Both teams come into this encounter on the back of heartbreaking losses in games they should have won.
The Giants, on a four game losing streak, can count themselves very unlucky to have lost to a Green Bay Packers teams seemingly destined for perfection.
The Cowboys, however, have only themselves – or, rather, their coach – to blame after Jason Garrett iced his own kicker to cost Dallas victory over the Arizona Cardinals last weekend.
It was a kick Dan Bailey should have made second time around, but, really, the Cowboys’ problems stemmed from Garrett refusing to trust his offence to gain five-ten more yards, making it a much easier kick, despite having timeouts in hand.
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It’s not the first time this season Garrett has shown a lack of faith in his offence and you can probably expect the same again this weekend as he faces up to a Giants pass rush that know a flustered Tony Romo is likely to become an inaccurate Tony Romo very quickly.
This is the first of two fixtures between the Giants and Cowboys in the next four weeks and victory for either this weekend could well decide the destiny of the NFC East.
Verdict: Last week aside, the Cowboys have looked playoff-bound of late. However, their secondary remains suspect and the Giants could exploit that. It’ll be close but, with home advantage, I think Cowboys will win by less than six.
New Orleans Saints (9-3) @ Tennessee Titans (7-5)
All of a sudden the Titans have something to play for again and, with Houston down to their third choice quarterback and Chris Johnson showing why he might have been worth all that money after all, the AFC South title is not beyond the bounds of possibilities.
Were Aaron Rodgers not chasing Tom Brady’s touchdown record and an undefeated season, Drew Brees would be almost certainly the league’s MVP. He remains on course to surpass the single season passing record but could struggle here against a Titans team giving up just 19 points per game (sixth in the NFL).
Verdict: CJ2K might have improved dramatically in recent weeks but the Saints have so many offensive weapons it’s difficult to see anyone shutting them down at the moment. Saints by 6+.
Chicago Bears (7-5) @ Denver Broncos (7-5)
The Broncos come into this game with their defence, minus Von Miller, keeping them close enough in games to ensure Tim Tebow can put in one of his patented game-winning drives. Last weeks interception by Andre Goodman against the Minnesota Vikings with just 90 seconds left being the most recent.
While the Bears have, thankfully, decided against Brett Favre, they still reckon that Caleb Hanie is an adequate replacement for Jay Cutler. However, if this game goes the way I suspect it might, I doubt Hanie will finish it as the number one Bears QB.
Verdict: The Broncos defence have been awesome in the second half of the season and there’s no reason why that shouldn’t continue this weekend. Broncos by 8+.
All fixtures and predictions
Cleveland Brows 3 @ Pittsburgh Steelers 14
Indianapolis Colts @ Baltimore Ravens – Ravens
Atlanta Falcons @ Carolina Panthers – Panthers
Houston Texans @ Cincinnati Bengals – Bengals
Minnesota Vikings @ Detroit Lions – Lions
Tampa Bay Buccaneers @ Jacksonville Jaguars – Buccaneers
Philadelphia Eagles @ Miami Dolphins – Dolphins
Kansas City Chiefs @ New York Jets – Jets
New Orleans Saints @ Tennessee Titans – Saints
New England Patriots @ Washington Redskins – Patriots
San Francisco 49ers @ Arizona Cardinals – 49ers
Chicago Bears @ Denver Broncos – Broncos
Oakland Raiders @ Green Bay Packers – Packers
Buffalo Bills @ San Diego Chargers – Chargers
New York Giants @ Dallas Cowboys – Cowboys
St Louis Rams @ Seattle Seahawks – Seahawks
Steven O’Rourke is the Offensive Co-ordinator of Tullamore Phoenix American Football Club, winners of the IAFL DV8s national title in 2010 and 2011. Tullamore are always recruiting new players so, if you’d like to play football and not just read about it, Steven would love to hear from you.
The Redzone: Can Romo captain America’s team to victory
New York Giants (6-6) @ Dallas Cowboys (7-5)
Both teams come into this encounter on the back of heartbreaking losses in games they should have won.
The Giants, on a four game losing streak, can count themselves very unlucky to have lost to a Green Bay Packers teams seemingly destined for perfection.
The Cowboys, however, have only themselves – or, rather, their coach – to blame after Jason Garrett iced his own kicker to cost Dallas victory over the Arizona Cardinals last weekend.
It was a kick Dan Bailey should have made second time around, but, really, the Cowboys’ problems stemmed from Garrett refusing to trust his offence to gain five-ten more yards, making it a much easier kick, despite having timeouts in hand.
It’s not the first time this season Garrett has shown a lack of faith in his offence and you can probably expect the same again this weekend as he faces up to a Giants pass rush that know a flustered Tony Romo is likely to become an inaccurate Tony Romo very quickly.
This is the first of two fixtures between the Giants and Cowboys in the next four weeks and victory for either this weekend could well decide the destiny of the NFC East.
Verdict: Last week aside, the Cowboys have looked playoff-bound of late. However, their secondary remains suspect and the Giants could exploit that. It’ll be close but, with home advantage, I think Cowboys will win by less than six.
New Orleans Saints (9-3) @ Tennessee Titans (7-5)
All of a sudden the Titans have something to play for again and, with Houston down to their third choice quarterback and Chris Johnson showing why he might have been worth all that money after all, the AFC South title is not beyond the bounds of possibilities.
Were Aaron Rodgers not chasing Tom Brady’s touchdown record and an undefeated season, Drew Brees would be almost certainly the league’s MVP. He remains on course to surpass the single season passing record but could struggle here against a Titans team giving up just 19 points per game (sixth in the NFL).
Verdict: CJ2K might have improved dramatically in recent weeks but the Saints have so many offensive weapons it’s difficult to see anyone shutting them down at the moment. Saints by 6+.
Chicago Bears (7-5) @ Denver Broncos (7-5)
The Broncos come into this game with their defence, minus Von Miller, keeping them close enough in games to ensure Tim Tebow can put in one of his patented game-winning drives. Last weeks interception by Andre Goodman against the Minnesota Vikings with just 90 seconds left being the most recent.
While the Bears have, thankfully, decided against Brett Favre, they still reckon that Caleb Hanie is an adequate replacement for Jay Cutler. However, if this game goes the way I suspect it might, I doubt Hanie will finish it as the number one Bears QB.
Verdict: The Broncos defence have been awesome in the second half of the season and there’s no reason why that shouldn’t continue this weekend. Broncos by 8+.
All fixtures and predictions
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