-game win streak. Denver has one of the league’s best defenses, while Oakland has Derek Carr. Carr is coming off a great game against Tampa Bay and I think he will continue to add to his impressive 2016 campaign with a win against the Broncos. 

Kyle: Raiders

The Broncos are 8-2 in their last ten games against the Raiders dating back to 2011. However, the Raiders split the two meetings last year and the games were each decided by less than a touchdown. The Raiders have improved and I think this will be Derek Carr and Jack Del Rio’s biggest test by far. If the Raiders win, and I think they do, they’ll have to be considered one of the top teams to represent the AFC in the Super Bowl.

How Many Points Will the Cowboys Win By?

0-10, 11-20, 21-30, 30+, Browns will win

Carlos: 11-20

The Browns offense isn’t the greatest, but it can still put up 20 points a game. The defense has been the issue because they allow 30 points per game. Look for another solid performance from Dak Prescott who has a QBR of 81.4 which is good enough for number 3 in the league. 

Ryan: 11-20

Ah the Browns. The Browns make me feel good about my own football team. Ok, maybe not good, but the Browns are just terrible. Still, they are a professional team and they did just upgrade their defense so I’ll say they lose by a respectable 11-20 points.

Daisy: 11-20

I feel bad for the Browns because their schedule isn’t getting easier any time soon. As cool as it would be for the Browns to get their first win against the Cowboys, I have to be realistic. The Cowboys will stomp all over the Browns and win by 20 points.

Kyle: 11-20

Four of the Browns’ eight losses have come by six points or fewer. That shows that they’ve been at least competing in half their games. They’ll be going against a Cowboys team that’s on a role, but has been bit by the injury bug of late, especially to their defense. I think the Browns put up some points, but lose by two touchdowns.

Will Andrew Luck or Aaron Rodgers Throw for More Yards in the Colts/Packers Game?

Carlos: Aaron Rodgers

The Colts defense allows 402 yards per game which is 29th in the league. On top of that, Green Bay only allows 321 yards per game which is number 7 in the league. I’ll take Rodgers over Luck. 

Ryan: Aaron Rodgers

Rodgers has been rounding into form recently and is facing one of the softest defenses in the league. Luck has been fantastic this season, but he is constantly under pressure.

aaron_rodgers_2014

Daisy: Andrew Luck

Luck is ranked 7th in passing yards so far this season. Even though I think Aaron Rodgers and the Packers have the advantage with their team returning to Lambeau Field, Luck will produce more passing yards. 

Kyle: Andrew Luck

I picked Rodgers last week against Matt Ryan and he let me down. Rodgers is only throwing for 248 yards per game and that doesn’t give me much confidence even against a poor Colts defense. I’ll take my chances with Luck.

How Many NY Teams Will Win?

Giants vs. PHI, Jets @ MIA, Bills @ SEA

Carlos: One

The Jets will be the only team from New York to win. The Jets are coming off two victories and need this game if they have any plans of making the playoffs. Both teams have similar numbers on both sides of the ball. The only slight advantage the Jets have is in total yards. The Jets have produced about 2700 yards compared to Miami’s 2400.

 

Ryan: Two

I think the Giants and Jets will both win this week so technicallyyyyyyyy *pushes up nerd glasses* no team that plays in New York will win.

Daisy: One

The only favorable outcome I see for New York this weekend is in the Jets game. There you go Jets fans. This is your chance. 

Kyle: One

All three teams are on the road against tough teams. I think the Bills have a shot to pull off an upset because we’ve seen crazier things on Monday Night Football. (I’m looking at you Vikings)

Will DeMarco Murray or Melvin Gordon Have More Rushing Yards in the Titans/Chargers Game?

Carlos: DeMarco Murray

Murray has the slight advantage because he averages more yards per attempt. Murray averages 4.7 yards per attempt and Gordon averages 3.6 yards per attempt. The numbers will be close because Tennessee and San Diego have both been good at stopping the run. 

Ryan: Melvin Gordon

With Derrick Henry proving a reliable Option B, look for the Titans to give DeMarco Murray a little less than his usual workload in this one, while Melvin Gordon continues his streak of games with 22+ touches.

635996998377398435-nas-titans0524-010
via The Tennessean

Daisy: DeMarco Murray

DeMarco Murray leads the AFC in rushing yards and is only second in the NFL behind Zeke. I don’t expect that to change this week as he rushes for more yards than Gordon. 

Kyle: DeMarco Murray

The Titans and Chargers have two of the best defenses when it comes to stopping the run. The Titans only allow 82 yards a game while the Chargers allow 86. Both running backs are going to have tough match ups, but I think Murray rushes for more yards to improve on his stellar season of 94 yards per game which is good enough for second place in the NFL.

Higher Total in LA on Sunday: Todd Gurley Rushing Yards or Lakers Points

Carlos: Lakers

The Panthers have not been a great team, but the one thing they have been able to do is stop the run. The Panthers have only allowed 561 rushing yards this season. The Rams have not had a good running game so this isn’t a favorable match up. As for the Lakers, they have been able to average 107 points per game and the Suns have allowed teams to score 112 points per game. 

Ryan: Lakers

The Lakers are averaging over 100 points per game this season and the Suns allow a preposterous 112 points per game. Suffice it to say that Todd Gurley will be facing a tougher defense even if the Panthers don’t show up. 

Daisy: Lakers

The Rams are averaging 80 yards per game this season so I am going to go with the safe choice and choose the Lakers here to score a ton against the Suns. 

Kyle: Lakers

Despite the Panthers’ poor play, they’ve only allowed 80 rushing yards per game. The Lakers are coming off a huge win over the Warriors. In their two home games this year the Lakers have scored 120 and 117 against the Rockets and the Warriors. A match-up against the Suns should mean plenty of points once again.

Will the Saints or 49ers Reach Their Average Passing Yards Per Game?

Saints(1st): 326 PY/G, 49ers(Last): 161 PY/G

Carlos: Both

The 49ers defense allows 407 yards a game which means the Saints will easily be able to throw all over them. The 49ers will not be successful against the Saints, but will atleast be able to get to their average passing yards per game as well because of the Saints mediocre defense. 

Drew Brees
via wikimedia

Ryan: Both

Both defenses are just awful. Just awful. Meanwhile, Drew Brees is not awful and Colin Kaepernick is not 161 yards awful. Kaep gets over the threshold in garbage time while Brees runs up the numbers in a must-win game for the Saints.

Daisy: Both

I think both teams will remain consistent and play to the averages. 

Kyle: Both

Colin Kaepernick threw for over 160 yards against the Bills in his last game so he should be able to do more of the same against this Saints defense. I also have confidence in Drew Brees to pick apart this 49ers defense.

Will the Steelers/Ravens Game be Decided by 7 Points or Less?

Carlos: Yes

Both teams come in with losing streaks so they’ll both be looking for a much needed win in a close game. Both defenses have been pretty good as Baltimore has a slight edge by allowing 19 points per game while the Steelers have allowed 21 points per game. Where Pittsburgh has the best advantage is in scoring. The Steelers score 24 points per game compared to Baltimore’s 19 points per game.   

Ryan: Yes

Divisional games are always close and a rivalry like Steelers-Ravens just brings out the best in the players. There’s no way either team is giving up an easy win one way or the other.

Daisy: Yes

In the past two years the Steelers have managed to defeat the Ravens just once and the last two times these teams faced each other the game was decided by a field goal. I think that pattern continues and the game will be decided by less than a touchdown.

Kyle: No

The Ravens won both match-ups last season by a field goal in low scoring games. The first match up this season between division rivals could be dependent on whether or not Big Ben takes the field. He’s currently a game-time decision. The Steelers have more play makers and that’ll be the difference in this one as Pittsburgh wins by 10 points.

How Many Times Will the Chiefs Pick off Blake Bortles?

Carlos: Three

The Chiefs defense will be too much for Bortles to handle and it will lead to a long game for him and Jacksonville. When he has faced teams that force a lot of takeaways, he has not played well. Oakland picked him off twice a couple weeks ago and Baltimore got him three times earlier in the season. 

Blake Bortles
via wikimedia

Ryan: Two

The Chiefs may be the best in the league at intercepting the ball, but Bortles has thrown three picks in a game this year just once. He’ll be dropping back a lot just like last week, but I say he does slightly better and only throws two picks.

Daisy: Two

The Chiefs will pick off Blake Bortles twice in this game and I think Marcus Peters will be a big reason why.

Kyle: Zero

This game screams upset. The Chiefes will be without Alex Smith, Jamaal Charles and Spencer Ware. On the other side of things, it seems like everyone on the Jaguars team, coaching staff and front office is on the hot seat. Bortles is due for a signature game and just maybe this is it.

How Many Last Place Teams Will Win?

Jets@MIA, Browns vs. DAL, Jaguars@KC, Chargers vs. TEN, Panthers@LA, 49ers vs. NO

Carlos: One

The Jets are coming off two victories and need this game if they have any plans of making the playoffs. This game will not be an easy task for the Jets. Both teams have similar numbers on both sides of the ball. The only slight advantage the Jets have are in total yards. The Jets have produced 2,700 yards compared to Miami’s 2,400. Of the Jets’ three wins, two have come on the road so this could be their chance to add their third road victory. 

Ryan: Two

I already picked the Jets to win, but none of these other teams inspire much confidence. I can see a desperate Panthers team rising to the occasion, but it’ll take a lot for these other teams to earn a victory in week 9.

Daisy: Three

The Jets, Chargers and Panthers should all be to help their chances of getting out of 4th place in their divisions.

Kyle: Two

If the Panthers want to keep any playoff hopes alive they HAVE to beat the Rams and I think they’re able to. The Browns and 49ers are going to have tough times finding a win. That leaves the Jets, Jags and Chargers. All three have winnable games, but I don’t trust any of them to actually pull through. I’ll stick with my upset, though, and say the Jaguars finally get a solid win.

Tiebreaker: Which Player Will Rush for the Most Yards in Week 9?

Carlos: DeMarco Murray

Ryan: Ezekiel Elliott

Daisy: Ezekiel Elliott

Kyle: Le’Veon Bell

Do you agree with our predictions? Let us know in the comments how you think Week 9 of the NFL will play out.

Twitter: @YourSitchTweets

Front 4: NFL Week 8

Week 6 came down to the wire and ultimately a tiebreaker decided the outcome:

Kyle: 6 points(+1 Tiebreaker)

Ryan: 6 points

Daisy: 4 points

Carlos: 4 points

After a one-week hiatus, the Front 4 team is back and our guest, Carlos, is a guest no more. After solid performances, Carlos has been asked to provide his NFL predictions for the rest of the season.

Quite a few teams have byes this week, but that doesn’t mean there’s no drama from the teams taking the field. The Cowboys and Eagles battle for 1st place. The Browns look for their first victory. There’s also a battle between Matt Ryan and Aaron Rodgers. Take a look at how the Front 4 team sees things playing out and let us know if you agree with their predictions.

Will the Eagles or Cowboys Win on Sunday Night Football?

Kyle: Cowboys

The Cowboys have been on a tear lately and that worries me. This is usually the time that they mess things up. They’re at home against a division rival on national television. If this really is a different Cowboys team then they’ll come out and take care of business. The biggest match up in this game will be the Cowboys’ offensive line against the Eagles’ defensive line. Whoever wins in the trenches will probably come away with the victory.

Ryan: Cowboys

The Eagles defense has been fantastic so far but you could make the case that Ezekiel Elliott is the best running back they’ve faced so far and there is no debating the Cowboys’ O-line will be the best they’ve encountered. Add that to the fact that it’s in Dallas and I’ll give the slight edge to Cowboys.

travis_frederick_and_dak_prescott_september_2016

Carlos: Cowboys

Quarterbacks Dak Prescott and Carson Wentz are fighting for bragging rights and the rivalry between Philly and Dallas is always great. The Cowboys will come out on top in a close game.

Dallas has a great offense that scores 27 points per game which is only slightly better than the Eagles who score 26 points per game. The difference here will be the Dallas running game. The Cowboys come into the game averaging 161 rushing yards per game which is the best in the NFL.

Daisy: Cowboys

Which Defense Allows Fewer Points?

The Bills(vs. Patriots) or the Seahawks(@Saints) 

Kyle: Bills

Even though the Bills won’t shut out Tom Brady, I think the Bills prove their legitness by hanging tough with the Pats and keeping it a relatively close game through to the end. As for the Seahawks, I think they’ll be able to get their offense on track against a terrible Saints defense, but Drew Brees will still be able to put up points whether it be early touchdowns or late garbage-time touchdowns.

Ryan: Bills

The Bills won’t shut out the Patriots again but picking any defense to do well in the Superdome is something I try and avoid.

Carlos: Seahawks

The Seahawks are ranked third in the league in defense. They have held teams to 14 points per game and just 1800 yards total. The Bills defense, which sould be much better, has been just average this year as they are ranked 21st in the league. They are holding teams to just 18 points per game, but that won’t be good enough against the Patriots’ great offense that is top 5 in the NFL.

Daisy: Seahawks

How Many AFC West Teams Will Finish Week 8 with 2 Losses?

Raiders(5-2)@ TB, Broncos(5-2) vs. SD, Chiefs(4-2)@ IND

Kyle: One

All three teams are capable of winning and will be the favorites, but each team could walk away losers as well. The Chargers already beat the Broncos this season and the Chiefs have a tough game against the Andrew Luck. The Raiders have been lights out on the road and I think they have the best shot at getting a victory.

Ryan: Two

I am very sure all three of these teams will win this week which means it won’t happen so I’ll say two of the three win this week. The Broncos will stifle the Chargers and then either the Raiders or Chiefs will lose a game they should win.

Carlos: Three

The top three teams in the AFC West will all finish week 8 with only two losses on their record.

Daisy: Two

Which City Scores the Most Points/Runs?

Chicago(Bears & Cubs in Game 5) or Cleveland(Browns & Indians in Game 5)

jason_kipnis_and_francisco_lindor_on_june_28_2015

Kyle: Chicago

The Cubs are facing elimination in Game 5 and are playing their last game at Wrigley this season no matter what. I think that lights a fire under them and finally wakes up their offense. It ultimately could be the difference because I don’t see the Browns or the Bears scoring much at all. Look for the Cubs to put up a 7 spot and give Chi-town the win.

Ryan: Cleveland

One of these baseball teams might actually outscore their respective football teams. The Jets defense hasn’t been elite this year, but the Vikings defense has. The Browns are very, very bad but I don’t expect the Bears to do anything on offense this week against one of the best defenses in the league.

Carlos: Cleveland

The Bears offense has been awful, only averaging 15 points per game which is the worst in the league. Yes, the Browns have been bad, but they are averaging more points per game at 18. I have faith in the Indians’ pitching because they have been great in the postseason and I think that continues Sunday as they limit the Cubs.

Daisy: Chicago

Will Ezekiel Elliott or David Johnson Rush for More Yards?

Kyle: David Johnson

Elliott has been running rampid all over NFL defenses in 2016. The Eagles are fully aware of that and I think they attempt to slow him down and make Dak beat them through the air. Elliott will still have a solid game, but I think David Johnson eclipses the 100-yard mark again and rushes for more yards against a suspect Panthers defense.

Ryan: Ezekiel Elliott

Both running backs have rushed for over 100 yards in their past few games, but the Cowboys will be more dependent on the run to get the win this week so the edge goes to Zeke. 

Carlos: Ezekiel Elliott

Elliott is averaging 117 yards per game compared to Johnson’s 97. Also, Carolina’s defense against the run hasn’t been there biggest problem. Their problem is allowing teams to score too many points per game. They are 29th in the league with 29 points allowed per game. The Eagles, on the other hand, have an average defense against the run and Elliott can expose it during the game.

Daisy: David Johnson

Who Throws for More Yards in the Packers/Falcons Game?

Aaron Rodgers or Matt Ryan

Kyle: Aaron Rodgers

I’m going with Rodgers because of the Falcons backfield. Devonta Freeman and Tevin Coleman have been studs for Atlanta and should get plenty of touches. The Packers have so many banged up running backs and Rodgers will be forced to throw early and often to keep Green Bay in the game.

Matt RyanRyan: Matt Ryan

On top of having the better name, Matt Ryan has looked like an MVP-type player this year while Rodgers hasn’t really looked in sync with his offense all season. Also in Ryan’s favor is the fact that Green Bay’s strong run defense will mean more play calls for the Atlanta signal caller.

Carlos: Matt Ryan

Matt Ryan will throw for more yards simply because he has been better than Rodgers this season. Rodgers is having a season we aren’t used to seeing. He has spoiled us with amazing football and even though 16 touchdowns and 4 interceptions is good enough for most quarterbacks, people expect more from Rodgers. Matt Ryan is arguably having the best season of his career and I can see that continuing the rest of the way.

Daisy: Matt Ryan

Who Has More Tackles in the Lions/Texans Game?

Tahir Whitehead or Brandon McKinney

Kyle: Brandon McKinney

Both these men were in the top 3 in tackles heading into Week 8. I’m going with McKinney to record more tackles because I think the Texans defense will be on the field longer due to their mediocre offense. Whitehead won’t get many chances for tackles in this one.

Ryan: Brandon McKinney

To be honest I looked up which one was ranked higher in the IDP fantasy rankings this week and went with him. Come on McKinney!

Carlos: Tahir Whitehead

Tahir Whitehead will have more tackles in the Lions/Texans game because Houston’s offense isn’t great and the defense as a whole will be able to jump all over them. Even though Detroit’s defense hasn’t been lights out, I like the matchup and see them having a good defensive game.

Daisy: Tahir Whitehead

How Many AFC Teams Will Finish Week 8 with a 4-4 Record?

Bills(4-3)vs. NE, Bengals(3-4)vs. WSH, Texans(4-3) vs.DET,

Colts(3-4)vs. KC, Titans(3-4) vs.JAC, Chargers(3-4)@ DEN

Kyle: Five

Most of these games could go either way, but I’m going to take a chance and say that five out of the six teams will either fall to 4-4 or jump to 4-4. The Bengals and Chargers need a win to give their playoff chances a real boost. I think they both get it done to improve to 4-4.

Ryan: Four

Four teams will finish 4-4 in the AFC and my guesses are the Bills, Bengals, Texans and Titans. The Patriots will exact revenge on the Bills for the shutout in week 4. The Bengals will win an ugly game in London against a Josh Norman-less Redskins. Jim Bob Cooter will have the Lions’ offense rolling on all cylinders against the Texans and the Titans will run all over the Jaguars in another boring Thursday night game.

Carlos: Three

I think the Bills and the Texans lose to take a step back and fall to 4-4. However, I think the Titans get a clutch victory on Thursday Night Football to improve to 4-4.

Daisy: Four

How Many Interceptions Will Be Thrown in the Jets/Browns Game?

0, 1, 2, 3, 4+

Kyle: 2

Fitz has only thrown one pick in his last three games. The Browns have thrown seven interceptions in their first seven games so they’ll be good for at least one interception. It doesn’t matter if it’s Josh McCown, Cody Kessler or Kevin Hogan at QB. You can throw Terrelle Pryor in the mix too. I’ll take a total of 2 interceptions in this one from any combo of Browns quarterbacks.

Ryan Fitzpatrick

 

Ryan: 4+

The line on this game is only -3, which gives you a pretty good idea of how bad the Jets’ season has gotten. They are barely favored against a team that has the potential to end the season winless. The Browns will probably see this as one of their best chances to pick up a W and will come out hungry, while the Jets will take advantage of whoever the Browns put at QB. I would not recommend watching this game.

Carlos: 4+

This game will not be pretty, but the Jets will come out on top. Both teams are in the top 10 on the interception list and the Jets are number 1 so expect a lot of balls to be thrown to the wrong uniform.

Daisy: 4+

Will AJ Green or Jordan Reed Have More Catches in the Redskins/Bengals Game?

aj_greenKyle: AJ Green

Reed is questionable to play, but if he gets on the field this could get interesting. I’ll stick with Green though because, I mean, did you see that Hail Mary catch against the Browns last week? Sheesh!

Ryan: AJ Green

Reed won’t play. Therefore, Green.

Carlos: AJ Green

AJ Green is just a beast. I can’t pick against him. It will be close, but Green comes out on top.

Daisy: AJ Green

Tiebreaker: Which Team Will Score the Least Amount of Points This Week?

Kyle: Redskins

Ryan: Bears

Daisy: Bills

Carlos: Bears

Do you agree with our predictions? Let us know in the comments!

Front 4: NFL Week 6

Week 5 is in the books so let’s see how things played out:

Ryan: 4 points

Carlos: 4 points

Kyle: 2 points

Daisy: 2 points

Seeing as though Carlos was able to clinch a tie for first place after Ryan incorrectly predicted the Panthers would win on Monday Night Football, we decided to invite Carlos back to see if he could win all by himself during Week 6.

Week 6 has some great match-ups such as the Cowboys returning to Green Bay where the infamous catch that wasn’t a catch took place. Tom Brady will be playing in Foxboro for the first time this season and Colin Kaepernick will be playing for the first time in general this year. Here are the NFL Week 6 predictions from the Front 4 team.

Bengals(8.5) @ Patriots

Ryan: Patriots

Tom Brady will do Tom Brady things, but I also expect the Patriots to pressure Andy Dalton enough to comfortably beat the Bengals by double digits.

Carlos: Patriots

The Patriots will win and will win big by 17 points. The reason for this win is of course Tom Brady. He had a huge game in his comeback with 406 yards and 3 touchdowns. Look for more of the same from Brady against the Bengals. Also, the Patriots’ defense continues to be great, holding opposing teams to about 15 points per game. 

Kyle: Bengals

The Bengals are coming off a tough loss to the Cowboys in a game everyone expected them to win. The Patriots did what everyone expected and looked flawless against the Browns. Now, they return home with Tom Brady for the first time this season. The Bengals are treading water in the AFC which, I believe, will cause them to come out firing, but it won’t be enough to overcome the Patriots. The Bengals will cover, though. 

Daisy: Patriots

After losing a tough game against the Cowboys last week, I think the Bengals will fall short again against the Pats in week 6. All the boys are back together in New England and it will be tough for the Bengals to overcome them. 

Ravens(+2.5) @ Giants

Ryan: Ravens

The Ravens and Giants are a combined 1-5 these past three weeks and with both offenses struggling, I’ll take the points and hope for the best in this one.

Carlos: Ravens

The Giants will lose this game. The Giants started off the season on a good foot, but are now 2-3, coming off three straight losses. Losing can become a habit in sports and the Giants will lose their fourth straight. The Ravens have a top 10 defense holding teams to about 267 yards per game and 18 points per game. The Giants offense has not been great, only scoring about 18 points per game, good enough for 27th in the NFL. 

2012_packers_vs_giants_-_eli_manning

Kyle: Giants

This game features two of the most non-elite, elite quarterbacks of all time. When at their best, Flacco and Eli are unstoppable, but when they’re bad, boy are they bad. I think more pressure is on Eli right now with Giants fans growing restless with every poorly thrown ball and with every awkward facial reaction from the two-time Super Bowl champion. I think the Giants win an ugly one, 24-21.

Daisy: Giants

I think the Giants will walk away with a victory in this game and give the Ravens a wake up call. However, I only see this happening if Odell leads the way and has a strong performance.

Colts(+2.5) @ Texans

Ryan: Texans

The Texans have too much talent on offense to be the second lowest scoring team in the league. Their new running back Lamar Miller has to find the endzone eventually, right? RIGHT? I can also see the Texans’ D-line putting Luck on his back all game so I’ll go Texans.

Carlos: Colts

The Colts will get it done this week and beat the Texans(Daisy, the Colts are still a bad team.) This will not be a flashy game. The Colts defense has been one of the worst in the league, but the Texans offense has not been great either scoring around 17 points per game. The Texans may be in first in the AFC South but with a point differential of -22 it will come back to bite them. The Colts are looking to take over 1st place in the division and this can be a start for them. 

Kyle: Texans

These AFC South match-ups could go either way most of the time. None of the four teams have really stood out yet and this division will probably be fought for until the very last week. I think this time around the Texans are able to steal a late victory over Luck and the Colts.

Daisy: Colts

If i lose this week, this will be why. I still have faith in the Colts and they need a win. Texans, overall, are the better team but they will make a mistake that Andrew Luck and the Colts will take advantage of. 

Browns(+7.5) @ Titans

Ryan: Browns

This was one of the hardest games to pick. On one hand the Titans have a great matchup at home against a team that DeMarco Murray can run all over. On the other hand, the Browns might have their best shot at avoiding 0-16 this week and I highly doubt they finish the season winless. This spread is just high enough for me to take a flier on the Browns this week.

Carlos: Titans

The Titans will win by more than 8 points. This will be a boring game, to be honest. Where do I start with the Browns? The team is 0-5. Both the defense and offense hasn’t been good. The Titans aren’t great, but they have had a top 10 defense allowing only 20 points per game. Given that any defense can stop the Browns this is no-brainer pick. 

NFL: Preseason-Minnesota Vikings at Tennessee Titans

Kyle: Titans

Marcus Mariota finally looked on top of his game last week and hopefully for the Titans that can continue again this week against the lowly Browns. If only Cleveland could borrow some of the Indians’ thunder.

Daisy: Titans

Titans will add another L to the Browns’ record this season. The Titans defense can take advantage of a questionable Browns passing game.

49ers(+7.5) @ Bills


Ryan: 49ers

This line is too high for me to pick the Bills. I can see Kaepernick thriving under Chip Kelly’s offense, and maybe that doesn’t start this week, but I have more faith in the 49ers covering than I do with a Buffalo offense without Sammy Watkins.

Carlos: Bills

The Bills will win and should be able to cover this spread. Buffalo is getting hot as they have won three in a row. I see them winning in Colin Kaepernick’s first game back as a starter. He will struggle, even though Chip Kelly’s offense in the long run may help out Kaep, but not against the bills. This Rex Ryan defense is a great weapon that has held opponents to 17 points per game. San Francisco has had an average offense and as Rex likes to think, defense wins games. 

Kyle: Bills

The Bills are on a hot streak and if they really want to be taken serious they need to start winning these games that they’re expected to win. Besides that, what I’m most looking forward to in this game is of course Colin Kaepernick’s start.

Daisy: Bills

I’m so excited to see Kaep back on the field, however, he’s facing one of the league’s toughest defenses and it won’t be pretty. The Bills will win by a large margin, but Kaep will keep winning at life.

Eagles(-2.5) @ Redskins

Ryan: Eagles

I think I would go Redskins at home if Jordan Reed was fully healthy but as of right now he’s still questionable to return from a concussion. Carson Wentz will bounce back from last week’s loss to give the Eagles the win in this one.

Carlos: Eagles

The Eagles will win by more than 3 points. The Eagles have had a good defense and offense this season and their 3-1 record reflects that. They are coming off a loss in which Carson Wentz threw his first interception. As Doug Pederson said, this isn’t the same team as last year that let the season spiral out of control. Sometimes giving your players motivation is enough to win. Wentz also wants to prove that his season hasn’t been a fluke. Washington is coming in hot, but there luck ends this week. Both their offense and defense have been average and they do have a point differential of -7. It is interesting that they have managed a 3 and 2 record. 

Kyle: Redskins

It shows a lot that in just in his 5th professional game, Carson Wentz is favored on the road against a division rival. I’ve loved what I’ve seen from the young quarterback, but the Redskins are 5-1 in their last 6 games against the Eagles at FedEx field so I think the Redskins get it done at home.

Daisy: Eagles

I think the Eagles will win by a touchdown on Sunday. The Eagles’ defense will be the main attraction of the game. I think Kirk Cousins will be spending a lot of time getting up from being sacked so much.

Chiefs @ Raiders (Pick ’em)

Ryan: Chiefs

It’s well known that Andy Reid has his teams ready to go after the bye week; he’s 15-2 all-time. Jamal Charles will allegedly be more involved in the offense this week and despite me being on the Raiders bandwagon, I say the Chiefs get it done in Oakland.

Carlos: Raiders

The Raiders will win this game. The Raiders come into the game with a 3 game winning streak. Oakland has a good offense and with a below average Kansas City defense, look for one of my favorite quarterbacks, Derek Carr, to take advantage and improve on his 11 touchdowns on the season.

Kyle: Chiefs

It really is amazing that the Raiders are 4-1 seeing as though they’ve allowed 452 yards on defense this year which is the most in the league. Combine that with the fact that Andy Reid is 15-2 after a bye week and I think the Raiders take a step back this week as their defensive mishaps finally catch up with them.

Daisy: Raiders

Maybe I just have a little too much faith in the Raiders this season, but I am really hoping this is their week once again. I think Derek Carr leads a very good offense, and despite the Chiefs getting back Jamaal Charles, the Raiders will win a close one.

Falcons(+6.5) @ Seahawks

Ryan: Falcons

Julio Jones + a free 6.5 points = Ryan taking Atlanta.

Carlos: Falcons

The Falcons will win in a close game by 1 point. You heard it here first. This game has the looks of being the game of the week. The Falcons offense has been on fire, putting up 35 points per game, but not so fast, the Seahawks are known for their defense and have held teams to 13 points per game. The Seahawks will have to try and slow down Matt Ryan who is leading the league with 1700 passing yards. Look for another big game by Matty Ice.

russell_wilson_vs_vikings_november_4_2012Kyle: Seahawks

Russell Wilson and the Seahawks had two weeks to prepare for a home game against Matt Ryan and the Falcons’ high powered offense. I think they come out with a great game plan and slow down the Falcons just enough to take home a 7 point win.

Daisy: Seahawks

In a battle between a great offense and a great defense, I will always pick the defense. The Seahawks will beat the Falcons, but both Ryan and Wilson will have great games.

Cowboys(+3.5) @ Packers

Ryan: Packers

The Cowboys have been relying on their running game to allow Prescott to ease into the position, but the Packers are too good against the run and will make them throw. I’ll take Rodgers’ arm over almost anyone else’s but especially over a rookie in week 6.

aaron_rodgers_2014

Carlos: Cowboys

The Packers will win, but I think the Cowboys will cover the spread. I see the Packers winning by a field goal(sorry Kyle.) The Cowboys are coming into this with 4 straight wins, but their luck has to stop somewhere and the Packers come in with a 3-1 record and two straight wins themselves. You can never count the Packers out and even though Aaron Rodgers hasn’t had a lights out season, he is still Aaron Rodgers. He has 9 touchdowns and look for him to have a big game that leads Green Bay to the win. 

Kyle: Cowboys

I honestly don’t care what happens in this game as long as there’s no important disputed catches. Cowboys cover.

Daisy: Packers

This matchup seems pretty obvious and I will will go with the obvious choice. The Packers will win, but Prescott will do his best to keep up with the Packers.

Jets(+7.5) @ Cardinals

Ryan: Cardinals

*Gruden voice*: “My word John Brown with his fourth touchdown! What can Brown do for you? What CAN’T he do man! Haha oh boy is he fun to watch!”

I have moved past the crying stage into the acceptance stage and will be watching Monday night’s game with a thousand-yard stare

Carlos: Jets

The Jets will bounce back and win a close game by 3 points. I will stick to the Jets all year no matter their record. Fitz will get us this win. He will throw 3 touchdowns and no picks. (If I get that right I should get 10 points and be back for the rest of the season.) 

Kyle: Jets

Crazy stuff always seems to happen on Monday Night Football. I expect more crazy this week as the Jets travel to Arizona. I think the Cardinals will dominate most of the game, but if the Jets can win the Special Teams battle, I see them having a fighting chance. As the great James Ellsworth once said, “Any man with two hands, has a fighting chance. ” Jets cover.

Daisy: Cardinals

Carson Palmer returns this week! I think he will be a huge reason why they beat up the Jets on Monday Night Football. Sorry Ryan and Carlos, but those L’s are going to keep on coming. 

 

Which Team Will Score the Most Points in Week 6?

Tiebreaker

Ryan: Steelers

Carlos: Steelers

Kyle: Patriots

Daisy: Panthers

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