NFL Predictions: Week Ten

Week Ten predictions provided by Mac.

Raiders at Chargers (-7.0)/Broncos at KC(-3.0) two-fer

Does anybody really care who wins that AFC West? Chargers level the Raiders, pissing and

moaning about Carson Palmer ensues or Raiders defeat the hapless Chargers, pissing and moaning about Phillip Rivers ensues. Chiefs take advantage of a one-dimensional Broncos offense, pissing and moaning about Tim Tebow ensues, or the Broncos win with some Tebow magic, pissing and moaning about Matt Cassel…..wait a minute. Why in the hell is there not more pissing and moaning about Matt Cassel?

Sure he doesn’t throw the ball away once a quarter like Rivers and Palmer. Sure he doesn’t throw the ball away in ways where the designated receiver cannot be determined like Tim Tebow. But we are talking about a quarterback who currently has Dwayne Bowe playing certified #1 receiver like he is supposed to. Jonathan Baldwin is playing remarkably considering its his first year, his problematic nature and his fight with Thomas Jones that left he injured for the important development portions of the early season. Steve Breaston is doing all he can to make Matt Cassel to look like a real QB. Dexter McCluster is taking advantage of all the free space that the WR corps is giving him. Even the TEs are playing above their abilities with Tony Moeaki out for the year. Yet there is no talk about the poor play of Matt Cassel. He has moderate to below average arm strength, decent release but terrible ball trajectory when it comes to delivering downfield passes.

Pocket presence is very important and Matt Cassel does not have the confidence to stand in there when the rush is on. He drops his head, braces for impact and ignores the multiple options that have opened up down the field. While he is limiting his TOs, he has only learned to read coverage to know when not to throw the ball. He has only marginally improved on reading the defense to figure out where to the throw ball. This is important because it may be his second year (Ed. note: 3rd season) as Chiefs QB, but he is 28. He has studied behind Tom Brady for most of his career and this is his 3rd (4th) full season starting in the NFL. He has proven that he can be a great back-up QB, but he is definitely not a franchise QB. I hope I made my point…. Oh yeah Chargers win 31-27 (Raiders within the margin) and Chiefs cover (I’m biased as hell) 27-17.

(Ed. note: Freakin' NFL Network aired the Chargers-Raiders game last night.)

Bills at Cowboys (-5.5)

Mr. Harvard vs. Guy-Who-Dated-a-Celebrity-Who’s-Favorite-Movie-was-"Legally Blonde". The Bills season is going to get derailed. I don’t see the Pats missing the playoffs and the Jets proved last week against the Bills that they are for real. The AFC North is the only division I think can take both wild card spots so do the math. Cowboys on the other hand see the Giants facing the hardest schedule to end the season and only a two game lead for the division. That said, positioning doesn’t win you football games, but I’ll take the Cowboys 24-21 (Bills within the margin).

Saints at Falcons (even)

Drew Brees has thrown 379 passes this season, that’s 58 more than his closest competitor in the stat: Tom Brady. My prediction, Brees’ arm falls off. Falcons win 34-31. Also I don’t care if you have medical facts to argue against my prediction, science can suck it!!!

Steelers at Bengals (+3.0)

Good job keeping it together this far Mr. Dalton, but the Steelers will eat you….maybe literally, I don’t trust James Harrison. The CBs are the strongest part of the upstart Bengals defense and Big Ben eliminates their impact by his backyard football style (not a rape joke). 27-10 Steelers. In all honesty I want the Bengals to win this game, and every other game after being predicted by a handful of ESPN analysts to not even win a game this season. Haha, idiots.

Lions at Bears (-3.0)

Lions, no Tigers, but some Bears, oh my. Bears win 21-13. Just so you know, that AFC West/Matt Cassel rant went too long so I’m simplifying the rest of my predictions.

Pats at Jets (-1.5)

Jets 27-24, we all cry at the passing of Tom Brady. That might have been a play on words, not sure anymore.

Couple Freebies: Giants beat the 49ers and Vikings beat the Packers (they’re bound to lose a game; if I just keep predicting it when they finally lose I will be right).