The Gridiron Gentlemen Super Fun Prediction League: Week 13

The playoff picture is something of a mess as we roll into week 13, with a variety of mediocre teams banging on the door of the post-season. I post-season that the NFL has wanted to expand to include more mediocre teams. As much of a mess the play offs have been, our predictions have been just as muddy and literally any of us could still take the crown.

Dan: 107-69

James: 106-70

Dylan: 107-69

Simon: 110-66

Duncan: 109-67

Week 13 brings with it a full compliment of games that could see things change significantly… but more likely we’ll just carry on being pretty average.

Let’s take a look at week 13, starting with a crazy Thursday night game.

 

Green Bay Packers @ Detroit Lions

We had been a little starved of those magic Aaron Rodgers moments over the last month. All that changed when Rodgers put a full stop on a 27 point comeback with an insane hail mary completion. Yes it was a soft face guard call and yes the Lions should have put Calvin Johnson on the field. Regardless it was a magic moment that defines the NFL and what a great sport it is.

 

 

 

 

Houston Texans @ Buffalo Bills

Here we have a battle of 2 teams that up until recent weeks had struggled to find an identity. The Texans are currently one of the top teams in the league, with the defence led by JJ Watt finally getting some credit on the back of the results going their way. The Bills I think are still trying to figure out exactly what they are. This is supposed to be a team that is led by one of the best defensive lines in the league, but really comparative to other seasons they’ve struggled. This could be a fun game if the Bills can put it all together and mount a genuine challenge for one of the league’s most in form teams.

 

 

 

 

Baltimore Ravens @ Miami Dolphins

If I was told to match up the 2 most disappointing teams in the AFC, I think this would be it. The Dolphins cleared out another office, getting rid of Bill Lazor to give Ryan Tannehill more control over the offence. The Ravens have actually hit some form, beating 2 bad teams despite a lack of any offensive fire power. The Dolphins perhaps might be a little too much for the Ravens, which should tell how bad this unit actually is.

 

 

 

 

Cincinnati Bengals @ Cleveland Browns

In any other year I would say that this game has massive trap potential. The fact is though Cincinnati haven’t looked this good in a long time and the Browns don’t look anything like a competitive team, especially with Austin Davis set to start. I would imagine we might get the odd Manziel sighting in this one.

 

 

 

 

San Francisco 49ers  @ Chicago Bears

The Niner’s defensive performance was marred by some seriously poor officiating, which as a rule is not something I tend to talk about. Regardless of the result with an immense amount of pressure they were able to rattle Palmer. The Bears have hit some form, with whispers of them making a run for the play offs. I think hype might have taken over a little with Chicago and actually these 2 teams are a lot closer than people think, despite a Jay Cutler that might be in the form of his life.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tennessee Titans @ Jacksonville Jaguars

2 bad teams that need to make serious changes in the off season. I guess the reason to watch is so we can see exactly where they need to make the changes.

 

 

 

 

Seattle Seahawks @ Minnesota Vikings

I love this game and think both defences could be in for a fun day. Teddy Bridgewater hasn’t played well under pressure, which is unfortunate considering how much Seattle like pressuring QBs. That being said the Vikings defence is one of the best in the league and Wilson isn’t playing behind a great offensive line. This game will be won by the team that handles QB pressure the best and can get the run game going.

 

 

 

 

New York Jets @ New York Giants

A genuinely exciting match up that has historically been exciting only because they share a stadium. Both teams have a shot at the play offs this year ( I mean, who isn’t?) and will be looking at getting a leg up in their home stadium. Those hoping for a Revis vs. OBJ matchup will have had their hopes dashed when Revis was announced to be out, meaning the Jets will have to put the pressure on Eli to slow down one of the best receivers in the league. The Giants defence however could struggle against a multitude of weapons that look like they’re returning to form on the Jets offence. This could be a fun, high scoring matchup, with OBJ potentially running wild.

 

 

 

 

Arizona Cardinals @ St Louis Rams

The long, convoluted route to a usual inevitable 7-9 seems to have taken a detour for the Rams, where poor offensive weapons, no QB and a woeful line could see them exposed for the poorly put together team they actually are. The Cards injuries are finally beginning to hit home, but much like last season they are muddling through them and are finding ways to put points up, with a defence that seems capable of stifling even the top offences in the league. The result of this game seems like a forgone conclusion and yet seeing what the Niners pass rush was able to do last week, knowing the talent the Rams have on defence and knowing how much the they love going up against NFC West teams, means there is at least a sniff of an upset here.

Dan	Dylan	Duncan	Simon	James	Alex
Cardinals 42-14	Cardinals 30-16	Cardinals 19-13	Cardinals  28-10	Cardinals  31-9	Cardinals  32-14

 

 

 

 

 

Atlanta Falcons @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers

I have little doubt that 10 games ago we’d still be talking about this game being a one-sided affair, but in favour of Atlanta rather than Tampa Bay. As it is though aside from the Panthers the Bucs are the most in form team in the NFC South, which historically might not mean a great deal, but when you include them as legitimate play off contenders, it should tell you how good this Bucs team have become. It’s a combination of Red Zone deficiencies and a lack of pass rush for Atlanta that should see Tampa Bay go into this game in perfect conditions. However if the Falcons can remember just how much talent they have on this team, they could put up a fight.

 

 

 

 

Denver Broncos @ San Diego Chargers

It speaks volumes about how much talent the Broncos have surrounding Brock Osweiller and how little the Chargers have around Philip Rivers, that the Broncos will be going into this game as heavy favourites. This will undoubtedly be just another home game the Chargers will just want to get through to hopefully find somewhere else to play at next season, maybe somewhere that feels like home.

 

 

 

 

Kansas City Chiefs @ Oakland Raiders

If the Season ends tomorrow I would say both teams would be over the moon with how well they’ve played, so bravo to both teams and as a result should provide us with an entertaining game here. Alex Smith played the waiting game last week with 5 years of short conservative passes opening up 1 game of pinpoint deep balls. Smith managed to get the ball deep whilst not compromising with interceptions. This wrinkle is a great addition to a team that can move the ball on the ground and keep the score low with a dangerous defence. The Raiders in all honesty feel like they might be a couple of seasons away from challenging, but in this game they could definitely put up a fight for their division rivals.

Dan	Dylan	Duncan	Simon	James	Alex
Chiefs 31-21	Chiefs 34-31	Chiefs 28-17	Chiefs 31-27	Chiefs 34-31	Chiefs 28-21

 

 

 

 

 

Carolina Panthers @ New Orleans Saints

The Saints are a mess. The defence hasn’t been firing all season and has put an offence that relied heavily on the defence performing in a sticky situation, which has now got to a point where the offence can’t even move the ball. The Panthers are a complete team that look set to head to a perfect regular season record. This should be a very one-sided affair.

Dan	Dylan	Duncan	Simon	James	Alex
Panthers 31-10	Panthers 33-28	Panthers 45-6	Panthers  41-19	Panthers  44-10	Panthers  34-24

 

 

 

 

 

Philadelphia Eagles @ New England Patriots

Speaking of one-sided affairs, there are few teams on the Eagles “not this week, please” list than a Patriots team that just lost their 1st game and are looking to beat up on a team. The Eagles led by “the Genius”, Chip Kelly have hit a rough patch, with the Lions and Bucs combining to put 90 points up on this team. For me it feels like they’ve been figured out. The Patriots should have a field day here.

 

 

 

 

Indianapolis Colts @ Pittsburgh Steelers

The Colts have a hit a little form thanks to the dynamic play of an aging Matt Hasselbeck. But really there’s more too it than that. ‘Chud’ has brought a little magic to the offence and has got the team performing. The defence seems to have reacted to it and are playing at a much higher level then they were a couple of weeks ago. The Steelers however, despite a loss last week seem to have a team that can challenge for the play offs, to a point that if they don’t we might see a few coaching changes. Despite the Colts hitting some form, the Steelers could prove a little strong for the Hasselbeck led Colts.

 

 

 

 

Dallas Cowboys @ Washington

The Season hasn’t panned out for the Cowboys. With Romo now out for the Season after only just coming back from an injury to his collarbone, the Cowboys don’t seem to have an answer to most teams, with below par quarterbacking coming from Brandon Weedon and then Matt Cassel. Washington have far exceeded my expection for what they’d achieve this season with Kirk Cousins being a decent option in favour of RG3 this season. It’s the defence though that has been seriously impressive and will undoubtedly prove a little too much for a fairly toothless Dallas offence. Washington, right now are probably the best team in the NFC East.

Dan	Dylan	Duncan	Simon	James	Alex
Washington 21-10	Washington 20-14	Washington 20-17	Washington 27-10	Washington 27-10	Washington 24-14

 

 

 

 

Enjoy week 13 folks, let us know who you’ve got on twitter, here