AFCE

NFL-AFCE Game Day-Week 15

NFL-AFCE Game Day-Week 15
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Today’s Games

 

From: NFL Network

Bills 19  –  Dolphins 14

Sunday, Dec. 17 @ 1 PM ET

Call it troublesome — or tiresome — to put faith in either of these AFC East foes. The Dolphins are coming off their strongest showing of the season. If Jay Cutlerregresses, it will be interesting to see whether running back Kenyan Drake can carry a heavy load for Miami again. The Bills are mired in the longest playoff drought in pro sports, but they still carry decent prospects of playing in January. Here’s what Buffalo would like: the Chargers winning at Arrowhead; the Cowboys taking down the Raiders; the struggling Titans tripping up against the 49ers. All three outcomes are possible, if not probable. Next week in New England might be problematic, though.

Fun fact: LeSean McCoy is just 39 rushing yards shy of 10,000 for his career. I don’t think most people realize he’s that high up the rushing charts.

 

Saints 37  –  Jets 14

Sunday, Dec. 17 @ 1 PM ET
With Josh McCownout, this interconference deal could get real difficult for the Jets in the Big Easy this week. (See what I did there? You’re welcome.) The onus will be on Gang Green’s defense to force turnovers from Drew Brees. In order to do that, the Jets must bottle up Mark Ingram. Rookie Alvin Kamara — who is on track to play after leaving last Thursday’s game with a concussion — is also a force, reflected in his robust 7.0 yards per carry. Then there is this note from @RealJackAndrade: Kamara is on pace to be the first running back to lead the NFL in yards per carry by over a full yard since Barry Sanders in 1994.

 

 

Patriots 30  –  Steelers 24

Sunday, Dec. 17 @ 4:25 PM ET
Obviously, this is the second-best game of the weekend, one that everyone has circled on their calendar, right after Texans at Jags. So, we know the Patriots will have Rob Gronkowski, who is on everyone’s $#$# list after the late, late hit he laid in the Bills game. If Tom Brady has time (he was made uncomfortable repeatedly in Miami), he should capitalize on the available windows in the Steelers‘ secondary that Joe Flacco couldn’t, or didn’t, take advantage of. That means Ben Roethlisberger will have to keep pace. Remember, though, that Pittsburgh couldn’t feature Le’Veon Bellin last January’s AFC Championship Game due to injury. Perhaps, with the Steelerslooking to keep Brady off the field, Sunday’s affair will develop into one of those Lev Bell 35-touch games.

Miami at Buffalo

 

The Dolphins impressed by beating the Patriots Monday night, including a good showing by Jay Cutler. That was good Cutler. Can it continue? I think it does here, provided there isn’t another Buffalo blizzard. This is essentially a playoff game, with the loser out. I think the Dolphins will win it.

Pick: Dolphins 28, Bills 20

 

 

New York Jets at New Orleans

 

The Jets will be starting Bryce Petty in this game, which will make it a lot tougher. They are also playing consecutive road games outside the division, which is even tougher for a team playing out the string. The Saints will be rested after playing last Thursday. This will be ugly.

Pick: Saints 34, Jets 10

 

 

 

New England at Pittsburgh

 

This is the game of the week and will go a long way to deciding the top seed in the conference. The Steelers have been winning, but they have had major issues on defense. That’s why Tom Brady and company will put up a big number and win this one. It will be a shootout, fun to watch, but Brady has dominated the Steelers and will do so here.

Pick: Patriots 35, Steelers 31

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