Week 10 NFL Preview Review
Each Monday, I will review the preview I made before the weekend’s games. I will own up to any bad predictions, and brag about my foresight, in hindsight.
Buffalo Bills (3-6) at Tennessee Titans (3-6)
What Happened: Chris Johnson not only ran all over the Bills for 130 yards, he added 100 yards in the air. The Bills stacked up in the box to contain him on the ground, but the Titans responded by throwing short dump passes over the middle which Johnson easily added to with 8-9 defenders already behind him. Tennessee wins 41-17 by running Johnson down the Bills’ throat all game. They iced the game with 2 interception returns for touchdowns in the final 3 minutes, so the score is a little skewed.
My Prediction: Bills win. Tennessee will overthink themselves and throw more than they should.
Foresight in Hindsight: I was very wrong. The Bills could not contain Johnson or Vince Young on the ground, and only came up with one interception for the game that led to a Bills touchdown. I stand by what I said: Never pick for or against the Bills.
Detroit Lions (1-8) at Minnesota Vikings (8-1)
What Happened: Detroit entered the fourth quarter only down by 7 points before the Vikings scored 10 unanswered to put the game away, 27-10.
My Prediction: Detroit will keep this game close for most of the game, but the Vikings will walk away with the victory.
Foresight in Hindsight: I was very right. I don’t care how bad the team is, division games are almost always tighter than you expect.
Cincinnati Bengals (7-2) at Pittsburgh Steelers (6-3)
What Happened: Troy Polamalu tweeks his knee in the first quarter and does not return. Both offenses manage 4 field goals each, but the game winner came in the second quarter, when Pittsburgh allowed their 3rd kickoff return touchdown of the season.
My Prediction: Bengals win a close game, mostly because of an extra day of preparation and rest.
Foresight in Hindsight: I said that this would come down to the final possession. It very well should have, had the Steelers’ coverage team learned how to tackle.
New England Patriots (6-3) at Indianapolis Colts (9-0)
What Happened: What. A. Game!!! The decision to go for it on 4th and 2 on the 30 yard line with a 6 point lead and 3 minutes to go has been dissected to death already. Every single thing I’ve read and heard has been hammering Belichick for not punting. While punting is the safe, conventional thing to do in that situation, I have to take Bill’s side on this one. His defense was tired. Manning is….well, Manning. 3 minutes is plenty of time to drive for a touchdown, and Belichick didn’t want to take that chance. If they make those 2 yards, he’s praised as a genius with guts of steel, and run out the clock.
If he punts, and the Colts score, the media blames the defense. The players get blamed. But by challenging his players to gain those two yards, he takes the blame all to himself. A risky, bold move that I think would pay off 9 out of 10 times. Unfortunately, this was the one time it didn’t.
My Prediction: Colts win this by at least two touchdowns. Their defense will slow the Patriots’ attack. Manning will show the world why he should win a record fourth MVP award.
Foresight in Hindsight: Well, I was about 50% right. Manning definitely solidified his bid for MVP. The defense gave up 34, but made some huge plays throughout.
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