The Seahawks dismantled the Saints in Seattle 34 – 7 in Week 13. New Orleans will be confident with their road win in Philly. This one is much closer this time around. I don’t see Seattle losing twice at home in a month where they’ve allowed 13.75 points a game. The Saints will bring the heat and try to rattle the 2nd year QB Wilson. They must be able to contain him. The Seahawks continue their home advantage.
Prediction: Seahawks 26, Saints 21
Indianapolis Colts @ New England Patriots
The Colts have proven that they can beat top level teams on the road. They beat an overrated Chief team with a mid-level QB. Tom Brady is elite and I see the Patriots coming up with a way to shut down T.Y. Hilton and Robert Mathis. They will run at Mathis to take him out and control the game on the ground. Andrew Luck may be the comeback kid, but this hill will be harder to climb. Rain will be a factor.
Prediction: Patriots 32, Colts 24
San Francisco 49ers @ Carolina Panthers
Field position and 3rd down conversions: That’s the tale of the tape in this one. Carolina leads the league in 3rd down efficiency at 43.8%. They go against the 6th best defense in SF at stopping 3rd down at 34.1%. Don’t be the over on this one as is should be another slug fest with field goals a premium. SF has Michael Crabtree back and a healthy Vernon Davis. This should be an advantage as the Panthers will try to contain more weapons. Carolina sacked Kaepernick 6 times back in Week 10 and that will be on both teams minds. SF is playing the most consistent now and that should be the difference in a low scoring battle. SF moves on.
Prediction: 49ers 21, Panthers 20
San Diego Chargers @ Denver Broncos
Don’t expect Manning to lose to the same team twice in a row, let alone in their own house. Denver must get out to an early substantial lead in an attempt to get the Chargers out of their impressive running game. Clearly Denver has the more explosive and can score at will. Oh ya…Peyton Manning is not Andy Dalton. Broncos gallop onward.
