Mattie T’s Week 15 Predictions of the 2006 NFL Season

While some of my upset picks worked (Jaguars over Colts, Dolphins over Pats), others failed miserabily (Rams over Bears, Browns over Steelers, Chiefs over Ravens).

Luckily for me, i have a short-term memory.

Week 14: 9-7

Overall: 117-75 (.609)

vs.
San Francisco 49ers (5-8) vs. Seattle Seahawks (8-5) from Qwest Field in Seattle, WA.

8:00 PM EST on Thursday.

Seahawks have won 6 of last 7 meetings.

Mattie T’s Prediction: I’m picking the Seahawks to blowout the 49ers.

The Seahawks will be without leading receiver Darrell Jackson (turf toe) for Thursday’s game.

Jackson leads the team with 63 receptions for 956 yards & 10 touchdowns.

WR Nate Burleson will take Jackson’s place in the starting lineup.

The Seahawks can clinch a third consecutive NFC West title with a win on Thursday.

Seattle will welcome the return of WR Bobby Engram, who has not played since the team’s Week 4 loss to Chicago.

49ers RB Frank Gore will look to have another big day against the Seahawks’ run defense.

Gore ran for a career-high 212 yards in the 49ers’ Week 11 win over Seattle.

Seattle is 3-1 in prime-time this season while San Francisco will be making their 1st primetime apperance of the season.

vs.
Dallas Cowboys (8-5) vs. Atlanta Falcons (7-6) from the Georgia Dome in Atlanta, GA.

8:00 PM EST on Saturday.

Cowboys have won 5 of last 8 meetings.

Mattie T’s Prediction: I’m picking the Cowboys to beat the Falcons.

Dallas can clinch a playoff berth with a Minnesota loss, a New Orleans win and/or a Carolina loss.

Atlanta can move into the 2nd & final NFC Wild Card spot with a win on Saturday.

The Falcons could be without RB’s Warrick Dunn (calf) & Jerious Norwood) knee, who are both questionable.

This game will feature Atlanta’s top-ranked run offense (197.7 yards allowed per game) against Dallas’ 6th ranked run defense. (95.6 yards allowed per game)

Falcons QB Michael Vick needs 66 rushing yards to become the first quarterback in NFL History to record an 1,000 yard season on the ground.

Cowboys head coach Bill Parcells coached his first regular season game against the Falcons in September of ‘03 & lost 27-13.

vs.
Cleveland Browns (4-9) vs. Baltimore Ravens (10-3) from M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore, MD.

1:00 PM EST

Ravens have won 15 of last 19 December home games.

Mattie T’s Prediction: I’m picking the Ravens to blowout the Browns.

Baltimore can clinch their first playoff berth since ‘03 with a win & can clinch the AFC North with a win & a Cincinnati loss.

Browns QB Derek Anderson will make his second start of the season.

The Ravens drafted Anderson in the 6th round during the 2005 NFL Draft. Anderson never played a single game for Baltimore.

The Browns are 0-8 in AFC North road games since winning at Cincinnati in December of ‘03.

vs.
Miami Dolphins (6-7) vs. Buffalo Bills (6-7) from Ralph Wilson Stadium in Buffalo, NY.

1:00 PM EST

Bills have won 6 of last 9 home meetings.

Mattie T’s Prediction: I’m picking the Bills to record a close win over the Dolphins.

Miami is looking to get to the .500 mark for the first time this season with a win on Sunday.

Dolphins RB Sammy Morris will go up against the Bills’ 27th ranked run defense.

Morris rushed for a career-high 123 yards during the team’s 21-0 win over New England in Week 14.

This game will feature two of the NFL’s top sack leaders.

Bills DE Aaron Schobel is tied with the Chargers’ Shawne Merriman for the league lead in sacks with 12.5, while Dolphins DE Jason Taylor is third with 11.5 sacks.

Dolphins WR Chris Chambers has scored a touchdown in 7 of his 10 career meetings against the Bills.

vs.
Pittsburgh Steelers (6-7) vs. Carolina Panthers (6-7) from Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, NC.

1:00 PM EST

Steelers are 21-6 in December since the 2001 season.

Mattie T’s Prediction: I’m picking the Steelers to beat the Panthers.

Pittsburgh has won 4 of their last 5 after a 2-6 start & can get to the .500 mark for the first time this season with a win on Sunday.

Panthers QB Chris Weinke will get his second straight start if Jake Delhomme (thumb) can’t go.

Weinke threw for a franchise-record 423 yards during the team’s Week 14 loss to the New York Giants.

Steelers WR Hines Ward (knee) is questionable for Sunday while S Troy Polamalu (knee) is doubtful.

vs.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (3-10) vs. Chicago Bears (11-2) from Soldier Field in Chicago, IL.

1:00 PM EST

Bears have won 5 of last 6 home meetings in December.

Mattie T’s Prediction: I’m picking the Bears to blow out the Buccaneers.

Chicago can clinch homefield advantage throughout the NFC Playoffs with a win & a New Orleans loss on Sunday.

Buccaneers QB Bruce Gradkowski is expected to start after being benched during the 2nd half during the team’s Week 14 loss to Atlanta.

Bears CB Devin Hester has scored an NFL record 6 touchdowns off returns this season. (3 punt, 2 kickoff & 1 missed field-goal)

Bears RB Cedric Benson could receive more carries with RB Thomas Jones nursing an ankle injury that was suffered during the team’s Week 14 win against St. Louis.

Tampa Bay is 0-5 all-time at Soldier Field in December & have been outscored 160-41.

Jon Gruden’s team is still searching for their first road win of the season. (0-6 away from Raymond James Stadium.)

vs.
Detroit Lions (2-11) vs. Green Bay Packers (5-8) from Lambeau Field in Green Bay, WI.

1:00 PM EST

Packers’ last home loss to Lions was in December of ‘91 when Mike Tomczak was the team’s starting quarterback.

Mattie T’s Prediction: I’m picking the Packers to blowout the Lions.

The Lions are still searching for their first road win (0-6 away from Ford Field) under first year head coach Rod Marinelli.

Detroit put RB Kevin Jones (foot) on IR earlier this week. Arlen Harris will start for the remainder of the season.

Packers CB Charles Woodson has recorded either an interception or fumble recovery in each of the team’s last 3 games.

vs.
N.Y. Jets (7-6) vs. Minnesota Vikings (6-7) from the Metrodome in Minneapolis, MN.

1:00 PM EST

Jets have won 6 of 7 overall meetings.

Mattie T’s Prediction: I’m picking the Jets to beat the Vikings.

Vikings RB Chester Taylor (ribs) is expected to play after missing the team’s Week 14 win over the Lions.

Taylor could be in line for a big game against the Jets’ 26th ranked run defense. (139.2 yards allowed per game)

Jets QB Chad Pennington is expected to start after being benched during the team’s Week 14 loss to the Bills.

The Vikings have the NFL’s top-ranked run defense (54.1 yards allowed per game) & are on pace to break the 2000 Baltimore Ravens’ NFL record for fewest rushing yards allowed in a 16 game season.

Jets CB Justin Miller leads the NFL in kickoff return average (29.0) & is tied with the Bears’ Devin Hester with two kickoff returns for touchdowns.

The Jets have not lost in Minneapolis since 1975, when the team’s home field was called “Metropolitan Stadium.”

vs.

Houston Texans (4-9) vs. New England Patriots (9-4) from Gillette Stadium in Foxboro, MA.

1:00 PM EST

Patriots won only previous meeting in ‘03.

Mattie T’s Prediction: I’m picking the Patriots to blowout the Texans.

New England can clinch the AFC West on Sunday with a win & a Jets loss.

Patriots RB Laurence Maroney (back) & TE Ben Watson (leg) are both questionable.

Patriots WR Jabar Gaffney will face his former team on Sunday.

Gaffney spent his previous 4 seasons with the Texans.

Texans RB Ron Dayne had his first multi-touchdown game since ‘02 during the team’s Week 14 loss to Tennessee.

Texans WR Andre Johnson leads the NFL with 92 receptions.

vs.
Washington Redskins (4-9) vs. New Orleans Saints (9-4) from the Superdome in New Orleans, LA.

1:00 PM EST

Redskins have won 5 of last 6 road meetings.

Mattie T’s Prediction: I’m picking the Saints to blowout the Redskins.

New Orleans can clinch the NFC South title Sunday with either a win or a Dallas loss.

Saints QB Drew Brees leads the NFL in passing yards (4,033), touchdown passes (25) & passer rating. (101.2)

The Saints lead the NFL in total offense (410.6 yards per game) & passing offense. (303.5 yards per game)

Redskins QB Jason Campbell is 1-3 since taking over at starter for Mark Brunell & has yet to win a road start.

Redskins RB Ladell Betts has rushed for 100 yards or more in his last 3 games.

The Saints’ last home win over the Redskins was during the ‘92 season when Bobby Hebert was the team’s starting quarterback.

vs.
Jacksonville Jaguars (8-5) vs. Tennessee Titans (6-7) from LP Field in Nashville, TN.

1:00 PM EST

Jaguars have won last 3 meetings.

Mattie T’s Prediction: I’m picking the Titans to upset the Jaguars.

Tennessee has won 5 of their last 7 games & will look to reach the .500 mark for the first time this season with a win on Sunday.

Jaguars RB Fred Taylor (hamstring) is questionable. If Taylor can’t go, Maurice Jones-Drew will make the first start of his career.

Titans RB Chris Brown could receive his first start of the season on Sunday with RB’s Travis Henry (ankle) & LenDale White (hip) ailing with injuries.

The Jaguars are 4-5 all-time at LP Field.

vs.
Denver Broncos (7-6) vs. Arizona Cardinals (4-9) from University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, AZ.
4:05 PM EST

Broncos coach Mike Shanahan is 3-0 all-time against Arizona.

Mattie T’s Prediction: I’m picking the Broncos to record a close win over the Cardinals.

Rookie QB’s Matt Leinart & Jay Cutler will square off on Sunday.

Leinart is 3-6 as a starter this season, while Cutler is 0-2.

Cardinals RB Edgerrin James needs 78 yards to become the team’s first 1,000 yard rusher since Adrian Murrell in 1998.

Broncos RB Tatum Bell needs 102 yards to record the first 1,000 yard season of his career.

vs.
Philadelphia Eagles (7-6) vs. N.Y. Giants (7-6) from Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ.

4:15 PM EST

Giants overcame 17 point 4th quarter deficit to beat the Eagles during Week 2.

Mattie T’s Prediction: I’m picking the Giants to win a close game over the Eagles.

Philadelphia is 2-1 since losing QB Donovan McNabb (torn ACL) for the season on November 18th.

Jeff Garcia has completed 55 of 85 pass attempts (64.7%) for 805 yards, 7 touchdowns & no interceptions in his 3 starts this season.

Giants DE Michael Strahan will miss Sunday’s game with a foot injury.

Giants WR Plaxico Burress has caught a touchdown pass in 6 of his last 7 games. Burress caught the game-winning touchdown in overtime to beat the Eagles during Week 2.

Eagles RB Brian Westbrook needs just 5 yards for the first 1,000 yard season of his career.

vs.
St. Louis Rams (5-8) vs. Oakland Raiders (2-11) from McAfee Coliseum in Oakland, CA.

4:15 PM EST

Raiders have won 7 of 10 previous meetings.

Mattie T’s Prediction: I’m picking the Raiders to upset the Rams.

Raiders WR Randy Moss (ankle) will miss Sunday’s game.

Ronald Curry is expected to start for Moss.

Rams WR Torry Holt scored twice during the team’s Week 14 loss to Chicago & is tied with Seattle’s Darrell Jackson for the NFL lead in touchdown catches with 10.

Rams QB Marc Bulger (3rd in NFL with 3,528 passing yards) will go up against the Raiders’ top-ranked pass defense. (153.3 yards allowed per game)

Rams LB Pisa Tinoisamoa suffered a hand injury during Monday’s loss to the Bears & will miss the rest of the season.

Dexter Coakley is expected to take Tinoisamoa’s start.

This game will feature the NFL’s 25th (Raiders, 133 yards allowed per game) & 31st (Rams, 154.8 yards allowed per game) run defenses.

The Rams have not won a road game against a current member of the AFC West since relocating from Los Angeles to St. Louis in 1995.

vs.
Kansas City Chiefs (7-6) vs. San Diego Chargers (11-2) from Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego, CA.

7:15 PM EST

Chargers have won 6 of last 8 home meetings.

Mattie T’s Prediction: I’m picking the Chargers to beat the Chiefs.

This game will feature a showdown between the NFL’s #1 (Larry Johnson, 1,432 yards) & #2 (LaDainian Tomlinson, 1,427 yards) rushers.

Johnson has outrushed Tomlinson 263-113 in their 2 previous head-to-head meetings.

Tomlinson needs just 3 points to break the league mark for points in a season, which was set by Paul Hornung with 176 during the 1960 season.

San Diego can clinch a 1st round playoff bye with a win & an Indianapolis loss.

vs.
Cincinnati Bengals (8-5) vs. Indianapolis Colts (10-3) from the RCA Dome in Indianapolis, IN.

8:30 PM EST

Bengals will try for their first 5 game win streak since ‘88, which is their last Super Bowl appearance.

Mattie T’s Prediction: I’m picking the Bengals to upset the Colts in a shootout.

Colts QB Peyton Manning is 4-0 in his career against the Bengals, which included last season’s 45-37 win in Cincinnati.

Cincinnati is making just their 2nd Monday Night Football apperance since 1992 & is 8-16 all-time during MNF.

This game will feature the NFL’s #1 (Chad Johnson, 77 rec. for 1,247 yards & 7 TD’s) & #2 (Reggie Wayne, 70 rec. for 1,129 yards & 8 TD’s) receivers.

Colts WR Marvin Harrison is 5th with 74 rec. for 1,094 yards & 6 touchdowns while Bengals WR T.J. Houshmandzadeh is 16th with 73 rec. for 894 yards & 8 touchdowns receiving.

The difference in Monday’s game however, could lie on the 3rd receiver slot.

Bengals WR Chris Henry (29 rec. for 451 yards & 7 TD’s) has a big advantage over Colts WR Ricky Proehl (2 rec. for 23 yards & 0 TD’s).

Colts WR Brandon Stokley (Achilles tendon) could be sidelined for the season after getting injured during the team’s Week 14 loss to Jacksonville.

Bengals RB Rudi Johnson could be in for a huge day against the Colts’ 32nd ranked run defense. (176.5 yards allowed per game)

Bengals CB Deltha O’Neal will play after missing the team’s Week 14 win over Oakland.

That’s a wrap with the Week 15 Predictions!

I’ll have a look at some upcoming bowl games, a college basketball recap & a weekly recap in sports on Saturday.

At this hour, Allen Iverson is still a 76er.

Until then,

Mattie T

Sports Writer for BMS Radio Chicago

www.bmsradio.com & myspace.com/bmsradiosports

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