Jaguars and Raiders In the Mix for the Playoffs
By Jason Lisk
The only early game where both teams have realistic hopes of making the playoffs is in Jacksonville. The Jaguars can remain a game ahead of the Colts in the AFC South with a win at home. The Raiders swept the Chargers last week, and still have a game to play against Kansas City, so they just need to stay close to have a chance.
Both of these teams have been wildly inconsistent throughout the year, so your guess is as good as mine. The Raiders have those two wins over San Diego, and the destruction of Denver and Seattle, but have been destroyed at Tennessee and Pittsburgh, and had an embarrassing loss to woeful Arizona. The Jaguars have four losses by at least twenty points, but have now won 4 of their last 5, and the loss was a close one in New York.
The wind conditions are actually going to have an impact in this game, with winds to likely exceed 15 mph. Look for both teams to look to their strong running games with Jones-Drew and McFadden/Bush.
Atlanta at Carolina: The Falcons are comfortably in the playoffs as long as they just win against the worst team in the league. Atlanta has 3 wins by double digits this year, while the Panthers have 9 losses by 10 points or more.
Tampa Bay at Washington: Tampa Bay is clinging to playoff hopes at 7-5, because it is probably going to take 10 wins at season’s end. With no wins over any of the teams in the playoff picture, the Bucs cannot afford a loss here. The Redskins will have Ryan Torain back to try to take advantage of the Bucs’ rush defense. The Redskins meanwhile, looked like a team going through the motions last week, and turned in their worst performance of the year.
Green Bay at Detroit: This game is big for Green Bay’s playoff hopes, even though Detroit is already eliminated. A win likely means Green Bay holds the tiebreaker if they can win the rematch with Chicago at home, while a loss puts them in trouble.
Cincinnati at Pittsburgh: To top last week, Roethlisberger is going to have his appendix re-inserted prior to kickoff, then removed again at halftime. Balls in your court, Brett.
Cleveland at Buffalo. If I were Buffalo, I would put snakes in the Browns’ locker room. They have a better chance against Hillis than the Bills rush defense.
[photo via Getty]