Welcome to the AFC North weekly predictions!
Each week, our AFC North featured writers will list their picks for that week and be forced to explain why they voted as they did. Keep in mind that these picks are for entertainment purposes only, and in no way should be used to influence gambling or illegal activity, unless you’re smart enough to recognize that we know more than you because we publish things.
In week 12, The AFC North writers had another solid week at 9-1, their best possible mark, as Mr Crawford may have been looking for a little Luck from Indy to move up in the standings. Now a first place finish from JC (or anyone else) is as likely as a Bengals first place finish.
Speaking of the Bengals, their week 12 loss to the Ravens all but sealed their off-season fate, while boosting the Ravens playoff hopes from slim to possible. The Steelers won handily, keeping them in the division hunt, and the Browns lost yet another gamr where the final score wasn’t exactly indicative of the effort on the field.
Week 13 Games:
Sunday:
Philadelphia Eagles Steelers (5-6) @ Cincinatti Bengals (3-7-1) 1:00 pm, FOX
Sunday:
Miami Dolphins (7-4) @ Baltimore Ravens (6-5), 1:00 pm, CBS
Sunday:
New York Giants (8-3) @ Pittsburgh Steelers (6-5) 1:00 pm, FOX
It’s nearly must-win time for the Steelers and Ravens, and definitely a must win and a prayer for the Bengals. The biggest game in terms of perception is certainly Ravens/Dolphins considering wild card implications, but the Ravens would still control their destiny in the North with a loss because they own the tiebreaker with the Steelers. A Steelers loss and a Ravens win would leave Pitt essentually two out with four to play. A win by both the Ravens and Steelers could propel both into a top six seed for the first time this season.
On to the predictions!
Michael Thompson’s picks (28-9-1, 2-1 last week)
Dolphins @ Ravens
Hard to pick any AFCN team outside the division these days, especially the Ravens, who are 4-0 against the AFCN and 2-5 against everyone else, with their wins coming in unconvincing fashion over the terrible Jaguars and the mediocre Bills. The Dolphins are probably better than the Bills, though their current record may be more a product of fortunate scheduling and momentum than anything else. I really don’t have much confidence in the Dolphins, but even less so in the Ravens, so I expect the Ravens’ futility outside the division to continue.
Dolphins 23, Ravens 16
Eagles @ Bengals
Hard game to pick because the Eagles are erratic and the Bengals never lived up to their preseason hype. Every week, there is the possibility that the team that made the playoffs several years in a row might re-emerge and that team is actually much better than the Eagles, who have gone 2-6 since their 3-0 start. I would expect the Eagles’ dropoff to continue, but I’m doubtful that will play out against the Bengals, who appear to have given up on the season after 3 crushing defeats in a row essentially ended their season.
Eagles 21, Bengals 17
Giants @ Steelers
Steelers fans are riding high after a Thanksgiving victory over the powerhouse Colts. Much celebration ensued, including Big Ben devouring most of the post-game turkey. Cracks in their unity appeared, however, as the team took this opportunity to scold Antonio Brown for his post-touchdown antics. We will see whether any resentments linger from the tongue-lashing as Brown squares off against fellow wide-receiving douchenugget Odell Beckham in a battle of the stats. There will likely be some fireworks on the field, but eventually I expect the Steelers to win the game, because the Giants are probably the worst 8-3 team I’ve ever seen.
Giants 20, Steelers 28
Jack Crawford’s picks (23-14-1, 3-0 last week):
Dolphins @ Ravens
The resurgent Dolphins are riding a six-game winning streak and have looked like an actual contender while doing so. The Ravens still sport an excellent defense and suspect offense.
Dolphins 24, Ravens 21
Eagles @ Bengals
Despite the Bengals’ recent struggles, they rebound against suddenly-a-rookie QB Carson Wentz and the inconsistent Eagles.
Eagles 17, Bengals 26
Giants @ Steelers
The wholly unpredictable Giants fall short against the Steelers, who should fare well in their home environment.
Giants 28, Steelers 31
Paul Johansson’s picks (24-13-1, 2-1 last week):
Dolphins @ Ravens
The Dolphins might be on a six game streak but the quality of opponent has not exactly been strong. The Ravens at least on paper are the toughest team they’ve faced in two month’s if that’s any indication. For whatever reason, the Ravens play up or down to opponents this time of year, so I give the edge to the home team in their most important game of the year.
Dolphins 17, Ravens 24
Eagles @ Bengals
The Eagles have dropped 6 of 8 after a 3-0 start but have played one of the toughest schedules in the league. The Bengals have been underperforming and doing just enough to lose (or tie) but play much better at home. Wentz is trending down recently, and on a short week the Bengals pressure up the middle is too much.
Eagles 13, Bengals 24
Giants @ Steelers
Giants are paper champions, as Clubber Lang would say. Never has a 6-game winning streak been so meaningless. It has consisted of five straight home games versus average to awful teams, followed up by a road game against the Browns. The Steelers have been tested throughout their schedule, and they seem to have offensive rhythm. If the Steelers D can slow down O. Beckham, it could be a blowout.
Giants 17, Steelers 34
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